Coronavirus concerns mega-thread

I found a fun video on youtube about ten things to do with your dolls if you're quarantined. I especially like the idea of having a theme day.

 

I really hope you and all the doll and doll related company will stay safe and sound. Regarding ordering a BJD, I do not do it right now, because there is absolutely no time right now. We are still superbusy cleaning my parents' house. I want to take my time and enjoy the ordering process (and figure it out first, because IOS seems a bit different, from what I read).

 

I buy small inexpensive items from Asia, some are doll related while others are not, they're either arriving late or not arriving at all. I think big packages will come in but I won't buy a large expensive package now. Otherwise, place an order but ship later. Another way is to ship express with carriers like DHL, FEDEX, UPS. Depending on the value of the package, it may be worth the extra paid for peace of mind but these packages usually gets stopped by border tax agencies and you will likely pay a border tax if your country collects these taxes.

 

I just got a response back from Legend Doll. The order for a few wigs and two pairs of eyes won't be ready to ship until maybe May. The estimate was only 2-4 weeks when I ordered on February 1st. I completely understand given the circumstances and I presume a lot of factories were shuttered. Would it be horrid for me to request a refund until everything has calmed down? I would definitely re-order once the situation has eased, but over $200 is a lot to be tied up at the moment. Especially with the uncertainty surrounding the global economy right now... At the same time, I am fearful of canceling an order that may be helping someone stay afloat.

 

I don’t think it’s unreasonable, but if you plan to rebuy anyway, maybe keep waiting. If it gets close to six months, maybe then request a refund and rebuy later so you’ll still be in the PayPal safety net?

 

Been trying to contact Angell Studio since January too both directly and via a dealer. No response at all. It's about placing an order too so I'm just at the mercy of when I get a reply XD I intend to do a layaway and my dealer so I can't just order outright, I have to have that communication first. I hope these communication channels open up soon I understand delays in processing but it seems odd that two e-mails from two different sources have gone unanswered in 2+ months.

 

@akaisha0 if it makes you feel better, I very rarely got any replies to any of my angell studio emails. This is a year or 2 before the Covid.

Ordered my doll through legend doll, and then asked AS about a promotion they had; someone new was working CS and had excellent communication and was super friendly. I think he left around november/december, Lewis is excellent, and wish he was still working there.

Emails were not getting replies, but I would get a reply a week or 2 after leaving a question on their Q&A, not Lewis, someone new. My last communication on their Q&A is still unread in their websites outbox.

Theres a new limited thats only available on Legend doll, not on the chinese website, english website or taobao. You can see her on their weibo though, so they are active there
Sina Visitor System

Im not sure which dealer you are using, I only know of Dolk US and Legend Doll to be their dealer, and was able to confirm a few details and place an order with Legend Doll (Im guessing because they speak the same language, there is no issue)

 

Thank you, that's a good suggestion! I would feel terrible if I cancel an order that may already be in progress. I'm sure many factories need any type of business once they re-open.

 

I am in Canada, I think the problem may not be in the Asia side but when the parcels arrive in North America. Canada is as good as locked down right now. A lot of us are stuck at home. I am not sure if postal services or border customs services is open. If open or partially open, I am not sure if they are willing to touch packages from Asia. I bought something from Volks USA, I now even expect delays on that. I am tracking the package very closely.

Being stuck at home with nowhere to go and nothing to do can be stressful. I find myself logging into this forum multiple times a day. Of all places, the stock market is open and online! I should play with my dolls and spam photos!

 

Canada Post is still operating. The only thing they've changed is packages that require a signature will need to be picked up at the post office. (Source - Live in Canada and got a package with a doll in it this morning.)

I believe customs service is still open too. Goods still need to be able to come into Canada, so I don't think they'll shut that down. I do expect they have their employees practicing social distancing.

 

@UrbanHermit I live in a condo building. Last week, there was confusion as to whether parcel deliveries will continue to be accepted at the front desk. Usually, the concierge of the building signs and handles the parcels for us, not the post office. Building staff are becoming increasingly unwilling to handle parcels. We thought we had to wait for the parcels in person at the lobby when the parcel man comes, but this will make matters worse because there will be a group of us gathering at the lobby which is worse. That was when I started to track the package coming in from Volks USA but now they clarified that such packages will still be handled as before, this afternoon, there's another notice saying that the packages may be delivered directly to our doors by the parcel man if we are in self isolation. I believe a lot a lot a lot of people are in self-isolation. You see, staff may be required to handle the packages but they are increasingly unwilling to do so. This scenario is very sad. Everybody is scared of everybody and everything. Oh, I'm originally from Singapore, I am Chinese and I am getting sarcastic hateful looks whenever I go outside. Sigh.

