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

It depends on how limited they make the doll in the first place -

If it's a limited fullset then the doll (body and facesculpt) could be available as a basic without all the bits that make it a fullset, or could be available as other limited fullsets (pretty much what Custom House do with the Petite Ai Raphael).

If it's a limited sculpt then, just that run (or occasional, limited number, releases of that sculpt) otherwise it completely negates the limited aspect of the original release.

My first BJD love was the limited CP/Luts Elf Shiwoo, which had already sold out before I became aware of BJD's and started investigateing the companies and sculpts out there. My options for getting hold of one are pretty much limited to tracking one down on the secondary market and paying whatever price it's going for.... if I can afford it and if I think it's worth that price - but that's OK because that's the nature of limited editions.

Just because I (or anyone else) really really love a particular sculpt, does not mean it should be made generally available if it was a limited to begin with.

Teddy

 

I would be lying if I said They should never re-release, as there are a few I would like to get my hands on.

But I think it would be more in favour of their customers to hold events where you can win the opportunity to be able to purchase and old limited.

 

Well, I´m not saying that they should mass produce them, or cheapen the price. But to re-release a Limited doll would only be fair.
Not in the same year or in two, but in five or in ten. I am speaking of the next generation of this hobby. Believe me, If your doll, theone and only for you, it´s sold out for what, 10 years, before you find it, then what do you do? Wait until someone gets fet up with his or hers and demands like ten or twenty time it worth only because its a collectors item?

You see, if a companie would re-release the limited doll after shall we say 5-10 years, at the same or similar price, and in the same number of dolls made, you could have a new chance to get one, if you missed out the first time. Keep the production small, similar price, make some little changes or not, AND you´ll give your custumers a chance to get something speial again.

I think it would make many people happy. And I´m not only speaking of the buyers.

 

I say no all around because they are limited. They wouldn't be limited if they re-released them!

 

I favor the distinction between limited fullsets and sculpts. Fullset re-releases I hesitate to support, but sculpt re-releases I think are okay. But timing is everything. Sculpt re-releases every 5-10 years or so are fully acceptable to me. But I personally would let fullset re-releases slide after 15-20 years, assuming the company still exists anyway... that's a long time!

I tend to favor policies that are newbie friendly over those that are collector friendly, because to be a living community is to be a growing community. BJDs can be collected, but I believe they are meant to be played with and experienced, so the more the merrier! I also don't think that secondhand $10000 dolls are really doing anyone any favors, both for those within the community and for the hobby's reputation outside of it.

It's also a concern of mine for the "lifetime" of a sculpt--I think it depends in part on how many of that sculpt was made. I would rather have a head be "too" prolific than to have only some small number that can only shrink over time (wear, damage, disaster, etc.). I don't like seeing sculpts die, just on principle. It's sad.

 

I agree. Especially with how um, SOOM has been doing their "special order" dolls.
Though I know it's for money etc. it's silly that they would re-release their dolls. Epsecially considering that people (who may have just wanted the doll without the fantasy bits) had to pay upwards of 800-1000 dollars for just the HUMAN DOLL.
Not they're selling them, as is and people are not having to pay so much?
Silly.

Although it would be nice to re-release certain limited dolls... I do not think it's right.

 

After a very, very long time yes. XD or in a standard non limited form/resin color etc

 

I'd love to see kit versions of limited sculpts. Since it seems many companies are offering limiteds as either a true fullset with a faceup and outfit (Volks comes to mind immediately here), or as a fantasy themed release with optional limited clothing/faceup (Soom, and I'm throwing Iplehouse in here for the Noctarcana line), I don't feel that in that circumstance that the sculpt is necessarily the only thing that makes a lot of these dolls limited. Though alternate skin tones for the 'standardized' releases would be just fine with me, frankly I do appreciate Soom's decision with that part of their re-release line.

...that and I love LOVE kit dolls. So I might be a bit biased on that one. lol But not only that, for a lot of us that simply want just the head of this or that limited to hybrid, or a completely blank human doll to customize as an option other than having to participate in a split would be lovely. Not that splits are terribly difficult, but when colored resins come into play they can be a bit of a challenge.

