How do you buy dolls?

Ah, I've really enjoyed reading this thread, so thankyou for asking the question!

All of the dolls that I've gotten brand new were from DDE. But the others I have managed to get here on DoA. All the brand new dolls were ResinSoul dolls. All of my secondhand dolls are from various companies. I do enjoy my second-hand dolls more. I got my Harucasting Adori twins from DoA, and also my gorgeous Luts Kid Delf girl that I love sewing for and posing.

I think I like second hand more because I get to meet other collectors and I feel more included in the community. I don't know why, but I always feel like I'm on the edges of a community and not real 'in it'. I have made some friends here, and that is incredibly meaningful for me.

 

You're spending a HUGE amount of money for these BJD Dolls, their outfits and accessories. So it seems wise to buy new and directly through a reputable company. That way you know you're getting 'The Real Deal' instead of a fake knock off that could turn out heartbreakingly disappointing.

 

One of my dolls is secondhand and the other was brand new. I also have a new one on layaway. I'd prefer to buy new, but it's not a must.

 

I prefer to buy new and support the artists by giving them a new order. Most of my purchases have been made directly from the companies and a few have been made through dealers. I only have three pre-owned heads and they were a mix of orders from the DoA marketplace and other sites. I haven't had any negative experiences with secondhand items, but I've had one really bad experience with a dealer where I finished a long layaway and never received my doll.

 

If at all possible I order through a dealer rather than the actual company. Then the actual company is next on my list. Then secondhand... though I've been known to buy a secondhand doll to get the 'new resin' fix while waiting for dolls I've actually ordered.

But my collection is of predominantly WS dolls and I really want to avoid buying already yellowed/mellowed dolls... so secondhand is hard with that.

 

I currently have 2 dolls and one was bought directly from the company, the other from Denver Doll since they had the doll I wanted in stock. I generally prefer buying second hand or from somewhere that has it in stock, but that’s mostly because I’m impatient. I currently have a head on the way directly from a company, and I’ll probably buy the body through DDE.

I have bought second hand before and had a fine experience, but I find that I often can’t get the specific dolls I want second hand. For instance, when I was on a hunt for my MiniFee Mirwen, all I could find on the MP was Mirwens with the wrong resin or bust size or leg style from what I wanted. They were all asking practically brand new prices too, sometimes more. When she suddenly showed as in stock at DDE with all of the correct details I immediately ordered her.

I like giving dolls a new life as a second hand owner, but I also like having dolls that are 100% mine that i don’t have to compromise on details for.

 

I usually buy new either from a dealer or direct from the company. But I’ll also pick up event heads or splits here. I’ve thought about 2nd hand full dolls and I’m often tempted. But oftentimes the price is pretty close to new and/or it has a face-up I’m not interested in.

 

All of my dolls bar 1 are second hand and I don't have any issues with buying second hand. I have got a couple on order that are new. I think I like second hand more as I see the doll and love it, then it arrives within a couple of weeks but new takes forever (I know and understand they have to make them) I think mine collection will be a mix of new and second hand.
I have had no issues buying second hand so far

 

I bought some second-hand and they are all good! My favorite doll (Juan) is a second hand but he is like new and flawless. I also purchased new dolls however I only received one so far and waiting for 2 more to come home. It just that new doll the waiting game is very long.

 

My preference is to buy them here, on DoA. I have a few second-hand dolls from other places, a few that were in-stock when we still had a fairly 'local' BJD shop here, and a few new. Generally I just like buying on the MP here.

I prefer buying from within the EU whenever possible - not just because I like to avoid paying customs, but mostly because I prefer it when my packages come straight to my home without having customs officials open them. Besides which, packages that have been through customs often have to be picked up at the post office, which can be annoying when you have a 72-cm doll in a carrier inside a box that you then need to fit on your bike in such a way that it can't fall off. LOL!!

 

I prefer preowned...I like the idea of rescuing them, and prices are usually lower (and they sometimes come with goodies). I've had a couple scam scares on Facebook, but nothing that actually happened, so I have never had any actual issues with buying secondhand. I just got Marketplace access last week, so all of my purchases have been over Facebook or Instagram (or the one that I bought from my friend in the area)
Pre-owned also means you don't have to wait for companies to make them/get them ready

 

I prefer new. But some are limited edition and I need to find someone whiling to sell

 

I second the "rescuing" sentiment so far in as secondhand dolls are concerned. Two of my planned crew have been ordered new via dealers, DDE and AC respectively, but the third (and first to arrive) was secondhand and I felt bad seeing him waiting for a month with no one willing to give him a chance. He's a lovely doll, an adorable sculpt with a nicely posable body, and I'm very happy with him. I have one more character to shell, and if the right doll popped up in the secondhand market I'd absolutely snap him up. The only thing I make sure of is clearing the doll of any possible leftover energy from a previous owner, just in case.

 

All of my dolls have been new except my minifee human hwayu. I have brought all my other dolls through distributors such as Alice collections and Unoa Alchemy. Hwayu I bought her second hand but she was very new, never painted or anything, owner didn't even have her for a week.

 

I bought new dolls and second hand dolls both, some of the dolls do not produce again, so I am glad that I can still have them by buying second hand dolls.

 

I prefer new but if a great opportunity came along I might. I have never bought a secondhand doll though, even with my off topic collection. My only experience with the secondary market is with doll clothes - I’ve bought and sold a small amount over the years and it’s been relatively painless.

 

if i can i tend to go for new and straight from the original company becuse most the time i can get extra options and some freebies so i tend to lean towards new becuse i know it's insured but becuse i have a thing for limited dolls i tend to get a lot pre owned as well after the limited dates are over and lucky for me the experiences have been nothing but amazing, i tend to go through facebook groups since i dont have marketplace access yet and it's been working just fine, people are always so helpful and happy

 

I prefer to buy new if the sculpt is still available, I'm usually not that patient to bump a wanted thread in the marketplace for long. Also that way I make sure there is no yellowing or damage on the doll. I am personally much more open to buying dolls that have never had face-up and have been kept in their boxes than dolls that have been played with and loved a lot, taken outside and customized. On the other hand it's always a plus if I can find the doll I want inside EU, so that I don't need to pay taxes here. All companies don't have EU dealers at all, so second hand is the only option to 100% avoid customs.

 

I've only bought one doll so far, and I decided to buy him new, both because I currently don't meet the post limit to use the marketplace, and because I just wanted the process to have a higher chance of going smoothly. The next two dolls I buy, I'll also likely buy new, but after that, I would love to try buying some secondhand dolls, I love buying secondhand stuff because here's just something really endearing to me about the idea that this doll has already had journeys and life breathed into it and I'm helping it live the next chapter of it's life.

 

I prefer new! Either directly through company or dealer if I need layway! I have bought 1 full doll and 1 head second hand from instagram sellers (who also have DoA accounts) because they weren't available new anymore and all went fine!