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

I think for my first BJD i would prefer new but if i couldnt get new i wouldnt mind second hand depending on condition plus its often cheeper

 

I have bought all my dolls second hand. No resin smell Actually I like limited editions, and if I didn't know about it until after it was sold out I really don't mind paying a bit more because I know it is worth it.

But most importantly, if it is second hand and a limited I can look at owner pictures and make a solid decision if I really like it or not. I almost bought a new Yur Astrologer from Iplehouse and I am so glad I didn't, she would have been all wrong for me, I didn't know this until I saw the owner pics of her. By skipping buying new I was able to but a Soom Amber instead and I love her very much.

So, for me, second hand is better for the reasons others have mentioned and because I have always been comfortable buying something someonelse already owned. I like to think that I am giving that doll a home and who knows if it would have been just shoved in a closet otherwise. (Guess I am being over dramatic, "the doll rescuer" hehe).

 

I prefer new 'cause I'm a little bit picky and worried about some secondhand's problems. Besides, I love being the first one for my doll and love new box opening, hehe.

However, after reading many replies above, I feel like it's challenging to try secondhand.

 

I do both. Some dolls can only be bought second-hand. My Volks Ruby was bought second-hand because she was a limited and is no longer made. I also bought my Unoa, LTF Ante, IH Soo-Ri, Limhwa Half-Elf, and Zaoll Muse second-hand.

Sometimes you can find great deals buying second hand and cheaper prices too.

 

It depends, for me, I actually do prefer to buy my dolls fresh and new from the company itself.

But sometimes, there are some dolls out there that you cant purchase anymore from the company, either because they're LE or discontinued, so this when the Marketplace and Ebay comes to play ^^'' I found myself browsing them often recently after discovering some dolls (that caught my interest) that are not available anymore over at their company site.

 

All four of my dolls were purchased second-hand (eBay, DoA marketplace, LiveJournal and DoA MP, respectively). I didn't have any problems with any of the transactions, nor with the dolls themselves, and the fact that someone owned them before me really hasn't affected my enjoyment of them in any way.

 

All of my dolls were purchased new. I just don't trust secondhand things because you never know what kind of condition they'll come in.

 

I buy new if possible. If I have to resort to auction sites, I keep an eye out for MISB goods. After all, you never know what the other person did with the goods before selling them to you.

 

Two of my dolls are new, because I couldn't find them used. One is secondhand, because I just fell in love with this doll when I saw him, but I would've never thought I wanted that kind of doll. So I think it really depends!

 

My first I've bought new. I knew I could probably find a good deal in the market place with the help of my flatmates (This was before I got an account on here) but, I decided that since it was my first I should really buy it new. It was like it had to be new because it was the start of something new for me? I don't quite know how to put it into words, I tend to be bad at that but I imangine most of what I get from this point on are going to be second hand.

 

If you use a deputy service for Yahoo Japan Auctions make sure you translate the page into English first using something like Babelfish and read the full description. I've bought many non-bjd items from them and there could be flaws or defects with the item or something that's seen in the photo, but not included. Make absolutely sure or else you may be disapointed. And with these types of auction there are no returns or refunds. (The commission fees, bank transfer fees etc. can be quite expensive and sometimes the fees cost as much as the item itself, depending on the final price.)

 

I have bought a doll second hand and I am purchasing a body, which would make me the third owner, thus far I have had no problems. I prefer to buy dolls new, but if I can only find it second hand, then hey.

 

I have purchased ALL of my dolls second hand and from the forums here. Yep, all of them. All but one of them have then been top to bottom personalized by me (my Pipos Mango was the only one to dodge that bullet), because no matter if I was getting them new or second (or in one case, third!) hand I was going to customize them to my desires. Esentially, it doesn't matter new or 'used', once your done updating them they are new to you and it's not like they'll suddenly drop out their engine or something like a second hand car!

As long as the descriptions are clear, buying second hand is great, because you already know what is wrong, if anything, with the doll before you purchase rather then a 'fresh out of the box' issue you have to discover yourself.

 

My first girl is from Iplehouse--they've got such excellent customer service/shipping times that I didn't even think of buying her secondhand.

But as far as most dolls go, I think that my preference for how I would purchase another would vary depending on company; I'd happily purchase straight from Iplehouse once more (!), but hearing the reputations of certain companies (Customhouse, Soom, etc...) for either wait times or customer service, or even both, I think I'd rather buy a doll secondhand. Then at least you know the condition of the doll and it'll be shipped to you quickly.

 

I prefer to buy new, and that's not just dolls. So far even the doll I bought secondhand was from a secondhand store, not an individual. I've bought one head from the MP, and that was a completely pleasant experience . . . but on the whole I'd rather deal with stores than individuals. It's not just trust or my own unsocial nature . I think that my feeling that I should buy things like CDs, DVDs, manga, books, etc., to support the artists and writers that I like has trickled over into my doll habits.

That said, if the MP or Y!J was the only way to get a sculpt I really wanted, or offered a great deal, I would certainly consider buying secondhand.

 

Truthly, I don't really care, it depends how much money I have at the time and how far away the doll is.

I got both my dolls from Dollzone and it has to be my favorite company. I think it somtimes is easier to buy from a company just because they haven't really done anything to the doll but if you buy it from a person, though it is more cost affective, you don't know it the doll could be damaged or how much work the person put into the doll. On the otherhand, dolls somtimes from companys get damaged from shipping... but overall... either or seems okay with me.

 

I bought my first doll second-hand from here since it made it really easier, I just looked for a head I liked, shopped a little and took the one that was what I wanted and cheaper =3

If the doll I want is not in the market, I wont bother making a WTB (Except if it was a limited) I'll just buy from the company =3

Its even better to buy from there if you know you can get free shipping after a certain amount =D

So it really depends on the doll =D
Some are better second hand, others fresh from the company ;3

 

All my dolls have been bought straight from the company. It doesn't mean that I don't want to buy secondhand (ha, I wish I did!) but there hasn't been a perfect time yet.
I find there's usually a tiny window of opportunity within the marketplace, so it's hard to get the dolls you like unless you're the first one with the money!

So I find it easier to buy off a company that'll be selling the sculpts I like for ages vs a seller selling one doll 'cheaper' for as long as it takes to get sold.

 

I would personally prefer to buy a doll new, because then it'd mean I'd get to have them for longer (obviously). But if i was in a place in my life where i couldn't buy the doll i wanted new, and buying them used was the only way to get them, then i would.

 

Do you buy new, or secondhand? Both?

When it comes to the dolls themselves I normally buy second hand. I only have one girl right now, but I brought her off the market place. The second girl I'm getting is also off the marketplace, and I'm currently paying her off. When it comes to clothes, wigs, and shoes, I do a mixture of both. Though the only place I've ever actually ordered from is Denver Doll Emporium, so I'm not sure if it counts. When it comes down to it though I think I would rather buy second hand. Less waiting times, normally cheaper, and the people on the marketplace are generally nicer then those from companies and can communicate with you better. You can also work things out with marketplace sellers better then you can a company. Or at least that's my opinion on the matter.
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Why do you think is one better than the other?

I'm sure both have their ups and downs, but due to personal preference I'm going to say getting second hand.
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