Would You Buy An Unstrung Doll?

I would buy a bigger doll unstrung to save up on shipping. I'd also love to try stringing its fascinating

 

Restringing isn't so bad so unless it's something crazy like an octopus doll, I'd be in for it. Less chance of damage as well.

 

I would buy an unstrung doll, yeah! But I am very weak and I know I would struggle stringing the whole thing on my own, so I definitely prefer them strung. Still, shipping to my country is very expensive, so the cheaper cost would be much welcome. There are ups and downs with both choices, for sure!

 

Definitely! While restringing isn’t always the most fun I can do it with not too much hassle personally. It makes it easier to ship too and a way to bond with your doll right away ^^

 

I prefer keep the original box, so normally the dolls are strung. I understand that this save the shipping but....box are important

 

Speaking as someone who just did buy an unstrung doll, yes—BUT not without the elastic or hooks included. I haven't strung a doll in over ten years and relearning how to do it with a brand new elastic was surprisingly difficult without the knowledge of how long it should be, plus I didn't have a second string for the arms so I had to rob one of my old boys for the elastic. It genuinely took me something like four hours to get her in one piece! As for the box, I thought the seller would be saving on shipping because why ship an unstrung doll in pieces in her original packaging... only to be handed a 70cm long box at the post office.

 

No I would not buy, id rather pay the bigger shipping. Im saving the company box to when unexpected things happen in live, I've just moved and all my dolls have lived in their boxes so fare. I'm also rather new in this hobby, and like to not have too much to do at start ( there is a lot to learn, so one thing a the time ). I fear that if I ever buy a doll that is unstrung, that I would end with I never come around to do it.

 

I prefer strung dolls; however, I would buy unstrung! I am interested in garage kits where you have to sand and assemble them yourself! I think it would be a fun weekend project.

 

I routinely buy unstrung dolls!! I’m very accustomed to restringing dolls, and I don’t mind having to do it when a doll freshly arrives!

On the flip side, I sell dolls fairly regularly, and I’d say it’s about a 50/50 split for whether people want their dolls shipped strung or unstrung when I ship. Some people prefer to have the doll’s original box, or to take out a fully strung doll, some people prefer cheaper shipping. As a seller, I prefer to give people the choice of how they’d like to receive their doll!

 

While I prefer buying dolls strung, I have bought them unstrung. As long as I have a restringing guide, I’m usually okay.

 

I would rather buy dolls that are already strung, because I struggle with fine motor skills. Plus, I like having the company boxes. I’d be willing to buy an unstrung doll if it was a grail of mine or if it was a really good deal. I’d definitely need to follow a restringing guide or have someone to assist me though

 

I personally do not mind getting a doll unstrung if:

• The shipping cost is incredibly high. I am from EU and I found some quite negatively shocking surprises buying overseas when it comes to shipping costs...
• There is no box. If the doll does not contain a box, I would rather have it unstrung to save shipping fees.
• The doll is sent as 'broken' or 'junk' for repairing reasons.

I will always prefer a doll with its original document and box, not only as a legimacy proof, but for collectible-related reasons. However, if I want to purchase an old or 'junk' doll for projects, I would not mind as long the price is reasonable, can be sent unstrung and there's any proof of its legimacy.

 

I would buy a doll unstrung assuming it is either a secondhand doll or is otherwise fairly cheap, such as a printed BJD kit. To me, having a doll come strung in its original box is nice, but I've bought plenty of dolls without their original packaging and it doesn't bother me any, assuming provenance otherwise checks out.

I will not join a pre-order for a new cast doll if it comes unstrung. While I recognize that not stringing is a cost-saving measure for shipping, I think it's a bit stingy when a brand new, $5-800USD (or more!) doll comes in pieces that I have to assemble myself.

 

I wouldn't buy because I've never strung a bjd before, it seems really intimidating, also I love the company boxes that the dolls are in.

 

I remember a time u-noa all came unstrung and you had to sand seams and assemble them yourselves. They still arrive in the company box so it's not really as if you saved on shipping. Now they're loosely strung and still advised to restring them yourself. I never found I actually needed that much strength to string a doll. Too much tension and the arms and legs snap to the bend position, for me that always caused more accidents than a floppy doll.

I'm either or, if the head I wanted only came as an unstrung kit then I'd still buy.

 

It depends on the doll and whether I really want it, but generally I prefer strung, because I'm lazy.

 

Eh.......if it was a doll I REALLY REALLY wanted, but it could easily be a dealbreaker, especially if it doesn't come with its own elastic. I've strung dolls before, don't get me wrong. But I don't like doing it.

 

I got over my fear of restringing when my Volks Maki arrived last year and he was rattling. Quickest I've ever unstrung a doll. Thankfully only the top piece of his lower torso had come unstuck and it was an easy fix with glue.
With most of the English-speaking secondhand bjd market located in the US while I'm in Australia, shipping costs can be quite high for me unless I'm buying from Asia, so if a doll/body/part etc is coming from the US, I'm happy for the seller to send it unstrung, and have sold dolls unstrung for people in countries far from Australia to save on shipping costs for them.
So in a nutshell, I have and most likely will again!

 

I would, and have bought unstrung dolls before! Like many other people, I prefer them to come strung, but I'm fortunate enough to have the ability and desire to restring a doll if it's unstrung. You can't go wrong with a long ribbon and/or a stringing tool.

 

Sure - as long as the doll in question was in good condition (or at least in the condition I would care to purchase it in). I don't have an issue restringing - a sturdy shoelace or ribbon, along with some pliers or surgical style clamps typically take care of the worst of it.

Sometimes sellers offer to take apart a doll because it takes up less room / can ship in a smaller box. My preference is to keep boxes and paperwork for specific dolls, but stuff happens and sometimes folks don't have the room to keep them.