Selling: Do we need to justify it? (Sentimentality in sales threads)

That's an interesting point, aceinit. I hadn't thought of that one -- but I could definitely see that being very possible!

I had noticed a lot of talk about how financial or health woes might make it difficult for someone to actually send a sold item of this kind, but to be completely honest, I am more concerned about not receiving a purchased item from someone who doesn't want to part with it. I'd trust someone in a practical bind to get things done because they -must- more often than someone who does not want to part with an item actually parting with it and getting it out the door and on its way.

 

I want to know the condition of the doll, what the price is, and see some good photographs. A long explanation of why the doll is for sale will not encourage me to buy it (though it doesn't necessarily discourage me unless the person comes off sounding like a flake). Obviously if the doll is for sale, then the owner doesn't want/can't keep the doll and that's fine--no further explanations are necessary. If people want to talk about their bonding issues or their perceived differences between promo pics and the real thing, then there are discussion threads for that.

 

I gotta be honest... Sometimes when I used to see a "We're not bonding" or a "He gets no love..." I felt like I just had to be the one to give him some! xD Course it was only if I liked the sculpt but still. I like a doll with a history, so it's more than an object - it's something that's been loved and passed down and that's been through a lot.

I prefer that kind of reason because otherwise, I'm wondering if this person is selling the doll because the sculpt is hideous in person, or the faceup is worse in person, or the body sucks... If they say it's a bonding issue, they're changing characters, they have too many already, etc. then I feel like it's not the doll that's the problem.

In the end, though, it doesn't really matter if someone does a long winded sob story or not - if it's a doll I WANT, and it's for sale for less then what'd it cost new, I'm jumping on it. I'd feel like a fool paying more for a new doll because I didn't like someone's selling reason.

 

I always put a little line about why I'm selling a doll because like others have said, I don't want it to look like I might be flipping or like I'm cold hearted since I've sold several dolls.

Maybe it's not necessary for everyone but I know some people appreciate knowing they came from a loving home. I would prefer the dolls go to someone who will really cherish them, after all.

 

That's what I was saying. There is no need to put anything regarding personal feelings. If the doll is unmodded/undamaged you can very easily say "The doll is unmodded and undamaged". A quick note like that is way more reassuring to me than some nonsense about not bonding. Mostly because the not bonding excuse could easily be a distractor from damage or modding.

When I see a wall of text or a sob story in a sales thread, I'll scroll right past it to get to the important information.

Personally, feelers as a whole strike me as half-hearted and I wouldn't mind seeing them struck from the MP. Either sell or don't sell. Maybe a separate thread for market price checking somewhere would help pare down feelers.

 

It may not be necessary to give a reason why the doll is being sold, but I realised just the other week when I was in the MP that I like to know why the owner is moving the doll on. Maybe it's because I've become used to seeing sellers including reasons in their threads *shrugs* But please keep it brief.

A reason as to why the doll is being sold isn't going to sway my decision one way or the other but it helps me get a more complete overview of the sale.

 

Interesting topic...

To buyers and sellers: Why do you feel there is a need to explain the reason for selling a doll?
I never thought there was such a need, but then I found out that some buyers want to know the reason because if you don't give one they will assume or wonder if there is something "wrong" with the doll, even if you have listed any mods or damage specifically.


To sellers:
Do you feel the need to justify your sale in your thread? (IE, do you mention "not bonding" or state the reason you are selling the doll?) If so, why?
I will usually say the reason but very generically, like "This doll is gorgeous, but she's just not the style I prefer," or "I bought this set new from Iplehouse and am selling the extra head." I don't usually get into stuff like "bonding" or "not bonding", I think that is silly especially since I don't sell many dolls and the ones I do, I'd planned on selling usually before they arrived, because it was a case of having to buy a full doll to get a certain type body for a Minimee head, or something like that.

Do you feel you have to justify the reason you are parting with a doll so you don't seem like a bad person?
Heavens, no, that's just plain stupid. I suppose if I was one of these people who posted all over the forums, Livejournal, etc. that such and such was "the perfect doll, I love him SOOOOOO much, blahblah" and then slapped him up on the market the next week, I might think an explanation of my change of heart was warranted, but I'm not that kind of person and I've become used to the fickleness of doll owners so I don't expect such explanations from others.

Do you think that adding a personal story will encourage buyers?
I suppose if it were a really cute little story, I might think that, but given that like I said I sell very few dolls and those usually "straight from the factory" there's not much of a story to add so I don't have to think about it.

