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

If the doll originally came with a certificate, it would be nice to have, but not essential. As for boxes, these days, I'd prefer not to receive them, unless they are unique and/or pretty, because I have way too many as it is! Some companies sell "kit" version of dolls - disassembled and without boxes - usually as part of events, which is great because not only are they generally cheaper than the assembled/boxed versions, but I also don't feel compelled to keep the box.

I used to collect fashion dolls, where boxes were essential for maintaining resale value. However, over the years, I found that in the BJD hobby this is not necessarily the case. For example, out of all the dolls I sold, not once did the buyer want to receive the box.

 

I throw a lot of the doll boxes away already bec. there is no room, for example Lati yellow box is huge and wish they will make the boxes small like pukifee or rosenlied. One Lati yellow box can fit 5 lati yellow if you take out the foam. To me boxes is not a must, the smaller they are the better.

 

It matters to me. I love original packaging. I've also heard way too many horror stories about buying a doll secondhand, only to find out it isn't authentic... having the original box/certificate with the order reassures me my doll is the real deal!
Plus, should I ever sell my secondhand doll (I don't make a habit of doing such, though) I want to make sure the owner knows where the doll has come from! I keep all my boxes and certificates for this reason. I imagine it may become a problem if my collection grows too large (where do I put all the boxes? >A<) but for now, it isn't a problem.

I only have two dolls who don't have their original packaging. My Luts Bory lost his box and information when my then-roommate wrecked them. ;_; My Ange Ai Hani was secondhand and her packaging was weird, so I through it out. I wouldn't sell her, anyway. :3

 

If I'm buying a complete doll, I expect its original box and certificates. If I'm buying just a head, I expect the certificate (but not the box). If I'm buying just a body, I expect the original box (but not the certificate). If I'm buying any other parts (fantasy parts, high heel feet, default outfits, etc), I don't expect any of the original documentation.

 

There can be many reasons why a doll do not own a certificate~
firstly not all companies offer one basically*v* like in my case, my Delf Lishe just have a paper with her name on, but nothing indicating the date of production.
secondly they were not purchased as a whole but separately (giving a floating head a body or even as a hybrid)
In my case a few years ago I participated in a Customhouse event, which buying a full doll gives out a free event head and you can add a body for it, and those "2nd doll" do not have a certificate with them (like my CH Ange Ai Sunny), but they are legitimate.
I think more to it is that you have to check the feedback of the owners in the marketplace, or whether they can use other ways to prove its legitimacy (with original box etc.).

 

Certificates are a must for me for any head or whole doll I'm buying. I'm also particularly picky about them too - I'd much prefer unopened papers to ones that have been opened and are in less than spectacular condition. This can actually turn me off a purchase completely. Though I suppose that is the collector in me speaking.

If I'm buying a body or full doll I also prefer the box to be included as well. All my dolls get stored in their boxes instead of displayed so they're nice to have around. The one time a doll I bought didnt come with the original box I put some effort into finding and buying one from another user.

 

I think they are considered nice, but definitely not a requirement. As long as the doll is in good condition and has everything it's supposed to, I'm usually pretty happy XD

 

I would like a certificate to come with my doll but if it's a dream doll and she comes without one, I'd still purchase her! I understand how people may lose the certificate or in case of Lati purchase multiple heads and only have one certificate that they'd like to keep for themselves

 

Yes and no. The certificate is nice to have because it proves the authenticity of the doll. However I don't NEED to have it. As for the box....I do like having it. I use the boxes to store all of that particular dolls clothes, eyes, wigs, etc. But again I don't NEED it. I can always use a well labeled shoebox!

 

The only box I've kept is for my Ringdoll Sol. It's a shiny purple with gold lettering and it's magnetic and beautiful. *.* I throw the others away because I just don't have the space to store a bunch of 70cm doll boxes!

I love having dolls' certificates. Since most of my dolls were new, I have most of theirs. I think there's only one doll I own that the previous owner couldn't find the cert for, and it was a real disappiontment for me, but not a dealbreaker.

 

For a limited doll I think I would want the whole mess. I collect other stuff (a set of horse art figures) and i kept the boxes and the hard styro forms. In those cases the original box matters... Its like with Barbie... a NRFB (never removed from box) is worth a mint... the older the doll with original stuff... ya it might make a difference in it's collectable worth.... but if you love it and want it.... I'd take some dolls in 'very good' condition if the price was right with just the key stuff in tact.

My marauder doll came with a nifty little plexi plate the size of a credit card I wouldn't want that doll without it... it also came with a mouse pade a something I am not evne sure of the purpose, but I keep it all anyways. If I can break down a box w/o ripping anything I do and store it flat. I am odd about storing boxes for what might be collectible anyhow so.... And with my monster cats... boxes = safe dolls.... at least untill i can afford a custom display case...

 

Not too big a deal for me; it's always nice to get those things - but since I have a nasty tendency to buy floating heads from small companies that only make head sculpts and then bodies from other companies, I often don't receive certificates for my new dolls!

 

If I were buying a fullset LE doll, I would probably want the box and papers. But if it was anything else, whether it be a non-limited or even just a limited head but not fullset, then I wouldn't care.

 

I don't mind if the original box doesn't come with the doll. The official papers/certificates depends. I do prefer to get them with a purchase but it's not an absolute must for me.

 

I no longer purchase dolls that do not have certificates or box or some proof that they are not recasts. I have seen some recasts and the ones I saw were well made and could certainly pass for the real deal. If there is a body up for sale on the marketplace now with no proof or box of originality, I would not buy. The most heavily copied items seem to be Iplehouse, Soom, Volks. I am especially wary of hard to find heads or bodies being sold separately on the marketplace without proof of purchase. DoA does not allow recasts but again it often is hard to tell even when the heads or bodies are next to each other. Jut my thoughts...

 

For me a COA would be imperative. The box is important to me but not a deal breaker.

 

I don't really mind about the certificate, if there is one I'd like to have it but I won't throw away a good opportunity because there is no certificate. For the boxes, it depends. If it was a special occasion or a limited edition and the box is specialy decorated, I'd like to have it, anyway I don't care. Classic boxes are all the same anyway :p

 

I never really cared much for the boxes and certificates. If it comes with it, great, if not I don't mind. I do keep all of my dolls' boxes and certificates so that if I want to sell and I know some people do care.

 

its nice but not neccecery for me, i l do like box or carry bag but those are not nessecery as long as i have something to store it in[i like boxes more for storage purposes]

certificate would be a plus but i don't veiw it as nessecery

 

My collecting is especially in a state of flux. Maybe I've just stumbled across them more lately, but it seems like there is a rise in recasts. I don't have any experience with them, and I don't want to. This has made me more concerned to get especially certificates. I like the boxes because they are safe, secure places to keep them. Boxes are also good to have in case of resale. One day I may settle down and the "tide" of dolls will stop coming in and going out. Even then, I'd like all my keepers to have whatever they originally came with.