DDH-07 Custom Head

I was interested in getting a custom head. I contacted one vendor and they quoted me around $700 USD plus shipping. The head includes the custom wig and a pair of WDS eyes. They mentioned that the custom head was one of Nekomashigura's work, created from DDH-07 template head. The vendor runs a Thai DD shop in Bangkok (I believe).

 

My questions are:

1/ What is the normal price range for a DDH-07 custom head?

2/ What is the highest price that you've ever seen for such custom head?

3/ Is the price quoted by the seller reasonable?

 

Thanks for your response in advance.

I think it all really depends on what money people want to pay for custom works...so there's no real "normal price range" for any custom. I suppose there can be one per Customizer (f.e. some people's works sell for an approx. same price, with some exceptions for unique works).

 

I must admit I have -no- idea who the well known customizers are and what their price ranges are, but for well known ones, I've seen something up to $1.200+ I believe ^ ^; It's been a while since I've bothered with DDs so maybe people don't pay those kind of prices anymore?

 

But again, I think for custom work, you have to decide if that kind of price is reasonable and worth it to 'you'. And perhaps you could share a photo so people can judge the customization and be able to tell you if they think it's worth it or not?

Base heads start at about 5000 yen (~$50 depending on exchange rates). I'd say 7500-25000 is about average. They can go in to the thousands though. The most expensive head I've ever seen went for a smidge over 300,000 yen on YJA.

 

I do not think $700 is remotely reasonable. You can get a blank head for about $40-50 and faceups from as low as $50ish. Eyes start at about $10 a pair.

 

Here are the current default head listings on YJA, from most expensive first; http://auctions.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?p=ddh&ei=UTF-8&oq=&auccat=2084241345&slider=0&tab_ex=commerce&s1=cbids&o1=d

Thanks for the tips, guys.

 

The most expensive head I've ever seen went for a smidge over 300,000 yen on YJA.

but for well known ones, I've seen something up to $1.200+ I believe ^ ^;

Here are the current default head listings on YJA, from most expensive first

Yeah there's one still active as we speak there, bidding up to JPY 300K!

 

And perhaps you could share a photo so people can judge the customization and be able to tell you if they think it's worth it or not?

Here are two photos that I got from the seller: (replace * with dot)

xphi*co/i/X2UGt9.jpg

xphi*co/i/Qg4FV.jpg

After seeing these pictures I remember the head from a DD group on Facebook.

It's the work of a very new face up artist, so I don't think you'd buy an expensive "brand" with the head.

To be honest, from what I can see it does look pretty uneven and the highlight dots are very dissymmetrical positioned.

From my point it's not worth that much and the price inflated, I'd say it's worth at most $ 200 if you really like the head.

But like others said, it depends how much it appeals to you and if you think it's worth it.

 

We have some very talented face up artist in the "Painting and Customization" section, which can at least do the same level or even better work if you commission them with a blank DDH-07 ^-^

I think it's not worth it. With that money you can get a full doll and send it to a popular artist to fully customize it. If you get a blank 07 and send it to Clockwork, for example, it would be around 70 + 70 for the make up + the shippings, not even close to 200$!

The head is worth $200-$300 MAX, a custom wig could be $75-$150, and WDS eyes are like $20?

 

So the complete set should be $300 to $475 at the absolute most -- anything more than that would be thievery in my book.

 

It sounds like someone is trying to take advantage of you being new to the hobby and wants to rip you off. I'd recommend that you not only NOT buy the head, but NEVER buy anything from this person EVER!

Thanks for all the tips guys, much appreciate it.

 

So the complete set should be $300 to $475 at the absolute most

I did a check on both historical and current YJA auctions. Average price for a custom head is indeed around $200 - $400 at most. Anything beyond that is usually: 1) a very unique head; or 2) there is a 'real' fan out there bidding the crap out of the head, thus jacking up the price through the roof (it happens all the time in YJA).

 

The reason I'm asking the forum members here is so that that I can get another second opinion. So I think the verdict is clear: I won't buy it at all.

 

If you get a blank 07 and send it to Clockwork

Sorry for another newb question

Does Clockwork offer custom head work? Does he/she have a website that I can have a look at?

 

We have some very talented face up artist in the "Painting and Customization" section, which can at least do the same level or even better work if you commission them with a blank DDH-07 ^-^

I don't mind paying top dollars if the quality of the work is top notch. I'll go and check out that section, thanks for the info.

The head is worth $200-$300 MAX, a custom wig could be $75-$150, and WDS eyes are like $20?

 

So the complete set should be $300 to $475 at the absolute most -- anything more than that would be thievery in my book.

 

It sounds like someone is trying to take advantage of you being new to the hobby and wants to rip you off. I'd recommend that you not only NOT buy the head, but NEVER buy anything from this person EVER!

 

 

Seems a bit harsh? Maybe check out the work and pricing of the artist before judging?

The head is worth $200-$300 MAX, a custom wig could be $75-$150, and WDS eyes are like $20?

 

So the complete set should be $300 to $475 at the absolute most -- anything more than that would be thievery in my book.

 

It sounds like someone is trying to take advantage of you being new to the hobby and wants to rip you off. I'd recommend that you not only NOT buy the head, but NEVER buy anything from this person EVER!

 

Seems a bit harsh? Maybe check out the work and pricing of the artist before judging?

 

I did look at the photos provided and -- quite honestly -- $300 is a very *generous* assessment.

 

We have enough scammers and scalpers in this hobby; I'm not afraid to call them out for their bad behavior.

Honestly looking from the pictures this does not seem the work of a $700 USD artist, they look very... how can I say this without being harsh... plain? I don't know, but I have seen much nicer faceups for a lot less than what they are asking for. But it's really up to you what you want to pay for, for a custom. If you feel like the quality is good for the price go for it.

Honestly, I'd go even lower. $120-$175 (Shipping not included). Assumin' they got the head at $50 that isn't a $100 face-up. That's simply not. You could go to multiple different artists and get a far better deal, and not even pay $100 on the face-up itself.

 

Quick examples:

Clockwork Angel: https://www.facebook.com/Clockwork-Angel-738260652987082/?ref=hl

Call Me Gorgeous: http://call-me-gorgeous.com/

Or if you want a similar style could even go to our forums and find people (Example): viewtopic.php?f=18&t=12002

 

I'm also skeptical on the "custom" wig. It literally looks like a Leekeworld wig, the bow is very similar to the one they use on a lot of their up-do wigs. They do a special coloring that looks >just< like that too. They've released many wigs with that specific pink to blond look.

 

I mean it is your money, but honestly, I am with Cauldroness on this. I smell a scam/scalper trying to get an "easy" target. If you want something like this it could be easily acquired with a bit of work on your side and just some patience. Face-ups take time, and you'd need to buy your own head first to send to them. I think you'd get a better head in the long run though.