Do you think limited dolls should be rereleased/restocked by their companies?

It seems as if the debate can go on forever, everyone is making very good points!

I've never really replied to a debate really, forgive. Personally, it would make my life a lot easier if limiteds were re-stocked/re-released. I don't mean to say release them as standard company models but its nice for people to get a second opportunity to get their dream doll. The beauty of a mold should be shared everyone not just an elite few. Please don't take "elite few" critically! But if someone is angry about a company re-releasing a mold because they were the first to get it them then one should re-think why they liked the mold. One should like a mold because its beautiful to them not because its limited.

I mean if a company releases a "limited" more than two times than I think the doll is losing its LE title. In my case I think it was nice to have a second opportunity to get a Volks Kurumi.

The argument can go either way it seems.

 

Hmm, I don't think limiteds should be re-released at all. That's part of their appeal, I think, is that they are limited.

 

i'm suprised most ppl answered: no. in the poll.
i said yes. because i discovered BJD only recently and all those beautiful limited dolls where already sold (it broke my little heart) and im sure im not the only one. so i think it would be nice if like, once a year (so then it wouldnt lose to much value) , the companies would re-sell the limited dolls ^^ u know, to give a second chance to the ppl who missed it...

 

Maybe I'm confused about what limited means... but doesn't limited mean just that? Limited? Thus making them more special because there were only so many made?

if they made more wouldn't they no longer be limited editions?

Sahoma has a good point, maybe re-release a limited number once a year as a chance to those of us who miss out on the limited dolls the first time around. Maybe each year re-release one limited edition doll, and the following year re-release a different one. or something.

I don't know... I don't own a limited just yet. Soon though, soon...

 

I concur with everyone who's questioning the BJD manufactiurer's definition of the word limited. In the case of Volks re-release of say Kurumi, weren't her face-up and outfit different from the original? I know this was the case with Rose and Bianka who used the same sculpt as Momoko. Anyway, I guess if the doll uses the same sculpt I'm okay with it as long as what had been sold as a "limited edition" doll was not re-released looking exactly the same as the previous edition.

 

I have to agree with this. If these 'Limited' sculpts were simply limited in how often they were sold, say, once a year... I'm sure a lot of people would be a lot happier. A lot of us don't CARE about limited status, if we see a headsculpt we like, we want that headsculpt, and most of us wouldn't touch a counterfeit doll with a 100 foot pole.

For instance, if the Soom monthlies were released during that same month the next year. Maybe the costumes could be limited to that first run, or offer different costumes the next run.

If they were marked inside (like they really should be), like 1st run, 2nd run, etc. People who collect limited sculpts could still boast that they have a 1st run doll. Maybe the first run dolls could be signed inside or something.
(BJD companies really need to do more markings inside their dolls to help us weed out counterfeits and the like, it'd also help us know what year our doll was cast!)

Yes, having a limited doll might make yours feel more special, or maybe some people buy them as 'investments', or maybe some people just buy them for the bragging rights. I think that's the wrong attitude though.

I suppose I own a limited sculpt myself- the Fairyland Breakaway. Fairyland was going to make it a non-limited sculpt, but Luts made a big stink about it, and I haven't seen them come up for sale again.
With the CP limiteds, even if they are re-released, the sculpts have been re-sculpted, so they are actually a little different each time.
Honestly, I bought him because I thought he'd be a good headsculpt for a character, not because he was limited.

 

Yes! God yes. Not as often as the others... Maybe every few months or something. It's hard enough to get the limiteds as is.. [[well, for me, anyway. D:]] And I think it would be great for the less informed or the ones who can't afford it right away who just 'have to have that mold' and they don't have to get them at an insane price...

To me... It kind of seems like a silly thing to make a doll thats absolutely gorgeous and say there are only 23 made and it's limited.. It leaves so many people broken-hearted, or in debt because they found them in a rediculous price range.....

 

Well I am going to toss in my two cents here...

First the main answer to the question. - No I don't think "limited dolls" should be re-released.

BUT with that said I think companies should offer a "regular" edition of their limited full sets.

AS an example ...
CP makes an EL and Lishe dolls...and they release them as limiteds..the Perinness Lishe, Elf versions and what not.

I think they should offer a Breakaway and Woosoo as well.

DOD makes Homme Ducan, Ivan adn Kirills to counter their Limited versions.

Along those same lines I LOVE the Soom Monthly dolls and I wish that they would release them as "humans" or something like that.. Just a reg. mold ......

I think that the compys issuing "regular" editions of their limited would help preserve the Limited part of it. ....They would stay as setts more often and not be hacked up.

