The sold out dolls

Missing LEs is just kind of a way of life in this hobby (or any collectible hobby, really). The Soom LEs occasionally reappear, but they won't reappear in the same form as the original MD version (different skintone, maybe human version only, something like that). If you keep an eye on the Company News subforum, you'll see just about every new doll announced as it's released. In general, though, it's safe to assume that if a sold-out doll is a limited it's not coming back. Sometimes they do, but you certainly can't count on it. Some companies only sell during certain order periods, and their dolls are marked "sold out" the rest of the time. In those cases you just need to keep an eye on the website for the announcement about the next order period.

It's worth noting, though, that just because a limited is sold out doesn't mean it's impossible for you to get it in the future. It just depends on how much time, effort, and money you're willing to invest in getting the doll secondhand.

 

Many companies have fixed moments where they release their LE's. Volks have their Dollpa's (Doll Parties), Soom release a new limited every month or so etc. etc. If you want to keep track of what's going on in the hobby, I suggest you check the news section here on DoA. You could also visit your favorite companies frequently, because they will put up notices if something new is about to happen.

This. "Sold out" only means that a doll is no longer available on the company's website. But if you search the marketplace and you put some effort into finding it, most LE's will eventually turn up. Most of the dolls I own are LE's that were since long sold out, but I've got them anyway. It's by far impossible .

 

Most sold out dolls can be found on the secondhand market. All it requires is patience and research on your part once you decide which doll you want and your budget for the doll.

 

Once you gain MP access, you'll be able to browse there for that doll you pine for but is sold out on the company site. It may take a while, but if you seriously stalk the MP, you may get lucky. You can also post a want-to-buy thread if there is that one doll that you absolutely NEED to have yet haven't seen listed. That's no guarantee you'll get it, but somebody may see it who wants to sell what you're looking for. You can also sometimes cobble together a specific doll over time by buying various parts for it off the MP if the full doll isn't available in the MP right when you're looking (for example... Soom Chalco head from person A today, Chalco fantasy parts from person B next month and a body from person C a few weeks later).

Patience is going to be required though to get what you want, something you will become VERY familiar with as you get deeper into this hobby. Even when ordering direct from the company for a brand new doll, wait times vary all over the place with some as little as 6 weeks and others as long as 5 months (or even more).

 

In addition to what's already been said...sometimes it's a good thing when a doll you like is sold out. Sometimes I've missed out on a doll, or been on the fence and then regretted not ordering, only for another limited doll I like even more to be released not long afterwards, and I can afford it because I didn't buy the other doll instead. There are so many companies producing so many different dolls now that there's bound to be another one you like sooner or later, and for the sold-outs you absolutely must have, most can be tracked down second hand.

 

While you're waiting for Marketplace access, you can always scour eBay-- there are the most amazing finds on there sometimes.

Once you get MP access, you don't have to just search all the threads every day.... You can put up your own WTB thread (bump it daily), and then put a nice visible WTB link in your signature. You would be surprised at the things that come to you that way. I have gotten some of those sold-out-LE Soom clothes that way; I never ever thought I'd find it, but then a seller saw my sig & just dropped into my lap. (People who are trying hard to sell something, they notice WTB sigs.)

Also: In some cases, the company will re-release that limited, or re-release that doll in another edition, and you can try to pounce on it then. (Soom does that quite a bit these days.)

If a company has a newsletter you can subscribe to, definitely do that... And get into the habit of checking DOA's News threads. But I find the best thing is to subscribe to that company/doll's Discussion thread, which will be chockfull of vigilant people who can help you out. They report news as it happens, and sometimes they even report when a doll has been seen on eBay, so you can get tips there. This community can amaze you, if you rely on it. Like in the Volks thread, jeez, there are people all around the world who find stuff out before it's even online, and somebody is always piping up with a tidbit of "this just in..." news.

Falling in love with a limited or artist-doll that's been sold out long before you get to see it, it does make you sigh!... But in this scene, very few things are truly impossible, if you put in a little effort & have lots of patience.

 

I have wondered the same thing about some of the sold-out/no longer available dolls I've seen---- these answers were really useful for me too.

 

If you look on Ebay be VERY careful. LE's have been known to often be recast and sold on ebay and other websites. So if the price and listing are too good to be true, then it probably is. I would also check the forums for people you shouldnt buy from as well because you dont want to end up having a bad transaction. Other than that, just be smart about your purchases and do your research. Eventually the doll you want might become available :]

 

Eloni: I can so relate to your plight! I've been trying to find a doll that could cosplay The Doctor, and found a perfect one, Dexter from Iplehouse. In the five minutes I discussed him with my hubby, he sold out! All we can do is keep on truckin'! Good luck finding that Perfect Doll!

