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

I bought all my dolls brand new, except for Vesuvia that is~
I missed out on her when she was released by Soom, so I had to get her second hand. The seller was lovely and Vesuvia has become my favourite doll.

Sometimes I wonder, if I prefer her because she has a history and wasn't brand new... I like that in things x3~

 

I prefer buying second-hand, even if it is possible to buy a new doll. For one thing, buying second-hand is much faster, you don't have to wait two months, as with many companies. Another thing is that I believe I'd better give a home to a doll that already exists than have another one born for me.
I also noticed that I tend to bond better with the dolls I bought second-hand. I sold many of those I bought new.

 

I have no reservations about buying second hand - my first was from the Marketplace, and it was a pleasant experience Unfortunately it seems that all the dolls I want are easier to get straight from the company - either because they are too new and nobody has the mold yet, or because they are mostly unliked and thus hard to find.

So most of my dolls are directly from the company...but not for lack of trying

 

Considering that all my dolls are limited I prefer them new. But... I have a habit of falling for a doll after he's sold out, so most of the time I buy them second hand. IH Tedros is actually the first limited doll I buy straight from the company. Go me.

 

I've done both
Some of the more rare dolls you can ONLY find second hand. Obviously you run more of a risk buying second hand. I've been a bit annoyed before with how grubby one of the doll I bought was, but after being cleaned up there was no problem.

 

If I can find the doll I want second hand, then I have no problem doing so. The plus is that there is no long wait and sometimes the first owner may throw in something extra. I really don't mind if a doll was previously loved. :3

 

Meh, I prefer new. I want my dolls in tip-top condition when I get them, and most of the brands I'm interested in don't sell for much cheaper on the second-hand market as they would be new.

The wait time doesn't bother me at all, since they are handcast to order, and I find that dolls are generally packed better direct from company than from peeps on DoA. This fortunately wasn't an issue with the doll and head I got from the MP, but this is a personal pet-peeve of mine, since my old job involved me properly packing items ordered from the warehouse I work at for shipping. I know how to do it correctly without crushing something as fragile, so I wince a bit when I see a doll loose in a box.

 

I really prefer the second hand dollies. I have a really nice collection and about half are second hand. I even purchase most of the clothing second hand. In all of my acquistions I have only had 1 bad experience. But, in the end I was able to clean my guy up and he is now one of my favorites and looks great. Almost all of the sellers here have been very truth full with me and I knew of any imperfections before they got here. I have had excellent transactions. I can save a little money and have a few more than I would be able to otherwise. I have rehomed a loved doll and it continues to be loved. Everyone wins.......

 

It doesn't seem as if you save that much money buying second hand, and yes that is just from my observations.

 

For me it depends on a few things:

1) I'm super picky- I like to be the first person to have handled/painted my doll. Thus although I've bought some of the dolls on my wishlist as floating heads, I had them all come blank whenever possible, and I've decided not to buy some (even though they were cheaper) because they already had faceups and I felt like I couldn't bond with a doll that was someone else's already. For my absolute favourite sculpts though, I tend to just want to buy them direct from the company.

2) Price. Especially when it comes to hybriding (since I do that almost on principle.) the price has to be right. I don't want to pay more for the doll off the marketplace then I would for the doll off the website. If I see that happening, I just prefer to order direct.

 

At the moment most of my dolls are secondhand, I don't really care if they're new of secondhand. sometimes it's nice to buy secondhand because it costs less money than new, or because with some companies you have to wait a long time to get the doll.
And some dolls just aren't available anymore.. in that case secondhand is the only way to go..
But anyway.. secondhand has always worked out for me.. didn't have any bad things happen to me..

 

If I had been able to find a Luo second-hand, I probably would have jumped on it. But by the time I had the money saved up, I had been watching the marketplace like a hawk, and there had only been one Luo that came up... They were asking more than I would have paid to order one new from Iple, so I passed on it. I know it was because he had body blushing, but body blushing is something I can do myself, so I wasn't about to pay an extra $250+ for it.

I'd like to get another doll eventually though, and if one I like for her comes up on the marketplace, I'll be all over it!

