Wiping a Limited Face Up

I actually am facing a similar situation... I have a LE Pipos Cheshire cat that comes with a beautiful and amazingly detailed faceup.

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?
Because the faceup is so beautiful I really don't want to wipe it. Also I know I probably won't be able to reproduce it should I wipe it off. I have been considering it because I am having trouble bonding with it since he is the only doll I have I haven't faceupped myself.

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the orginal face up?
Some people will probably feel that way, but if you don't like the faceup, then it holds no value to you really.

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the orginal face up, or is the actual limited head more important?
Depends on what is limited about that doll. If it was a doll with limited faceup but not much else without the faceup it's just some doll. If it comes with limited clothing, or limited sculpt, then I'll say the faceup doesn't mean as much. It might even be better so I won't have the dilemma now. XD

 

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?

I do it all of the time myself, so I don't particularly care what other people do with their dolls. I'm even currently in the process of wiping a $150 custom faceup on one of my dolls because I've decided I don't like it anymore. The only time I raise an eyebrow is when people buy a non-limited sculpt with a LE faceup and then wipe the faceup. Wouldn't it just be easier to buy the standard? I've even seen some people try to sell a Cyber Bohemian Shiwoo as an LE Cyber Bohemian Shiwoo when it did not have the default faceup or anything that differentiated it from a standard Shiwoo.

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the orginal face up?

The only time I think it would be detrimental to the value would either be that the new faceup is absolutely terrible and turns buyers off because of how unattractive it is, or again, a non-LE sculpt that had had an LE faceup. This also applies to say, Volks one-offs that are of more common molds. A one off F01 that does not have its one off faceup is no different than a standard F01.

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the orginal face up, or is the actual limited head more important?

The sculpt is always more important to me, and as I never leave my dolls default, the only way I would be bothered by a faceup is if it was one done with poor materials that stained.

 

This is actually a question I struggled with for a while... I have a sculpt that was very limited (only 10 were made), and he was only sold as a fullset with default faceup. I bought him on the secondhand market with his default faceup included. All of my other dolls at the time had faceups done by me, and painting my dolls is how I bond with them. Whenever possible, I prefer to buy my dolls blank.

My new boy had a gorgeous default faceup, but it didn't match my other dolls in style... and to be honest, my faceups weren't nearly as detailed or beautiful. I debated for months over whether to keep his faceup or not. Though I liked it, I couldn't seem to bond with him as well as my other dolls. But it was a gorgeous default limited faceup, and it seemed like I would be defacing the doll if I removed it.

Strangely enough... while I spent those months debating, he started to grow on me and I ended up bonding with him as he was... so I kept the default faceup.

That said, I think it's definitely up to each owner whether to wipe a default faceup or not. If you're not happy with the doll with the default, go for it! Besides, as others have said, the originality and creativity of unique faceups is part of what makes this hobby interesting!

 

I have two LE dolls. My Vampire Red is a unique sculpt, so I think he'd probably hold his value better than my LE Soah, whose LE outfit was really the only thing that differentiated her-I can't see much difference between her face-up and Elfdoll's standard one.

When I first got them, I hardly touched them for a week, afraid of "ruining" them. I got over it eventually. They're my dolls and I want to love them and play with them. Face-ups are ephemeral and the only way you'll keep an LE face-up forever is to never do anything with the doll. What's the fun of that? And I'm not worried about resale value in any event-they're with me for good. So I'll take reasonable precautions and when they start looking too worn, I'll wipe them and face them up myself. We're going on nine months now and I don't figure those face-ups will last beyond two years at the most, given the amount of handling I give them.

 

I've got four limited dolls with limited face ups (Glati, Skoll, IP Yur and SDF Cian v2), and I'll probably never change the face up for the first three because the face ups that came with them suits the characters they portray. But I would consider wiping the limited edition face up that came with my SDF Cian. It's really not that special (it's a natural looking face up, not a unique fantasy type), so if the need ever arose, I would wipe his face clean without any hesitation and give him a new face up.

What's most important to me is the actual head sculpt itself, not the limited face up that comes with some of the dolls.

While it would be nice if a doll I was buying from someone else came with its original limited edition face up, it really doesn't make that much of a difference to me either way.

I'm kind of unsure how I feel about the resale value being lowered if a face up is wiped clean though. In a way, I can see how the value might be lowered if it truly was a one of a kind face up (like some of the Soom MD dolls and their fantasy face ups), but at the same time, if it's a normal looking face up like the one my Cian has, I don't think wiping his face up off would lower his value too much; not as much as it would if I was selling a Heliot with his original unique face up removed.

