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

Why do you feel there is a need to explain the reason for selling a doll? I think that because the BJD world is an expensive hobby, people often feel guilty about buying something they've worked hard for, saved up for, and then just ended up not wanting for whatever reason.

Do you feel the need to justify your sale in your thread? I haven't sold a doll yet, though I have been toying with the idea of doing so. I would want to give a very short explanation- just to make it it seem as if I haven't wasted time owning my doll?

Do you feel you have to justify the reason you are parting with a doll so you don't seem like a bad person? No, not really.

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

Does it matter whether or not a seller lists their reasons for selling? It doesn't matter, but I'm a curious person by nature and I like to know these things.

Do you want to hear why a doll is not working out for the seller? A short explanation would be nice. I mean, if a doll is one you've been looking for and someone else is selling it, you may wonder 'well, why?' ... Well, at least, I do. But I'm not interested in a huge sob story.

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. I admit, I might be more inclined if I know the reason... like I said, I'm a curious person, but it wouldn't ultimately influence whether or not I made the purchase.

 

I like it better if I see a reason listed, because it shows me that the doll has been cared for. Plus, dolls are already so personal, that putting a reason like that seems normal to me, instead of justification.

 

I am always curious way someone is selling their doll but in the end it doesn't matter.
I have noticed that their are a some people just in it for the "business" and they give whatever reason comes to mind.
With selling a doll I don't mention why I am selling it only when people ask, then I do find they have a right to know.

 

Me too! Sometimes I feel like "OMG!! How could you sell ___ ?!" For some reason, I feel better even if there's just a one line reason like "I like her a lot, but she just doesn't fit the family" or "He's adorable, but he is a weird size and I don't have the wherewithal to find/make suitable clothing for him".

Although the "I can't pay my bills right now, so I'm selling this one I just bought" reason is strange to me... it sounds like the doll was an impulse buy and the seller has no impulse control!

 

To buyers and sellers: Why do you feel there is a need to explain the reason for selling a doll?
OK, so shoot me, but this is how I see it: because there are some very judgmental people out there who seem to confuse dolls with children/pets and think that selling them on is somehow evil...despite the fact they are cruising the MP wanting to buy! There are lots of rather self-righteous "I WILL NEVER SELL ANY of MY dolls" comments to lots of threads on DOA, and while I think there is nothing wrong with buying a doll and keeping it for ever, lots of other people don't feel that way and they buy and sell all the time, that's fine too. There is no right or wrong, people just doing what suits them.

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 have done in the past because I read comments on the threads and assumed that DOA members en-masse deemed selling your doll to be some kind of treasonous act, I felt that I had to explain myself... but I've been here longer now and realise that there are just as many, like me, who think that these very expensive pieces of plastic need to deliver on the promise of the website photos or they need to find a new home.

So many of us never get the luxury of seeing these dolls in real life before we buy, and with some less popular sculpts it's often hard to track down good owner photos, so each buy is a risk. One doll I fell in love with last year, looked just like the website photos, looked just like all the (standing) owner photos I'd seen too, BUT, she couldn't sit! I'm sorry, but I just paid more than £300 for a doll that cannot sit because of the way the hip/knee joints were engineered? Huh? None of the owners on the threads had mentioned that fact, probably because it didn't bother them at all. It bothered me big time, and yes, I sold her on to someone who I made sure knew all about this curious defect.

Do you think that adding a personal story will encourage buyers?
Hhhmmm, I don't know. Some people are very sentimental about possessions and so maybe a story could sway them. I don't really care why someone wants to sell as long as they are honest about the condition of the doll in question. I don't mind even if they are selling them because they bought too many dolls and now can't pay their bills or whatever, that's their business. It's a simple transaction, they have something I want, I buy it... if they had bonded or whatever, then I wouldn't be getting the doll I want.

For buyers:
Does it matter whether or not a seller lists their reasons for selling?
No - as above - unless, like in my example, there is some kind of fault or design peculiarity, then I think the seller must mention this. I would rather hear less about the seller's emotional connection to the doll and more about whether it's bright yellow or not.

Do you want to hear why a doll is not working out for the seller?
Nope

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 assume that a seller with a sob story is necessarily trying to pull a fast one or manipulate prospective buyers, they may genuinely regret having to sell the doll. Sh*t happens as they say, and it can happen to anyone so why should I judge them?

 

I recently put one up for sale, but it was just a body that I could rebuy later. Sold him for retail price, plus shipping. I needed money for a bill, and he was snatched up since a pkf body alone seems rare. I even told the buyer why I was selling. If I needed money, I rather sell a body than a whole doll...bodies are easier to replace.

 

I agree with this- I couldn't have put it better.

 

I'm sorry, that part I found horribly judgmental and offensive. People hit hard times. Things happen suddenly, and often without any warning. I, myself, bought two dolls. Perfectly content to wait months for them--then, without much warning, I'm in the middle of a move! RIGHT when they ship!

