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

actually i love to have a limited doll , which i will~
i bought crobidoll Yuri LE for my first doll , actually i'm not really planning to go LEs but something change when they released the new B-Line which both is limited

and no , i don't like if any limited will be re-released again because that's not limited at all ~
maybe some people feel bad for not having a LE doll that they want , but hey that's the first reason why there's a marketplace in DoA right?

many people got intimidate when they saw a LE doll will be released and they knew they can't afford it
they really want it but money not really their best friend that time ~

 

Being someone who buys very constantly from Volks, I am one that buys many so-called "limiteds".
And I vote no. Yes, Value does have a little bit of a factor for me, but for me "originality" is the bigger point I like to look at.

Value wise, this would be what I`d say.
Volks runs these hotel-stay events which they have limiteds for those that will pay for the event and transportation fees to the event. And even though it might be inside of Japan, transportation is very costly. Yet people are willing to spend so much because some wanted that "limited" doll/clothing.
Then they backstabbed the people who went to Huis Ten Bosch this year.
At Huis ten bosch, we were able to purchase Yo-SD outfits which were supposedly "Hotel-event limited", and then Volks put the same outfit on a doll and sold it at their very NEXT event.
How many people who bought the outfit felt ripped off? How many had to pay the high cost of transportation and event fees, to get backstabbed with a lesser hassle to acquire them?
I wasn`t one who bothered with the outfit, but god it just made us feel like we just got ripped.
However, during this event they "re-released" little Alice and the White Rabbit, which I find no problem with, as it was still a "Hotel Limited" and you had to actually attend and go to the event to acquire the doll. (You can`t just pay for the event and not turn up, you`d get refunded and recieve no doll)

Volks does release some of their popular limiteds in a one-off manner, where it`s more expensive and harder to acquire, making the doll yes, less arguable to me. If the doll costs less than what it originally accounted for, for me, yes, it feels like the people who bought the doll on it`s first release got ripped. But when a second release is accounted to be more expensive than the original, I find it that a re-release is fine. I might sound like a jerk here, but it does give me peace of mind. (I have a One-off little Alice, considering that I had to pay almost 3 times the standard Yo-price, I wouldn`t argue when someone bought expensive one-offs of older releases)

And as for Originiality, I really like it when there are less owners of the molds I own. I feel they are more "special", as it gives a chance for the doll to be unique without the modding work.
Snobby, perhaps, but I have a personality that gets "tired" of some molds I see just too many times.

For instance, my Eulalia. She`s only sold in Japan, and her size is rarely made. She is the only one on DoA of her kind, and that makes her pretty darn special.

I find I appreciate art when it`s much less "common", so limited releaes are just perfect. If I wanted it so horribly, I will wait till I find it, and pay that horrible secondhand price. (i.e. Sasha)

I just find myself at "suck it up, if you like it horribly, you`ll get it secondhand if you can`t afford it/get it now" People who argue, imho, not desiring the doll as much as they think they do as they can`t justify the price to the item`s "beauty" in it. LE or not, I really think people should look at the price of the secondary market as the price of "beauty" not "rarity".

 

I don't think limited items are fair to everyone due to financial strain. It doesn't give people a chance to get the items they may want and many companies do not offer layaway. I've witnessed a great deal of snobbery in this hobby.

I think a hobby should be enjoyed and that members of a community should share, not compete.

 

I could not agree more with the originality. I personally am sick of seeing minifees and Luts delf models as they're EVERYWHERE.

I have two limited heads that are hybrid and another doll who is just a rare doll even though she is not limited. I enjoy having dolls that you can't easily identify, ones with unique beauty and handsome features.

As someone who is the process of ordering a limited re-release doll, I'm very glad that they re-released this model, but they didn't "have to". I think it works that they planned on re-releasing this model over a period of time so everyone who wanted it has a chance to get it.

Many companies give a long "heads up" before they release limited dolls (or do teaser pics/diary stuff), usually during summer and winter celebration events it is guaranteed that plenty of companies will have limited dolls for sale. But random limited with almost no notification does happen a lot, which sucks for people who do not have the money at the time. If you REALLY want it, it's usually a given that one will show up somewhere, sometime, on the internet where you will be able to buy it. We all know how sometimes you don't bond with a doll no matter how much you try to.

The only time I think it's unfair is when a company releases something as limited then puts it up as a normal item much cheaper than the people who got the limited's had to pay.

 

I 'm of the opinion that if something is labeled "limited", then it should be limited. Otherwise the term is meaningless.

Another marketing tactic that bothers me is the labeling of a doll as limited, when it is only the accessories that are limited. Herein lies the rub with BJDs; is the sculpt limited, or is only the outfit or other accessory items limited? The companies should clarify that.

 

I support a company doing what it wants. If they re-release a limited doll, fine. It's their prerogative. Obviously they think it will sell and in the end that's their goal by producing dolls. I could care less about the market value of my dolls since they were bought for personal enjoyment anyways, so limited or not, re-releases are fine by me. Gives more people the option to enjoy them too.