For buyers:
Does it matter whether or not a seller lists their reasons for selling?
Not really. I only care insofar as it influences the price or the likelihood of doll actually being sold to me. For example, someone who gives a long song and dance about "not bonding, so I'm putting up a feeler just to see, I might end up keeping him" is probably less likely to sell me the doll than someone who says, "I need the rent by the end of next week, so I need cash, no trades, here's the doll." Since I don't want to waste my time dealing with people who decide in the end not to sell to me, I'm more likely to go for the person who definitely seems to be in the market to make a deal.

Do you want to hear why a doll is not working out for them?
I'm kind of curious, but it's not a must. I'm most interested in the practical reasons, such as "this doll can't hold a pose at all" or "this doll is just too big to fit into any of the clothes I have" which actually tell me something about the doll that I might find useful in making a buying decision. On the other hand, the personal, impractical reasons like "this doll doesn't look as much like my character X as I'd hoped" or "I just can't seem to bond with this doll", I couldn't care less about.

Are you more likely to buy a doll where the reasons for selling or stated, or do you just see them as an attempt to garner attention or facilitate a fast sale?
I'm more likely to buy a doll from someone who is businesslike and definitely in the market to make a sale. If someone adds a couple sentences about why they are selling, that could make them look more businesslike (i.e. "I need the rent money by Thursday, looking for quick sale" or "This doll is too large for my doll clothing, and I want to sell him and buy one that is smaller.") Or it could work against them if they go on and on with some flowery story about not bonding or money trouble or what not. It's all in how it is presented.

Bottom line is, I'm looking to buy a doll. I want to know information about the doll, as in, is it damaged, is it modded, does it sit and move well, is it big or small? I really couldn't care less if you love/ don't love it, bond/ don't bond with it, or whether it looks like your character or not.

 

Are you more likely to buy a doll where the reasons for selling or stated, or do you just see them as an attempt to garner attention or facilitate a fast sale?
No offense to sellers of any kind neither those that give reasons for selling and those that don't but SOMETIMES when I see SOME sale posts I think that that particular seller is trying to play off the sympathy of the buyer to make a sale, or to not budge on the price.
This is by no means ALL sellers nor is it all sellers that give reasons along the lines of "No bonding" because even sellers who do give reasons like that are not playing on sympathy I don't think. But in some extreme cases when I think that the seller is trying to play something I just don't buy from them unless it is a doll I really want...then if I think the seller is going to follow through I just ignore the sob story but it does deterr me sometimes
I want to know everything I can about the doll so if there is something about the doll that has made the seller post them even if it is just that they need sueded because they suck at posing and the seller doesn't want to mess with that...then I want to know that....
Another time I don't mind the reason is if the seller is selling dolls because...IDK they just need the cash for something else like a pet or a child or their rent whatever it is I like to know that for two reasons (1) that comment shows that these dolls are in good shape and the seller is only posting because they need the money not because they don't like the doll and (2) that this seller is going to be fast in making the transaction because they need the money
But I don't need to know anything else....I think all in all MP postings should be about the sale and the doll and not about the seller trying to make peace with their decision to sell

 

I really don't mind if a short blurb is included. I've done it myself, and not just for dolls. "Wig for sale. Brand-new, not modded. Not the style I was looking for." A simple, concise statement about why you're selling the item doesn't bother me. I interpret it as more of a FYI. However, walls of text and long sob-stories are a turn off. I don't need your complete life story. It's just an object.

 

Well if you *don't* mention why you are selling you will get PMs from people saying "omg why are you selling ___???" (which is fine, sometimes people are concerned for you, or just curious), but that is my personal experience, if you put up a big sale post and don't mention why you will get PMs about it anyway, so might as well head that off at the pass.

 

Edit: Jola - guilty as charged!!! XD

To buyers and sellers: Why do you feel there is a need to explain the reason for selling a doll?

I don't ^_^;; I don't even think about it to be honest.

To sellers:
Do you feel the need to justify your sale in your thread? (IE, do you mention "not bonding" or state the reason you are selling the doll?) If so, why?

I usually do, but as stated in the first question - I don't really think about it It states in the little form the mods put up in the marketplace to mention your reason for selling so... I do XD Personally though, I think it's partially a way of making sure potential buyers know there's no hidden catches or anything, just that I'm selling for <whatever> reason.

Do you feel you have to justify the reason you are parting with a doll so you don't seem like a bad person?