Just because someone is selling a doll, doesn't mean they are childish or careless with their budgeting. Medical emergencies can't be forseen, and in this economy, and with many employers downsizing.. Shit happens. I would rather sell off a recent acquisition, than one of my favorites.


Vonbonbon sums up most of my feelings on this.

 

Why do you feel there is a need to explain the reason for selling a doll?

I just recently listed one of my dolls for sale for the first time. I did include a reason for why I am selling her, but I didn't feel that I needed to - I simply felt that some people may want to know why I am selling her after 7 years. However, if my reasons were more personal (for example, needing money for bills, etc.), I wouldn't have included a reason at all, because it has absolutely nothing to do with the doll or how I feel about her.


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?

Absolutely not. I don't feel I need to justify a sale or a purchase to anyone but myself. But, like I mentioned above, if my reasons for the sale somehow relate to the doll itself or how I feel about her, I will include them in my listing.


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 at all. Times change, tastes change - it's as simple as that. This is a hobby, and as such, should be fun and enjoyable. If I cannot enjoy a doll fully, then I will sell her to someone who will appreciate her more than I do. A doll should be played with and loved, not sit around neglected.


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

No. I think that an accurate and thorough representation of the doll is what buyers look for in a listing first and foremost.


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

I will not make a decision to buy a doll based on the seller's reasons - information about the doll itself is what's important.


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

I don't mind either way. If a seller chooses to include that information, then I'll certainly read it and appreciate the openness.


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?

Reasons for the sale do not influence my decision to buy, but, that doesn't mean that I think the seller just wants a quick sale by including that information. Sure, there may be people out there who will use a sentimental story to try and lure in buyers, but I like to assume that people's intentions are good, until proven otherwise.

 

Arg, sorry, I didn't mean to come across like a jerk! I was thinking specifically of a person I saw in the Marketplace sometime this week who was selling multiple new-ish dolls because s/he "couldn't help [her/him]self" buying them and now was unable to make the month's rent. I can totally totally understand "I must sell because my pet has mounting vet bills" or "Laid off from job, need to eat" kinds of reasons, but it was that person whose reason for selling was just so... arg!! As a "plan ahead and budget like mad" kind of person, that seems so flippant that it makes me headdesk!

And I apologize that I offended you with that comment; it wasn't my intention to sound privileged or snooty-- it was just a remark I hadn't quite thought through, and executed poorly.

 

Thanks for the clarification! (I myself did some major commissioning to pay for vet bills! *laughs* Eerie comparison!) But yeah. I've been in the 'OHCRAP!' camp so many times. Right after ordering my two dolls... I broke my leg and knee, and was on unpaid med-leave for months! It was one of those: "Man, I wish I had that $1000 back right now.."

And a lot of people do that. They buy a doll, and then some other emergency thing comes up and they may VERY well be short of rent. It happens to everyone, at least one point in their life.

 

You know how you can remember every cringe-worthy detail of the worst books you've read (get me on "Tender Morsels" sometime!) or movies you've seen, but it's the good ones that you can only vaguely recall? That's how it was with that person on the marketplace, to me.

Ouch, I hope your knee+leg are doing fine for you now! And thanks for replying-- I really hadn't meant to offend anyone with it.

 

Reasons for selling a doll does not matter to me, but I think I do like to hear why. Not in great detail, even if its a 'its not working out' or 'need the money' sometimes that touch of a personal story will make me be able to communicate with the seller better, as it can be useful. If they need the money for example, working out payment or layaway dates that would suit them. If its simply because its not working out then I can reassure them how much Im looking forward to owning them. Its not essential to know, but I think its nice to hear why.
As a seller I state why Im selling because I want to reassure anyone thinking of buying. If I say I have no sentimental bonds to the doll...need the money...saving for a 'grail' doll I think thats reassuring someone I wont back out of selling. If I say I have just got my grail doll, dont need the money urgently...that appeals to someone who could only afford a long layaway if theyre a bit unsure of asking.
The marketplace is very specific now though, all questions are answered in the forms but I will state my reason why Im selling, its something you can also talk about with the possible buyer too, a bit of a PM conversation starter

 

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

I think it's more for the seller themselves than for the buyer, to help them cope and rationalize things. I don't think there is a need to, as everyone feels a certain way about the process, but in my case it certainly did help.

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?

Eh...kinda, but as mentioned above it's more for me then it is for the potential buyer. It took lot of thought and time for me to buy my doll so giving her up is hard. But if we aren't bonding and there is another doll that I want more and feel I can bond better with, and there is, I just need to see it some where to help me cope with giving my girl up.

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

Nope. I don't see why anyone would think I'm a bad person at all for giving up my doll if I didn't give a reason.

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

All depends on the person. Me personally it does encourage me more but if I don't have the money to buy a doll even if I do want him/her then it's just not going to happen, doesn't matter how touched I am. From a seller standpoint though while I do think it would help I'm certainly not going to come up with one in an attempt to make a sale.


For buyers:

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

Nope, not really. If they do great, if they don't, well, again, great. That's their decision.

