The Buying Experience: In-Person vs Internet

I'd rather buy online. It's in some way easier : )

 

I prefer buying in person, and in person, I mean at Denver Doll, since it's not that far from me >>'

I can see the quality of the doll, shape, etc, versus online. And you better believe I do tones of research, which means going on the database here or flicker to decide what brand and then pop down in person to see the doll. Also seeing dolls at conventions helps a lot, too.

 

I like shopping online. Infact I'm one of those who would go out and window shop, check out the product, colour and size,then come home to think about it. And then I'll make an online purchase and get it delivered to me.

 

I would love to see a store open somewhere I could get to regularly, and there definitely would be a certain comfort in being able to see these beauties up close before laying hands on one. Admittedly, that also has a higher risk for the impulse buy, but hey, checks and balances and all that.
But one thing about internet sales that seems often unconsidered when being compared to the store-in-town is a big part (in my opinion anyway) of the Culture and community of BJDs: The box opening. This is my FAVORITE part of buying a doll. for some it's a ceremony, for some it's the perfect opportunity and excuse to pull out alll the other dolls and make a photostory, and for others still it's that Christmas-like feeling of ripping into something that's special and only for you.
As nice as it would be to be able to walk in and say "he's mine now!" and walk out with him... There's just something to the internet order and ship scheme going on here.

Now, Wigs, eyes, clothes, accessories... I DEFINITELY prefer a brick and mortar store. That's probably why every year I go to the Volks store, I at least buy something, even if I have a really hard time justifying it, or it's just wig spray or something.

 

I personally think Volks has it right in having both in-person stores as well as internet access for those of us who aren’t living anywhere near one of their stores (though, personally, I don’t care much for Volks itself.) It just makes good business sense for a company as large as them to have both. However, considering how many companies are out there, with new ones cropping up every year, there isn’t any way for everyone to have a physical store. In fact, it would make no sense for the smaller companies to even open a physical store, even in a large metropolis. The cost of renting a building, managing the store, and paying for employees would greatly out way any possible gains from selling their merchandise. We, the doll enthusiasts, are simply too spread out for something like that to be viable. Same thing for store-only companies. It just doesn’t make good sense. Online is likely the only way many of us have access to their shops.

As for being able to see, touch, and compare the dolls/accessories, I think having each company set up a booth at conventions is the best way to go. That way, those of us who are close enough to attend can, we can window shop, and then we can go home and order whatever struck our fancy. In fact, an argument could be made that this is the preferable way to go as a convention would be a great place to compare not just the merchandise of one company, but company vs company as well, which is something that’s a little harder to do outside of requesting pics from our fellow DenofAngels worshipers. You can also get a feel for the companies employees better at a Con than over the ‘net.

Now, personally, I don’t care about the companies themselves so long as their dolls are what they advertise and they don’t try to screw me if something goes sideways during order/delivery. There is a reason I deal with a third party. DDE is, in my opinion, the way to go. I love the workers there. They were nice, understanding, and, when DZ sent me the wrong order, they were the ones to deal with the fall out, not me. Dealing with the actual companies themselves, those who make and sell the dolls themselves, would probably turn me into a service wreck. On the one hand, I want what I ordered, on the other, I don’t want to offend the person making said order. Does that make sense?

On another note, I agree with those who point out that DenofAngels creates the wonderful middle ground needed for us all to keep our minds during the wait between order and arrival.

 

I think companies should value both types of customers, a lot of their customer base is online especially when it comes to other countries. Sometimes I feel companies don't value online customers as much as they do with their customers who could buy in person. Volks is a big company that I feel would be best done in person, you can walk into the store and choose every part you want (their FCS) that is 100 percent your doll.

Also, when buying a doll in person you can go directly to the store and see the doll itself, not like in pictures. When you see something up close as apposed to in pictures you can really see what the doll looks like, sometimes companies will enhance or photoshop pictures and plaster them all over the website. I don't mind looking at pretty pictures but being able to see the doll without an enhanced photo is much more beneficial and you have a better idea of what you'll receive. I also feel that it's better to buy in person because online you don't know what you'll end up getting, like if you purchase from ebay.

 

I live in Colorado Springs, so I have the convenience of living about an hour's drive from DDE. I went there for the first time yesterday, and let me tell you, it definitely confirmed for me, seeing the dolls in person, which ones I'd love to have and which ones to pass on. It helped me confirm that DZs really are as nice as they look in pictures, and that Pukipukis, while very cute (and I did squee over the dark Rose they let me play with), aren't quite my thing. Also that price doesn't mean everything, because the BBBs I saw were quite nice as well (and indeed, as I've heard, their resin is buttery smooth) And heck, I'm still silently squeeing over a DZ Zhuwei I saw there, who looks absolutely nothing like she does in the company pics LOL

 

She is one of three people at the convention who sell dolls.
I know Bead Girl, I think that is correct, sells Bobobie at the convention, the other lady Raven something and I am so terribly irritated that I cannot remember her name sells Obitsu and the neo dolls and accessories, and I have tend to have around 5 companies of ball jointed dolls for sale when I am at the conventions.

