When's the best time to buy?

I've noticed that the best sales happen in the summer, but also that it's harder for the companies to cast and paint dolls then. Around Christmas they offer little gifts, but they also get backed up for orders so the shipping is slow. I've only bought company dolls in the summer during promotions, so I don't know much about Feb-April, which might be the best time to buy (for fast shipping and smooth faceups).

 

The "best time to buy" is really subjective. While ordering during an event is nice in that you often get freebies or discounts, there are delays and such as mentioned above. Also, even though a free head sounds nice, would you really want the one that's offered at any given time/site (is it even in a size/style/etc that you like for example)? It's a perk, but I don't believe it should be the deciding factor unless you really want some extra parts. If you don't mind waiting for an event and hoping you're interested in it, that's fine! But if you just want to buy your new doll, just do it.

Basically:
-Do you have enough money?
-Are your important bills/etc paid for or have money set aside to pay for?
-Do you want to buy X doll?
-If it's limited, do you meet the above requirements during the order period?

If yes, then it's the best time to buy. So if you're really set on something, don't feel like you should wait for an event just so you can get a free phone strap or head.

 

It's my understanding that summer-time is a bit of a slow period for businesses. People are out enjoying the sun, out of school, and spending time with their families.

So it makes sense they do things to drum up business in a slow time, if that's true.

 

That was my first thought too, when I saw the thread title!
Q: What's the best time to buy?
A: When you have the money!

I also think it's really subjective. Earlier in my hobby days, I would have jumped at the chance of having a free head, but then I realized I wouldn't do anything with it. Now, if the event had free shipping, I'd be cool with that Companies can also do events for Asian holidays - I think some had special events for Chinese New Year, or the Moon festival too.

As far as I know, I don't remember Leeke or Dream of Doll doing anything but free heads during their event, but Luts does a free pumpkin head if you buy near Halloween? I remember last year Luts did a free Christmas dress if you purchased a particular size.

On top of company shipping being slow in Winter - around Christmas time is dire for normal shipping. Even when I bought a doll way before December, she shipped between Christmas and New Years, and that was fun to wait for D:

 

Well, to me, If you do not have a lot of money, it is best to save a lot and then get ready to buy. It is not good to be broke after you bought something then to not have money for whatever you need that comes up afterwards. And then with the good amount of money saved up, when you feel right about buying, it is the best time.

It is never a good thing to buy something when you are not feeling it =T

 

If a company is known to have special promotions, I wait for them. Part of it is I don't have any urgent need to get a nonlimited doll unless there's a sale or some type of event going on. Even if it takes longer to get the doll during an event, it's not like a doll is something you can't live without for a few more weeks (or months...). Plus free heads can be sold if you don't want them- even if they don't sell for a lot, any extra money is nice. Or they can be used for face-up practice. If I bought a doll at full price and then a month or so later there was a free shipping/free head/free face-up/discount (or whatever else) event, I'd be annoyed with myself for not waiting. I'm kind of a penny-pincher at times, though, and I'm not impatient.

 

I'm with FrigidDamsel - I like to look back through a company's announcements to see what kind of events they've had in the past. If it's not a limited doll and I'm in no rush to get it, I have no problem with waiting for an event -- or even waiting a bit longer for the doll to ship. I'm a sucker for freebies, anyway, so I'd much rather make the purchase at the time when there's a promotion going on, all other things being equal.

I've been meaning to pick up a doll from Dream of Doll, for instance, but I've been holding out hopes that they'll do another free face-up event as they have in the past. It seems like they've done some winter/Christmas time events, but the timing of their events has hopped around a bit from year to year.

Leeke also seems to do events fairly often, with free wigs and the like, though I haven't paid enough attention to notice the pattern.

 

Special holidays, because there's a good chance the doll companies will give either limited release of doll or pretty much events that can make you save some cash on shipping or extra parts

 

What a great question.
I have money to splash right now so bought a few dolls but would probably never go for a free head etc - You would then need to go and potentially buy the body to fit it if you don't already. It is a good idea from the companies perspective as they then can sell more product especially if you like the free parts.

Free shipping is what I would be looking for myself. Haven't found any yet but that is okay as I am willing to wear the cost.

Of course in saying all that I would love freebies but wouldn't buy just for them.

 

Well, there's always a bargain in Xmas , but watch out , large amount of orders can cause qualityissues for some company (just some)

 

If you're interested in a particular company, I would do a search on here and see what time of the year their events have been in the past, and what kinds of things they do for events. I would love to get a doll during an event time, but I have also noticed that you would need to buy more than just one doll to qualify for an event, especially if the doll is not an SD or larger. It can be a really good deal though, even if you just sell off your event items. Many people dont want to/cant afford to buy dolls at the time of the event, but really want certain event items so theres always a market for that, if you choose not to keep the item. For the most part though, im really impatient and order from US dealers because I can hardly stand waiting months for a doll, not to mention waiting around for an event to happen and THEN having to wait months for my doll xD If I were to spring for an event, I would rather shoot for one that gave out free outfits/wigs/eyes/other stuff as opposed to heads and stuff.

 

Depends on what your buttons are! I hate long waits, so Christmas is a terrible time for me to buy! XD

However, there are, as mentioned, lots of promotions. But there are promotions in the Summer and around each holiday it seems, too.

It also depends on what specific company you're looking at. Check the Waiting Room for that company and see when it's the best time to buy for that company.

I know Dollmore likes to hold free shipping events up to certain amounts, so /that/ would be a good time to buy!

 

in my point ,during the festival is not a good chance.
cause the doll company will have many works during that time
maybe there will have something wrong or the buyer need to wait a long time .

 

This, as well as things to consider like, are you ordering a tanned doll, and when does that company prefer to cast tanned resin? It's harder to cast and faceup, especially so for tan or colors, during rainy months in the country of the company's location.

 

i think some companies i have bought from have made many gifts also for christmas time and easter time, but not sure if the shop you mean does something like that :S

 

I'd say summer, avoid the Christmas post and the rainy seasons. Bad weather effects the speed companies make their dolls, true story!

 

I've never had a problem ordering throughout the year with either the weather or with delays in shipping, but everyone is different. Now with ordering during a sale, of course it is different and the wait time is longer. I've never looked at this hobby as an instant gratification thing so wait times don't truly bother me, but they might bother someone else.

I think the best time to order depends on your wants. I have a few floating heads around here so specials that give me a free head don't interest me anymore. Free shipping is great and 50% off, which Leeke has done the past few times right after the New Year, is even better. It just depends on the company you want to purchase from and what you really want.

As others have said, researching the threads here will tell you a lot about certain companies that always have sales and when those sales occur. Then of course there is Murphy's Law that states that the minute you make a purchase, a company will always have a sale on something you want and you will wish you had waited, lol.

 

It seems to me that Christmas freebies are pretty common. And Christmas is a nice time to treat yourself, anyway. I ordered my first doll at Christmas time and got a free wig and pair of shoes. Then again, I've seen "free head" sales this past summer.