Buying second hand

I have both pre loved (bought on ebay) and brand newies, but I really love buying the pre loved ones much more!
You get to see exactly what you are geting beforehand, and it isn't as long to wait before they arrive either! I found that I bonded so much better with my preloved dolls.

 

Reading this thread made me think back to a church garage sale I was at. There was a box of dolls I noticed sitting on the ground and I spied a baby doll (porcelain head and hands and cloth body) with a missing eye. I felt that familiar tug at my heartstrings, but pushed it aside, trying to justify it with "Whatever will I do with another doll?" Of course I walked by a few times, and after another pass I found my mom talking with the ladies behind the table. One said the little doll had been sitting there all day, and as they were most likely throwing out (GASP!) the stuff when it ended, they would be sad to see her go. Another lady said that she might take the baby if no one bought her, but I'd heard enough. I scooped her up and paid the woman (she said she'd give me the doll for free but it was a church sale so I donated ). Turns out the eye was inside her head. Her clothes were also handmade, so someone had loved her once. I was so happy to give her a new home. I've come to discover it's a terrible habit of mine, wanting to take home neglected things and give them a chance at a better life and home...but it makes me happy so I can't complain

 

I'd have trouble thinking of terms like "used" or "second-hand" applying to bjds. Since they're so customizable, sometimes they can be worth more if preowned, like if they have a unique faceup or mod. They're aren't like barbies where it's important to collectors to keep them exactly as they came from the factory.
It wouldn't bother me to get a doll preowned as long at it was in good condition. I'd just customize to a look that I like.

 

All of my resinkids will have been pre-loved before they made their way to my door Is that strange? Gwenllian, Lleucu, Enfys and now Un-named Head will have lived and loved someone else before they were adopted, but I don't think much about it. I think it adds something to the character, I like not knowing everything about them, it's just the same as if I was adopting a 5 year old child. I'm not going to know every little thing about their past but I get to be a big part of their future and I really like that thought.

My mum was adopted as a baby, so I think of it a bit like that; someone else couldn't look after their resinbaby, so I found them a place with me

I did wonder at first whether having an adopted doll rather than a brand new resinkid I chose would have some effect on what kind of community member people would see me as and I'm glad to see that there isn't the elitism of other collecting hobbies, where having something second-hand is seen as having something inferior. I know my girls aren't inferior and I'd feel really hurt if someone were to suggest that they were just because I wasn't their first provider/carer.

 

My So is FOURTH-times loved All her moves were done here on DoA...I found her first owner because I recognized a pic of her...her outfit and wig...that was not the person DraconicMaiden had gotten her from *from whom I bought Sakura* At least on DoA I can be fairly certain it's authentic...whereas with ebay I fear it's a fake...

Clothes though I like to get on ebay because I don't have to go through as much PayPal craziness

 

My Haylie is a Fourth-loved boy whose been to many wonderful places! ^^

Because I dont consider him so much as having many previous owners, but rather that he's done a lot of traveling! Korea to California, to Ohio, to Lousianna, and now finally back in California with me

Lol, although his character is from another country, I kind of feel like he's "returned home."

 

I came THIS close to adopting my friend's MNF Shiwoo about a year ago and to this date, I still think of the little guy and wish I could have homed him.

So yeah. I definitely have no issues with adopting a doll that's been pre-owned and loved already by someone else and have been more than willing to adopt.

... My wallet, on the other hand, was not quite so willing.

 

I would not mind at all to buy a pre-owned doll, but am worried about who I buy from. You just don't know in some occasions if someone is reliable or not and that makes it kind of hard to spand many dollars on a doll and not know if you will get to see the doll...I have seen so many strange things happening on EBay, that I am very wary these days...
To me, a pre-owned doll is not worth less than a new one at all, they can be worth much more, so I would love to own a pre-loved doll (a Lati doll) if only I could be sure about the safety of the transaction...

