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

Yes and no. I feel like limited sets, that is clothes props everything, should never be restocked. But I do think it would be more profitable for the company to release limited molds a second or third time. Especially in the case of dolls like the minifee breakaway. It is so so so hard to find breakaways on the market that have not had the eye cut open. I have dolled out a ton of money for my breakaway set, and only found it due to an insane amount of luck and everyone around me in my social circle helping me find it. It's not unheard of in other collectables markets to release the same item in a second wave, and add a -2 to the identifying marking. This insures that the original release dolls don't decrease in value, since people who care about those things will pay more for a 1st edition. This also gives people who wanted the thing for itself and not it "limitedness" to have a second chance of gaining the item.

 

I own a Volks Lieselotte and I can say for certain that if it weren't for the second release of her mold, I probably wouldn't have her at all. I'd love to be able to just have a basic version or something like that.
I wouldn't want the fullset to be rereleased, but a new version or a basic IMO is perfectly okay. More people would be able to obtain grails AND the earlier editions would retain most of their value. In my experience, the BBTSB Lieselotte actually shot up in price by like a thousand dollars when the A&tP fullset came out.
(Most of Volk's limiteds are ridiculously inflated price-wise because of scalpers and high demand, so I wouldn't mind seeing those prices go down a bit, anyway.)

Anyway, there are tons of dolls I'd kill for in another style or basic... (Like Soom Hyperon without the scar. Sigh.)

 

It's a hard question,because the artists intended for these dolls to be "special" so I kind of feel like a jerk for wanting them to make more.

 

Of course it would be better for us as collectors and buyers to have more choice. That the companies limit the choice and sale periods makes so that supply don't meet demand and we don't get an effective market for these dolls. That there is a higher second hand market price for limited dolls makes the buyers willing to pay more as the initial price and companies can drive up the sale prices for these dolls.
Probably the companies would gain from not limiting what we could buy too, they should want as many buyers as possible to choose there doll, and not there competitors. It's wierd that so many doll companies doesn't seem to want more costumers overall in this hobby.

 

I'm gonna have to go with the side of yes they should be restocked, and agree with previous statements regarding full sets or accessories etc. best example I've seen of this is with iplehouse. They will often release a theme limited doll that comes with special accessories or clothing during that time and then after a waiting period once it's sold out they will allow you to purchase that sculpt again through a doll choice system only you won't be allowed to purchase the sets or accessories that were offered during the initial limited release. I believe fairyland does this to some extent but I'd have to have someone confirm that ^^;

 

I think companies should be free to restock basic versions of their fullset limiteds. For example, Fairyland has released basic versions of Real Pukis Titi and Toki along with the 100 of each as fullsets. They had basic versions of Popo and Pupu as limiteds, and I don't think anyone one the DOA Real Puki thread would mind a re-release. However, I like how Soom does their FCEs so that recreation of a monthly limited can't happen. The special resin colors some of their dolls are available in are never available during these events.

 

(If this is old news then please delete!!) Okay, to start, a good 6 or 7 years ago a friend of mine sent me a link to the DOD website, i dont know why or how she came across it but we both found their dolls beautiful and faaar to expensive for us to ever consider owning! We didnt even know what they were, let alone that they were BJDs! Now i know what they are and a good friend introduced me to them properly~ yey! And i came to discover that the dolls I'd seen years ago were DODs Black Ducan and Luke~ Even now the Ducan sculpt stuns me and I own his Homme brother... But i just discovered that Black Ducan only has 2 in the world... Soul crushing much? But is it unfair to think the company is unfair for that? I would go broke for that doll... But on the second hand market... I'd not be able to afford him even if I did... Not to mention finding him! Does anyone else think 2 or any other low low number is just a bit too harsh? And should companies be more willing to rerelease these dolls?

 

I think this thread might interest you.

No, and no.

If a company wants to create an OOAK or a run of two, then that's their prerogative. It's not unfair, it's simply how they choose to do business. OOAKs are kind of like original pieces of art, to me; is it "fair" to demand an artist reproduce their own work solely because someone missed their chance to buy the original? A "low low number" isn't "harsh"; it simply is what it is. Nobody's entitled to own any given doll, and no doll company is viciously depriving someone of something purely because they choose to sell a very small number of whatever item is in question.

Doll companies are artists, first and foremost. They are fortunate to be able to make money selling their art, but they're entitled to sell their art on their terms. Not ours.

I'm not fond of any topic that asks whether or not doll companies "should" do something, because that, to me, is attempting to dictate the terms by which someone else does business. The only things a doll company "should" do are produce a quality original product that is represented truthfully and communicate fully and easily with their customers.

 

It's part of what makes them more rare. But I do think it would be nice if they did that from time to time. I know Luts has had a few like that or they will release a different version of the head. If they were to rerelease the doll it would have to be in some way different than the one that came out before. It's a nice idea but it does feel a bit unfair. I know there are a few limited that I have wanted but don't have the money that month and are sold by the time I do get it. There will always be another doll.

