Would You Buy An Unstrung Doll?

I have bought unstrung dolls and while it's not my favorite option I prefer it to super tight strung dolls the latter (I look at soom now) are a nightmare of its own

 

Depends on the complexity of the doll because if it's the standard two legged humanoid, yes, I would prefer a kit instead. However, if it's a fantasy body type with various different non standard parts, I would prefer it pre strung, unless the shipping fee is insanely high. I might consider a kit if it came with stringing instructions though, although I have a feeling I might not be able to properly string it together anyways.

 

During the start of lockdown there was a company that had to send me the body I ordered in pieces (three different small boxes) and I assembled it myself. That would have terrified me at the start of the hobby but I have restrung so many dolls it was barely a blip and shipping was vastly more affordable than those huge boxes for fully assembled dolls.

I wish every company offered unstrung as an option for packaging/shipping because I would 100% take them up on it.

 

I actually wish all companies offered the dolls to be sent well packaged but unstrung. That way everyone could be happy (those that want it and those that don't).
There has been times I've decided not to get a doll (especially big ones) because I know the shipping it's going to be crazy expensive just because it comes strung. Even local shipping skyrockets when it's such a long box.
I also like the process of putting dolls back together and I don't always like the box the doll has, take for example Dollshe, when I got my couple they came in plain brown boxes, and to think I payed more in shipping and for a box like that it's kind of frustrating.
I prefer when dolls come in travel bags or something that it's useful, and I say this being someone that I keep my dolls in my boxes when I'm not playing with them because I don't have cabinets or much space, but I can always get or make a box myself if I got them without one. A box for me is not part of the experience.
So I wish it was always an option for all dolls to be sent in pieces if the buyer so chooses.

 

When astronomical shipping costs could mean the difference between being able to afford the doll or not, I would absolutely choose to buy an unstrung doll. That being said, I've never restrung a doll, so it's a bit intimidating, but it's something that I'll probably have to get over anyway since several of my dolls have gotten loose and will need to be restrung eventually.

I also agree with others saying that all companies should offer the option to ship dolls unstrung. I think it would save them time not having to string the doll before shipping it, and I assume companies aren't making any profit from high shipping costs, lol. Plus, they may generate more business from people like me who can't always afford to pay for shipping a doll whole. Seems like a win-win to me.

 

I've done my share of restringing, and have no issues with receiving a bjd unstrung. It of course would be super helpful if the parts are labeled, but that's not a requirement. I'll eventually figure out the proper assembly.

With the cost of shipping these days, receiving an unstrung bjd might be the much preferred option (depending on size and complexity of course, i.e.: I'd prefer a yosd size bjd strung due to the tiny channels). I'm also fine with them being partially strung; I received my MGB Impldoll Bernice with the upper body and lower body strung and shipped in two smaller, separate boxes, and she was easy enough to put together. Also, I've not had an opportunity as of yet, but would be up to buying a kit version— both for the convenience and the ease of ability to do customizations.

So, yeah—I'm perfectly fine with receiving an unstrung bjd. As long as they're well-packed and come with all the necessary pieces, I'm cool with it

 

Even though I've had BJDs for about 2 or 3 years now, I've still never strung or restrung a doll before. I know I should learn how to but stringing a doll seems daunting. >__<

 

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I’m super new to BJDs so I would feel a little scared to receive a doll unstrung. That being said, I think I will eventually have to restring a doll someday, so that might change!

 

Absolutely! I've been in the hobby since January of 2006 and don't really mind restringing. I keep a pair of forceps, some wire, and spare elastic in both 1/4 and 1/3 size for when my dolls need it. Maybe if I ever get time to find and go to my first meetup I might take my restringing stuff and see if anyone needs help.

 

To be honest... I've always preferred it with second-hand dolls.

After having dolls for as long as I have, I can pretty much restring one in my sleep, so there's no pressure there... And the very first thing that I do with any doll that I've purchased from another collector is take it apart and give it a good cleaning anyway. If it's already unstrung right out of the box? Excellent! That means I don't have to take it to pieces myself...

Whenever I sold dolls (I haven't put any of the gang up for sale in years, but back in the day I *did* sell a fair few-), I almost always shipped them unstrung, or at least gave that as an option. It was usually much less expensive for my buyer and I think it's just a safer way to ship. I tend to "pack for the apocalypse" when I send out a doll, and being unstrung lets me wrap and pad each and every part to within an inch of its proverbial resin life. It's harder to secure a doll that completely in a long box with a couple of slippery little pillows or a generically-sized foam cut-out.

 

Yes I will. I already did it, and I already sold unstrung dolls. Not often, but sometimes.
I'm willing to buy unstrung dolls if that lowers enough the shipping fees. With french post, shipping is not very much impacted by the size of the box (aside huge packages), so I usually do not offer unstrung dolls for sale. Aside when I don't have original the original box (= when I already bought it unstrung).

 

Although I do prefer strung, I don't mind unstrung. I feared it for a long time but eventually decided to just learn and bought the tools. Work gloves help too if you're worried about your fingers. It's been a huge savior for collecting (a brat if you want to save your wallet though lol). I missed out on too many worrying about restringing and I refuse to now.

Best advice is to definitely learn or try to see if you can get help.

 

The second doll I bought was an msd kit from Volks, so I had to string her myself. When I got my first doll I was taking him apart to wash every piece way too often, so it didn't seem like a daunting prospect at the time. I'm not sure /why/ I was doing that anymore lol

 

I wouldn't be too put off by purchasing an unstrung doll, especially if it coming unstrung saves me money. I need the practice anyway, to be honest. The first time I strung a BJD was my 3D printed anthropomorphic bunny doll and he's 4 inches tall from the tips of his ears (standing up vertical) to his feet when standing upright. It was a hassle because of his size and I used cut to size paper clips glued into the peg holes as pegs. I had also used 2mm elastic cord, if I remember correctly. So if I had the option for the doll to be unstrung to save money, I would do it.

 

I have bought and sold dolls unstrung in the past. But I dislike restringing so much, that I won't buy them that way anymore I don't mean to scare anyone into avoiding restringing if they never tried. My main reason for avoiding it is a personal medical issue.

If I can at least get the doll strung, even if it's floppy, I can work up the energy to restring them later, and have their floppy cuteness encouraging me on the shelf in the meantime. But nah, not enough willpower to buy dolls in that state anymore.

 

MSD or bigger, yes. I’m used to stringing dolls- I spent a year working for an antique doll dealer after college, and many late 19th century dolls were ball-jointed. The really tiny ones are a bit more intimidating, and I’d prefer to avoid restringing them if I can. It’s just hard to get correctly-sized tools for them, I’ve found.

 

I enjoy stringing my dolls, so it wouldn't be an issue for me as long as it saves me a few quid! I keep my doll boxes in case I buy a full doll/body, buy it wouldn't be something that would put me off buying.

 

Probably not. I'm too intimidated to string a doll!

 

I have never restrung any of my dolls (me scared) but I would love to get an unstrung one so I can overcome this irrational fear!