I am sure you get the point..

I feel its really sad when I see Limited sets getting split up and I think thats what brings down the value and negates them from being limiteds any longer. The SET is what should make it limited along with any special molds.. Like Elf, Vampire ect.. as well ass the clothing, face ups and eyes.....

On a side note almost all of my dolls are Limited editions.

 

Well I have opposing opinions about this. On one hand limited dolls are special because they are rare... but on the other hand it really stinks when i'm looking for a new doll and i find one i totally love and it's limited and sold out. I think that a happy medium here is releasing the limited doll once or twice a year and having only 30-50 each time is a better idea than only releasing a doll once and never again. I've noticed doll companies arent always awesome about giving people some warning when a limited doll is about to come out and people dont have time to save up for one. I dont know, if i had a limited doll myself i wouldnt want 200 other people to have the same limited doll though. Argh... i dont know what i think.

 

No re-releases. In the art and collectable world, limited means that only X number of the item is made. It's dishonest to make more, once you've said that you were only gonna make X number.

That said, I really wish fewer dolls were limited! I'm in a bind right now because I really really really want a particular head, and it's for sale only for two weeks, but right now is the worst possible time for me to spend extra money. I think I will be VERY BAD and buy the head anyway (UGH which means I will have to wait another couple weeks before I quit my stupid job UGH UGH UGH). If they open up ordering again in a month or something, I would be really sore because I'm going to sacrifice a lot (I am seriously needing to quit asap, darnit!) in order to get this head. I would probably not order from the company again, and I'd definitely not ever sacrifice to buy thier dolls again.

 

I don't mind the molds being re-released, but I wouldn't want an edition re-released.

I.e., CompanyS makes Joe the Superhero!!LE10!!! etc.
Joe the Gardener, also LE 10, is the same doll with a different outfit, faceup, wig--fine.

Joe the Superhero!!mark.2 what??

Though even joesuperheromark2 would be all right IF the company is up front about it.
But saying LE10 (or whatever it might be), and then releasing agian the same sculpt, faceup, outfit, wig--not so much.
Give the doll an opportunity to show how versitile it is, and the artists, too.

Not that any of my limited editions are in their same clothes they came in, except one, who I need to sew for. (CH Little Jr Zephyros, ver. Hakkun--tough size)

Ann in CT

 

I am totally for it. Go on and re- release all!!! It is so sad when someone is not able to obtain his/ her dream doll just because arrived too late to the hobby... I do own limiteds and I would not care if they where re- released.

 

That's nice for you to say, but not all limited owners feel the same way. I guess it helps with my limiteds because Volks never say how many limiteds of one sculpt are released, but someone with a doll who is limited to only fifty in the entire world will have a greatly devalued doll if the company releases another fifty, then another fifty, then another fifty... you see? Part of the value of limited dolls is their rarity, if they became a standard edition doll, they wouldn't be as valuable or limited.

There is always the after-market and the ability to save up money towards that limited edition doll. You can still buy Beryls and Sards on the after market, for example, I know they are very expensive now, but it is still possible for someone who is determined enough to own one. I thought I arrived too late in the hobby to get my hands on my SDC Kurt from Volks, but he was still for sale direct from the company! Miracles do happen sometimes without companies having to re-release dolls.

 

I am going for not to re-release dolls.

While I do own limited dolls and buy voting for not re-releasing, some who do not may feel that I am doing it for my own good but there are other limited dolls that I really want to have too. Limited Ducan was released when I didn't have enough to buy even a normal doll and I really want one and I am still saving to find a way to buy it through the re-sellers.

Limited dolls are label as "limited" for a reason. The word itself means the value of it. While it does not mean that we would treasure the limited dolls more than other dolls that we have (hey, I love all of mine) but it still holds certain values. It's like buying limited edition of model kits, I have to stayed in the line for half a day just to get one.

^^

 

I perfectly understand why they are called Limited Dolls and all the arguments why they shouldn't be restocked, but still... every time I see a limited doll I really wanted to have and it's sold out, it makes me wanna cry. Of course, dolls are not my entire life, but sometimes you just want something so bad...

 

If you want it that badly, save up Getting a doll from the company isn't the only way of getting a doll. There are people who have stayed up into the early hours of the morning watching auctions on Yahoo!Japan or eBay for their chance to get their dream limited doll, or some people strike it lucky and their dream limited doll pops up here.

I think if someone is committed to getting a sold-out limited doll, they should find ways of making it happen, not sit around moping that they didn't have a chance to buy it because they weren't in the hobby at the time If you are really determined to get a limited doll there isn't anything you wouldn't do to get it.

