Buying Guide Suggestion

This is a Version 1.0 guide to buying music. Any relevant information discussed during the threads will be added as needed. Guide is typed from the perspective of someone from the U.S.
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So you want to buy CDs from your favorite circles because:
• Someone hasn't uploaded it and you are sick of waiting
• The uploaded quality isn't up to your standards
• You actually want to support those circles
Well then, perhaps this is something you should read. In this guide I will outline things you can do get the stuff you want.
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 Part 1: Keep track of the stuff you want
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○ Browse the denpa threads. You obviously do this already if you found this guide. People will talk about the releases they are excited for when it gets close to event time. The major events you have to know the dates for are Comiket and M3. They are held bi-annually and circles tend to release their CDs during these events.

○ Get a Twitter. Well if you aren't one to use social media because its "cancer" or "muh government surveillance", then shit just bookmark relevant accounts through your browser. You don't have to post on Twitter, just keep one to keep track of circles you like. They are the most active on twitter about events they will  have/going to, crossfades for the their CDs, and they also talk about other related circles. Don't speak moon? Use translate to get a ghist of what they are saying. Its definitely easier if you know some basics though.

○ Denpa no Sekai. You always see this in the OP post of denpa threads because its relevant. They aren't as active as they used to be, but at least they post a compilative list of items to look out for along with relevant crossfades of the CDs. Bless their souls for their work.

○ Soundcloud. Not absolutely necessary, but I like to keep it to follow relevant circles. If I don't feel like wading through waves of text on twitter, I can just hop on soundcloud close to events to actually hear what I want to buy.
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 Part 2: Where to buy
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Actually going to the events is the cheapest way to purchase the CDs. Of course, that's not including the price of travel/room/food expenses. Anyway for the rest of us that can't afford to fly up for events, here are relevant places to get your CDs:

○ Group orders. Doujincore do these orders during events, and is probably a service you will be using if you want to get your hands on certain releases. Certain circles, especially for the "tru denpa" folk, usually don't officially release their CDs outside of events.

○ Toranoana. Circles like to release their items here post event. They do not ship international, but there are proxy services that do.
	http://www.toranoana.jp/

○ Melonbooks. Another outlet of doujin releases. Sometimes prices are slightly cheaper/more. Best to compare multiple websites before you commit. In the past my ordered was denied by them because they don't sell to proxy services or ship international. Simply pick a lesser known proxy and you should be good to go.
	https://www.melonbooks.co.jp/

○ Akibaoo. I haven't shopped here in a while, but is another place to look at if you can't find a new release in the above mentioned stores. Proxy buyer needed.
	http://www.akibaoo.com/

○ Surugaya. This is the place you browse if you are looking for older releases. They are likely to be pre-owned, but they are in good condition and most times they are cheaper than when the items was initially released.  Proxy buyer needed.
	http://www.suruga-ya.jp/

○ Tano*C Store. You may have heard of Tano*C through the some of the Hardcore Electronica they release. Circles like Confetto put some of their releases here, and they actually ship international.
	http://www.tanocstore.net/

○ IOSYS OS store. If you like stuff from IOSYS, they actually have their own shop that ships international AND responds in English in their emails. They accept PayPal, but only ship items post event.
	http://www.iosysos.com/
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 Part 3: How to buy
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○ Proxy buyers. Can't go to Japan/not in Japan? Have someone there get your stuff for you for a fee.

○ Doujincore. Read above in Part 2. They actually go the event to get what you want for a fee.
	http://doujincore.com/group-order.html

○ From Japan. One of the first proxies I have used to buy stuff from Japan. They used to be a simpler site, and were lesser known. This made it easier to shop from stores that don't sell to proxies (i.e melonbooks).  They accept PayPal and most major credit cards, and also have a points system for future purchases.
	http://www.fromjapan.co.jp/jp/

○ Tenso. Probably one of the better known proxy services. Melonbooks doesn't sell to them, but are good with everyone else. In fact, Tora no Ana officially endorses them. Accepts PayPal and major credit cards.
	https://www.tenso.com/

○ Goody Japan. Website looks very Web 1.0 ish, but I and other anons can attest to the quality of their service. One of the cheaper services as far as proxies are concerned, and are clear about their fees and shipping costs. Accepts PayPal and major credit cards.
	http://www.goody-japan.com/
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 Part 3.1: Shipping
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Since I usually order 5+ CDs at a time, I go with EMS shipping. It is the most expensive option among all proxy services, but is also the fastest and safest method. They charge by weight and size, which fortunately CDs don't weigh a lot.  I typically pay the 1kg price of EMS when shipping 5 CDs. Your mileage will vary. EMS is the most expensive when shipping to Europe/South America/Africa.

SAL is also a good option if you want to save on shipping. I have used it in the past for CDs. Items come in fine, but takes longer than EMS. I have waited 2 weeks at most for a SAL order, but maybe around 6 days at the least in the past.