 

The first doll I have ever wanted was a luts doll that was sold out from the get go. If they ever rereleased it I would buy that doll without even thinking about it. So I guess I would like for some doll's to be rereleased but it's nice that some Bjd can also remain rare and only a few people can say they own them. It's interesting to look at it from both perspectives.

 

Dollshe did that. They announced they'd be discontinuing their classic boy line, held a huge sale, then gave in after a few months and re-released them after all. I'm glad they did, because I like people to be able to get the dolls they love, especially if they're new to the hobby and the sculpt is a few years old. Two of a kind does seem pretty harsh, and I sort of don't get the point of limiting to that small a number - the sculptor put a lot of work and effort into that piece of art after all, why not make it available for the people who love it and want to reward him/her for the good work?

I'm a huge sucker for basic dolls in general, so I love all the companies who focus on them (and/or make their LE sculpts available again and keep the limiting to the fullsets) and don't even bother to look at the "LE only" companies. I need to plan my expenses, and buying on a whim (without having seen owner pics) and re-selling if the doll doesn't fit the plans is the mother of all stupid ideas in a country that will inevitably slap roughly 20% tax on everything coming in. So, yeah. I personally would love companies to focus on basic dolls. (Obviously custom creations like minimes need to play by different rules.)

I know some people focus on the "collector" aspect, but to be quite honest I'm utterly unimpressed by the rarity of a sculpt - I prefer looking at a cleverly styled OOAK doll customized by the owner to seeing the same fullset over and over again.
I own two discontinued sculpts and the only way in which they're special is that I'm too timid to realize my plans for one of them because it would require modding. (When I bought her I had no idea they were about to discontinue the line.) I'm very hesitant to mod a head that couldn't be replaced, even though I have no intention of selling her ... so I'd definitely wish those were released again.

 

I do agree that it can be frustrating when a doll company releases a strictly limited doll. On the other hand, I understand that they want to make some OOAKs that are more like pieces of art than just products from a factory line. In some cases, releasing limited dolls is a clever business tactic too. The customers might prioritize getting a limited doll while they still can over purchasing a doll that is always available from another company. At least I find myself making decisions this way. If, for example, Soom releases a limited doll that I really like, I might get it instead of a non-limited doll that I've had my eyes on for longer.

But yeah, sometimes when you come across a doll that you really like only to learn that there were only a few ever made, it does make you hope that the doll company will release them anew. Sometimes I wonder what's the point of going through the trouble of sculpting a specific doll and then release just a couple of it when a lot of people might be willing to buy that doll, making more profits to the company.

 

I hope they will restocked... Im looking for some limited dolls for long time, because they are pretty expensive right now and if I can pay what they want, but there is no item on the marketplace... its kinda hard to find it... so... I want some dolls.

 

Interesting to see the variety of opinion here!

Personally, I own a few limited molds and wouldn't mind seeing them go back into production. Why? Because I like looking at those particular sculpts, and if they were available again, I'd be seeing a lot more of them. (Simple reasoning!)

However, I completely understand and support a company's decision to sell their dolls in limited quantities. I would never be "angry" at a company if I missed the window of opportunity to buy one. One can usually find what they are looking for on the secondhand market with a lot of diligence, patience, and a little luck.

 

Fullsets - no, it is fair enough.
But only heads - why not? When they are limited then secondhand market also is limited, and chance that your dream character never come true increases a lot. It is really sad IMO.

 

I own some limited dolls. And I think it's ok if limited dolls get restocked. Not often ofcource! Because that makes them not limited.
But I liked when DoD restocked some of their limited dolls in 5 years after their release (or was it 10 years...not really sure).
It's nice to know that you own an exclusive doll, but that's not the point of the hobby for me.

 

Since I am new to this hobby I would be lying if I said I like limited stock. There are some older dolls I'd just love to have and seeing pictures of them makes me want them more.

That being said, I also collect dolls from Disney that are limited edition which I like that they are limited, but the difference I see between the two is that they are staying in their packaging and just being displayed on shelves.
When it comes to this hobby, my plans for BJDs are to love them, customize them and things for them, and play with them. I want to enjoy them like I can't with dolls I keep in packages.

I do agree with what most people saying about limited editions with full set outfits, face ups, etc should stay limited.. but it would be nice to have molds come back in stock in either new limited edition sets or just completely plain with the option of a typical face up.

But this is all just obviously my point of view and opinion.

 

BJD is product of mass-culture, I find funny idea of absolutely limited dolls in this conception. Of course, limited events invoke "sports" passion and good for marketing, but I don't see any reason to stop production of popular dolls.

More than half of my dolls are limited, and I don't care how many people have the same mold, because the most important for me is be owner of doll I like. Besides, I like to compare my mold with the same of another owners.

 

Like a lot of other people I'm of split mind o this topic.

I think a fullset limited doll should remain limited. I think the sculpt should remain limited too.

No if they want to re-release it I think the sculpt should be modified slighty. Then you can tell for sure which was the limited doll and which one wasn't

 

I think full-sets with a specific faceup should stay limited but I wouldn't mind if the mold was re-released as long as long as the faceup wasn't the same. It should be made clear whether a mold will be used in the future though.