Buying a pre-owned doll vs. buying a doll from the company

I have three previously loved dolls and soon to be two new/orgional owned dolls. I havent had a problem either way with buying new or previosuly loved dolls. But I dont have a preferance really...

 

both have their ups and downs, for the most part I like previously loved because the doll arrives faster, and I have less fear of touching something so pristine and perfect as a new doll.

 

4 of my gang are previously loved
I dont have a preference either way, they both have their plus points ^^, though all my previously loved ones have been a really good price

 

I prefer new but I would buy secondhand if it was my only option. I get really scared when I hear stories of people getting ripped off

 

The three I allready have are all pre loved dolls. I have found this is a great way of buying them as you get to see exactly what they look like in the way of face ups. They all look different now to when I bought them as I have put different wigs, eyes and clothes on them but I knew what I wanted to do with them as soon as I saw them.
I have just ordered my first brand newie which is very exciting but I feel a bit anxious at the same time because I don't know what he is going to look like when I get him. I also feel by buying him from the company that he is more "mass produced" and not an individual like my others. I know they all started the same way but they feel more personal when I have bought them from someone rather than a company.
I am struggling with thinking of a name for him too which is something I didn't have a problem with my others. I knew who they were as soon as I saw them!
I guess we will see what happens in a few weeks!

 

I like them both but tend to adore previously loved dollies. I think this is a thread that I've seen before though.

 

My boy was previously owned, and i really liked the idea of rescuing him from an unwanted home. It's kind of become part of his character, that he's shy, because he's been unwanted and maybe his home before ignored him a lot.

I'd definitely still be excited to order a new doll, but I think I like rescuing them so much more. I watch the marketplace anxiously and I know it's only a matter of time before I cave into 'rescuing' Rei's brother. *points to siggy* There's a Camine for sale there at the moment and i was like 'ohhhhhhhhh!' even more so than i was looking at him brand new on the DOD website.

Ahhh, I'm a sucker for a doll in need of a new home. Now you all know how to sell to me!

 

I prefer new. The first head I bought was used. The seller did not mention the dents, the dirtyness, the scratches...

Since then I think it would be better to just pay from the company directly than risk another head that comes such a condition.

 

Both! I wouldn't mind buying a previosuly owned when I am looking for a certain dolll. I know that 99% of previosuly owned dolls are taken care of with the highest quality of care. Sometimes they even have slight modifications like sueding already done which is nice if you planned on doing it anyway. New dolls are nice too. I love both though

 

I personally don't mind either, although I usually have an easier time bonding with previously owned dolls... Maybe the thought that they had to be given up? Always tears the heartstring,t hat does!

 

I guess it depends. Both of my dolls were previously owned. A standard edition Shiwoo and a Limited Volks Williams. And both were in beautiful condition, but I guess I was lucky.

If you can get the doll easily from the company them you might want to go with that. But if it's something like a limited doll, you might have to get it second hand. I prefer second because I can save on shipping and I don't have to wait as long to get them.

 

I would like both for very different reasons. I would like new because it has a special face-up that I myself could not do and it would be in perfect condition. However I would be very afraid to make any major modifications since I would want to preserve its original appearance. I would like used because it would have a personality already and if it wasn’t in perfect condition then I could try to fix it and take care of it.

 

Both my dolls are new but I'd like to buy a previously owned one now. When I look at the previosly owned dolls on ebay, I just feel they have a lot more personaly than the new ones.

 

I don't think I could buy a previously owned doll It's just a little bit too much for me to put so much money in the bank account of a complete stranger who can just disappear afterwards. I'm sure most people here are great and honest in their sales, but a few aren't... and I'm not very lucky, so I'd probably get problems At least with companies there are records of the transactions, they are a business so they are more easily accountable for their mistakes.

I'd also worry if the doll had been exposed to the sun too often, if it had problems that weren't visible in photos... The only way I'd buy a doll would be if I could actually see it personaly before purchase or if I knew the seller, but since that's very unlikely, I'll stick to buying new ones only.

But I wish could buy previously owned dolls, no custom fees... I wish!

 

I prefer new ones if they're not otherwise limiteds, because it feels easier and safer to deal with a company than with any random person. If they doll has any defects, it is also more effective to contact the company that sells it and solve the problem.

I have bought second-hand dolls and adore them just as much, but generally I plan towards buying new dolls directly from company.

 

I'm pretty much with Lilith and Byouyuuken. I got both my dolls new because they weren't available secondhand--Baha was a limited, and Moon is just starting to catch on. Now that I've been on the forum for a while and read some of the bad transaction threads, I'm very paranoid--and probably unjustifiably so, but it isn't necessarily a rational reaction. Buying new from a company doesn't guarantee good quality or service, but it makes it a lot more likely, and they have more resources to fix inadvertent problems like damage in shipping. I also rather prefer a doll without a lot of psychic "tracks" all over it, a tabula rasa, as it were.

 

There's a certain appeal in having a doll being poetically pure--fresh from the wellspring of souls. Then it becomes a bit of a bonding exercise to put personality into form.

I am not really opposed to owning a doll with history and a more developed soul, but I haven't fallen in love with any secondhand ones just yet. I imagine I would be more in the restorationist's camp, adopting a forgotten child and coaxing her back to life... then the history is all bonus flavor.

 

Almost all my dollies are pre owned, and there's a few reasons why I choosed to get preowned
1. You get the doll faster
2. Sometimes it's cheaper
3. It's like adopting a child

Ofcourse I like dolls directly from companies, but I'm not the most patient person in the world so I would end up killing myself halfway through x'P

 

I much prefer new dolls. Because with pre-owned, you never know if you are getting what was described. That's not always the case, but with the one pre-owned doll I have owned (I have since sold him), that was the case.

 

New or Pre-Loved?

YES!


oh... um. heh.

Well most of mine are pre-loved, but not all of them. And several have pre-loved heads with new bodies. Some are frankendollies that involved less expensive bodies under a more expensive head.

Doesn't matter to me. As to the drawbacks of a used doll - well, one of my first (now adored by my daughter) came *filthy*, reeking of cigarette smoke, poorly strung and just generally gross. She got cleaned, restrung, freshened up in all aspects and has now been a source of delight in our house for well over a year. Almost anything can be worked with. In fact, I almost prefer getting a slightly "dinged-up" head in some cses, because that way I don't feel horrid if I make a mistake.

It's whatever makes you comfortable. Really!