 

'Backstabbing?" Wow we are getting personal now! Some how I just don't buy the idea that Volks is "backstabbing" their customers. As a company they treat their fans with a great deal of respect.

Limited is limited even if there is a LIMITED re-release at a later date. You all can buy your Megu dolls forever and ever thus, she is not limited. Where as Kurimi was released twice and always in "limited" numbers. If you chose to pay an arm and a leg to travel to a Volks event just for one little outfit and not the experience then I feel bad for you because you could have just bought your item second hand and still come out on top. Somehow I doubt the second hand market price would compare to the plane ticket/hotel etc...I do agree that a company could abuse our trust by re-releasing a mold as a standard model (cast without limits) but recasting in only limited numbers is still fair game. They should make money off their most popular works too. That realm is not reserved for only the collectors in the second hand market.

 

On the aspect of fairness, I think that's just how this hobby and all others work. Something special and "limited" is naturally going to have a higher price tag than, say, a Bobobie. It's not the company's fault their dolls are in high demand and I think it'd be a little naive of them to ask popular companies to refrain from making limited or rare dolls on the grounds that it's unfair.

 

I have limiteds and I vote yes.
I personnaly hate the idea of limited. a little too often, the companies makes the face of their limited sculpts muuuuuuuch better than their basics (thinking of soom mostly here. I don't like a single of their basic dolls. iple do have some pretty basics but my very favourite faces were from their EG line) and it becomes the doll you can't live without. but if you don't have the money during its preorder or if they worked by quantity and by the time you see them, they're already sold out, it really sucks :/ you'll be lucky enough if you can ever get one secondhand and the price will most likely by twice as much as the company's price. but the thing that piss more off much more than the price, is actually getting your hand on one!
I noticed that.. when I started in the hobby, there were always a bunch of soom MD on the MP and the newest one were almost the same price as the company's price. but now, it's pretty rare I will even find one! the older limiteds pffft forget it, everyone keeps them locked in their house and they're never leaving it! (not blaming them). and the new ones, you will see one or two, with already inflated prices.

TL;DR
I hate limited because if you couldn't get one during their preorder, you will have to pay twice the original price. IF you can find one that is. it has become almost impossible to get limiteds secondhand and this is what I hate the most. for a doll I really want, I wouldn't mind paying a few hundreds more...

side note: what I would like company to do, is : a limited consist of a basic face (already being sold or that will be sold in the future) with special skintone, faceup and outfit. maybe also some extra fantasy parts that will never be sold again!
this way, the person who have this doll can be all "pffft mine is blue and sparkly and has fancy ears! >3 " and people who missed the special edition can at least enjoy the beautiful face, even though they don't have all the cool options.
this would be the best for me personnaly I have no intention of telling companies how to do their job, but I can dream, right?

 

You know, I voted in this topic waaay back when I first started collecting, and my understanding of LE's was= Buy it now, or spend BIG $$$ second hand. Back then Luts DELF were the most popular LE's around and we didn't see many Breakaway/Woosoo sales. If you did see them pop up it was a mad house sending those PM's praying you made that winning offer of $1,000+~ I was still very young in the hobby, and my 3rd doll was a Delf Breakaway Head from 2005. I dropped $600 dollars on him back then, and that was after I lost an ebay auction for a Woosoo that sold for $800 I believe (For the head).

I voted in this thread, saying never re-release because I just spent $600 on a head. Fast forward to 2008, what happens? Breakaway Re-release... F&*$!!!!! Then what happens? Fairyland releases some Breakaways and by that point, Breakaways are now in the 200-300 range. Less than half of what I paid. Delfs overall aren't as popular now, my friend bought a full Woosoo for $800 instead of a head. I ended up selling my Breakaway later on, and truthfully I was bummed I had lost money and that he had become so common. <- I agree this is selfish thinking.

Ok fast foward, my holy grail doll was Volks Williams. He was also one of those dolls that if it showed up in the marketplace you better pray you're fast enough. Volks heard my prayers and re-released him, while I didn't have the luck to get the cruise version, a few SD13 version Willy's popped up on the board and I was able to get him! I loved him so much, I wanted one more; I was so happy when Volks released him again at Dolpa 26 and now they are so easy to find/cheaper!

TL;DR: You can't have it both ways. It's one or the other, and it's selfish thinking to be happy when a doll you want is re-released and you can get it at market value, but go on a rampage when it's a doll you already have. It's a gamble in this hobby! If you start to dislike your doll (like I did) because of re-releases then this hobby will disappoint you time and time again if you collect LE's. I embrace the re-release now, and quite a few of my dolls have had one or two/three. If you are going to collect, buy those you will love no matter their after market value. I learned this lesson the hard way because now I waiting for another Breakaway again

ETA: This talk of 'fairness' in the LE realm is laughable. It's not fair because people can't always afford LEs when they come out!!! Really? Doll companies are being unfair to you because they don't take into account that everyone participating in this luxury hobby can't afford their LE right now? That's ridiculous. I understand people not liking LE, it's a pain to know a doll you love will be sold out before you can buy it. I've been there a hundred times, but I'm not going to claim it's unfair, and that it should have been a standard so I could buy it too. You could say the concept of LE's are frustrating, or just plain suck...but unfair? Not a chance.