Mm, not really o.o I can't think why I'd seem like a bad person for selling my property As I mentioned before, more as re-assurance for potential buyers, because the mod-form says to say it and because I'm not usually thinking about it that much when I write it (I'm so bad at writing sales threads XD)

Do you think that adding a personal story will encourage buyers?

...I don't care? Passing over a sales thread because someone has listed their honest reason for selling something is a pretty petty reason in my opinion, so stuff 'em if they choose to do that, it's their loss

For buyers:
Does it matter whether or not a seller lists their reasons for selling?

Actually, not to me XD I usually just check the pictures then if I want to buy I check the price, any extras etc etc and then message the person. I don't tend to really read the stories unless I need to read everything to get the info I need. Which is odd, since I usually write a flippin' essay when I do mine XD

Do you want to hear why a doll is not working out for them?

It's good to know (though I don't always read them) because it indicates they have a reason for selling, rather than they're trying to cover up a fault of some kind.

Are you more likely to buy a doll where the reasons for selling or stated, or do you just see them as an attempt to garner attention or facilitate a fast sale?

Um... pass? I buy dolls I like If the seller is nice or has a good reason for selling then that's fine, but if not I don't care as long as I don't get scammed or sent a broken doll

Personally, I don't think it matters whether someone puts a sob story in their thread or not. If other people are put off by them - well that's just good news for me, fewer people wanting the dolls I want If someone wants to put their reasons for selling in the thread - perhaps as a reminder to themselves that there is a reason so they can't justify keeping the doll after all (I know recently I sold a doll for financial reasons and I put that in the thread to remind myself when I looked in there not to take him down and keep him ) - then that's just fine with me I have better things to waste my time with than getting ticked off at someone for putting a sob story in their sales thread

Another reason I think some people may do this, is because these dolls aren't like your standard inanimate objects. We don't put names and personalities to our toaster or TV, so if we sell those on it's just handing over an object. But the customisable nature of these dolls is such that even though we might not bond with a doll the way you would expect, sub-consciously there is a bond there because of the kind of object BJDs are. You may not want the character or shell any more, but you still respect the fact deep down that you are never going to see that exact doll again. Even if you buy another one, dress it up the same, paint the face the same and give it the same name - is it still the same? I don't know anyone who would think so. So losing that, even if you don't realise it, brings up the rationality that we want to justify selling the doll.

I don't know, maybe it's just me. I'm a sympathetic person, but I'm not going to be influenced by someone's reasons for selling a doll. Similarly, I'm not going to waste my time and effort getting pissy about it, judging them or passing them by because of it. The only person losing out in that scenario is me - missing out on buying a doll I really want! People are too emotional on both sides I think :3

 

Are you more likely to buy a doll where the reasons for selling or stated, or do you just see them as an attempt to garner attention or facilitate a fast sale?

In most cases of long winded reasons alluding to why a person can no longer keep the doll, I usually assume the person is trying to convince themselves that it's okay to sell the doll. I usually don't think of it as them looking for attention.

 

To buyers and sellers: Why do you feel there is a need to explain the reason for selling a doll?

I am guilty of liking to know why they are selling, especially if it's some kind of amazing doll I'd kill to own. Sometimes I'm a little frustrated when ther ISN'T an explaination. I could not give a logical explaination for this either, other than curiousity. But a sob story has never effected my buying. (Wracking brain for MP purchases...) But there is the occassional doll I wish I could 'rescue' but I never do! I never have the money.

To sellers:
Do you feel the need to justify your sale in your thread? (IE, do you mention "not bonding" or state the reason you are selling the doll?) If so, why?

Strangely enough I think my own sales posts have been pretty straight foreward, even when I sold my first doll Isabella! I put all my angst into my LJ and tried to just honestly list her faults and the condition she was in. I may have mentioned she was my first doll though!

Do you feel you have to justify the reason you are parting with a doll so you don't seem like a bad person?

Not really. Again, wracking brain trying to remember my sales threads... About as 'sentimental' as I get is I always start with something like- 'I will not split the doll! I will not the face-up I did because I think it came out well'. But then inevitably I cave and split the doll and wipe the face-up for the buyer...

Do you think that adding a personal story will encourage buyers?

I think I have tried to give the doll on sale some personality- like "Please give me a good home" in the hopes that buyers will be interested in rescueing said doll! So- guilty! Sort of...

For buyers:
Does it matter whether or not a seller lists their reasons for selling?

For me, no, not really. I don't think a good/bad story has ever helped or hindered. It boils down to the DOLL.

