BJD Orbyrarium Discussion Thread

I bought my book via ebay, of all things, and got it today (three days later). It was in a regular envelope with cardboard inside, and "do not bend" on the envelope, and is in perfect shape, so never let it be said that Karen & Co aren't paying attention!

I had already seen a friend's copy of the book, so I knew it was great, but seeing it again, I am even more impressed. The photography is wonderful, the guide to the doll companies is super (though I had to chuckle at the pic of Wu and Soah identified as Ryung and Sooah!) and PATTERNS!! The book is totally worth the money, and I know I will spend many hours looking at it. GREAT JOB!

I hope that there's a volume 2 in the works, with something on Elfdoll/Rainman, some of our American designers (Ms Kallisti comes to mind!), and yes, something for those of us who are airbrush-challenged. Really, there could be a whole shelf of BJD books.........lol!

 

Mine arrived in wonderful condition, packed with cardboard and stamped 'do not bend.' It's a lovely book, too. You guys did a GREAT job on it.

Laura

 

I don't say enough positive things around here and I apologize.

I'm in love with this book. I'm enjoying the articles a lot, and I am especially thankful for the tutorials!

The one on how to build wall cubes really fills a need of mine and is very inspiring. I want to build an office for Ichiro, and this will help immensly.

I appreciate all of the hard work put into this book by the contributors, editors, photographers and artists involved. I'm also thrilled that it doesn't focus on only one brand of ABJD.

I do hope there will be an Orbyrarium 2

 

really really appreciate the feedback on the book, and I"m sure the others who worked on it appreciate it too. We were working on this for a really long time and worked really hard! So it means a lot.

I really want to build my dolls some rooms too.

I really hope that there will be an orb 2 also. there is so much more....!!

 

Still waiting, but heres to hoping it arrives this week*crosses fingers*

 

Just a bit of feedback that's deterring me from purchasing one directly from HauteDoll...
$5 for media mail shipping... for that much they should be sending it First Class or Priority.
From the way people describe how it's being sent, we know they aren't spending all of that extra money on packing materials.

I'm pretty disappointed by all of the fiascos surrounding the shipping... since from what people have described, I *know* it would get ruined on the way here based solely on how our mailman treats our mail, and that's something I can't do anything about.

If there is a next time, I hope they offer more options for shipping.

 

Since you haven't seen the book yet, you probably don't realize that it is quite heavy -- a little over a pound just by itself and probably closer to two if they had included cardboard and a thicker envelope. So, depending on how far they were being shipped, they could cost anywhere from $6-$9 for Priority, a significant difference for a small company.

I think what happened here is that they had never shipped anything this large and thick before and had no idea that what worked fine for their magazine, wouldn't work for something like this book -- an honest mistake by a company with otherwise good intentions. I too am getting tired of all the bad feelings expressed here. I'm sure that they have heard every permutation of their customers' displeasure and will take all of it under consideration next time -- that is if there is a next time after all this negativity.

 

I'd happily pay that difference for priority.

As a magazine company though, they should know that's a crazy price for media mail... how hard is it for them to have an employee take a package to the post office and get shipping quotes?

 

hahaha My boys are on page 14, fo rthe Dream of Doll. however they miscredited, and called my Hoo a Yen and my Yen a Hoo.

 

Well, yes, the shipping price is high----my package was postmarked $2.12. Our mailman is lovely, and my mailbox is large, since I live in a house. I can easily see how it would get squashed into an apt. mailbox, without the cardboard, or maybe even with it!

And hey, folks, Murat Caviale has been producing and shipping books for YEARS, they know how much things cost! And since we the customers are paying the shipping, I would have been willing to pay more for it. After seeing the book, I would also have been willing to pay an additional $10 to have it in hardcover.

WLF---you can always have it shipped to my house, and I will deliver it.....

 

I wrote them, hopefully they can get my book to me. They also have the wrong address since I moved since April. I'm so upset that I pre ordered the book and was just passed over. I guess I'm glad I didn't want any of the limiteds! I would buy one on ebay but then my luck they'd double charge me, and there is no one else in my area who collects BJDs to give a second copy to.

 

Thanks!! If I buy it, I just might do that!

 

You're right about media rate being less. However, I can't imagine that with the fancy cover and glossy pages that they made much of a profit on the book, even with the difference in shipping -- and I have to wonder if they had charged $29.95 with shipping included, if we would even be having this discussion. Now, with all the replacements they are having to send, they are probably losing money. I'm just happy that someone even went to the trouble of putting together such a lovely book on BJD for all us English speaking fans and I just don't want the problems with this first run to discourage them from doing another.

 

I just got my Orbyurarium this morning. It's a great book and very informative. However, I have spotted some editing errors (duplicated web address, missing commas) but other than those few things it seems to be a very nicely done book .

 

I don't think its fair to say we should just be so grateful to overlook things like being overcharged with shipping and books being damaged. We paid for this book; it's not as if it was a gift given to us and we have no right to voice our concerns. If no one said anything, everyone would be disappointed in recieving a damaged book and no one would support them in the future. As it is, HD has shown nothing but great patience and an ability to listen to the complaints with grace, replace people's books and try and correct the shipping situation. That, more than anything, convinces me that HD is a good company and even though I am having trouble even getting my copy I am not cancelling it, and will definitely buy any books they have in the future.

I'm positive this is a learning experience for HD and they will not only see there is plenty of interest in a book like this, but learn in the future they may have to increase the price to cover padded envelopes.

 

Oh, you are absolutely right. I never thought that people shouldn't have said something when their books arrived damaged and they should definitely get replacements. However, after HD had given instruction for people who had gotten damaged books, I think that the additional complaints, particularly by people who hadn't even ordered the book yet, was like beating a dead horse.

 

I got my book a few days ago; it arrived in about a week's time. It is beautiful and informative and arrived in perfect shape. I particularly enjoyed the "wall building" article, the tips on photography, and all of the great patterns. But I am depressed because now I really want a Liebchen (gorgeous girl). Many thanks to those who put out such a nice publication

 

Both Priority Mail and Parcel Post for a two pound package are under $4.20, according to the USPS web page, still considerably under the $5 fee and with Priority Mail the USPS will provide boxes free of charge. I can see where people might feel overcharged on shipping, no matter how wonderful the book is.

 

I think the book is very nice, has a good layout, and mix of articles. The size is good to really see all the photos clearly, and is very full. You really get a sense of a well rounded book when you're done.

For future publications, I would suggest pull out patterns as you have to bend the spine badly to photocopy the patterns otherwise.

 

The book is wonderful! When I first started learning about BJD's I would have appreciated finding this informative book. I remember asking about reference books when I first introduced myself on the DOA board, and there was nothing.

The article on "stringing" a bjd is worth its weight in gold.

I love the source information at the front of the book referring to all the bjd companies, complete with websites and general prices. Awesome!

The photos are wonderful and plentiful throughout the book. There is a genuine sense of imparting information and history of ball jointed dolls. There is a little of everything: faceups, patterns, rooms, companies etc.

The authors and contributors did a great job on this book and I love it. Very Professional. I hope there is a second one on the horizon!

A big thanks to all those who worked so hard on this labor of love. I sure they didn't do it for the money!!!