Discussion of 2007 Unoa Pre-order (Shipped Dec. 2007)

last preorder from Crescent:

Sist kit US$ 430.00
Sist kit with a larger breast parts US$ 470.00

Lusis kit US$ 430.00
Lusis kit with a larger breast parts US$ 470.00


The shipping charge per one doll is
- Zone#1 Asia US$ 27.50
- Zone#2 North America, Middle America, Middle East & Oceania US$ 35.00
- Zone#3 Europe US$ 40.00
- Zone#4 South America & Africa US$ 62.50

 

does the price of a kit include Crescent fees?

 

It did back then.. 470$ and 430$ price was for kit+cs fee (orginaly prices for kits were around 390.000 yen)

 

Alchemic Lab Makes Toys!

Greetings!

Alchemic Lab, having been running as Araki Gentarou's personal brand since 2003, will make a new beginning starting in 2007 as a public company.

Henceforth, while keeping in mind the importance of quality, we will sell Araki Gentarou's works of art bit by bit.

We hope to do our best for you.

* About Alchemic Labo

Alchemic Labo is a privately managed company that plans, manufactures, and sells models, Araki Gentarou's molded works (figures, dolls) and also related goods, publications, etc.
* With the exception of the diary page, the creation and management of this site is not done by Araki Gentarou.

* About "U-Noa Quluts"

U-Noa Quluts (Unoa, and all other abbreviations etc) is the name of a series of resin cast ball joint dolls created by Araki Gentarou that were manufactured and sold starting in May, 2003.
We understand that basically they come unassembled and uncoated, needing to be assembled and completed by their owner, similar to figure kits that are played with as hand-made toys.

-> U-Noa Quluts Sales Ideas
"We want to deliver these goods, if possible, to every single customer who wishes to have them."
With this in mind, for Alchemic Labo's sales, we will generally sell by a made-to-order method.
* Henceforth we are changing to a smoother sales method. (Detailed inquiries please take note.)

-> U-Noa Quluts Sales Method

From here on we will continue to use the "O period" order acceptance sales method that began in 2003, however in order to make it easier to understand, we have created a unified name for the sale period part of it.

* Pre O Period
* O Period Order Acceptance (O Period Main / O Period Order)
* O Period Period

[Pre O Period]
In order to renew the original models and check the accuracy of the factory's manufacturing molds etc, before the "Main" (Order Acceptance) we will sell some parts that have been manufactured in smaller quantities.
If we are not planning to renew or change the original models we will not do this.

* Because the prepared number of items will be limited, these will be sold by lottery.
* There is a possibility that the price and/or specifications may be different to the "Main"/"Order" parts.

* O Period Order Acceptance (O Period Main / O Period Order)
This period is the basis of our sales, so we will be accepting sales of general orders.
Up until the 5th order period of 2006, starting production of the made-to-order models did not begin until after the order acceptance period was closed, however, if the number of applications was high, due to the manufacturing the waiting time became longer, and in the event of there being some kind of trouble in manufacturing before shipping, it took time to reach correspondence with customers. As a result, from the 2007 6th period, we will change to the following order method.

-Order Acceptance Sales Method Details (Tentative)-

1. We will prepare the manufactured goods right down to the packaging in advance.
2. We will establish a set order period, and during that period accept all orders that we receive.
3. After confirming payment, we will ship out the goods.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of goods we have prepared, we will conduct a lottery.
* "O Period Main" is the group whose payments we receive promptly and to whom we ship the finished goods that we have prepared
* "O Period Order" is the group who have made a reservation and are waiting for manufacture
We will divide customers into these two groups.

In the event that there is an "O Period Order" group, rather than going ahead with the reservation, we will calculate the expected date of deliver based on the number of orders, and then contact these customers. Only for those who agree with the expected date will we renew their reservation agreement.

After that, if we can prepare the goods, we will forward this information along with payment details, and when we have received and confirmed payment within the specified time period, we will send the goods.

* The time delay between payment and delivery of goods will be roughly the same as that of the "O Period Main" customers.

[O Period Period]
If the number of goods manufactured in advance exceeds the number of orders received during the "O Period Main" and we are left with surplus, or if during "O Period Order" we receive a cancellation or have surplus from manufacturing spares (see footnote) we will hold a final sale period.
This "O Period Period" will be the final sale for this period of orders, but we will only be selling surplus stock without manufacturing additional goods at all, so it will be done as a lottery.
* If the quantity is high, or we decide it's not necessary to hold a lottery, we may also decide to sell by some other method.
* in regards to manufacturing spares, because these come from inferior goods and replacement parts, a large quantity of these will turn out to be redundant.

[Other Things, Concerning Sales]
* The goods that we are restricted to dealing with are "O Period U-Noa Orders" and "O Period Option Period".
* When it is decided when the next release or next order period will be, we will notify you via this site. Even if you make enquiries in this regard, without exception we will not answer them.
* If we change the sales method, we will inform you via this site.

