Should you only buy BJD's from well established companies and avoid new ones?

In the past I have bought dolls from new companies. I only once had an issue, and that wasn't with the company itself, but a dealer. Anymore, the dolls I have and hope to purchase in the future are from a few well established companies. This has less to do with a sense of safety, and more with trying to keep my doll family coherent and have some limits on my buying.

It is true that well established companies will have more feedback, more owner pics, etc. If you are really concerned, then you can always wait and see if anybody else buys from the newer company and posts pics or a review (box opening pics can be very helpful in these instances). If it was a doll I was just dying to have, being new wouldn't stop me, but everyone is different. It really depends on what you're comfortable with.

 

Just something to think about: If you (= general you) don't buy from new companies, however will they manage to become established companies? If nobody ever bought from a new company, Soom, Iplehouse, DoD, Luts, etc would all still be new companies and probably, not exist anymore.

 

I buy from whichever company has the sculpts I like, it doesn't matter if they're old or new. As a matter of fact, my first doll came from a practically unknown at the time company too since he just had to make me fall in love... so, yes, it doesn't bother me...

 

I would get a doll from any company who I could see was legitimate. I would love to see more new companies Im always after more options

 

I'm an extremely cautious person, and I would never dare to buy a doll from a new company. I might buy something a little less expensive, clothes, eyes, other accessories, or whatever, but to be comletely honest I probably wouldn't do that either... But I'm glad people take the risk, because the new companies need these brave souls.
And I don't only buy from the really big ones, either (except I don't know all that many small ones), I just prefer it if they have a few reviews.

 

Good question..... Someone always has to be the first to buy, however I'm not sure I would be willing to risk it.

 

This is an interesting question. Feedback has to start somewhere and someone has to take the plunge and become a new company's first customer, don't they?

I am very unlikely to buy a doll from a new company because I've found what I like in existing companies and I very much like having a cohesive 'look' across all of my collection, I also prefer to keep my collection fairly small and manageable.

My dolls all look different, but there is a common style across all of them that makes them look right together. A company would have to be bringing out something exceptionally nice or something that fits very well with the style of my current dolls for me to even be interested, whether they're a new company or an established one.

 

I've bought from very new companies or independant artists several times, and I haven't had any major problems. I very much enjoy the variety we have today in the BJD world with all the new companies springing up, and I feel it's important to encourage this. Usally I will buy just a head, rather then whole doll, as I sort of risk $120-150 but absoultley can't afford to lose 600-800+.

When I purchased doll from new company RA.ON, I paid an extra $50.00 for utherane eyes which were not included in the package. They promised to send me another pair, and I chased them up a few times about it, but now a year on since I purchased the doll and I don't think i will actually be getting them. This is pretty bad, but at least eveythring else about the doll/clothes were beautifully made and arrived in a timely fashion.

I was part of the mix up with Narin/Doll fair two years ago, and almost didn't get my order - when I did it was almost a year after I made the payment. They were a very well known and had been selling dolls for years, so it goes to show that you are not always safe, even with well established companies.

 

If the new company made doll I really liked, and it was an LE or something where I couldn't wait for reviews on their dolls or service, I would take the plunge. I don't mind having a varied doll family. They don't have to be similar in aesthetic style so that's not really an issue for me.

 

To date, I've really only bought from well-established companies, or (more often) second hand. However, if a less-known company had what I wanted, I would take the chance. How else will they grow?

 

I think you should use good judgement when buying from a newer company, but none would become established if no one bought from them when they were new.
However, if you have never ordered something as large as a BJD overseas and are not sure of or comfortable with the process, perhaps it would be best to go with a more established company or dealer.

 

I remember back when Ariadoll had just opened and people were like "oh pretty - hmm, should I order?" and I was one of these people. I'm actually not much of a risk taker but still I couldn't resist because I found myself going back to one doll's page to ogle about 2 or 3 times a day and after a month or two of doing so I finally did it and ordered. I wasn't disappointed, my Aria is easily my most beloved doll, even after all this time.

In hind side I must say I trusted them more then I'd trust an established company with awful communication/wait times/etc..

 

It's really a matter of opinion. If I like the sculpt from the company it doesn't bother me if the company is well established or old. Anyone feel the same

 

If i love mold, then isnt matter how old company is or how many owner picture found internet. Example Dikadoll Autumn, spring i known 2 dolls and now event time there is 5 more . Its nice have own collection different factory dolls.

 

I think buying from new companies has gotten much more easier to trust after paypal transactions has become the norm. However, even with that things such as credability of the artist (Ex: If the artist was a formal known artist at a diff company) and the company having proof that it's a real company (Such as putting their business up on DOA) is important too.

 

It's certainly up to the individual, but I haven't seen any reason to avoid smaller companies, particularly if I've seen evidence that they do indeed send out good-quality dolls to those who've purchased from them. I have a few dolls from smaller companies hanging around here, along with several from larger companies.

But even the larger companies were small and new once, and someone has to be willing to take the chance on them to help them build up to a larger, more popular company. On top of that, it often seems like the larger companies have more issues than the smaller ones.

Of course, there's a risk with any company (Felixdoll, Oakbottom dolls, most recently April Story), established or not; particularly with the processing times (which typically exceed the time for a Paypal chargeback), we take a risk every time we order, no matter whether the company appeared years ago or yesterday. It's just another part of the hobby.

 

I tend to have a habit of buying dolls from newer companies. Plus all of the well known companies out there started off as "new" at some point. Some even had a little bit of a "rusty" past before they cleaned themselves up and now have a solid name.

In any case if I like a doll enough, I'll buy it. I never hesitate to get any uncertainty addressed before I send over my money. But so far I've never had a problem and just count myself as lucky as well as doing my part as far as research, etc.

 

I think it also just depends on what you like, but I do like to look around for owner photos and reviews just to know about certain sculpts and that's very difficult for new ones.
Although, it does give you the opportunity to do these reviews and photos yourself and act as a resource for others.

 

I am happy that the majority of you would consider a new/ unknown company as i am hoping all going well i will be one of those independent new companies ... personally i think it is all about the sculpt , quality , reasonable pricing for new kids on the block , and customer service .....
Understanding what BJD collectors look for and what they expect is paramount to success of an unknown sculptor.

 

What is an 'established company' exactly? If I look at my own shop, it's been around since 2012, although I think many people have never heard of it. Am I established due to the date my company first started selling? Or am I not, due to the fact that I'm still very small?

There have been a few well known companies in the past that suddenly disappeared of the face of the earth. There is always a certain risk involved. That doesn't mean that we buyers are at the mercy of whomever. First of all, credit cards are a very safe way to buy as is buying through Paypal. Should anything happen, these two will usually make sure your money is safe.
And, of course, there are some signs you're dealing with a less than reputable seller. Websites with unsufficient and unclear terms, product information that doesn't explain well what you're going to buy exactly. Unclear, small pictures. Pictures that aren't originals (they show up in google at different websites). Inability to reach the seller. Etc. Etc.

Buying on the internet is never truly safe, but by far the majority of shops out there are honest businesses. So, if you see a sculpt you like, and you have a good feeling about the shop, go for it.