Coronavirus concerns mega-thread

An Alice Collection thing I ordered back in December is finally on its way. Dunno what's going on with the tracking. It was "put on an airplane" multiple times and I have no idea how many transfers it's supposed to have to get to the USA's international hub.

Holding off on any big purchases just due to the work situation since my job is neither one that can work from home nor essential enough to keep doing. Only ordered some crafts supplies to keep busy now that I can finally stop putting off freshening up my dolls. Now only if it would stop raining so I can spray sealant.

Partly because I am less busy and spending more time doing the internet equivalent of pacing around a room by flipping through all my online haunts, I'm also a little antsy about a doll modding commission I have out because the artist hasn't responded in about a week. Hope they're okay.

 

What is the situation in Korea? I am waiting for one body (from Nobility) and one head (from Supia) and both packages are "before shipping". I don't know what to do... Does anyone have any new information? I think the post offices in Korea are still closed.

 

@Arengil packages are still getting shipped from South Korea, although there are delays of couple of days. About Supia... orders had remained on "before shipping" for about up to 8 weeks even before the virus outbreak, so you shouldn't worry about that.

 

I bought a doll outside of DOA. We both are in the US but with the shelter in place in the seller city (now in mine as well), not sure when the seller can ship it until after it's lifted. It's fine with me because I rather everyone stay safe than risk going out for a doll. Thank goodness PayPal have a 6 months policy.

I can assume all my orders from overseas will be delayed in production and shipment. It's just my luck all dolls I tend to order end up being 9 months + now lol

 

Well, I live in Bavaria/Germany. We are basically locked down right now. I am still waiting on a black male business suit from MaryamDN's from Canada. Tracking says it just made it to German customs. But I guess it won't move a lot until things are going more or less normally again...Anyway, no stress here, as I do not need it urgently (anyways, is anything BJD-related urgent?).

As we are having a downtime anyways, I am seriously considering continuing with the Gothic armour...I have still a good sheet of aluminium. As soon as I have figured how exactly that arm harness goes together.

 

I believe mailing things would still be considered "essential," at least in my country (USA). People mail things for businesses, so you may need to prove you're doing it for a business reason? To be honest I don't think there is going to be as much enforcement as there should be to keep people safe. I personally will hold off selling any additional doll items until this passes. But I hadn't stopped buying until recently! I think the mailman has been bringing me a package every day for the last 5 mail days straight. A lot I had ordered before this all started, and now I won't order anymore for fear of putting someone in a bad situation.

 

I am in Canada, yesterday, I sold somethings on eBay to 2 US buyers. Today, I had to drive 34km to the USPS agent’s office just to find it partially closed due to the virus. I was unable to complete my postage. So, I drove another 34km back and tomorrow, it’s another trip to and from the post office now that I’ve printed the labels at home. It’s a hassle.

On the bright side, gas is super cheap and there was little traffic. I also got a good shipping rate for USPS Priority Mail with full tracking from Canada to the US. I am thankful USPS has an agent in Toronto, otherwise shipping would be a lot more expensive. I don’t mind driving the distance. The postal branch nearer to my place is 100% shut due to virus. I admire postal workers on the front line. They put their health at risk to keep the service open. I can tell that they are scared. Amazing people.

 

@zekarmisama good to hear that. I hope mine will get ship anytime soon too. I believe my town will get lockdown next week... or soon btw... just hope acbjd's package arrive safely after all this time

 

An update on my package from ACBJD shipped via SF Express: I finally broke down and message ACBJD on the 24th day since shipping. They were able to learn immediately that it had a customs tax charge of $22 ($3 tax and $19 brokerage fee). Within 24 hours the company contacted me to collect the fees and now I’m waiting for shipping to me. So they definitely had the package and it passed through customs like regular no backlog. The backlog was on THEIR end. They would have kept my package much longer if I hadn’t said something. I’m not impressed.

I understand some delay with situation with it is right now but I also appreciate transparency. I don’t like uncertainty and I don’t think it’s fair to keep me anxious like that. Just communicate what’s going on. I’m just happy the package is safe and on its way soon.

 

Do you guys know if events, such as Doll Chateau's discontinued dolls, will be extended due to the situation? Haven't been able to reach the dealer for over a week since placing the order for any confirmation and the deadline for the event is ending, so I was thinking if I should just order from elsewhere (which would be a bummer, since it would cost me a lot more to get it from someone else)?
I had saved up for over a year for one particular sculpt and now I'm afraid of missing it completely.

Though of course it's really understandable that something serious might be going on at the other end, which makes me feel ashamed of being this persistent and impatient with material stuff, which is not even a necessity. Not knowing what's going on makes me speculate a lot, which might be not very emphatic and kind of me...

