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

I have one pre-owned doll and one fresh-from-the-company doll. I prefer buying directly from the company, simply because you know what you're getting for the most part.

When I bought my Lupinus second-hand, the seller told me he was in perfect condition, faceup was intact, etc. Well, when he arrived, he wasn't packaged as well as I'd hoped, his eyelashes were crushed, his faceup had chips and scratches, he was dirty, and he had a funny musty smell to him like he'd been locked in an old storage room.
The good part is, I got him for over $200 cheaper than I would have from the company. And he has a new faceup now.

But, I had none of those problems when I bought my Soah brand new. And I think I've bonded better with her too.. something about opening the box and knowing that she's only yours and you're the only one who's ever looked down on her with such excitement and joy. I never got that butterflies-in-the-tummy feeling with my Lupinus. I love him, sure. But, it was so not the same.

There's also the damaged-during-shipping factor. If you don't insure a pre-owned doll, and it gets broken on it's journey home, the seller isn't going to send you spare parts or whatever. But, if you inform the company within a certain amount of days, they'll send you replacement parts for free.

So, I'm planning to only buy brand new from now on. With the exception of Limiteds or bargains. That's just my opinion after buying both.

 

Oh noes the server got hung up! Double post

 

I've only gotten one so far and I bought him new. I can't really imagine buying second hand yet, just the thought of it freaks me out. I'm too paranoid I can't help but wonder why anyone could get rid of a doll, and if something's wrong with it, or if it's just a scam v.v.

Alot of people have had great experiences with adopting, but I like the assurance that comes with buying new.

 

My first BJD was new, although bought from Yahoo Japan. My second will be used as what I want isn't available new. Maybe I've been lucky, but all the 2nd hand dolls I've bought in the past have been mint/near mint with one or two exceptions (one had glued joints).
I don't have a problem with buying 2nd hand, sometimes you don't have any choice.

 

I'd only buy a pre-owned doll if that was the only option (for instance if she was sold out forever) or if I actually knew the person who was selling it, otherwise I'd get too stressed out wondering if the doll would actually get to me, if she had any sort of damage, if a previous faceup wouldn't come off, etc... It's a really big investment and I'm too much of a perfectionist unfortunately

 

If possible, I will buy from a company, but if I see a good deal or a hard to obtain doll, I'd buy a pre-owned one...

 

I've only got one doll and he isn't even here yet. I've ordered a new doll to be made but generally i guess, if there was a doll that was already made and is exactly like the one i want then i would buy it second hand, if the deal was good. If not or the price would more or less the same then i choose to get a new one made.

but then again u don't really kno if the doll is as good as they are said to be when u buy from a second-hand trader. I don't like buying second hand stuff really, i've only got second hand stuff once before and that was a puzzle for my art project. I dunno it makes it all that special if u get it custom made for u.

Tho i wouldn't kno if i ever have to sell my doll, but either way i have a policy that if i sell second hand stuff it cannot be in a bad condition. Cos really if it's broken like a book i'll bin it or give to charity. If it's a doll. I wouldn't sell a broken doll.

 

Sometimes I prefer pre-owned. Some companies are not very consistent in their supposedly identical faceups. And sometimes the faceup style or quality changes over time. When buying a pre-owned doll you can see exactly what faceup you are getting. Also, when buying a customized pre-owned doll you can sometimes get a wonderful and unique 3rd party faceup. All in all, it can be great if you know what you like but would not know how to describe it to a faceup artist.

Carolyn

 

You know I have mixed emotions about this! I own about 25 Dollfies and I hate how much it costs to ship a doll from the stores in other countries. Plus I hate the long wait and it's really bad if you have never seen the doll before. Plus you don't know if the body is going to be all that good. Joints etc... I have never bought a doll second hand but I would if I liked it. I'm currently selling two Soul Doll heads on Ebay since I no longer need them. I'm selling them for a good price. All the new owner needs to do is buy a body. LOL But these heads are pretty much a great deal for someone. About 1/2 the price heads sell for plus they don't have to pay lots to have them shipped in the USA. Aaron

 

I don't mind buying secondhand dolls, but I expect to pay less because they are secondhand. I hate seeing posts where sellers are selling dolls and going "I just want to get my money back". In that case, I'd buy direct. Often the dolls are more than to buy direct from the company. Certain limited dolls can be different, but again, people are quick to overcharge for dolls. Like most people, I hate the long wait for new dolls, I'm currently waiting for a Supia Roda and the wait seems endless. Then again, I pay for a preorder on a Tonner and it's up to nine months before I see the doll so I can't really complain. I think the BJD wait seems long because the amount is paid in full at the start instead of at the end. My vote would be if the deal is reasonable, I'd happily buy a secondhand doll after checking out the condition, otherwise, I'd buy brand new.

 

from a company :]

 

Oh, but I am buying a pre-owned one.

 

Well, for me it is easier to buy a pre-owned doll, when it's from an european owner

I don't have PayPal and WireTransfer is very, very expensive.

On the other site, when I buy a "used" doll, I know exactly what I get.
When I buy a new one you never know exactly how it looks like. There can always be little differences in the face-up ^^

Just remember the ones that bought an Standard Red from Elfdoll and got one with the Special Face-Up

 

I want to buy new dolls from a company, but it's really hard, especially if the doll is a limited edition. So, I don't mind buying pre-owned dolls if I really want them and they are already sold out.

 

Actually I prefer buying secondhand. Obviously, if I want a doll that someone doesn't want anymore...why bother the company about making another one? Or that's the way I think, anyways.

In fact...let's see, out of all my dollies...Secondhand ones are Chris, Zach, Roni (well, half of her anyways XD ), Mikey, Flick...

Lucas and Dae (not here yet) were bought from the company!

In fact my first doll was secondhand! I love bringing home a doll I know that I'll love, even if they've been previously loved on. If they can find a place here with me, I think its great.

 

Even when aiming for a limited, as long as they're still coming out even in different forms (like Bermann) I'd rather get them from the store. A lot of the owners up the price because of emotional attachment to the doll even when there have been some changes made or something, so... I'd go for company.

But if it comes down to it and there's no other option, or it's a good deal, I'll go for second-hand.

 

I have done both... It depends on the doll. If I can get a better price and not have to pay EMS, I will buy pre-owned depending on the sales thread (how informative, what shape the body is in, seller's feedback).

Also, I have a soft spot for "unwanted" dolls. If I find a doll I like that someone is selling because they just didn't bond, I always want to give it a more loving home. In one case I bought a doll from a close friend who just didn't quite bond with her very well, and we decided to keep the doll's name and personality the same. It made us both happy, since I liked the doll as a full package, not just for her sculpt... and she knows that her girl was going to a home that would play with her and take good care of her.

However, it is nice to have the security of buying a doll new. Knowing that it will be in good condition is reassuring. Though sometimes it's nice if other people do some of the work for you! (My DOT girl needed a lot of work when I got her brand-new from DOD... restringing, sanding seams, etc)

 

Actually I don't care as long as they are in good condition, but of course being dolls first owner feels amazing. :3 It's like so pure and blank, it's hard to believe it's here and now, and mine. It can be like that from others too, but still, the feeling is different at least for me when receiving new one and used one.

 

It doesn't make a difference to me. My one doll right now was ordered from the company, but if some is selling a doll that I am planning to own, I don't see the problem in adoptions.

 

I like stuff new. because I'm like that :P
But I wouldn't at all mind a 2nd hand and probably get one say if its a limited or I seriously want it and it ships faster yey