 

@stargazer_i I am so sorry people are being so ignorant and racist. There is no excuse for that. This is a time when everyone needs to come together! My friend and I are currently encouraging people to shop at our local Chinese grocery store. They’ve lost business for this same reason, but they’re such sweet people and have so much food in stock right now, where other stores don’t.


As for doll stuff/mail, USPS is running, but a little behind. I got a doll wig in today from a US seller and it took about week versus the usual 3 days. With people stuck at home and ordering so much stuff, the postal workers are probably overworked and stressed too.

 

Dreaming doll was able to make the body I ordered (and quite promptly at that) amid all this. However the body has been stuck in US Customs for several days now, makes me wonder how US Customs is operating right now

 

I have noticed that a lot of stuff from overseas isn't moving on tracking. Both are unrelated to dolls, but one has apparently been with Hangzhou Airlines since March 01. Another has read "Logistics Order Created" since March 05. I do have a small clothing order from Alice's Collections that has yet to ship, but I worry if that'll come through anytime soon. Not the shipping notice, the package once it's sent out. China is starting to get back on its feet, but the rest of the world is now fumbling to deal with the fallout and crisis. Flights are being cancelled left, right, and centre. It's just a small worry; I can currently make do with what I have. But, it'd be nice to get what I paid for. Whether it was £2 or £32.

Then, there's financial worries. I work in retail and the demand on the shops is pushing up my hours, for the time being, so I will have a little more to spend. I keep window-shopping for clothes and wigs; that's my problem. I'm marking stuff I want; the longer I have to browse, the more that gets added! But, all currencies are falling right now as trade weakens and tourism falters. The economy is taking a hit.

 

I’m in Canada too. Just outside of Toronto, and I’ve been waiting on package from Alice’s Collections that was shipped on March 1st. It’s been stuck at customs clearance since March 10th. It’s very frustrating. I wish I had asked ACBJD to hold onto it till the dust had settled a bit. They didn’t ship it EMS either, they said SF Express would be faster. I haven’t heard of them before, so now I have that added to my anxiety.

 

My job ended and I left from Washington (not near Seattle or in any known infected counties, thank goodness) and just got home to Texas. I hope this area doesn't blow up, the other major population state New York and California have, so that is a bit worrisome. I hope the sun does its job. I also hope I don't end up a Typhoid Mary, there are a lot of people in this house.

My idiot self ordered a wig from Washington and it went through the Seattle sorting center. I wiped down the box and bag and waited to open it. Should be ready now.

Also I ordered some stuff from Legend Doll last July (the only resin item was hands), still not ready. When I asked last they said to blame corona, but I find that a bit odd. At this rate I'll be waiting till next July. But I'd feel bad asking again with things as they are.

 

@stargazer_i How terrible for you, and what a disgraceful, disgusting way for people to behave. Personally, I think Mr. Trump's constant use of the phrase 'Chinese virus' instead of the accurate term 'novel virus' is just adding intentional fuel to that absurd and hateful fire, but hey, who am I to say.

I am waiting for two scrawny little wigs, the likes of which usually fly through customs and get to me within three days, max. It is now day five, and no movement. At this point, I don't know if it's justified, or if the entire world has simply gone nuts. I lean toward the latter.

 

I received a parcel from Hong kong yesterday, so there's hope. But everyday the government does seem a little bit more paranoid...

 

@Kiki Happy I suspect border customs is working but with reduced, or rotating shifts, different schedules and possibly reduced hours. I don't know how exactly they operate now but it is obvious there's a delay. I know one thing for sure though, if there's a border tax, the package will get to you quickly. I had SDGrB Masamune Date delivered to me in the middle of that infamous postal strike! He was held hostage in various postal facilities for 2 weeks. I understand how you feel. I paid roughly C$180 in tax and parcel man was all smiles when he handed the box to me, he apologized for the delay and hold up. He assured me the box was kept in a temperature controlled room and not left in the truck during the strike. If no tax is to be collected, you will still get the package, it will get to you but you need to wait. I don't know what is express SF?? Is it express surface parcel? At least you have a tracking number and that helps.

@sahoma You are right about the increase in paranoid....I feel it too.

@celga and @CloakedSchemer Sigh.....it's hard living in this world. I'm retired but even so, it's difficult. I think people don't really understand what the Chinese community is going through now. Personally, I don't blame Trump, not even angry with him but the phrase "Chinese virus" is weird. Even if China is at fault, the use of this phrase is in bad taste.

Many people in this thread show genuine concern for the artists in China, that is commendable and heart warming to read. Many kind people here.

 

I am in Asia. The situation in my area looks brighter then before. The delivery in China are slowly back on track and I am expecting some packages next week. However the international shipping, even from Korea or Japan is still being delayed very much. For instance, EMS from Korea has been delayed for weeks due to reduce of flights. I hope the situation will improve in the coming April.
Let's all keep faith and stay safe.