If Soom released their monthly dolls as a basic line next year, how would you feel?

SkadiGoddess - I read your comment on the SOOM site and completely support what you have said...obviously, some people have been so untouched by the recession that they are able to just carry on as if nothing has been happening. As I said there too, a very nice lady that bought my SOOM Saiph said to me 'Dolls ARE our therapy' and just to repeat myself here, imagine we lost a great therapist such as SOOM!

 

Aww thanks gelfling. A doll world without SOOM is unthinkable, I don't even collect them (yet!) but DOA sure is a lot more beautiful with them around.

 

Having been keeping tabs on this thread I didn't want to throw my opinion in because I don't have a Soom and unless one is released that meets my preferences I don't plan on one. I've also noticed the two main complaints are Soom 'lying' to customers, and how a re-release (I hesitate to say basic because I have a feeling this will be a limited run as well) will detract from the specialness of the original MD. However I have to agree with this:

I just recently asked another doll company about releasing a certain doll sculpt and pretty much got told (loose paraphrase because it was a paragraph long reply) "We don't know what the sculptors or management has planned, however we can pass along your suggestion." I think it's fair to say that the people who answer Q&A aren't always in the Development and Marketing/Sales team and so they don't know. I know that as a Secretary I've often said 'no' because that's what was indicated to me at the time through management silence only to have them end up proving me wrong later on.

Aside from that. things do change, but I know that's been touched on often already in this thread.

I'm also fuzzy on if they said the MD was never to be released again or if the sculpt was never to be released again. I think there is a fair difference between saying an 'MD' (indicating a complete doll with fantasy parts/outfit/face-up/blushing) and a sculpt (the head) will never, ever be released again. I'm not asking to stir anymore issue up, I am just genuinely curious as both of those things have been used interchangeably in the thread. I was also wondering what exactly Soom said, and perhaps where? Or is it just group knowledge from asking Soom and getting the same answer all the time?

 

SkadiGoddess -Ain't that the truth!

edit note: I usually stay away from heavy, politically charged, dolly-debate, but I genuinely feel the level of criticism being heaped upon SOOM's shoulders, was unjust and uncalled for...hence, my need to respond like 20 times...!

 

Hahaha I totally mis-read B-Stards as 'B-Sards...

I think some people just need to get off of their high horses in regards to this... they are DOLLS! I own SOOM MDs, and if any of my dolls were released as basic humans, I'd be thrilled beyond belief! No one's twisting people's arms to pay inflated prices for these guys, so can you really complain about something you did of your own free will? It's like... working at McDonald's and buying Gucci or Lululemon clothes instead of clothes you can afford without worrying about having rent money...

If people are going to get all pissy over things like this, then maybe they should look for a new hobby... you should love the dolls for the dolls... not their re-sale value...

 

Manipulation through advertising is common business practice. The ethics/morality of it has always been shady, but it's in the company's best interest to coax buyers into believing they need the product NOW. And the company didn't lie. They were intentionally vague with their wording, so if changing their minds was in their best interests they could do so without legal repercussion. It really doesn't matter what anyone in the company says. It matters what's written in the fine print and how that can be spun to their advantage.

 

You're my hero.

Well, I left my message for Soom. I thanked them for what they did, for bringing creativity into this hobby. I hope they know how much happiness their dolls bring to people, owners or otherwise. I hope they keep doing what they're doing and ignore the flamers.

 

I would be happy because I don't care for the fantasy parts. I have always wanted a human Beryl but because she is an MD, the resale prices are higher. If she is released as a basic, I would be very happy.

 

This is funny because I have had a Lazule for years and because hes a basic I always thought in the back of my mind if anything happened to him I could replace him easily, but now hes being discontinued! All of a sudden Im taking better care of him Id love it if they re released him or kept him going, I dont like the fear of not being able to buy a new one from Soom if he has a crazy face plant and knocks his nose off!

 

Yes Raou, I agree with you. I am disappointed to see how entitled this community has gotten. No matter how angry or disappointed you are, it is not okay to get as offensive as some people on the Soom site did.

Actually, Soom does care about their customers. Only different customers. Have you read the countless 'thank you's' on their website?

 

It really does not matter to me, and since they are making money more power to them. Not everyone is going to be happy in this hobby when a company decides to do something they said they would not do.

 

I was looking at the new MD release for Soom (not Beryl) Aphan... And I'm not sure if they did this specifically so that they can do a basic mold later or not but under the specifications for Aphan ONLY next to the outfit, faceup, eyes, wig, and shoes does it say LE. Next to the head and body it does not. Maybe Soom is having their new monthlies only be limited in what they come with, not the actual mold.