 

My sentiments exactly!

 

I would agree that its great to have the abilty with a beatuful mold to see something come out again, but modified. Its still unique but then folks have another chance to have something lovely.

 

I have a few limited dolls and I could care less if they re-released a doll. It would make it a lot easier for me to buy replacement parts and I feel everyone should have a chance to get the doll they want. There are so many dolls I couldn't get because they were either long sold out or I couldn't afford it within the sales period. I know my opinion is on the unpopular side. I would have bought the doll either way, not just because she or he was a limited edition.

 

*takes a deep breath* *whispers* I think that it is okay to re-release parts like the head, or special features like special hands, feet and "wings" , but that the whole doll maybe not so much. However Iplehouse being the only company that does dark tanned dolls frequently and well should on occassion re-release them but different then the original. That way the first doll loses no value but those of us that needed more then one month to save up to get one can have a chance.
For me it is about love, not value. I pick a doll because she/he belongs in my family and will be loved on. LE's are not fair or unfair. They just are. It's all a mater of prospective. I want corsets and long frilly skirts to be daily wear again but that doesn't mean its going to happen the same way Santa doesn't shop Iplehouse. *giggles* My point is enjoy the dolls you have and good luck finding the ones you want that you don't have for whatever reason. I will never stop looking for a tanned Bambi Crony, or Tedros, Aaron, or any of the other AA similar dolls. All I can do is pray and work harder to have he money that I need when the chance comes my way, if not... I will keep on saving, waiting and praying. *goes back into hiding reading a fashion history textbook*

 

How can it be limited if it's restocked? I have a limited doll and bought him both because i liked him and felt he'd keep some value.

 

Part of me kinda wants to say no. But then Iplehouse released their Elemental Guardian line again and that's the only way I was able to buy Erzulie because I missed out on her the first time. Granted, they only released the doll and not the outfit, but I'm ok with that. So I'm gonna say yes. I think it's a good thing for people like me who missed their chance for what ever reason the first time.

 

I own primarily limited dolls, and I have no problem with them being rereleased. Sure, the 'special' feeling of having a rare doll is nice, but ultimately I buy dolls because I like them not because of their potential value. I know I was really happy that Soom ran their MD free choice event, because it gave me an opportunity to get myself a Chalco. I see nothing wrong with other people having the same chance with dolls they want to get, even if I own one myself.

I don't think a company should feel obligated to rerelease a doll for the people who couldn't get one at the time, but if they want to do it I think they should go ahead and do so.

 

I think doll companies should have a set number of fullsets that are limited and then release the standard doll sculpt a few months later. That way the doll company and the ARTISTS who made the doll benefit from the popularity of the doll. I'm sick of seeing scalpers exploiting a doll just because they were able to click the buy button a whole second before someone else.

And yes, I own and have owned limiteds from a variety of doll companies, specifically: Kawainino Ando, Black Cat Lucas, Senior Delf Azure and Black Elf Sha. Only my Sha was bought directly from the company, so I have paid my share of markups.

I believe the only people who benefit from "limited" dolls are scalpers. The doll companies aren't benefiting from the 300+ markup. When I buy a doll it is because I love the mold; I could care less how many were made.

 

same!
to me it just look so greedy when people get all "I haz a limited. only 20 in teh wurl AND YOU DUN HAVE ONE. I IZ UNIQUE!!"
I look in a super bad position to speak since 5 out of my 6 dolls are limited but the reason I own so many is because I love them and when lovely dolls like that get released I feel the pressure to buy it NOW or else I will just never have it. but even if later iplehouse decide to make Claude a basic doll, I will be super happy for everyone!! I bought him for his incredible beautiful face and cute smile ^.^
and when my soom dolls will be re-released as SO or event, I will not be mad at all! even if 100 of Migma suddenly appears on the board, I will still love mine as much

but I do agree though, that I just hate reading comment on soom like "please re-release this doll I am begging you! it is so unfair for people who just got into the hobby and weren't there when this beauty was released! he/she is my dream doll and for so many people too...blahblahblha". I think it's somewhat disrespectful for the company and gets really annoying!

in a comment above I already said that the perfect solution for me would be: no more limiteds! just special editions with cool skin colour and special parts but the face is basic, y'know. I think this way everyone could be happy! ^_^

 

I'm not at all enticed by the thought of owning a "limited" doll, I find I'm very indifferent to the rest of the doll community and what they have and am more concerned with my personal collection and doll friends. That being said, I really don't care if 1000 people have the same mold as me, I don't really pay attention, honestly.

If I fall in love with a doll, the "limited" status just makes it more difficult for me. Either I have to hurry and buy in an order period, join a random lottery or search over and over on the aftermarket and pray to get lucky.

That's not to say I think every limited should be rereleased, I think a company should honor their notions when they first release it, especially if they charged extra because of the doll's supposed rarity. All in all, if they do, it's not a huge deal in my opinion. Business and business, I don't take personal offense. If I did for some reason, I would just take my business elsewhere.