USA Volks Store?...It might happen!

Personally I wouldn't mind if they come overhere. It'll atleast make it somewhat more easier for me to get goodies.

The store will most likely be carrying mostly models. Since BJDs are not THAT well known it would be a better idea to have more models related than BJD related goods.

I seriously doubt that any celeb will get into BJD. And I seriously doubt Paris Hilton would get into it (probably scare her). I don't even think we have to worry about it.

If any celeb does have one it wouldn't make the fashion news and become the latest trend. Also why should we even give a care that a celebrity likes BJD too? It's not the end of the world.

Also I agree with the "If you stop liking it because others like it, then why did you like them before?" talk. I didn't get in this hobby to rub it in people's faces that I have a doll and that I'm special because I have one.

Like, Wee_Little_Faerie, my complaint is that Volks losing money on this venture. However since they make more the Super Dollfies and will probably have more of that stuff than BJD, they should be fine.

The store location is probably not New York, it is going to be in California (closer to Japan?) and I am 95% sure about that. Though if the Volks store turn out to be a hit they will probably open a second one, which I figure would be in New York. So if they do open a store in the US we should all clean them out periodically so they can open up in New York (if they decided if the get another store and it'll be located there) for everyone on the East Coast.

Though secertly, I would love if they will do FCS if they get a US store.

-Jyuni

 

Exactly! That is our mission!! When Volks opens up, BUY BUY BUY! Support teh Volks!

 

Hm I never thought of that - they might not carry much SD stuff at all, they might just carry some accessories, and do their models instead. HMMMM.... I see everyone's point of view, and can't quite decide what to think! Paris with a SD... **shudder** aack.

Somebody told me (or I read it somewhere, I can't remember) that they thought the day would NEVER come that they do FCS overseas, nor online. They feel it's too personal.

It will be interesting to see what happens next!

 

can you imagine being able to do that bonding ceremony (please excuse my ignorance) right here in the States? I think it's wonderful news. I would warrent that market would be better in Cali, a higher second and third generation Asian-American population would generate more business for them. Of course, there is also the reputation of having a store in New York. I of course would prefer NYC since I live there. . . and if BJD do become very popular in the US, that's okay with me. I am not an anti-trendster, and I don't do things or don't do things based on how other people feel about them. If Paris Hilton wants a BJD, that's her business. Don't want to see it, don't watch mTV. If celebs really wanted one, they wouldn't have to wait for a US branch, anyway, they could just fly to Japan and get one themselves. I think that is a non-issue.

I also don't see them gaining extreme popularity. They are expensive, and adult dolls are not as popular in the dolly world as child sized and baby dolls, like the Himmstedts and silicone babies. And we are talking about one store, not a mass distribution. I also doubt there will be oodles of knock offs cropping up, and in all fairness, isn't that what Luts, DoD, Custom House, etc, are? It doesn't seem reasonable to compare BJD to other doll collecting, because the demographic is very different, but at the root, that is exactly what we are: doll collectors. And honestly, all the people in the doll collecting world face the same scrutiny. So all the people who think we're weird when tell them about BJD will still think we're weird even if there is a US branch and Mary Kate and Ashley come out with their own BJD clothing line. (kidding!)

Of course there will be media attention initially, but after a few months, I think the novelty will wear off for most people. And think, if BJD did become more popular, we would be able to find more clothes, wigs, shoes, etc at competitive prices.

 

...I've got mixed feelings about this, but mostly excited. XD

 

The high prices for BJDs will not stop them from becomming popular-- look at manga. Still very popular, even though, to me, it's more expensive than BJDs: one volume for 15 dollars, and thirteen volumes in one series. Not to mention you can go through that one fifteen dollar book in about forty five minutes. My friends have each spent more or less the cost of a BJD or two on their collections, but for the most part their books collect dust on a shelf.

Look at i-pods, HUGE fad. You can get better and cheaper mp3 players, but mom and dad have to spend an extra hundred or two on the stylish ones.

These are friends that have 70-100k incomes, own houses, and have two working parents. I have one working parent with 50k income, and we live in a condo. They see me as affluent, because I have a $500 doll. But while they're getting a $25 manga book or video game every week or two, I'm saving that money, and earning a bit more because I'm cleaning most of the house every week.

I'd hate to see them become popular, and not because I automatically go contrary to what is popular: I know these dolls exist because they are VERY desired among my anime geek friends.

A doll is just not something an adverage kid would be entertained easily by, it's something that would be bought for trend's sake. Their dolls would sit on a shelf and collect dust, forgotten in favor of the next trend. I'd hate to see these beautiful dolls taken for granted. It would make me feel better if they remained obscure.

I could never live in Japan like many of my friends want to. (If you think Americans were tightwads about Janet's boob, you should see Japan!) But one thing that I have read is that it's not uncommon to see a Japanese adult playing with a toy or reading a comic book. That's just something that the U.S. doesn't have much of... we're not playful or lighthearted at all. I don't think it's going to get popular here.

 

Well....a US store sounds interesting, but like most have said they might carry their model kits...a maybe a few Super Dollifes in the store, or they might shock us all and do a FCS but you would have to be at the store to place the order and go there to pick up when it arrives. I agree with what others have said, not every average person is going to spend $500+ for a doll like this plus the clothes and wigs eyes...etc. It will strictly be for the adult collector. Besides the hottest toys for girls in the States are those Bratz dolls and Barbie is still going strong. I want to "hear it from the horses mouth" if and when they will open a store in the States first.

