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

Personally, I don't like the idea of limited sculpts. Limited full sets- go for it! Even limited edition face ups. But I like the variety; and the idea that when they release a sculpt, it'll be there when I have the money for it.

But I also think that Malaryush had a good point about the company sticking to their word about it.

 

EDIT IN DECEMBER 2011:

Six months later, I have to say my opinion has changed. Do I think limiteds should be restocked? The answer is still no. Not as a basic or the same full-set. However, I don't mind seeing companies change up full sets and re-releasing the mold again as a limited like Volks does. I still wouldn't be upset at having a doll that isn't "OMG RARE." I get these dolls because I like them, and while some of their "value" may go down, they won't to me.

That said, I don't like the idea of releasing a sculpt as limited then turning around and releasing it as basic. Some people, including me, do like to feel like they own a really rare doll. Part of the excitement in this hobby, for me, is tracking down the dolls I want- and it's more fun when there's a hunt and more satisfaction when the doll finally comes home!

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JUNE 2011 RESPONSE:

All of the dolls I own currently are limiteds. Would I be upset if the company re-released them? No. But I don't think it should be frequent. I also agree that full set options should be changed up just to keep some aspects limited... but I don't like the idea of limited sculpts. For example, I love the Delphine I bought and shelled out for- BUT if DOD re-released it, I'd get another one just to have two! It wouldn't bother me that I paid more for her than the company sold her for. *shrugs* But that's my opinion.

 

Yes, but at the same price as it was originally first released, and definitely if they have modified it, perhaps created a totally different set for it.

 

For me, I would just like to buy dolls that I think are gorgeous, and the limited dolls are usually extremely beautiful to me. With limited funds, I have to miss out on several doll I might have otherwise bought (which I can accept and is probably a good thing. ). But I also totally understand the people who have limited dolls not wanting them to be restocked, because it defeats the purpose of being a 'limited' doll. All in all, I'd rather they restocked, but I'm okay with things the way they are, too.

 

Kind of torn on this issue I guess...
In a perfect dolly world, no doll should be limited, everyone should have a fair chance at getting the doll that means the most to them limited or not and when the opportunity is right for them!

However, at the same time, when said-limited doll is finally acquired (if it wasn't purchased during initial release), through searching, patience and in some cases sheer luck it makes having them all the more special and fulfilling...

And to be honest, I LOVE when companies re-release at least similar versions to limited dolls. Typically they're in different skin tone or lack original outfit, fantasy parts, ext.... I haven't been in the hobby long enough to have been around for many dolls 'original releases' so re-releases are a fantastic perk to me >.<

 

I definitley think they should restock Limited dolls for the sake of new people trying to buy and see something they missed out on. OR they should have the doll there for one year then remove it.

 

Maybe I'm an elitist, but no I don't think limited dolls should be restocked. I've missed out on several limiteds, and while I'm bummed about it, I feel awesome for the people who did snag them. Not everything in life is fair and equal, after all. I think it would be neat if maybe every now and then for some special event or other a limited doll was re-released for a "limited" (ha, pun, sorta) period of time. But no, I do not think they should be restocked and I don't think everyone should be able to get one. Newbies will always get to see new limited released, and I'm sure they will find something they love. For me, I'd love to find a Luts Delf Spica, as he was already sold out when I came to the hobby, but he is limited, and re-releasing him would kill any extra value he has for people who did get him. Perhaps a different limited version of him would be neat. I don't hate limited simply because I missed out on two that I would desperately have wanted (Spica and Bloody Alice).

 

I own three limiteds and yes, I think they should be restocked. Not in the manner of everlasting supply, but in bursts or ordering periods for a set number of times. For example, I love my Volks Tony, but he was released only once and never again showed up aside from one-offs. I feel that it would be a little better and more dispersed amongst doll collectors if they released him just two or three more times before halting his production completely. That way he wouldn't be readily available, and nor would he be hoarded away from other owners who would appreciate him.

Of course, this is all coming from the standpoint that I do not buy dolls because I find appeal in their being limited--I find appeal in them because I simply like them. Limited or standard makes no difference to me as long as I like the way the doll looks, so I may be a bit more liberal than most in this matter.

 

I think looking at the topic as a outside perspective I would say that if their limited then they shouldn't be restocked because their limited. If you could keep buying them they wouldn't be limited anymore because they wouldn't be so special if everyone could get one.

But from my point of view. I know I would totally love to be able to collect the Noctarcana circus limited dolls from Iplehouse. I wanted an Akando and Jessica the first time I ever saw one and I never had the money back when I found them.

It would be great if they could keep selling them but for the people who bought them while they were limited would probably feel like they aren't as special because anyone could get one rather than having a limited supply. Then again, that's assuming that people buy the doll because its a limited. For me I just really liked the outfit and design of the Noctarcana circus dolls.

 

I think the way Iplehouse has their limited and then their "basics" - gives you a chance to own that special doll. I think that if companies do have some limited dolls that are in high demand - where there is a lot of interest; I do not see the harm in re-releasing limited dolls again for a limited quantity. Maybe if they gave you a head's up about it - so you could be ready for that huge purchase-that would be wonderful. I love Souldoll's Empress Kayla - limited with this certain outfit, etc. I hope to have a chance to get her one day. However, if Souldoll should advertise they were going to re-release her or even a doll like her - I would be all over that

 

I think that limited editions should not be restocked. I do think though that they should take down the pictures from the website, because I find it really annoying to be going through a shop and see a bunch of 'sold out' limiteds. There's no reason to keep them there and it's cluttered and teasing :P

 

Bluh. It seems I'm joining this thread pretty late, but...in my opinion, re-releasing a few limited sets is okay--moreso for fullsets than heads or bodies.