[Other Things, Concerning U-Noa Quluts and Optional Parts]
* In the early stages of selling, orders were accepted for fully assembled, coated U-Noa Quluts girls, however currently this will not be done.
* We are not an assembly and coating service. Everything must be done by the customer themselves.
* As for the basic handling method for popular resin cast goods, we ask the customer to please research that for themselves.
If you have a problem with the structure of our manufactured goods or a question concerning assembly, we will do our best to answer it.

* Things to take note of

* Alchemic Labo will only provide after care for items that were purchased directly from us.

Araki Gentarou's goods may also be available for sale via magazines etc from other companies.
In that case, all inquiries regarding sales, after care, etc are all the responsibility of the company that sold the item, and we cannot for our part reply or deal with these concerns.

As for our conditions of undertaking after care, you will be informed of the details at the time of sale.
(For example: For only the purchaser himself who has a registered U-Noa Quluts Girl Customer Code, during the period of dealing with missing or inferior parts --> within one week of arrival)

Concerning goods received via auction or transferred to a friend, we will provide no after care whatsoever.

* After you have purchased your goods, please promptly open the seal and confirm the contents.

Because we manufacture good during limited time periods, we do not necessarily always have replacement parts.
If you break the seal after the established after care period, and find missing or inferior parts, please be aware in advance that we may decline to fulfil your request.

 

5th Period period ordering synopsis:

*Name: Unoa girls 5th period period (lottery)
Pictures and details of how to order will be announced later. Please be understanding.

*Products: ver.1.5. Unoa Quluts girls
Unoa Lusis Complete set ¥38,000 (¥39,900 inc. tax)
Unoa Sist Complete set ¥38,000 (¥39,900 inc. tax)
Changes in the 5th period order:
Lusis wig colour…Antique gold
Sist wig colour…Antique pink
Other costs: Bank handling charges, shipping charges

*Ordering warnings:
Each person can only apply for one doll (either a Lusis or Sist)
(If you apply for two of one doll, or one of each doll you will be removed from the lottery)

*Application 1/25 (Thurs) ~ 1/31 (Weds)
Use the link from Alchemic Labo to a shopping cart where you’ll get a receipt of your application.

*Lottery takes place 2/1 (Thurs) ~ 2/3 (Sat)

*Results 2/4 (Sun)
You will be informed of the results by email.
The winner will get a message including customer code and an invoice, losers will be informed that they lost.

*Payment period 2/5 (Mon) ~ 2/15 (Thurs)
The payment period cannot be extended.


*5th period option parts ordering announcement:

*Mid~late March 2007
We will announce details and put up pictures at the beginning of March.
It’s not first come first served, but another selling method?!? (Sorry I don’t know what this means. I don’t think it’s another lottery. Cassiel will understand much better. )

*Products (sorry if these aren’t what these parts are usually called )
Unoa face parts (including the boy and girl defaults) 13 types <- Sorry I missed this before
Large breast parts
Pointing finger hands
Gripping hands
Mule soles 2 (types)
Cat ears (2 types)
High heel parts
Horns (2 types)
Glasses (2 types)

 

Awesome, thank-you for the quick translation. That's really exciting!

But does it specifically say you can't order one Sist and one Lusis (as before), but that you can only order one doll altogether, either one Sist or one Lusis?



(although, if the latter is the case, at least it'll strain my bank balance a little less... ;3)

 

oooh glasses! Gripping hands! and Sist! that's what I'm after sounds like you have to apply through the japanese site. I wonder if they'll only accept japanese orders?

says if you apply for 2 dolls (either 2 of the same or one of each) you'll be removed

 

Some questions...

1. I thought I saw something in one of the translations that there could be a difference in resin color between the leftovers and future dolls/parts they might make. Does anyone else remember seeing that and where?

2. Has there been anything definitive in the translations or communications that there will be future real preorders for Lusis and Sist beyond this leftover lottery?

3. Resin Color - from what I can tell in photos, the 1.5 Unoa natural resin color is very light and is not much darker than a pinky-white Narae - can anyone verify that? I don't want to get a doll that will make my pinky-white look like a ghost.

Carolyn

 

My friend is also trying to get another sist, i told her no, she's already has one, let us non-unoa folk get one now! If she does get one, i'm going to smack her. >< I hope i can get a lusis, i really want one. Wait, do the girls come default with large bust?

 

The girls come with the small bust. If you want the big bust you have to pay more for it.

 

*quietly freaks out*

I just put in for a Lusis -- one of my dream dolls since I first started collecting -- eeeeeee!!!

First time doing anything through Crescent (or any shopping service) . . . fingers crossed that I get lucky!

Good luck to all of you on here who are applying as well ^_^

-- Andi

 

Congrats, Christal! You're going to adore her. I've added you to the tally, heehee!

For everyone who's interested in the up-and-coming parts pre-order, you have to forgive me, I totally hadn't been paying attention to the Alchemic Labo site the last few weeks as I've been a bit busy...

but...

#1 The optional parts "pre-order" in March is not really a pre-order. It's going to basically end up a lottery. They're doing the "Main/Order" type of order that's explained (wherever my translation is) however they're only fulfilling "Main" orders for pre-made stock. They won't be accepting orders over that. So basically, it will become a lottery if they get more orders than what they have. (Which you can pretty much guarantee will happen!)
The good news is -- there really IS 13 different faceplates being offered, and it specifically states that that includes new faces.

Which leads me to #2..

#2 Alchemic Labo will have a booth at I-Doll vol 19 which is a doll show that's on in Tokyo on February 12th. At the booth they will be displaying all the new optional parts they will be offering in March, including the new faceplates! Woot! I really hope we can find a Japanese website/BBS/anything that shows pictures, I can't wait to see what the new faces will be!

I apologise for not looking at the site and translating this info sooner.

 

Yep, it's just the parts. I did a proper translation of it:

 

good news!?!

On the site there's a new page
http://alchemiclabo.cms.drecom.jp/caution.html

I have tried translating with some online translator, it basically says (I think) something about people contacting them and sayind something about reselling the dolls (they say “the vicious purchase which designates the profit as purpose and plans the resale to the third party”) -I really haven't understood what they say-

anyway at the end of the page it says

this is from translators, but I think I've tried about 10 different translator and it always seems to say the same thing...

Maybe if someone know japanese can give us a little hope?!

 

Sorry to jump in, I know Cassiel is a better translator then me.
I didn't read that you were going to do it until after I had already done it.

We&#8217;ve received lots of questions and other communications about a certain trading website, regarding selling products won in the 5th period for high prices. We have contacted the person in question and have received an explanation.

However, because this person has used the same address on the same site before and because it&#8217;s immediately after the lottery, and other for reasons, although we had decided it wasn&#8217;t fair to cancel their reservation at this time, we have made them cancel.

We have received various enquiries about this case, but in this case, the product hadn&#8217;t yet been received, and the cancellation wasn&#8217;t due to lack of funds (If we hadn&#8217;t received the funds we wouldn&#8217;t have sent it). Selling the product for a higher price than ours, robbed someone who really wanted the doll of the chance of winning it at the right price. We have judged this &#8220;Third-party buying with the malicious intent of reselling for profit&#8221;.
This isn&#8217;t the same as selling second-hand in auctions.

&#8220;I want to give them to some one who wants them, if possible.&#8221;
That is the idea behind selling U-noas.
The pre and period periods&#8217; lottery way of selling is in the end only a substitute, in the main order period I am happy to say we can send U-noas to everyone who orders them.
When it comes to birth, you have to wait no matter what, but in the main order period everyone who orders can buy.

The next (6th) period order period will be early summer~summer.
When the details are decided, we will announce them, so please wait.
(*We wont answer any questions about the timing or the details. Also, the ordering system is explained on the about us page, so please check there.)
Thank you!

 

According to the site announcement (I translated it here) they did say "if one of the parts you want is unavailable to you, you can still purchase the rest of the parts you ordered". This implies to me that it will be a lottery per part.

I agree, I really hope they make a lot too.. even though I may not neccessarily want to get anything, I know how many people do, and I'd really like to see them fulfill their ideal of "we want to make Unoa for everyone who wants them"!

 

Amanohara, when I got my Sist, her faceplate had paper-thin resin covering the eye sockets, and indents where the pupils might sit. Must be deliberate! Kinda nice, really. I just pushed them out with my fingertips and lightly sanded around the eye socket.

 

Yes, the resin inside her eyeholes. I have tools for removing it (I used to have a porcelain reproduction doll business, before I went to graduate school and didn't have any time any more).

The blush on her body will come off very easily ... it was simply so that I could have the excitement of seeing her looking a bit more realistic.

Julie

 

LOOOOOOK!!!!

infos about the new pieces!
http://alchemiclabo.cms.drecom.jp/5op_mo

faces are:
sist, lusis,
l-bi, bi-el,
sleeping,
winking sist, winking lusis,
bully sist,
lusis yawn (because they modified the eye parts -maybe slighly opened eyes-)...
the 4 new faceplates are... doze face parts? I haven't understood what it means XD (ok I have tried some others thanslators... it seems that they are slighlty opened eyes, all 4.

the other new parts are
black high heels (it says that the old ones are "thickly", so maybe this will be smaller heels?or maybe sole like unoa 2nd?),
nekomimipatsu (black) ???? (black cat ears?),
angular part (... I can't imagine what it is... black),
2 pairs of glasses (square and "fox" frame),
2nd type of cat ears (?), in black and skin colour.

old parts
grip hand, pointing hands,
big torso,
ankle part (what is it?),
optional high feet,
cat ears.


please note I'm doing all these with an online translator, if someone know more...
I wonder why I am always lurking on alchemic labo site... XD