 

I don't think they'll get that insanely popular over here. I mean, looking through Haute Doll magazine there are a lot of collector dolls just over here in the US alone which I have never *heard* of until I read the magazine. They seem to be expensive as well and I've never seen a five year old dragging them through the mud. But it seems that there are enough collectors to support the manufactor of these dolls and keep the companies in business.

This may be a little harse but some people's attitude towards this is ridiculous. Just because Volks MIGHT open a store in the US does not mean that all of a sudden everyone and their mother is going to own a BJD. And who honestly cares if they did?! I couldn't care less is Paris Hilton herself bought one and carried it around everywhere, my doll would never loss value to me. Because she's mine and there can be no other doll like her.

It just seems to me that it's like we (the community) don't want expansion to happen of this hobby unless it happens through DOA or the other bjd boards/groups. This isn't about being exclusive or 'elite', or least that's not why -I- became interested in BJDs.

*steps off mini-soapbox*

 

I don't think they'll become popular or mainstream. They're -dolls-. They're not functional, they don't serve any *useful* purpose like the latest iPod or the new model mobile phone. People want something they can whip out and *casually* show off, something so people can be like, "hey, check out her new Fendi bag" or etc. There's no reason to think that people will see them and be like OMG TRENDY MUST HAVE.

 

I completely agree... it's not about being exclusive... I can understand people who really care about the dolls as if they were little people getting upset at about a doll who wasn't loved... but that's just sillyness all in itself. If someone spends $800 on a doll and then realizes they don't want it, chances are it goes back to the market, because very few people want to let that kind of thing sit around and collect dust when they could sell it back.

There seems to be a lot of pretention and snobbery going on here, and it's annoying. Honestly, I'd be THRILLED to see a 5 year old dragging a BJD through the mud, because it means that doll is BEING LOVED. And isn't that really the point?

I thought it was.

 

I understand people's ambivalence about a big change like US Volks.

I first learned about, and started collecting, Gene back in 1995-96. Four dolls were available and about a dozen costumes. Websites were few and far between, and anytime I came across live photos or Gene news of any kind, I was ecstatic. Then the Gene line exploded (in the relative, dolly sense, of course), and it's true, something was lost--but I think, even though people said the doll quality suffered, that it had less to do with the dolls themselves and more to do with the inevitable change to my feelings.

The special happiness I experienced, the uniqueness of the dolls, the precious "Gene sightings," could only be possible when the doll was just starting out. The community was small, affectionate, and protective...we appreciate things a lot more when they are scarce, and we appreciate understanding hearts even more in those circumstances.

Things change. Time and growth change our relationships and they change us. A company can be careless and misguided (ahem Ashton-Drake) or they can be very careful and attentive, like Volks--but things still change. Even if Volks never moved to the US things are changing there. Volks sculpts are changing slightly. Other companies are approaching the concept with their own aesthetics.

I am a poster child for the (relative) "mainstreaming" of BJD--in that while I have some manga otakuness going on, I didn't gravitate to SD until several generations of development had occured. I didn't respond *at all* to the first SDs that I saw (like Megu and the other sister faces). I thought they were expensive, kinky toys for frustrated adult men, to be honest...ops:

But a year or two later I started seeing these amazing photographs...

And learned about CP...

And saw pictures of the Prince of Fate and fell in love with Souldoll's Paris...

Things change, but we can keep our sincerity and still have a lot of fun together. Who knows, maybe some of us will sculpt our own BJDs. That kind of development would be wonderful and very interesting.


GJ

 

I wonder if people would care so much if it was Cerberus Project or Customhouse coming to the US and not Volks...

 

Now there's food for thought :wink:

I'd say probably not since CP and CH don't have the elaborate showrooms and ceremonies that Volks has. Even if Volks did away with that stuff for their American store, I'd still like for them to open a shop in NYC.

 

It isn't a matter of caring, it's having the opportunity to seeing those dolls in person than just through photos. Personally, any of those companies wishing to open stores in the U.S are welcome to do so. I find it rather refreshing to have other choices available to us, than just typically American or reproduction dolls out there in the marketplace strip.

But before we get our hopes elevated, any of these companies will have to make sure that it's most economically feasible to them rather than to us having the shopping convenience, for example shipping, etc.. What if they open the store, will they also have some of their production operation close by or will it remain in Japan? Meaning going to the store might not ensure what you want is readily available.

On another note, even if there's a store, how many will take a trip across the country just to make a purchase at the store? Many of us will still have to use online shopping for their products.

Regardless, much luck and success to them!

 

I'm with you Ashley! Houston! Houston! LOL. I would hope for LA too...

:grin:

Lyn
8)

 

FMA is 51 episodes long. I want to get an Angel Region-glory Angel ren boy and name him wrath because i think he looks like him

on topic- i do hope its in LA because im in cali atleast twice a year...that is if it even happens. its always nice to dream.

 

*****n/a*****

 

Well... I don't mind people having bjds! they would stop giving mean looks and I already have too many mean looks on my life! (Damned school people ¬¬)
But, really, it may take america but couldn't take Brazil. Like... it is TOO expansive to brazilians. Really. Here just 10% have good money. Most people here are really poor so.... I doubt it'll become something here. Wich is sad...

I wish people could live better here. Brazil is beautiful... it could be a paradise it it wasn't our presidents, etc... they steal people's money. I hate them.

hhehehehehe I must stop complaning ^^'''

 

Same here. Unless they made it in another country than USA - Brazil. But, come on? Who the hell would open anything here? :cry:
I wish DOD could open a store here. I'd do everything to help!

 

*giggles* I actualy could live with L.A. I'd make a trip out for Volks....still..come on houston!!! :grin: