Second hand dolls: Shouldn't they be cheaper than new ones?

I havent really looked on here much, But on auction sites I do see this and I think that sometimes people are taking an advantage, that's why I always research a second hand doll first before buying.

 

Some non-americans might be trying to get back the amount of money they originally paid. The dollar has fluctuated a lot the last couple of years and at the current conversions people might be loosing a lot of money, so people might be trying to lessen those losses by charging more

Some people don't necessary need to get rid of a doll, but will for a good price. So they might not try to sell their doll for stock price, but if someone offers them 100 more they will.

Some companies still take forever to send out dolls or have quality issues compared to earlier years, so some people will be willing to pay extra for short wait times or better quality (or even for a resin colour that has changed over the years)

Not all people who charge more are greedy, or are trying to take advantage of others. Some might, but not all, there are so many reasons to charge more than bare costs.

 

Also bear in mind that people can pay up to 50% of the original cost of the doll in Customs fees, for instance the last doll i receievd from Denver Doll order value $600 cost me £153 (that's GBP not $) in Customs fees, obviously that's lost money but a Seller is at least going to want to get close to the original purchase cost on re-sale or they would be better off holding on to the doll,

 

I see a lot of overpricing going on, and often it is on non limited, still available dolls. Given the current state of the second hand market it seems madness to ask more than the list price of a standard doll unless it has a really good face up.

My question is; are people really paying these prices?

 

I noticed a lot of these dolls selling for closed to new or even more are yellowed. I am sure as Hell not going to pay retail prices for a yellowed doll and I am not paying someone else's custom fees that they had to pay to get item to them when the country I live in doesn't charge them to me when I buy from an international seller. Not to mention I hate being told I have to pay Paypal fees. When they are not asked for I always send them and the sellers are always very appreciative but I hate it when they are demanded if I want to buy a certain item.

 

I wouldn't say a second hand doll should be cheaper than a brand new doll from the company, but I probably wouldn't pay much more for a doll i could order brand new. As with everything...a doll brand new or second hand is worth what a person will pay for it. I paid a lot for a secondhand volks doll (granted she'sa limited and i loved her faceup) but other dolls I'd be hard pressed to spend as much on.

I understand Someone in Europe buying from someone else in Europe and paying an extra amount but it still being cheaper due to customs and such.

 

I would think that in most cases when the doll is not limited or special, they price should be a little cheaper. I usually avoid dolls that are able to be purchased new if the price is too high because I'd rather get the new doll from the company than pay so much for a pre-owned doll. (Unless there are extras included which is why the price is higher.) I am all for a second hand doll, but I do think part of the hobby is accepting that loses in terms of finances will happen. It's sort of like when you buy a car. The moment it goes off lot it immediately depreciates in value. But then, if MMOs have taught me anything, "an item is worth what someone is willing to pay". (I've forgotten who said it, but I've heard it before.)

 

If everything is the same, then I will buy new. But that doesn't mean that those selling shouldn't try to make their money back. I don't think they're actually trying to cheat people.

 

If you don't like the price sellers are asking then don't buy from them.

However are you really want to miss out on getting a doll that may or may not be available on the second hand market again?

 

Nope you're not missing anything at all. I've seen this a lot too, and ads like this I always pass them by. Some limited dolls I can see that but when I see a non-limited doll I can go buy myself listed for full price plus what's obviously the buyer's pay pal fees and original shipping costs added in I just go "UHUH!" and keep on looking. I've actually seen it where they do that AND ask you to pay the new Pay Pal and new shipping fees for the transaction. I mean you have got to be kidding. That's like you paying them TWICE for that. I can see someone asking for close to retail for the doll, but the adding in for your original fees and shipping and that? That's just not right to be asking for that back. That's just taking advantage, IMHO. People can do what they want. They're entitled but I vote with my wallet and say "NO!"

 

I've been pouring through the MP over the past few months because I'm looking to buy a few more dolls or bodies. I've noticed the same thing about pricing and I've also noticed that many, many dolls are continually bumped up with no takers. The other thing I've noticed is that "negotiable" seldom seems to mean negotiable and best offer also doesn't seem to apply. I'm not willing to pay good money for damaged dolls or for older bodies when the new ones available from the companies sell for the same or even less. I'm also not willing to spend money for a doll with a lot of dark paint on it for fear that there'll be stains left once the face up / body paint is wiped off.

I've bought a few things on the MP recently and had very good experiences with the sellers. They were asking more reasonable prices for the things I was after. I waited for a good deal to show up and then jumped on them when they did.

I'm about to move out all my pre-bjd modern collectible dolls and have been talking to doll auctioneers. They're saying that the doll market is horrible right now. And I wonder why many dolls on the MP aren't selling. It could be due to a poor market, over saturation of BJDs now more readily available than in the past and high prices. Oh well! I was hoping to due a trade or buy from the MP but if nothing happens in a couple of weeks, I'll buy from the companies directly.

 

This topic was brought up years ago! lol
Here is my thing, and I think most of us agree, I will pay pay the same amount for a doll that is still in production 2nd hand. Yes, because of wait.
What I will NOT do is pay to cover the original buyers shipping costs, custom fees, etc.
That is a LOSS to the seller.
If I see this from a seller, I don't buy.
There are a few dolls I've wanted that have been on the market place for over a year because the seller is trying to get back every penny they spent in using shipping and fees.

 

If the doll is readily available from the company at a better price then why are you wasting time complaining about the price of one second hand?

SO what that the company photos on the website are all you have to see. SO what if you have you (may) have to pay custom fees. SO what is the over seas Shipping fee was expensive. SO what if you have to wait the unbearable 30 to 60 days for your doll to be produced, and then delivered. SO what if your doll arrives with the "wrong color" freebie eyes that you hate?

/sarcastic

 

Oh when I say years I mean like 8 years ago...lol

 

It really bothers me when someone sells their doll for more than the price they bought it for unless it comes with freebies or special faceup I usually pass on dolls that aren't at a decent price

 

Well it could possibly to cover the original shipping and paypal fees, or at least a portion of it. Plus there may be faceup fees or extras.

However I seem to see a lot of discounted dolls in the marketplace where I think people have to be losing money, so I think it must have something to do with perception. It's hard to sell dolls to break even because they're so expensive to begin with...so more often than not so they're a money loss IMO.

 

* wants to "Like" your post to death*
....