 

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?
I don't think it really matters. It's up to the owners to decide what to do with their dolls. It doesn't bother me at all.

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the orginal face up?
No. I find more value in the sculpt than in the face up. In time, the face up can be damaged and will need to be removed anyway. The sculpt doesn't change though. When I buy a doll, I'm buying for the sculpt, not the face up. :3

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the orginal face up, or is the actual limited head more important?
I would buy a limited doll without the original face up. Most of my dolls (current and future) are based off original characters so I have very specific ideas about how their face ups should look. So, if a certain limited doll suited what I wanted sculpt-wise for my character, the face up wouldn't matter to me. Likewise, if that limited doll came with its limited face up, but it didn't suit what I wanted for the character, I would have it removed.

 

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?
I don't really care either way to be honest. I see alot of gorgeous customs I'd choose over a limited anyday.

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the orginal face up?
Not if the quality of the new face-up is good. If it's highly amateur then that would entice me to pay less personally. So its more a quality issue to me.

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the orginal face up, or is the actual limited head more important?
Its the mould that matters to me the most. Some may say otherwise but generally I think alot of us are fine with the idea of non-default.

 

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?
I normally buy all my dolls blank, but the one LE doll I did get with a face up was my Heliot. That face up was gone in a heartbeat and not only that, I'm in the middle of modding him as well. So honestly, I don't really care about it. If you don't want the face up, then you don't want it. That's the end of it.

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the orginal face up?
If it's just the sculpt that is LE, then not at all. Some people have a penchant for fullsets and will pay more to have EVERYTHING, yes, but I don't think not having the LE face up will drop the price dramatically. After all, I feel that most people want the DOLL not the paint that goes with it.

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the orginal face up, or is the actual limited head more important?
As I said, I usually prefer them without to begin with. If the face up was perfect for the character then yes, I'd like if I can get it, if not, I'll just commission an artist that will do an inspired version of it in their style for me.

 

I see and understand your point of view, but what if it wasn't really possible to buy a second doll head if it is a super limited sculpt? Also, what if you are happy with the original faceup, but you have the doll for several years, the face up wears, or you just want a new look for your beloved doll? I respect your opinion and I understand what you are saying, but these are just some thoughts I had while reading your post, because I at one point felt very much the same way you did about my personal dolls. Other owners can do what they like, but my preference was much the same as yours. However, over the years I think I have changed my opinion due to the circumstances I stated above. ^_^

 

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?
Sometimes I feel rather bad about it, but it doesn't stop me, whether it's my doll or a client's. Sometimes I think... Oh shoot, I can't paint better than this faceup!! I hope they know what they're doing! XD

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the orginal face up? Well the OP used the example of Cyber bohemian (whatever) Shiwoo. I suppose the value might drop, but I wouldn't pay more for a faceup anyway, so it's of little concern to me. Faceups are by their nature ephemeral after a certain point. They just don't last forever 'n ever 'n ever amen.

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the orginal face up, or is the actual limited head more important? As I've said before ( -_- zzzzz) the doll is the sculpt for me. Paint is completely unimportant to me.

Raven

 

I found in a store that 'limited' series of them, face up is an option...sculpt is the same as regular...but not the color...it was white skin...so, if i only love the white-skin+sculpt, i'd just purchase it in blank.

Unless, you only love the sculpt and face-up comes with default limited face-up (included in the price you pay) aaand you don't love face-up, then, why not wiping it and make it your own or hire someone to do it for you?

About decreasing value, I guess that's the risk, isn't it? If you want to keep it, make sure your new face-up is 'limited quality' as well (^.<)...

I don't know if Unoa Chibi is limited or not, but I'd like to use it as example. I never thought that U-Chibi can be looked adorable. I've never seen one like that here before until I saw my fave bjd owner's U-Chibi in flickr...WAH! so adorable...i think her all girls are...yet, hers are not limited...but somehow, all that she has looks like one...i think if she sells one, the price can be higher than original...

On the other side, I saw Unoa girl being sold...the face up was ehem (let's not say it) (i think it was owner's face-up)...the price is still 'unoa' price (pricey...haha)...I thought, why would i purchase second unoa when i have to remove the face-up? it's too pricey for that, although it's a "Unoa"...

 

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?
well, it's their right, no? and frankly, if it's not a very special looking or unique faceup, then i won't feel much about it. mostly i think that the faceup should suit the doll character, so for me, whatever goes with the character goes.

