I take issue with the term 'Random Eye Color'! Do you?

If that's the case then I would choose (if possible) NOT to buy the $6 eyes. I would go on ebay () and buy the eyes that I really want.

 

I don't care about the random eyes. I've already changed mine several times before I found the ones that really fitted my boys to my opinion.

 

I'm looking to buy my first med size girl that is not from Volks like the rest of my girls. I'm getting a IH Custom Choice, but I will admit that I was a little shocked that they did not offer any choice with the eye color with their custom choice doll orders.

In the end you are paying for the doll & if having an option with the eye color is something that is factor that you want a say in, then go with a company that offers you a choice in the eye color.

I'm surprised that more companies have not added an option where you have a choice of eye color for a price like other option that they offer at an extra price.

 

Well, if you're okay with paying extra for a pair of eyes in your preferred colour - why don't you just go ahead and by them, either from the company you're buying the doll from or somewhere else. I mean, since you're paying extra for a pair of eyes in the colour you want - what's the big difference? As it's been stated several times here: the random eyes are a gift. An extra. The doll companies don't HAVE to send eyes with a doll, unless it's a full-set that includes eyes of a certain colour. Same, by the way, with random wigs. That's something else some doll companies include as a gift but wouldn't have to include. It's a little courtesy towards the customer, kind of like saying "thanks for buying from us!".

 

I think at the price of these dolls eyes should be included and we should be able to choose the eye color. There is no excuse for being "out of stock" on colors. I have a box full of ugly green eyes that I never use the came as the random eyes.

 

At first I disliked the idea of a random eye color... But now I think it's kind of exciting! I think I'll let that factor decide my next doll's eye color.

 

You do get to choose the eye colour - when you purchase the eyes that you want for your doll. No one is obligated to give away free eyes, let alone keep restocking multiple colours just in case they get a request. The only guarantee you'll get the eyes you want is to buy the eyes you want.

Doll companies could probably save themselves a lot of bother (judging by this thread,) if they stopped putting in place-holder eyes altogether and sent dolls out without eyes.

I think people are forgetting that the dolls are designed for the owner to finish off.

 

I completely agree with this. ^^ The whole point of doll customization is to create the doll that you want. I actually kind of wish that doll companies wouldn't include eyes with the doll because they're almost never what I personally like or want, and just end up changing them anyway.

 

I like the idea of free eyes, although I have yet to purchase a doll which comes with them! They give you the option to experiment with different sizes or colors than you would normally choose to even buy, without forcing you to spend money on them. They're the same as any other free gift.

 

I think it's kind of nice how they come with random eye colours. It's a surprise, like not knowing what eye colour a baby will have. All of my dolls have come with brown eyes though, which is funny because I have brown eyes

 

To me the option of "Random Eyes" gives me the idea that my Kimitsu may come with eyes that are perfect for him, that look right, that I may not have been able to find elsewhere. But I have already looked around and have picked out a pair of eyes that if I get a set I don't like at all I can replace with and put the random ones into my "spare dolly stuff" bin to maybe use for a later doll.

I went to a panel at a con and the people running the panel gave out free doll sized hair clips. This is like saying I should be offended that they gave me hair clips for a girl doll, when my doll is a boy. For the record I was not offended, but overly grateful that they were kind enough to give me something for free.

 

I'd like to point out that any item included in the product description is not free, but included in the purchase price. That said, I don't mind random, as I'd rather have a doll out of the box with any eyes in than no eyes at all, and seeing different colors (or maybe even a different size than what I think I want when I ordered) to experiment with in person may change my idea of what that doll ends up with, anyway. Even though I don't see them as a 'freebie' item, in proportion to the overall product, their cost is minimal.

 

Great question because I've sometimes thought: "Man, I wish I could choose, it's just an eye colour..."

Short Answer:
BUT...I'm rather indifferent about the colour of the random eyes that are occasionally included and it doesn't matter if I spent $100-$5,000. It's a fun surprise and they can always serve as "back-up" eyes. For my dolls that didn't come with eyes, I've already purchased the fancy eyes that I really want and looking for the right eyes is as much fun as choosing the other bits.

Long Answer:
Well random does mean random. And if it was something that was important to me, I would inquire. I also know that the type of eyes I want for my dolls would not be included as "random". However I could understand taking issue if the product description specifically said "please select eye colour" or they were a LE colour and I got the wrong ones. I would be slightly bugged but not by much. I'm sure the company would make good on the error. And the eye colour isn't as important to me as the overall quality of the doll.

I've spent tons of money on other "luxury goods" costing far more than this "luxury hobby" and for me the amount of money spent doesn't equate to me having any additional perceived rights other than receiving a product exactly as described. That said it is annoying to walk into a shop and get poor customer service, but again I am paying for the quality of the product vs. being able to choose the attitude of the person who is helping me. In both cases I think the only expectation I have is to get a product as described.

Of the 5 dolls I've purchased, only 2 had "random" eyes included. And for only 2, was there even an option for skin-tone. I know that some companies offer a vast a la cart and for others the only option is to buy or not buy.

I'm still a newbie in this hobby, so what do I know...but having spent a fair amount of my career in supply chain/logistics and business process management - I do know what I'm saying here to suggest that from the companies perspective; to be as efficient as possible, continue to meet production deadlines, quality standards and offer a "perk" to loyal customers; allowing the eyes to be "random", is one of the better compromises.

 

I don't mind the Random eyes, I don't think I pay for them and it was nice getting my doll with eyes so at least if I didn't have the money for extras then I had starter eyes. I can see where it can be a little annoying, sometimes you see the eyes you like in the doll but can't find them to buy them so you dont have a choice but to buy a different color and hope you get that particular color you liked as the Random eyes. It really is just a gift from the company though, I wouldn't really complain I know some companies will try to, if you note them. Consider the random eyes to be a color you would like to have. Just ask! Some are very nice in trying to get a specific color or close to sometimes. =]

 

I'm waiting for a random color eyes, I believe it must be funny

 

Most companies state that the eye color of the dolls they sell are "random", but fact of the matter is that you can still request a color, and if they have them available, 90% of the time that's what you will receive. It never hurts to ask. They just don't want to create a problem of holding up orders to wait for specific eye colors to be in stock. If you give them your top three choices of eye color in the 'notes' section when you check out, most companies are more than willing to accommodate.

 

I ordered my doll off the market place but it still said he would come with a random eye color...And they were the gorgeous green eyes his old owner photographed him wearing in the extra photo's I requested. I was hoping for his beautiful green eyes and I got them. Now I can't imagine giving him red or blue eyes like I thought I would. His eyes are just the perfect color. Like Jade.

 

I like to leave it up to fate somehow-- even if I don't like the color I can always change it out anyway.



Try to ask nicely anyway, I think most companies would do their best to fulfill your request.

 

Personally, I want the eyes that are shown on the model. Dollzone have sent the glass eyes in the pics so far. I think Island do, too. Having said that, none of my dolls apart from the 2 anthros are wearing their original eyes (too difficult to get out, anyway, but they are fine), I buy £5 glass eyes from Mybayer on ebay!!

Doll Leaves make beautiful dolls with no seam lines and outstanding face-ups, but send the dolls with cheap acrylic eyes. I have a small collection of these, now!

As for cost of eyes, the manufacturers can buy in bulk.

 

I have gotten some beautiful 'random' glass eyes with my DZ dolls -one pair is a vibrant iridescent orange and the other pair is a yellow/pink combo. So far I think DZ has the best random eyes, at least they are glass and interesting colors (and not acrylic).