Anywho, I haven't read the last few pages but I can say I'm a little ashamed of what some people have said to Soom on the board under Beryl... Like I said in my first post, I'm happy to see them rereleasing the dolls as basics. I'm not interesed in Beryl (never was) but good for Soom for all that they do.

 

No one fussed this much when Sard came out for a bit in a different skin tone. Beryl will be here then gone too. She's still limited from what it looks like . Soom said they'd never release her that way again. No fantasy parts, and in a different skin tone. Same thing iple house does. Why such a big deal?

*drools thinking about Vesuvia in NS* I haz a purple one and would looooove a NS girl :3

Those of us that busted our butts to get the original 2008 MDs, even those of us that busted their butts to get Beryl when she was first released on short unannounced notice, still have their girl. She'll never be released in white skin, nor will she have hooves, or that awesome outfit.

It'd be one thing if she was standard from now until forever, but i still think that'd hurt soom's sales too deeply if they were to do that. This is just a ReRelease like iple house does with their Noctarcana Circus dolls, except instead of Beryl becomming a standard she remains limited. Think of it as Special Edition Beryl XD

 

I have a Beryl and love her to bits. I'm happy that other people who love Beryl will get a shot at owning her. She's a wonderful sculpt! When it comes down to it, I will love my Beryl no less for having her rereleased. And that's what it's all about to me, loving my dolls and sharing the joy they bring us.

 

I gave them a comment directly on the store page and one on their Q&A, just to show them as much love as possible!

And to counter what VA said about the only people who are happy about this are people who didn't get a chance to own MDs in the first place, all I have to say is I have an Yrie and love her to bits and pieces, and I have no intentions of getting a Beryl. I'm still happy to see them doing this, and I would welcome Soom to release their MDs as basics.

Honestly, I've read somewhere that Soom doesn't plan on releasing MDs after this year, and it makes me sad. However, with the way their customers have been acting lately, I have to ask you this: Has it occurred to anyone that the reactions Soom is getting right now from the venomous people is exactly the type of thing that has made them decide to stop MDs in the first place? They have been given a lot of disrespect in the past for various things, despite the fact that all I've seen is a company trying to do the best it can for it's customers. Even when there were astronomical shipping delays, they didn't do so out of spite, they simply had trouble keeping up with the demand. And yet people yelled and threw fits and treated them absolutely terrible. I honestly would not be surprised in the least if inconsiderate, foul-mouthed customers are exactly the reason they felt the need to stop their Monthlies after this year.

 

Absolutely agreed.

Stopping their monthlies is horrible... but the comments seen recently especially make it unsurprising.

Soom can never seem to win.

 

vampireanneke is the only one that is making sense here....

I know people will be mad at me for saying that but I don't care. She is the only one that seems to understand.

So... that said, I believe in vampireanneke, lol.

 

I understand what she's saying. I just don't agree.

 

I think it's a little childish to complain that someone else can have a doll they like if there's another release with that head. If someone really wants the fantasy parts, they'll come up with the cash for the original. If not, here's another option.

It's all about what will make money for the company. They need to stay in business, otherwise there will be no more dolls from them. Is that what everyone wants?

 

I don't care that they are re-releasing Beryl I don't want her. But I understand why people are angry. Yeah they shouldn't be rude to Soom. Maybe they shouldn't have assumed there wouldn't be a re-release, but Soom also is at fault for leading people to believe that there wouldn't be a re-release, because Soom did lead people to believe such. They did not directly say YES we plan to make a recast in the future, or even YES there is a possiability we may consider recasting it (even if just limited), more often their stance was NO we are not going to recast it, this is it, that's all, good luck.

You want to be happy, that's fine. But don't tell people they shouldn't be upset. Because there is blame on both sides. Yes the upset people are taking it to far, but the over happy people are not making them feel any better. They are not getting any sympathy. Yes they may have assumed but that doesn't just make the people wrong and bad, and that they can't be angry for falsly believing Soom.

There is a saying Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you. Yes Soom has done re-releases before but in very minor numbers (where the doll didn't even appear on the shopping cart). This is the first time they are re-releasing one of the LE MD dolls, so yes it's Fool me once, and shame on me. And next month should Sard be re-released no one will be surprised. But right now alot of people are.

And guess what, these dolls have VALUE. And yes people are going to get upset when something they own loses value. Just ask anyone who owns a home that has depreciated due to the economy, while not being able to sell it isn't even factor in, something they love and charish has lost some value. In this case Monitary to a point and also the value of it's rarity. And if the money in regards to a doll REALLY didn't matter then we wouldn't sell them for money, just trade them one head being just as good as another.