Like for instance...say at one point a company made a limited set and only made 5 or so. Say they resell them again, but maybe only 5 or 10 more. That way more people have a chance and the total number of the set out there remains decently small.

 

This! And what you said regarding re-releases to be unfair because the "newer" dolls are less expensive -- I disagree? Usually it's about the same price, and well, I have a Unoa (not sure if it really counts as a "limited" doll, but it's definitely not a basic release and hard to get to an extent!), and I think it's great whenever Noppin announces another lottery or something because it gives others a chance! Likewise, I support re-releases because I know exactly how difficult it is to try to get your hands on such a doll!

 

Restocking, no, I'm not in favour of that for LEs. LEs should sell out when they sell out/hit the end of their sale period, and not be kept in stock. I don't buy LEs because they're limited, I buy them because I like the sculpt, but when they're LEs they're tied to a specific release or event and may be difficult to get, and that just adds a little extra spice to ownership for me.

Occasional re-releases, if it has never been stated by the company that they would not do so, don't bother me at all. I have my grail doll now because he was a re-release. For preference, I'd like to see the fullset and faceup change with each re-release. If they're not going to put out a completely new LE, then I'd like to see some novelty and creativity elsewhere in the release.

 

It all boils down to what is meant by Limited Edition. There are companies (Dear Mine comes to mind) who regularly release limited full-sets of their dolls. The molds are re-released, but the accessories are limited. Then, there are companies that release limited molds. All of these variations of Limiteds are perfectly fine with me, as long as the company is being upfront about which part of the set is actually limited. It would be very nice to know the release number as well (unless the release is time-limited, not number-limited).

I'm the type of person who likes information - the more, the better. I want to know what is limited, how it is limited, will there be re-releases, etc. etc. Sometimes companies are so vague about their releases that it's no wonder that their customers misinterpret what is actually meant by "limited edition".

In a nutshell - there should be more transparency when it comes to limited items. This hobby has a huge collector component to it, which is fostered by the companies themselves, so it only makes sense that specific information should be provided with each release.

 

Mm, I've been in other hobbies with 'limited' type items, and it depends on how often the items tend to be resold. For example, for Magic: the Gathering card collectors, it can be very frustrating when a very rare, expensive card is reprinted, because Magic cards are resold often and many collectors make a lot of money by playing the market. But in Lolita fashion, where the the focus is more on the fashion rather than the resell-potential, most Lolitas are happy when a rare print is rereleased. I think the doll hobby straddles the line between those two.

Personally, I don't like the idea of limited dolls at all, but if a company is going to have them, they should stick to their word and not rerelease the doll or release it as a basic option. It doesn't seem fair to the early adopters if they break their word.

 

As someone who just stressed for a month straight trying to save for/order my limited girl, I would feel quite upset if she was re-released later in a way that she wasn't so stressful to get. It's hard for me to explain, but... I feel it's unfair to me and other people who felt ordering the first time around was our only chance. Sometimes people have to sell off another doll to afford the limited on such short notice. It would be a slap in the face for the limited to be re-released (especially as a cheaper basic instead) where people could get the doll without all the effort the original purchasers put forth. I don't mind limiteds being re-released as long as the price is higher. It's only right considering the original purchasers are losing resale value with a re-release. I hope that makes sense?

I don't like the idea of limiteds because I feel it is abused. Every time I visit a doll site, a new limited is available. I don't mind Soom limiteds because usually you can find one second hand pretty easily. Also, they may release a different doll that looks similar.
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Celestila, I very much agree with you. A lot of times, if the company is not forthcoming about how limited it intends to make a given release in the long run, it does foster a very "get it before it's gone" atmosphere, which makes some people really stressed getting money together to buy the doll now. And, that's perfectly reasonable, given that collecting has become a big part of this hobby over the years.

When I just started out, collecting was not a big component of the hobby because there were only a handful of companies making BJDs and getting them outside of the local market was extremely difficult. Now, with so many companies and so many different limiteds being produced, collecting has become more accessible and more common among the community members. Therefore, I do feel that the companies should be more transparent about their limiteds, as collecting is not the same as simply owning. Collectors will get upset when the limited they forked over large sums to buy gets re-released down the road, bringing down their doll in value.

I say all is as someone who is not a collector of BJDs - I buy what I think is pretty and what will bring variety into my doll family. I have never bought on secondary market, and I don't intend to. Resale value means very little to me, as dolls will always fluctuate in what they fetch when resold. But, I do very much understand those who do enjoy the collecting aspect of the hobby, as I used to be a fashion doll collector, and know all too well about edition sizes and what re-releases can do to the secondary market.

 

Kind of.

I'd love to own a SOOM Amber Pure Spirit, I'll probably get one eventually. But if SOOM released a similar sculpt, maybe slightly different eye or mouth shape, different face-up, maybe slightly different body. I would love that. It wouldn't be the same doll for the people who bought her originally. But for the people who weren't in the hobby way back then, then they get a chance to have something pretty darn close.

I like how Dollmore has the Judiths. They are all Limited Edition, all of their sculpts are very similar if not the same, but they are different dolls. So something like that would be nice, not often, maybe even if it was only once every 5 years. But old dolls get old and damaged, and if they are never released again, eventually there wont be much of them left. And that's kind of sad to see for such beautiful dolls.

 

Well... no. There's a reason why they're called "limited". But there are limited dolls that I actually want really bad, lol. Sometimes I do wish that they would restock those dolls for a second time for a limited time.