Do you feel comfortable dealing with DoA's younger members?

I think also that age does not necissarily matter in this hobby. I've observed that younger people who own BJDs tend to be more responsible because of the level of maturity owning a BJD demands. I have however, seen a few examples that do not fall in line with my theory, but on the whole I believe I'm correct.

Even so, I am more wary of dealing with members younger than or as-old-as me. I am 16, and I see a whole lot of immaturity at my high school that I would NOT want to subject myself to in a buying/selling situation. I am also wary of dealing with members who seem immature, or use a lot of chatspeak or l33tspeak. I understand that some people who do not speak intelligently are in fact very intelligent, but that is very hard to tell from just online interaction.

To prevent a bad transaction from happening, if I'm interested in buying or selling something to anyone I'll DEFINATELY check to see if they've got good feedback, and if they don't have a feedback thread then I look through some of the posts they have made to try to gain a sense of their maturity level. If they are young and have good feedback and/or seem very mature then I have absolutely no qualms dealing with them.

As a young member myself, I try to present myself in the most mature way possible. If I'm buying I always try to be prompt with communication and payment. If I'm selling, again I am prompt in communicating, and I get things shipped off as soon as is possible for me. Because my shipping schedule is irregular I always will keep the buyer informed of just what is happening so they will know if there are delays. I think that all members should follow these practices, whether they are old or young, and I am always impressed by others who are good sellers/buyers, especially if they are young. ^__^

 

I agree that age doesn't really matter, as long as they act mature. There are some older people that act more immature than the younger members on here, just as there are some immature younger members too. Age doesn't seem to matter as much on the internet, especially in a hobby like this. It's maturity that counts.

 

I am sixteen, so I would be considered one of the younger members. I am not old enough for a paypal account only because paypal is a US company. I have in fact left school and about to start college, where as I know in the US I realize school is mandatory until a later age.

This does mean I'm not old enough to drive, but I'm quite capable of taking a package on the bus to the post office or asking a parent to drop it off for me. I do not believe this hinders me at all.

I realize I often sound more immature in my posting when I add emoticons and such, but I feel perfectly capable of handling money and selling my possessions by myself. I don’t think my age should have anything to do with it. There are plenty of adults I’ve dealt with who have misunderstood what I have been selling and asked for a refund or who have committed to a buy and backed out etc.

Perhaps people should consider feedback as an indicator of maturity, not age.

I do agree that those of us who are younger have more to prove. And we have proof in feedback and work harder on proving it than any adult would have to in the way we conduct ourselves.

Yes, there has been a time where it took me a few days to post a package as I do not live near a post office, or times I have asked a question to a commissioner that they have already answered due to me not reading it properly. But I’m sure older people have those times too.

My mum is forty-five and sells on eBay. She doesn’t drive either, so it takes her time to mail things too, and the way she writes often makes people think she is far younger. I consider myself a far better seller than her even though she’s almost three times my age.

 

I didn't read all the back pages but my opinion is this. I"m only 19 (20 next month) and I've been into BJD since June of 05. I got my first in August of 05, however I do not think it depends on the "age" ofa person. It all depends on how mature you are. I've seen 15 yr olds on here who are mature. I've seen 16/17 year olds on here that are immature and act 11. I've seen 23 yr olds act like 12 yr olds. It all depends on how mature you are but I myself dont mind selling to people who are older or younger as long as they're mature ^^ I guess that answers the question

 

I think if someone acts like a mature peerson and wants to do business well then there is no problem buying from them, as long as they have positive feedback. Honestly if I read something that says "zomg sellin my dollz !!!11!- I'm not going to buy it, or want to converse with this person. I haven't really seen people like that on DoA though so it's a nice change from another forum.
Someone else mentioned that alot of times it is younger members that PM you with OMG I want, but they can't actually afford it. I have noticed this on other forums, they will keep replying to threads in sales and auctions saying they really want it, but can't afford it. I think they are just trying to say how much they like the item and don't realize someone wants people who are seriously interested only.