 

I love second-hand, my Unoa's from 2003 and all those years she's aged beautifully. I think about how much work it would be to get a brand new doll's resin that gorgeous and soft as it is now(it looks like a creamy ivory, so lush and it feels like creamy bodywash.) I have year old parts and they're all shiny(yeah, I need to sand and spray them x.x ) and they look so out of place on her.
I restrung her completely for the first time since I got her(March 2007) and it was like opening a door to the past, I got to see all the wear on her she really had, like inside her. I cleaned her really well, but some marks remain(luckily unless you're pulling her apart you can't see them.)
I got in an argument with a non-BJD-liking friend the other day and he said "you can always replace it, it's an object." but I really couldn't, I LOVE the little flaws she's picked up over the years, it's special to me I think. I could buy the same sculpt but I couldn't repeat the exact same things her past owners did that made her the way she is.

I often wonder what she went through in the past though, I notice she was sanded very well and a long time ago she was probably blushed because I found trace amounts on the joints and on the chest. Her old faceplate(which I sold, I wanted my Sist to be a Lusis) had the most amazing professional looking faceup, really everything, from the perfect little lines in her eyebrows to the flawless shading on her lower lashes made her breathtaking...my excuse for selling the faceplate? I didn't want brown eyebrows. Still regretting that one.
Anyways, my rambling aside, I'm glad she's with me now and yes, I'd most definitely get more second-hand little beauties. ^_^ I like anything linked to the past.

 

And I read that story with glee. Yet another person who knows the feeling of rescue and repair! Isn't that the *best*? I'm trying to target my first BJD purchase of a battered second hand, one that no one wants, in order to restore it to beauty. Besides some new things feel weird to me, I've looked at things my friends have had, and when they've asked if I'd want something similar, I'm sorely tempted to buy a new one for them so I can have their old one! It's as if them playing with it imprinted a little life into them, something that reminds me of them. the other side of the coin is something that's been damaged like the story above. It brings out such a protective instinct that is silly since it's resin, but a strong one nonetheless. "That's ok, baby. I'll take care of you and love you, you won't be alone anymore..."

 

I chose "from a friend" and by that, I mean from a local friend who can just hand the doll over and there is no wait for any sort of shipping time! XD

 

All my dolls are second hand (1 ebay, 1 mp, 3 y!j).

I just feel weird with a new doll. I like second hand better =D (although I do miss my suiseiseki which was first hand x3").

 

I agree with the original poster. I prefer the term "previously loved" or something like that, instead of "pre-owned". So far, Only one of my dolls was ordered directly from the company, and that was only because I couldn't find the skintone I wanted without going straight to the manufacturer. My other dolls used to belong to a friend of mine. I think I would rather get a doll that used to belong to someone else, both times I've done so were great experience, and as others have said before, it's been very nice to see actual photos of what you are receiving. I'm all for surprises, but sometimes it's nice to know what everything really looks like.

 

I like the DoA marketplace. Often you can find other photos the current owner has taken and maybe even their website where there might be more. It's also easiest to communicate with DoA members, ask questions, ask for additional photos, etc.

Carolyn

 

I would love a pre-owned doll. ( as my second doll ) : ) I think that, once someone thinks that they might sell a doll, the doll would feel very lonely.. Also, lots of the time it's because of a bonding issue; which would make me think the doll feels very sad that it couldn't bond.. So I think I would really love a doll from someone else.. I would like to give it a home and help her/him be happy

 

I'm glad to hear successful stories about second-hand dolls. Odds are my first will be second hand

 

Three of my kids are from companies directly, but two are from the Marketplace here and I adore them just as much as my company kids. I'm in the MP every day looking for new additions to my little (but growing!) family.

Nothing wrong with a preloved doll. In many ways, my secondhand kids are far more fun since they already had personalities before arriving on my doorstep. I may have changed them somewhat when I opened their boxes, but someone had stories for these kids before I had them. Makes it kinda interesting wondering what kind of dolls their previous owners saw them as.

 

..........

 

I like that, "twice loved." I don't have any BJD yet, but I have some lovely vintage and antique dolls that are still in great condition despite their age.

 

I have 3 "second-hand" dolls. Only my Luke is new because I bought him before I signed up to DoA so I had no access to a trustworthy second-hand market. They're all equally loved here. Somehow I tend to prefer buying from the marketplace because owner pictures give completely different views on a doll and because I'm a sucker for the "sad puppy needs a home" trap. I bought my Narin after only seeing his badly sunburned body on a vague picture and a quick shot of his face-plate. Love him to pieces really. Also, new dolls take some time to get their personality straight. All the second-hands had theirs firmly set 2 days after they came in, but Kauko is still a bit empty after 2 months.