Why is it silly to release limited editions? It's good business practice. SOOM have had a lot of interest put their way because of their Monthly Dolls. Even if someone isn't keen on the Monthly Doll on offer they're directed to SOOM's site and they can see what else is on offer there. The hype that surrounds SOOM's limiteds is what drives trade to their website, people like to go and see what the fuss is about; even if they don't like the dolls, they may still buy clothes/wigs/eyes... SOOM gets a lot more trade off the back of these regular limiteds than it would have otherwise. Also, where SOOM's concerned, anyone is able to get hold of these dolls if they want them because these dolls aren't limited by number and anyone can buy them during the ordering period. SOOM even offer layaway and you can reduce the number of extras like blushing, clothing, wigs and eyes to reduce the overall price if all you're really interested in is getting the doll. There are ways and means of getting a SOOM Monthly Doll.

As for companies that only release 25, 50, 100 limited dolls, they are limited because it is their rarity that makes them valuable. There are just 70 'realskin' Iplehouse Akandos in the entire world. That makes him pretty special - also due to his instant popularity, Iplehouse added 20 dolls to the original 50. Companies producing limited dolls aren't doing it to be 'mean' or to upset collectors with less money or people who have just joined the hobby. From a business point of view, they are releasing a product that will raise their profile and will hold value so that collectors will be happy to buy the product.

And as for the 'less informed', I was one once...there were dolls I could have bought but I didn't and I'm not moping about it now. If I really wanted a doll I'd save up for her and buy her off the Marketplace, even if she was at an inflated price. If I wanted a doll that desperately, I'd move heaven and earth to get it. It's not the companies' fault that they're maybe putting out a product that out-prices some members of this hobby, they're setting a price based on the limited status of the product, the accessories, the craftmanship and the company's profit margin. Like I said, anyone can buy a Monthly Doll from SOOM, the purchase period is wide open, so it's not as if people are being deliberately shut out.

 

Sometimes I wish re-releasing limiteds would help lower the ridiculous after marktet prices of some limiteds (especially the Volks and Soom MD limiteds). I hoped that re-releasing them would stop the scalpers, but now I think that it won't help at all.
A year ago you could get a fullset Kohya for $1000 tops, but after his re-release his price increased to $1600 at least! Same doll, still not extremely popular, but just because suddenly áll volks limiteds are insanely expensive, this one shares the same fate.
There was a time that a $2000 volks limited was a rarity, now it's rare to find one belów that price.

 

I think most limited dolls should be kept limited, depending on sculpt and maybe the full package. Some should be re-released for a short time, but just the mold? I wouldn't see any reason for them to make them any cheaper...

But for SOOM dolls, I would hope that they -at least- re-release them next year during their months, unless they plan to do completely different doll every month (is only saying this because she wants a Sard lol)

 

I do agree that limiteds are limiteds for a reason. And shouldn't be sold again under certain circumstances.

I'll explain...
It depends on a company's view on limited, whether they are limited to one time, or a certian amount, or once a year (which they should state clearly upon release).
I think if it was one time and a certian amount they shouldn't ever resell those dolls because it is a lie to their customers to re-release. It would be a betrayal. It makes those dolls precious.
So if someone wants those limiteds find a way to get one or just... leave it to dreams. I'm sure they will pop up on ebay and here and other stes if someone waits long enough and looks hard enough.

I think monthly sales, of once a year are fantatstic ideas though, so people have something to aim for in a doll. They know when they can get it and if they miss it boo-hoo but tbh it will come around again its a waiting game. It also limits how many are new in a year which is great and only the people who are really patient and trully want them will be patient enough to wait for them.

Although if some dolls have special parts that people want only... like the Soom Incubus and Sucubus legs... I think they should be provided as special molds that people can buy seperately. But that may be because all I want is them there legs >.< heh

 

I think if a doll is limited to a specific number, it should be KEPT at that specific number - the stated number is a commitment that should be kept. 40 in the world means only 40 in the world. If it's a "limited time" sort of thing, then I see less reason not to resurrect the doll later if the company chooses. Lots of standards are only available for limited times during the year, and could theoretically be discontinued at any time.

I do think the dolls should be "marked" in some way, however - something so it's easy to know if you have the original limited or the first re-release, etc., and that fullsets and special faceups should be varied by release.

I think if a mold is limited and only comes with a special color, faceup and/or fullset, even if it is limited by number, it is fine to bring it back with a different color, faceup and/or fullset, since that's part of what made it unique. As long as you're able to know that it is from the first release, second release, whatever.