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

Kinda, yeah. If they don't provide one them I'm curious, but that certainly won't keep me from buying if I have the money and I want the doll badly enough.

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?

This really depends on a variety of factors. If a person needs the money because of school, bills, etc I don't see that as a way to get a fast sale or attention, I see that as them needing help. If the reason is stated and it isn't something dire then I'm still not going to think that they're just trying to make a quick sale.

 

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

Not for me, no. I don't really want to know and I don't care. If they feel the need to justify selling their dolls, that's not going to stop me from buying it or anything, but it's just not something I pay any attention to.

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

No. Like I said, it doesn't bother me if they do say, but I'm probably not going to give it a second thought after reading it.
I'd rather know about the doll's physical issues like the yellowing or if different parts were purchased at different times or any physical flaws..

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?

It's not going to make any difference to me what so ever most of the time. I appreciate when people stick to the facts, but it's not going to stop me from buying a doll if they don't. I just don't care one way or the other. I'm just interested in getting a doll I want.

It does kind of bother me when people call the doll they're selling by the name they gave it... I'd feel weird about buying a doll because it would seem like they want the doll they're selling to stay the same character. Now.. I know this isn't the case. It's just the impression it gives me and I find it a little off putting. I'm not going to keep their character and I try to put out of my mind that it was someone else before it became my character, you know?

 

I would have to say that for me the quality of the communication between buyer and seller is important. Yes, efficiency is important, but if the exchange is too cut and dried, impersonal, or mercenary I find myself feeling less satisfied with my purchasing experience. If I know A LITTLE about the reasons (not a life saga) it helps me feel a connection to the buyer that, for me, fosters an atmosphere of good faith, mutual benefit, and trust. Maybe it is partially a regional or cultural preference (I am a southerner) and I never judge others who seem to prefer a more Spartan, no frills approach, but I simply find that I enjoy purchasing and receiving a doll more with a little back story. I understand the disappointment of a failure to bond; i know how one's doll preferences evolve over time. These reasons increase my connection to the seller and increase my comfort level. TMI can
definitely turn this plus into a minus, particularly when there is an edge of desperation - I can end up feeling sad and concerned about the transaction. Like so much in life, it seems to me that balance, moderation, and common sense are the keys.

 

I can understand bonding issues, but I don't want to hear a song and dance about how you got into the financial situation you're in. That's way too personal for me, and if I read a story about it, I'd feel uncomfortable. I'm not there to buy stories; I'm there to buy dolls. It doesn't matter how sad a story I'm being told, it's not going to make me buy a doll that's being sold for way too much for the condition it's in. It might not make me buy a doll at all.

It also can signal to me that this doll may or may not be up for sale much longer, i.e., the seller isn't actually ready to part with the doll, and might back out even if I'm 1/2 way done paying for it. Hearing a story like that signals that the owner is still emotionally attached to the doll, and I'd worry that this person might flake because they really weren't ready to put their doll up yet.

 

I've lost my job, I need money for bills etc tend to be accompanied by "oh, I wish I didn't have to sell him/her" and the price is usually higher, probably because of a reluctance to sell. I would have to be exceedingly desperate for the sculpt to want to purchase that doll. It usually puts me off the sale. I always see it as a sign that the seller isn't willing to negotiate. When I go to sell, it's usually from a desire to cull the herd and see what other sculpts are out there. I regularly change over my collection for that reason alone. I don't tend to put that reason down because I'm sure it would tend to offend the people who view their dolls as children (although perhaps they'd want to rescue mine from my uncaring hands). Usually I just stick with the "we're not bonding reason" or "I just don't do anything with her" both of which tend to be true. I like to give a simple reason which explains why I'm selling and indicates that I don't have any emotional attachment to her. I've had people say they were going to turn girl heads into boy heads etc and I'm just interested to see what the doll looks like when they're done.

 

I guess for me, I like to see a little bit of a reason, but it doesn't matter what the reason is. When I look through the market place and I see something I like but the seller gives no reason as to why they're selling it, I have to wonder why, like Pinksugar said - it makes me think "what's wrong with it?". Is there some weird crazy-leg syndrome it has? Does it flop about and refuse to pose? Is the head sculpt totally bizarre from a certain angle? Or were you just not able to bond, or it didn't look like the company picture? Giving a short, honest reason why tells me that the seller is disclosing the information about their doll, not trying to hide/not mention some weird flaw.

 

I don't think so, although some dolls are hard for people to sell so I know they will want them to go to a good home.
I sold one I didn't bond with, the sales thread was very basic. I didn't care what happend to the doll once the owner had it, they could sand off her face or make her a boy. Another doll I sold I noticed I'd made more of an effort to let potential buyers know she's come from a loving home and was very well cared for and I'd hope she could find someone to love her.
I don't regret either of the sales, I got a new doll I adore and a body for my other doll who had been a floating head for way too long.

I think you really have to know in your heart of hearts it's not right between you when you sell a doll, I really wanted the second doll to make someone else happy and have the attention she always deserved. I'm happy I sold both.