 

I've bought both new and second hand, and really, it depends on what you are looking for.

A limited doll, for example, might only be avaliable second hand and hence there is no other option of you miss out on the original order period or event. Or maybe you spot a standard doll in the marketplace that has the *perfect* face-up, or something like that. In those situations it's not hard to decide to go the second hand rout!

With standard dolls or dolls you intend to paint and mod yourself, it is more tricky. Perhaps buying second hand could save time on shipping over buying new, and there might be a slight price reduction, but not always.

Personally, I tend to buy second hand unless I am getting a custom doll (like a Minimee) or a doll that does not turn up often in the marketplace. I do like buying new, but I also have a soft spot for dolls that need new homes. Kind of like stray kittens, but made of resin and with less hair shedding.

 

I have three dolls that I got new and three (soon to be four) that I've gotten used. I like getting both. As long as they come in their original box and are in good condition, I don't care whether they are new or used. It's kind of nice ordering from companies though. Either way, I don't mind as long as my doll comes here safely.

 

Do you buy new, or secondhand? Both?
Most all I've bought NEW. I've just bought a small little tiny non-limited doll second-hand. I've bought several dolls and a head from the Marketplace, but they have been pretty much NEW, even then--straight to the seller from the company and then sold to me right away.

Why do you think is one better than the other?
Buying from company new:
PROS:
1. If limited, this can be less expensive than trying to buy second-hand afterward.
2. If there are problems--missing shipment, broken parts, imperfections-- Company can replace or fix or pay for them.
3. If company is reputable, there is less risk of flaky seller or losing your money entirely.
4. Doll should be in perfect condition when you get it.
5. If there are special options, you can get exactly what you wish in faceup or parts or blushing or sanding or special outfits/wigs/etc.
CONS:
1. May possibly find doll cheaper second-hand, but you have to deal with risk of bad sellers, shipping problems, wear-and-tear on doll from being older, not getting exactly what you want.

If you want a limited, there usually are very few CONS to buying new, usually. That's why the non-limited doll I bought was the only second-hand one I have. And she had some problems. She came from a smoking house and it took ages to get the smell of smoke from her!

Taking the risk on flaky sellers and dolls that may be chipped or cracked... and not having the company there to get things fixed... that always makes me nervous. If I can afford it, I'll prefer having less stress and ordering from a company, particularly if it would cost me more time and money to buy second-hand anyway (as often happens with limiteds).

If you're buying a doll you can find MUCH cheaper in the Marketplace from good sellers and you don't have to worry about getting the right parts or faceup or other options, then there is good reason to buy second-hand! And with some dolls, second-hand is the ONLY way to get them... so you have no choice!

 

I got my doll new because he's a FCS, but I'd be willing to go second hand for a sold-out doll, or if I could get it cheaper than from the company itself. I think on balance, when given a choice I'd rather go with a new doll, but if I really wanted a doll I'd happily use whatever channels I could to get hold of it.

 

I've only bought new so far, though I would love to buy a secondhand doll.. it would be even more like I'm adopting one.

 

I bought mischief second hand. I got his head off ebay, and his body off of here. I think it's great, especially if you can find someone in the same country that you're in. so i don't have to gnaw my fingers off with epic waiting for dolly. I'm not a particularly patient person. >< That and there are enough dolls that are around that it's a bit more prudent to buy used as well. if you buy new, then no one can sell their previously loved dolls. It helps keep the community thriving.

 

hmmm.. I'm partial to buying full dolls straight from a company when I can, because there's legality involved which allows me to complain if the product is not what I am expecting.

However, if it's something smaller like a head or clothes, I don't mind purchasing second hand at all, if the photos are legit and prove the good quality of the product.

As for your predicament, if it's going to be modded, I don't see why a brand new zaoll would be required, if the condition of the used is just as good :] Be sure to ask for lots of owner photos. Save a few bucks.

 

I have both..and there are pros and cons with either I guess. (potentially) But, I have had good experiences (thankfully!) with both.
In my case, I have been able to collect some lovely WELL-cared-for Volks dolls by finding them pre-loved. I saved $, plus I didn't have to wait super long to get them home.