 

I have no problem with them re-releasing limited edition sculpts. If there's something like 3 to 5 years between them, and it's not the exact same full set with fantasy parts, clothing, etc.
I have a few LE things (not just BJDs) and I wouldn't mind it if they released them again so others could enjoy them, too.

 

I voted 'yes, I do not own a limited doll' in the poll. But I would only expect them to offer a basic version of the doll. It's too sad seeing all those sold out messages on websites.

 

Well, I don't think that limited dolls should be restocked by their companies though sometime I wish there were =__=''' One of the reason is since it's called limited, then it should be "limited" if it were restocked, then the initial meaning of "limited" is not really that meaningful anymore...think about it, when you are rushing to buy the dolls that are said to be "limited" and the next thing you know is, it's available the next time so if it were me, I'd feel bad...

 

no, i think that would defeat the purpose of having limited dolls.

 

Yes, I'd like to see limited dolls reissued, perhaps for a special occasion and a short time. They would still be "Limited" but a bit more available to those who weren't around for the first release. (Disclosure: I'm saying this because the first doll I fell in love with was a limited release a few years back, and I would love to have the opportunity to get one at the original price!)

 

I am new to BJD but have been collecting dolls for over 25 years. Most doll companies have some form of limited edition. Before I give my reason for saying no to re edition let me say I buy dolls because I love them not because they are limited. These dolls if at all popular tend to increase in value. I have had a few time where my husband and I have had unexpected large bills. In two of these cases I was able to sell some of my rarer limited dolls to pay the bills. I hated selling them because I don't know if I can ever afford to buy them back and I loved them. It was more important to pay our mortgage. If companies re issued limited editions the value of the original doll would plunge. I buy dolls I love not as an investment and 90% of my collection is worth far less then I paid for them. I would hate to see the few that have increased in value take a hit. It is nice to know if I get in a financial bind I can keep a roof over my head.

 

I kinda like what soom's done and although have sort of released a 'limited' mold, its not the same as the original limited so therefore has something in their own way. I think lottery events are okay, like a few dolls at the end to give some people a chance, cause hey not everyone can afford a $2500 Volks Williams or a $2000 Soom Sard ^^;
But if people are collecting for reselling its a bummer for them because the more widely available, the less valuable they are.
But limited should stay limited if its been stated that it is, otherwise people will sell dolls and other things to gain the funds because of that small window of ordering time, only to see it pop up again, thats extremely annoying..

 

I think it'd be cool if like, 5 years later they decide to re-release limited dolls for a higher price for a limited time again. Kind of how some bands do a reunion tour 10 years after breaking up? XD

 

I'm of the mind that the company should stick to its word. If at the time of the original release they made it clear that they reserved the right to release the doll again in the future, modified or otherwise, then sure, go for it. If the company made the statement or implied that the doll would never be released again, they simply should not, no matter how much some of us might like to get our hands on it or how much money the company could stand to make by reselling.

To me, greed -- on the part of the company wanting money or the person wanting a doll -- is not sufficient reason to support dishonesty in business practice.

 

If there were changes, such as the limited had fantasy parts and the re released doll is a human version, then its fine. If its the exact same mold, definitely not.

Wouldn't you feel cheated had one of your (limited) dolls were re released? I know I would. I'm not rich, just a student. I actually worked pretty hard and gave up several things in order to be able to afford her in the small time frame. Had I known she was going to be re released I wouldn't have gone to such lengths to get the money for her.

 

No, if all limited dolls were restocked then they wouldn't be limited anymore...

 

I actually do see Malaryush's point. after reading it, I think I'm going to change my answer. Yea. If a company says it may get re-released it's fine, but if they make it final...they shouldn't re release it, but that's from an ethics standpoint. If a company DID re release one of the LE's I have for a higher price, I don't think I would mind, honestly. But if it was the same mold for the same price re-released? I'd be mad.