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

mhm mhm same with my LTF who arrived Thursday. No certificate. I'll never sell her, so it isn't a big problem, but I kind of was wondering if it was missing or if they just don't do it for the littles any more.

 

Dollstown doesn't even send boxes? I'd definitely not want a doll without a proper box. It's like her home in a way, and I also like boxes for if I need to pack them away.

If they don't bother with boxes, I probably won't even bother looking at their dolls.

 

They do for SD and above.
I don't keep my dolls in boxes, so boxes are a nuisance for me..........but each to their own and I respect that others like them as part of a *full set*

 

I hope this isn't considered OT, but I've always wondered whether it's a good idea to store dolls in their original boxes. Cardboard releases gasses that can adversely effect various materials over time, including causing yellowing at an advanced rate, which is why archival storage is done in special, acid-free cardboard boxes. I don't know if resin is prone to the effects, but I would not be surprised to find out that it is. I'd be interested if anyone has heard one way or the other!

 

I think, based on what Brightfires was saying earlier, that Fairyland's never done CoAs. I could be wrong.

I feel like this is backwards. I think it would be more fair to a seller to do the research first, so you know in advance whether or not your arbitrary proofs of authenticity even exist before expecting a seller to have them. It doesn't seem very fair to demand all those things, then only go research after they tell you none of those things are things that exist.

Huh. You know, that might be a really interesting experiment.

 

As far as I know, Fairyland has never issued CoAs for any of their dolls... I don't have personal buying experience with the Pukis, Pukifees or Chic-line dolls, but none of the larger dolls I've purchased from them (Full-set or Basic-) came with anything but the little stringing guide, and I've never seen anyone else mention receiving one.

"Back in the day" when they were still Cerberus Project, and selling through other dealers (Luts, DollMore, Domuya, Liria and company-), they did do them for at least some of the early Limiteds... My Elf Shiwoo, for instance, has a numbered certificate with the doll's picture... but that didn't last long. They stopped doing that long before they became Fairyland.

Delfs purchased through Luts usually came with a Xeroxed "information sheet" that included the name of the sculpt on one side and its measurements on the other (like this one, from my Edgar-), but they didn't include anything useful for authentication purposes, like a serial number. I don't recall the MiniFees I bought from them even having anything that basic.

 

I understand that I made a mistake in my earlier post about how I thought fairyland had CoA's and I understand doing research first, but it's good to know that I am being silly by making the mistake by just asking the seller if a doll has a CoA or other form of authenticity without doing research (for whatever reason). Lol

 

You should always know exactly what it is that should come with any collectible prior to shopping. If you don't, that is how you get ripped off. This applies to everything, not just dolls.

Research is important; do it first.

 

Yes, I am aware thank you. Looks like I dug my own grave here so I guess I should end here as it has gotten a little off topic. So, yes I am aware and agree with research. Did I make a mistake in believing something not true on this thread? Yes. It's not that I never have and never will do research on such topics.

Anyways, like I said before CoA's or any form of authenticity is a plus (if applicable), especially on dolls bought from second hand from company's that are commonly recasted. If none are available caution (and research) is a must.

 

Both dolls that I bought second hand were limited and didn't come with the papers and a box, because I just bought the head, I still want to have it.
But my Ethan was a gift who received the first owner without papers, and my Anais head were bought for her second owner on yahoo japan without papers but with her original plate, to me was more important have the doll that the papers but I'd will like to have them.

 

I agree, because I'd really like to know the results after maybe one month, then six and then a year...not just in an original box to see if it's damaging, but in an archival box to see if it's color-prolonging. Heh. Now if only someone would step forward and volunteer their doll...

Franci_Black, I just have to say your user title made me laugh. SO DO I, lol.

 

You could do it with extra hands, especially if you've got white-skin ones around. Stick one in the default box, then one in an archival box, check at intervals, see what happens.

...I may have to check to see if I still have my Lu-wen's spare hands around, because that could be worth pursuing, if only for curiosity's sake.

 

It would! That would be such a great experiment, photographing both at regular intervals - I know I've never seen it before, and it would be a real help if it turns out that archival boxes extend doll life. I would definitely house my guys in acid free boxes, despite the cost, if it would slow the discoloration process. Sadly, the only extra hands I have in the house are the ones I bought for my daughter's Pukipuki...and she'd wail for days if I steal them, lol. If you follow through with this, please do post! And if you don't...I'll get around to it as soon as I come up with an extra pair of hands or feet.

 

I'll see what I can find; my Lu-wen is an older doll, but I've never even opened his spare hands so I'm hoping they're still white enough that any color change would be visible. If I do this I'll definitely post a thread about it; it seems like it'd be a massive help to everyone if the hypothesis does in fact hold up. I have archival boxes coming out my ears right now, too. I've got my Aden's spare hands handy (*rimshot*) but I'd want the more noticeable color change of white resin, I think.

This is so terribly off-topic, and yet at the same time it's a fascinating idea.

 

As long as I knew the doll was legitimate or at least had some sort of proof, I wouldn't really care about boxes or certificates. I'd probably lose them.

I always love seeing people do BJD science.

 

I have bought three second hand dolls, and I got cerificates with all three, but only the orignal box for one of them, which doesn't really bother me. Though I did ask in each case if I could get the original box if available. I was perfectly willing to pay a bit extra to get it... because it was quite a bit larger than the box they had intended to ship it in. I don't think I would buy a second hand doll that I would not get a certifiate with, unless it was from a well trusted personal friend.

 

Well, it hasn't been deleted yet, so maybe it's on topic as it relates to the people who feel strongly that they need the original box for storage? I want to watch for this - would you post it in project journals?

 

I think you're probably right -- it's definitely worth finding out if the gases cardboard gives off affect dolls in any way. I'd put it up in project journals, yeah -- it'll take a while, obviously, but what I might do is pick up a pair of brand new paper white hands so I know I don't have any residual yellowing to deal with. That will wait until payday though.

 

If I was buying a doll that I though could be a recast, then I don't think I would be comfortable buying the doll without papers unless it was my grail..

 

Definatly would want any papers that came with it !