Do you want to hear why a doll is not working out for them?

Yes, but again- curiousity more than anything! Inquiring minds want to know

Are you more likely to buy a doll where the reasons for selling or stated, or do you just see them as an attempt to garner attention or facilitate a fast sale?

Neither one really. I like to know but the doll is what's important and if I really want them. The thing that REALLY gets to me are dolls that linger on the marketplace forever! I always want to give them a home! I can't stand anything to be unloved, I've been that way since I was a child.

 

I've done it - I sold a doll recently, and put why I was selling her in the thread. I think this was honestly because I didn't want to sell her, but I needed to due to financial issues, so I posted that I wanted her to go to a good home because I wanted to keep loving her, but wasn't able to, so if someone else would love her, that would make me happy.

I think there was a bit of guilt too, because so many people had told me that they really liked her, and I definitely got response that people were sad to see her go. So... I guess I just wanted whoever might look at her to know that she was a beloved doll, and I hoped they'd love her too.

 

I usually say briefly that I am selling something because "I no longer own a girl" " I bought the wrong size" or something but never anything long winded.

I dislike long explanations for two reasons: 1) It is unneeded and sounds pathetic most of the time, I get un easy with the 'My mum died I have to sell my doll to pay for her funeral' and 'I need it for medical bills' ones as like Dezarii said above, It makes me think that they are setting the ground work for delays and imperfections so I move along. (and others make the seller sound a little crazy and I just plain don't want to talk to them, I know that sounds a little rude but some people can be a little unapproachable)

and 2) I hate scrolling through heaps of text in sales threads. As soon as I see text that isn't shipping or location info I click onto the next FS thread

I do pay attention to some of the 'I&#8217;m not bonding' information though, when I read "we were not bonding so she was left in a box since I got her" I think ' great! That's pretty much like new' So that's good. but any more then a couple of sentences and it's too much personal information.

It is understandable why people do it though, Some do see their dolls as large parts of their life&#8217;s and maybe they need to justify to themselves why they want to let it go so they don't regret/ feel guilty once they have sold it. Plus, being such a close community at times the marketplace feels less like a shopping mall (organised and impersonal) and more like a flea market. (Friendly and easy atmosphere)

(wow, I got carried away)

 

^ That's mostly what matters to me.

^ That's happened to me. Reasons help me decide sometimes.

But I do like to know why. These dolls are expensive. Why invest in something and sell it? It'd have to be a good damn reason. This is serious buying. I'm not made out of money. When I'm buying, it's like rocket science. When I'm second hand buying... it can be complicated.

 

I can't answer the 'as a seller' end of things, as I've not sold any dolls (nor do I intend to) and have yet to gather any non-local interest in the things I DO make to sell.

But as a buyer...*shrugs* I skip over the 'why I'm selling' portion of sale threads to get to the information I care about...price and condition of doll, shipping costs and methods, and what, if anything, will be sent with the doll (with or without additional cost to the buyer), if it will be sold with or without face-up, and if face-up removal is an option. If the price seems a little TOO low, then I might go back to read the 'why' behind the sale...same if it seems to be TOO high.

 

To buyers and sellers: Why do you feel there is a need to explain the reason for selling a doll? I think there's so much emphasis here on being so close to your dolls, that people feel bad putting them on the marketplace, especially if they're selling a doll they've had a while.

To sellers:
Do you feel the need to justify your sale in your thread? (IE, do you mention "not bonding" or state the reason you are selling the doll?) If so, why?
I do it sometimes because I feel it drives the "nothing wrong" with the dolll point a little bit harder.

Do you feel you have to justify the reason you are parting with a doll so you don't seem like a bad person? Aha, no, not really. Like i said above, I do it personally because I want people to know there's nothing weird with the doll. If I'm getting rid of it because I don't like its body, or head, or whatever, I say that and state it. Because I don't want people to experience the same thing when they get the doll.

Do you think that adding a personal story will encourage buyers?
Not really. I tihnk most people skip it unless like I said, its something about the doll itself as opposed to sentiments.

For buyers:
Does it matter whether or not a seller lists their reasons for selling?
Not to me! I'll buy what I like.

Do you want to hear why a doll is not working out for them?
sometimes. It helps me research things on the doll to make sure it *will(* work for me.

Are you more likely to buy a doll where the reasons for selling or stated, or do you just see them as an attempt to garner attention or facilitate a fast sale?
I don't see them either way. I generally read them myself, but I don't need them there. All I really need is damage descrption/pictures and doll info.