Buying secondhand: Boxes and certificates...are they must haves for you?

I've never thought about it, but it doesn't bother me. If it was an expensive bjd like limited addition then it would mater to me because I would want the certificate to make sure its legitimate. The boxes go missing for some reason when I buy secondhand.

 

The box doesn't matter to me, even if the doll were LE. I understand how difficult it is to ship boxes so big (as I like SDs) so it wouldn't really matter. However, I have to say that I wouldn't buy a doll without a certificate of authenticity. I believe everyone should be responsible for keeping their certificates (just as well as they keep the doll) because it proves that the doll is legitimate. With so many weird things happening out there, I find this is something invaluable. I don't think I could ever buy a doll without a certificate... maybe if I really, really liked the mold and knew the seller. But otherwise, no.

 

I have no problem buying without original packaging and papers if I buy from someone who has a good reputation in the doll community, otherwise I would be very cautious. I always check feedback and read posts made by the seller to get an idea of how reliable and honest they are and if I have doubts I search for them on other doll forums. I myself almost never keep the original boxes because I simply have no place to store them and because I rarely re-sell dolls unless I find I have made a mistake as soon as the doll arrives and I see it in person. I do keep the papers, though, if I buy a new doll from a doll company. I toss them in a box to keep in case I ever need them.

 

Certificates are nice if it's a limited doll, but I don't care about the original box. I have too many boxes as is. x_x

 

It wouldn't stop me from buying the doll, I'm really only looking for the doll, but the box and certificates would be a nice plus!

 

I only collect Tinies so the boxes are not too huge. I try not to buy any dolls without original box. Maybe if it was a really rare doll I could not live without. I won't buy wothout certificates though except the seller has really good reputation.

 

Boxes are not a big deal to me and I can do with or without. Certificates - if available - always yes.

The available part is a bit tricky, though... I purchased a doll body as part of of split and sent the certificate off with the head because it made more sense. Now... I do not have a certificate to send off with the body if I ever sell it. I had considered having a notarized copy of the certificate made, but ended up shipping the head before I got around to it. I wonder, though, if that would have any validity to most buyers?

 

Like most replies here, the certificate is much more important to me and it doesn't matter to me whether or not they come with their original box.

 

Well, I am CRAP at keeping the CoAs... so I can't throw stones when other people don't have them... I have bought dolls with and without both boxes and certificates and neither has bothered me. Maybe I'm too trusting. I just assume I'm buying something legit! So far I've done well on the MP. I've never gotten anything bad or recast.

 

I couldn't care less if I got the box or even the certificate to be honest. I'm in it for the doll, mainly. I can understand why someone would want to have the certificate and such though. I do check the sellers feedback and such to make sure their isn't a problem with them in the past and they have good feedback. I guess feedback speaks more to me than certificates or boxes, though I can see why it may help increase the value of the doll. It's much like buying something still in the box or with a tag still. I know for my brother who is very much a collector looks for these things and is willing to pay more for it.

 

It's nice when the doll comes with their box and certificate, but in the end I don't really care that much if they're included. I understand that there are recasts available and being worried about accidentally buying one, but that's also why I keep myself updated on which dolls are available as recasts and what not. I don't really have to worry if the doll I'm buying secondhand is a recast if it's not being recast.

 

Doesn't really matter to me... Especially since every doll I care about isn't even in the possession of recasters. There's no way a doll I'd buy used would be a recast, no need for certificates.

On that note only two of my five dolls have them.
My used Hid didn't have one, ResinSoul doesn't send anything like that with their dolls, and DZ didn't send one with my Ying.
Having little cards come with my DikaDoll boys was a new experience all together.

 

Boxes - not so much. A box is just a container to hold awesome contents.
Papers, on the other hand --- I would buy a doll with papers over one without, any day. Especially considering the topic of recasts,, it legitimizes the sculpt, and it's proof of all the love and attention that went into making something so special. (of course, the next big scandal will be over forged papers of authenticity)

Edit: Wait~ Not all dolls come with papers from the company? But- but these are little works of art that are worth a shiny penny... =/

 

I used to not care about either, but with the recent recast drama, I'd want a certificate if I decide to buy one now.

 

I'm generally fine with not getting either. However, I do like it when it comes with the original box. I keep all my boxes and I like to have a wide variety of company boxes and such.
When it comes to the certificate, it doesn't hold much value to me. Even when a doll is a suspected recast, a certificate isn't going to do much good because those get falsified too.

 

I like doll boxes, but as others have said they can be a pain to ship. I care about certificates for LEs more than standards. All of my LEs came with them, but not all of my standards did. It's not just the less expensive companies that don't send them. None of my Fairyland dolls had one. When I'm selling a doll, I will include any and all papers they came with.

 

The certificate would be more important, but not an absolute must. I've got way too many doll boxes around as it is, I don't care about having the original box.

 

If the doll has a certificate, I'd like to have it. As for the box-most of my second-hand dolls didn't have them and I still have a pile as tall as I am. My last doll purchase was second hand, the doll was several years old and the seller was offering free shipping in the price. I told her to unstring the doll and send it in a smaller box. No way was I going to make her pay shipping for that big box!

 

From what I've experienced and noticed in box openings, ResinSoul does not have them. DZ normally seems to, but the Ying I ordered from Junkyspot did not come with anything... I almost wonder if it got lost, he was sitting around JS for ages before anyone bought him. o.O