 

I don't have a whole mess of experience buying/selling (well, none seling) but I think I would feel a little uncomfortable in some situations. I'd feel more comfortable dealing with someone who is older than 16/17. Mostly because by then they can drive to the post office themselves or find different ways other than mom and dad. They can have their own bank account and/or paypal account. I would hate selling to someone who doesn't have control over their own finances. Like, "oh let me see if my Mom can give me her paypal for this", that just involves too many people. And BUYING sounds a little iffy from anyone younger than 16. Same reasons, really, but you really have to depend on them getting to the post office or whatever in reasonable time and..ugh. That's my nine cents.

 

Well, I'm 17, and have been collecting since I was 16, and I can honestly say, that I have had baaaaaaddddd experiences with people 18 and down. I almost never check the feedback threads until it's too late. Out of sight, out of mind.

But, that's just what it has been like for me.

I on the other hand am a pretty good seller and buyer. So I guess it really depends on the person.

 

Yup! It's about maturity!! I agree 100%

 

I've seen people say it a few times now, but I wasn't aware that you needed to be over 18 to have a paypal account or bank account? I've had my own bank account since I was about seven, and my own paypal (using my funds) for over a year(I'm now 14)...

 

I think I am more comfortable dealing with people 18+ because there is the maturity issue, those under 18 tend to be less mature that's why they are considered legal adults once they hit 18. There is also the issue that a lot of people under 18 don't have reliable transportation, so if they need to take something to the post office or if they run out of something needed for a commission they have to rely on someone else to take them, which can cause a delay in getting whatever the customer ordered. There is also the fact that they may have to use their parents paypal when buying something, so they might not be able to make a payment right away or if the parent is upset with the child, they may not make the payment at all.

This is just my opinion, it may not be true for all people under the age of 18, but from my own experience this seems to be the case.

 

IMHO....it depends on the maturity of the person. But....I do prefer some kind of buy/sell references and would probably be a little leary of someone under 20 with none.

As far as I know, I have not have any buy/sell transactions with someone under 20 on DoA. It has just worked out that my transactions tend to be with the over 20 age group....and all has gone smoothly.

My experience with under 20....I have particapated in 2 DoA gift exchanges. Later I found out that both were under 20....and my dolls never received any gifts.

.

 

I joined this forum when I was 16 I think and now I'm 18. THings has changed alot since then, mostly since I now have a paypal account and am able to do buisness over the marketplace. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable dealing with a younger person, for example through the marketplace, as long as the person in question shows that he/she is mature and responsible. I would probably feel slightly uncomfortable selling something to somebody of the age of 12-15 though, simply because they wouldn't use their own paypal-account since they are not allowed to have one.
This is only about the buisness part of DoA. Otherwise I feel comfortable dealing with anyone between the ages of 1-100. ^__^

 

Yet again, I reiterate: where does it state that those aged under 16 or 18 are not allowed to have a paypal account? If I could be directed to anything confirming this, I would be very grateful.

 

Re: paypal account, I don't know if there is an actual age requirement for one, but in the US banks require minors to have a guardian on any bank account. So any account attached to paypal would most likely be under a parents name as well as the minor.

 

I have some legal concerns doing business with younger members, so I'll admit that if I think to check, I expect a bit more positive feedback from a younger member to prove they're mature enough to handle it and have experience doing so. But, if you're doing it right , I won't think to check because you're mature most of the time.

On the flip side, as others have said, if someone comes across as immature to me, I don't care what their numerical age is; I'm not interested in doing business with them. So in that case I won't think to check either, because I just won't care.

 

Hey Lami,

It's under the User Agreement, part two, eligibility -

"2. Eligibility and Types of Accounts.

2.1 Eligibility. To be eligible for our Services, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the United States or one of the countries listed on the PayPal WorldWide page."

Though that is only for the US version of PayPal. Other countries have their own and their rules might vary. (shrug)

- Wendy

 

I haven't given it much thought. I've bought a head from someone and later found out she was 14, which was exactly half my age at the time...it made me feel very old. Other than that I didn't have any issues.

 

I would have no problem dealing with somebody younger. As long as everything feels oke I suppose.
So far I've only bought from people around my own age or older, so I can't judge... But I really understand the things people are saying about maturity and accounts and shipping and such.
If you get older you have to take certain responsibilities in life that make you more aware of how things work. (like paying your bills in time)
And it's the same with buying/selling items around here. You have responsibilities. And that is something that younger people have less experience in I think. Especially if the parents take care of everything.
But hey, I'm sure there are mature younger members around here

 

Thanks, Griffonfeathers ^^