The overseas shop has not replied. What should you check before buying?
You asked an overseas shop about stock or delivery but have not received a reply. Should you send another email, or place the order anyway? This guide covers enquiries made before purchasing. Before sending the same message repeatedly, check that you used the right contact channel and gave the supplier a clear question it can answer.
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Check the shop’s contact details and published response times
Did you use the current address or form on the shop's official website? Check your sent message, the address entered, any automatic acknowledgement and any delivery-error email. Look for a reply in spam or other folders too. An automatic acknowledgement should be treated separately from an answer to your question.
If the shop publishes a response target, opening hours or closures, read those first. Consider the local date and time at the shop rather than your sending date alone. There is no single number of hours that fits every follow-up; use the published guidance and the date by which you need to make a buying decision.
Check whether the first message identifies the item and question
A message saying only “Can I buy this?” may leave the item, quantity and destination unclear. Add the individual product URL, necessary model or colour, quantity and country of delivery. Keep the answer you currently need easy to find.
If stock and shipment to your country are the immediate questions, put those first. You can resolve the basic buying conditions before adding a long list about packaging, insurance, discounts and preferred arrival dates. Trim lengthy background and passages that repeat the same question in several different ways.
Follow up in the existing conversation with the essential question
If a further message is appropriate, such as after the shop's stated response target has passed, retain the original subject and conversation so the context is visible. Replace details in brackets before sending; change Japan to your destination if different.
Hello, I am following up on my enquiry sent on [date] about [product URL/model]. Could you confirm stock for [quantity] and whether you can ship to Japan? Please let me know if you need any further details from me. Thank you.
If using another contact route, use an official channel the shop provides and include the date and subject of your earlier enquiry. Wait for the stated response time before following up again, and note which channel you used and when to reduce duplicate exchanges.
Wait for the answers you need before ordering or paying
List the stock, delivery, total-cost or return questions that remain unanswered and ask the seller to address them. Wait for the answers needed for your purchase before ordering or paying. If the answers will not arrive in time for when you need the item, postpone the purchase or find another supplier whose terms you can confirm.
If you want help organizing the exchange or following up, send PORTLETTER the product link and the questions already asked. We handle checks and terms discussions by email and explain whether we are waiting for the seller or need you to choose a specification. The initial enquiry, basic research and estimate are free. We share the response status and confirmed conditions so you can decide on the next step.