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the orginal face up?
depends, i think. so limiteds don't have the default faceup and i think they look nicer than the default faceups. i won't mind paying more to buy the non-default one if i like it better. (that's on the assumption that i have money XD). besides, the original faceup might not be the nicest. it really depends on the doll, and the limited faceup involved.

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the orginal face up, or is the actual limited head more important?

the limited head is more important for me. i like the sculpts more than the faceup. so yes, i will buy it without the original faceup.

 

If the sculpt is what's limited and the default faceup really doesn't suit my character at all, I have no reservations about removing it.

If the faceup is the reason why it's limited [eg a Delf Art] I would rather buy a standard.

 

I have done the faceup and aesthetics on most of my dolls. Thus for the LE's I have, all but one was bought blank, with the intention of making them truly unique. I have even dyed 2 of my Soom MD's. I probably wouldn't buy a LE where only the aesthetics and clothes were what made it limited.

 

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?
When I first started out in the hobby I was one of those people who felt bad to wipe off a limited faceup, so whenever I stumbled upon a limited doll without a faceup I was always grateful because I didn't have to do the "dirty" deed myself...

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the original face up?

I think it depends on the doll in question... I find that if a doll has been wiped and given an unpleasant faceup, that the value drops drastically... However if the doll has a beautiful faceup the markup is worth it. I suppose if the doll is limited it will always have a markup due to supply and demand anyways.

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the original face up, or is the actual limited head more important?
I've bought both my Volks Carol and Tsukasa with nondefault faceups, I don't think the faceup matters, I disliked the one my Tsukasa had so I ended up redoing.
I have a Liz too and I've finally come to realize that her default faceup didn't fit the character, Once I figured out that I felt that way I didn't hesitate to redo her faceup.

-Pandora-

 

I've been thinking about getting a new Faceup for my I-Ra for a while now but feel bad about wiping her. She's limited and I know some people really love her faceup but its starting to look faded to me. I just feel so guilty like I'm committing a crime.lol

 

Sometimes I look at some of these limited faceups, and I think to myself: '.... that's horrible. It's ugly. It's bland. I could probably do better.' And I'm an amateur.
I wouldn't keep a limited faceup just because it was limited. Yes, there are some cases where the limited faceup is what makes the doll limited - in which case I'd leave it as is, and buy a non-limited version. I like to totally customize my dolls.
As for other people wiping default face-ups; it's their doll, they bought it, they can do what they like with it. I would just hope that the doll would then get a very nice faceup to replace it. (Especially in the case that it was a nice limited faceup) It's always nice to see a doll that's adored and spoiled by it's owner.
Most of the time, the 'default' faceup just isn't for me, or I feel it will need 'tweaking'. So I prefer to get them without a faceup most of the time.

Will the value of a doll drop because a limited faceup is wiped? Maybe.
Sometimes people will feel the same way you do, and want to do their own faceup, make the doll more their own. Sometimes people will want the doll because of the limited faceup. It's a gamble either way.

Would I buy a limited head without the original limited faceup? Yes. And I've actually done it myself. Would I have liked to have the original limited faceup? I'm not sure, honestly. Eventually I would have wiped the faceup because I would want to do my own, so I suppose it saved me from having to wipe it later. On the other hand, the doll would have had a faceup in the meanwhile. However, I do suppose I don't have to feel guilty somehow for removing that faceup. XD

 

Cyber Punk Shiwoo type of LE is a different scenario (as you indicated before)

For Volks LE, it is common and often done to wipe off the default face up. Pretty much all of mine are wiped

I have not wiped the one off face up yet..... maybe some day I will since Tubasa really needs a new face

 

How do you feel about people wiping the faceup of a limited doll?

I have no problem with other people do ing it, I just seem to have some sort of issue with doing it myself, or any faceup a doll comes with. I have done it on non limiteds in the past, but so far have never wiped or altered a limited...though that may happen very soon, I have three limiteds in need of modifying a little...darkening eyes and lips, making brows black instead of blonde....

Do you feel that the value of the doll drops because it doesn't have the orginal face up?
Sometimes it can drop, sometimes it can increase. I don't buy my dolls for resale value though, so honestly I don't care that much. The only time I have a personal issue with it is on my dolls, and that is just cos I have a problem wiping a special face so beautiful, just to replace it, when there is nothing TECHNICALLY wrong with it

Also, would you buy a limited doll without the orginal face up, or is the actual limited head more important?
I prefer to buy dolls without faceups, be they a limited or not. If I really need the limited faceup I can recreate it.

 

I would never keep/buy a doll with a default face-up (I like to do my own), but I also could never bring myself to wipe a default (or nicely done custom) face-up...I'm weird though lol