I wish there was at least some sort of update on any social media account or on their site which could explain the delay and silence.
Makes me think if it's the worst case scenario that has happened to them. I sure hope they're okay.

 

Ah this virus is frustrating.
Just went to ship a doll to Austria and was told shipping is suspended indefinately. I'm sure the buyer will be understanding but it's still awkward.
I'm glad that a lot of people are taking this seriously though

 

I hope everyone is doing ok!
I was facing some uncertainty here with everything going on; I work three different jobs part time (I'm a college student and I have a research assistant position at my university, and I also work part time as a secretary's aide and as a gas station attendant), so I was really anxious when everything started to close down: I wasn't sure about the position of my jobs, or my boyfriend's, who is a teacher whose school closed down.

On one hand, I am thankful as I am near a lot of vulnerable people (my mom & both my grandmothers are vulnerable and hit a lot of the risk factors; asthma, high blood pressure, and more), as well as my boyfriend's mom who has chronic asthma and his immonocomrprosed sister, so hopefully everything will slow the spread, but the financial hit was really scary for awhile there.
Luckily my boyfriend is still getting his salary during this time, and I am able to work remotely with my student research job. My gas station job is considered essential, though the aide one is on hiatus for one, which is fine. We both have part time jobs as gas station assistants, though, so it's very frustrating to see so many people just... out and about for really nothing.
I've handled so many orders for just lotto tickets or red bull, for example... and some people who would pay for gas, which is fine, but also bring in their coughing children for seemingly no reason... The quarantine is meant to both protect those staying home, but also those whose work is considered essential (and their families), so it is very frustrating. But the city I live near by just got a F grade for social distancing, apparently, so I am not surprised.

Fortunately, I've been able to distract myself a lot with my dolls. I'm currently about to pay off my Doll Leaves Teresa order with DDE, so I am really excited to get her soon... I plan on trying to do a removeable mod for her with some paper clay to give her some teeth, rather than just painting them in! I really wish I put off ordering some (pricey) doll shoes internationally though ^^'

With the security that I (thankfully) still have, I've been tempted to participate in the Fairyland event once we get some photos... I've been planning for a few months to do either a layaway with DDE for a minifee sircca or a "layaway of doom" for a mirwen & klaus (who is finally a la carte!) so I can swap their legs around for a tall moe and short aline, and use the a line body for a hybrid and get Klaus a taller body (maybe a luts model delf eventually or a dollzone XD)

 

I'm sure your buyer will understand, as long as you keep them updated.

I'm currently dealing with a commission from France and the artist let me know they're in lockdown and she can't ship. I'm totall ok with that and really glad she let me know.

Another note, my Dollmore order shipped yesterday, so South Korea is shipping to US right now, but who knows what may happen in US customs. It's not a big deal if it's delayed since most of it is for a doll who isn't home yet, but I hope it doesn't get lost.

 

Hm, I am not sure I did not catch the sh** (please pardon my French). Problem is, I am very overweight (+50 kg), and I have asthma already (due to said allergies). I have several allergies and I started coughing a tiny bit after I went shopping (had to, wore a mask meant for airbrushing and gloves). I felt I had really trouble with the sharp, cold air outside. I am anyways doing nothing doll-related. But I think I will call my doctor today and stay away from anything dusty or colour-spraying. After all, there no reason to take any risk right now.

Maybe I will start with Dr. Strange's magician outfit...that should be safe enough.

 

Hey has anyone been able to contact alice collections? I sent an email I wanted to know how they were going to go about the virus and shipping. No message and its march. So I am asking you guys. Also are the wait times being pushed out longer because of the virus?

 

Hi I just received a package from Alice’s Collections. I emailed them. About 3-4 days ago and I got an answer next day.

The wait times from some companies are longer but I think the impact will be on shipping. A lot of countries have limited international flights and that severely impacts airmail delivery. My package was in Hong Kong for 8 days before a flight left out with it. Now my country (Canada) has basically banned international flights, so some companies aren’t even willing to ship here.

 

For the folks asking about Korea, I live in the US and just got an order from Korea yesterday. It had an abnormally long window that it could arrive, but ended up taking 9 days in total to get here from when I got the shipping notice.

 

In the meantime, the suit has arrived as well. This also took a good time longer than usual. But this is just how things go right now.

 

Yes she is being totally understanding. I'm so relieved.
It's amazing how this horrible thing is in a way making us more patient and uniting us

 

Has anyone had any delays with China EMS? I have a package that was shipped on 3/14 and the tracking stopped in China. I am starting to get concerned as normally my EMS packages arrive so quickly (3-5 days). Even other EMS packages I have received from Japan have come in normal time.