I always thought that seeing the doll in person was important so that you know exactly if it's right for you etc.
The dolls on the site are often prettier in person once you see them up close.
It also gives you the ability to try on clothing, wigs, eyes, and shoes as well.

 

Acually, as impatient as I get, I do quite enjoy waiting for a doll to arrive. As for box openings, they are probably the most exciting things ever. xP Although I guess you could still be having a box opening if you bought from a shop... But would it feel the same? Anway.. Although the concept of going out to town and coming back with a doll in one day seems like an awesome idea (but still totally crazy. I almost can't imagine it, haha), I don't mind waiting too much. Also, I might be prone to buying more things if it were that simple... However, when it comes to clothes and accessories, I love to see them in real life, so I'd probably prefer that more, even if it did make me spend more money. It's just more convenient and I'd be able to feel the quality in real life, etc.

 

Hrm. I had a great experience buying Renny online, even though I've never seen her sculpt in person before. That said, for most of the purchases I'm planning for in the future, I've been going to doll meets to try to find people with those sculpts or at least similar ones. That way I can see if they're actually what I want or not...

So I guess it'd be great if more places opened up physical locations, but until that happens, I'm just fine only buying over the internet. I wouldn't want to spend my money on going to a Dolpa when I could save up that travel fund and use it on a doll or two.

 

Mmmm... see it on-line & buy it in person it´s the best way for me

 

I would LOVE to be able to go to a physical location and get a the "full" experience of buying a doll. Seeing things in person and viewing online are so very different. Although I would probably end up spending way way WAAAY more if there was a physical location I could go to to get my fix. But at the same time, I really enjoy online shopping too and being able to spend as much time as I want researching and umming and ahhhing over things. Both experiences are valuable and I appreciate companies who value their online customers (since there is no way for me to ever visit a physical store ).

 

I think the best type would be Internet+In store. For me, I would love to go to the store myself. However, due to the lack of transportation and obviously the lack of money, I have to save up money and buy online. I think that buying in store gives you a better experience and can help you choose certain parts and such (like the FCS in Volks). It's very important that the buyer is able to know what is happening. Customer service should also be good or else the customers will get angry/lose interest.

 

Mmm...
I really like to buy things online, but I'll rather to go and check if the doll really is the one for me (then I'll order it online, LOL).
I don't know... I think I'll go crazy if I go to a doll store.
Mmm... Yeah... I would like to have both options

 

I love being able to see things in person. I got my first doll in person and I love him so much. I got to hold him and look at him before buying him, which was wonderful. However, I bought my second doll online, and...I just don't like him very much. I wish I could have seen him before deciding to buy him.
So yeah, I would love to have a physical store, though that's unrealistic...

 

I would much rather buy a doll in person - unfortunately that's not usually an option. Many times on the internet I see a doll that I like but there is only one or two pictures of it - that doesn't work for me. I like to see a lot of pictures from all angles so I can judge what the doll actually looks like. I once drove six hours to see a doll that I wanted to buy in a catalog only to actually hate her face!

 

I like buying in-store because you get to really see up close what you're getting. And I like hanging around the store because it's a nice atmosphere. But... the selection of what's in the store can be really small, since you are limited only to a particular brand and what's in stock. If I want a particular thing (like a certain type of wig or clothes), I'm more likely to find it on the internet where I can search a ton of companies. So for me it depends on whether I want to browse/inspect, or whether I want to comb through a ton of possibilities.

 

If you had a choice, would you prefer to buy dolls in-person or over the internet? Which type of buying experience do you feel is better and why? While some aspects of buying in-person sounds preferable such as being able to actually see the doll in person, I really like the convenience of buying on the internet. That way, I can browse company websites at my leisure and not feel pressured out. I also don't have to deal with other people--sometimes I'm really shy.

Which is most important to you: accessibility, quality buying experience or the product? In your opinion, can you have one without the other? Is the buying experience a part of the product or should it be? I think the product is the most important because ultimately that is what you paid for. It would be ideal to have a wonderful buying experience so that you want to buy more and be a return customer.

Which company-type (NOT company) do you think is best: internet only, internet and in-person or in-person only? Why? I think that all three of these options have their good points and bad. In-person, you can ask a lot of questions and get immediate answers. Internet--you can shop 24/7.

 

Maybe it's because I'm a social awkward turtle, but I'd much rather buy something online rather than in person. When I was in Taiwan, I went into a store that displayed and sold some BJDs, and I was really intimidated by being in there. There's a lot more pressure to purchase something rather than being online at home and being able to think through before plunging in and making the purchase. But on the flip side, I also love to see the item in question in person before buying it. Often when I shop for something non-dolly related (such as my own clothing or accessories) I sometimes like to try/look at the item in store and then going online at home to see if I can get it at a better price.

 

I would love to buy dolls in person and socialize with owners, but unfortunately I don't have much of a way to get around. I would love to go to conventions and doplas and the like, but alas I cannot so it's the internet for me!