 

@ Raven Winterhawke: Dexter will be available soon again in the regular Iplehouse-lineup. As soon as they have finished redesigning the EID male Body! So don't worry, just start to save money.

 

@ Raven Winterhawke: Dexter will be available soon again in the regular Iplehouse-lineup. As soon as they have finished redesigning the EID male Body! So don't worry, just start to save money. This is what I am talking about: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iplehouse_doll/8724536273/

 

That is great news! I may still need to do a layaway on hm.

 

Do these sold out dolls ever reappear?
Sometimes they do reappear. Companies might offer sales of dolls that didn't sell. Or the doll is reissued as a basic. Or the doll is reissued in slightly different form--different skin tone or with different parts or outfits. AND there is always the Marketplace, ebay, other doll sales places--where you can find MANY limiteds for sale by owners. Even the rarest dolls CAN be found. I've seen it happen time and again. You do need to be patient and very motivated to check everything every day... and pursue all possibilities. But it can be done. I've bought a number of limited dolls on the Marketplace.

How do you guys keep track of all these LE dolls that are only available for a month or so and them disappear forever?
Easy. Check DoA News, check BJDcollectasy, check news on other forums, sign up for company emails... I still may miss a few sales periods, but that is pretty rare.

They seem to pop out everywhere, and all of a sudden, they are gone. And many of these companies don't seem to have mailing lists that inform you of new items.
Yes, the sales periods come and go quickly. BJD buying is not an easy thing! (It can be, if you buy basics or second-hand, though.) For sales periods--you really need to check in on all the news places I mentioned above... daily or every other day. For finding limiteds on the Marketplace or other sites--you have to check early and often, because if it's a decent price for a rare doll, they go quickly.

For both second-hand sales and limited sales periods, you should have funds you have saved up ready. This is also not easy to do. Many times you can do a layaway, but sometimes you can't... so if you have a doll you are hunting for, you need to plan ahead, money-wise!

Companies DO have email lists. I get them from a number of companies and stores/sellers. Usually you are automatically put on a list if you buy from them OR sign up with the company--they need your email, basically, and if you give it, they often will put you on a mailing list. But it's true that not everyone does this. It's really best to keep checking for News! And maybe also in the discussion for dolls from specific companies.

It's harder to know where to look for what if you're a newbie. But if you continue to check DoA and read up on things and ask people questions, it'll get much easier!

 

*Flails!*

'Cuz...ya know how it is when that happens. I missed out on Ringdoll Frankenstein the first go-round. Not this time though. Even if he is a little different, I'm getting him.

I was so bummed to have missed that guy. But now he's coming back for a re-release...and I am scrimping and saving for a full set! xD

And...I'm going to cry because I really wanted one of he New Doll Chateau fullsets. I think it was Dolores...TnT....But I can only get one doll at the moment. And that is Frankenstein. I see a fair amount of Doll Chateau dolls on the MP...which makes it hard for me to save...LOL I would buy them in an instant if I had the funds. Beats waiting for your doll from a company.

I scour the MP A LOT. There is so much there that I am confident that sooner or later I will come across something I have been wanting.

 

Oh... Soom. *sigh* I have missed several LE's that I really loved, so now I stalk that site daily waiting for them to release another love. LOL. All of their limited editions and waiting for releases.... I think they want to drive me crazy. LOL D:

Like others have said, try the MP once you have access. Otherwise, you can join me in the waiting game.... (where it's lonely and super frustrating. LOL)

 

I recently bought a doll that is not only sold out, but the company went out of business several years ago as well. I've been looking for this doll at a good price for about five years. It does happen and more often than you might think. There are lots of collectors who like to have the latest and most popular dolls, or their tastes or circumstances change over the years and they sell often. I know several collectors personally who seem to get tired of their dolls and sell them when they want to buy new ones, even changing their whole collection once or twice a year. There is nothing wrong with this kind of collecting; it means that LE dolls come up all the time for sale and people like me can snap them up.

 

-sigh- I know this feel!
But it doesn't happen to me that often anymore. Every so often I go on doll sites and check for events and whatnot. But I usually go on bjdcollectasy and check the company events that are happening or are going to be happening. It's pretty rad.

 

I know how that feels... Finding a beautiful doll only to also find out it is already sold out... What I usually do is to just keep myself updated on the companies that I like so I won't miss anymore dolls I might want.

 

I'm so glad I saw this thread! This seems to happen to me on a daily basis. The answers are very very helpful. Now I know what to do not to miss any more.