Only this month - DYI kit

Danny just announced on Facebook that a limited number of DYI kits will be available this month, but only this month. (Maybe he's getting rid of some stock?) There was no information yet about which molds, but from the photo it looks to be only milk and tea skintone.

LINK to post on FB

Huh... I wonder if the heads have faceups or not...

Huh... I wonder if the heads have faceups or not...

 

These are the same kits they sell in store so that people who want to build their own girls can save some money ( they come with no clothing except undies ) and have the experience of putting one together. All those have faceups. These will have faceups. The reason you can't see the faces in the pics is because they are separately bagged and covered with white mesh face protectors like the one my Eiji has on in this photo:

 

DSC_0071 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

They are separately bagged so you can choose what head you want to go with the body. There are a bunch of different ones available in the two skin colors he's shown. You also get to choose eye colors and wig colors/styles so that's why all those things are separately bagged in the photos he's shown.

 

This is what bugs me tho...... Danny hasn't even answered the one huge question everyone has for these yet: Will they be available online? Or are they only available to walk in customers at the store? He hasn't said either way anywhere on his social media. But in my opinion, these will only be available in store because of all the possible choices people will have for the heads/eyes/wigs/busts. Trying to take orders online for all those choices would be difficult and time consuming for him with his current webstore setup.

 

In case you don't know, normally the way the build it yourself ones work is that you have to build it in store while someone on the staff helps you out to make sure it's done properly or if you have any questions.... Danny told us this when we visited him back in March. Even tho Danny knows AsianEd and I know how these girls go together, he still got Ed started when he built his own girl in store and then sent an employee to help Ed finish up. That guy even made sure everything was as it was supposed to be when Ed was done building her, checking the joints and fit of everything. This process limited them to only having enuff room in the store for two stations available for people to build dolls at one time.

 

They've also changed and streamlined the way these are done. In the beginning, YOU also made the frame and installed the vinyl bits over it. There were two heat boxes in the showroom to aid in warming up the vinyl to get them onto the frame. All the parts we saw there already had the frames installed so no heating was needed. Ed just had to choose what head/eyes/wig he wanted for his girl and then basically put her arms/legs/head/bust on and he was done.

 

This is speculation on my part now but maybe Danny has figured out how to set up these kits so that no supervision is needed? It's pretty basic for a previous doll owner to do on their own but *could* be a little more difficult for a first time owner to do. Maybe he's printed instructions on how to put them together and includes them in the bundle. I have no idea.

 

But you can bet his logic behind doing this has something to do with testing demand for these. He told us in person that how he does market research is to introduce something in a small run in-store and see how well it does. This might just be that in action. If they sell out immediately then he knows he has a sure fire seller and will continue to make them available. If they don't then he knows the market isn't after this type thing. That's how he seems to gauge interest on most things now so I see this as another trial run.

 

I think it's a great idea to do because it's fun to build your own girl and save money at the same time. I'm sure others will agree with me there.

 

 

 

Billy

Great info, Billy!

 

I was wondering how this DIY kit would work with the 1 year guarantee, considering that not a lot of people are familiar with how to put a doll together. So maybe it isn't an online thing, after all. I wouldn't have minded buying this kit, since I would probably know how to assemble it.

I thought since he mentioned it on his social media it'd be an online thing... or he'd mention that only in store? Maybe I'm wrong of course. We will see... I'd be all over this if Summer was available ^ ^ I'd do anything to save me some bucks aha!

I thought since he mentioned it on his social media it'd be an online thing... or he'd mention that only in store? Maybe I'm wrong of course. We will see... I'd be all over this if Summer was available ^ ^ I'd do anything to save me some bucks aha!

 

I 100% agree with u! Summer and Moonlight... those r my girls!

*cough* whenever they get RELEASED! *cough*

I thought since he mentioned it on his social media it'd be an online thing... or he'd mention that only in store? Maybe I'm wrong of course. We will see... I'd be all over this if Summer was available ^ ^ I'd do anything to save me some bucks aha!

 

I 100% agree with u! Summer and Moonlight... those r my girls!

*cough* whenever they get RELEASED! *cough*

Maybe if we begged him to include the Summer head in the choices?

If it's online I'd definitely jump on it. Wish he'd answer on social media already. >_> If he did this with injection molds, they'd be even cheaper. I think a lot of people would want the online DIY option. It'd kind of work like Volks' online store, buying doll parts, assembling it, and whatnot. I don't see why Danny shouldn't make this available online, other than maybe it'd produce less revenue for CJ.

If it's going to be available online I'd totally want to get one. Hopefully with a starlight head. I kinda want to try my own faceups and I really need a smartdoll body for Rose.

I am really hoping it's all the available heads... and not just his original collection.. u no; Mirai, Kizuna, ebony and so on

I too, hope this get offered as an online buying option!

 

With a nice how-to video and some clever instructions it is possible. In fact, people on the model building hobby have survived for years with paper instructions only .

 

As for the guarantee, only defective pieces may applied. As far as i have been reading, leaking dolls and malfunctions joints have been allowed to go through guarantee, they even offer the option to buy a replacement part for a fee. Guarantee process are always troublesome, hope they get to handle it properly with clear rule communication.

 

How complicated will it be for a newbie to connect the boy to the head, place the wig, and get her dressed?

 

I only have a DD and it was quite a scary situation to put her clothes on, but as the large investment she was, i took a lot of time researching how to do it properly. Highly doubt anybody, going for their first doll, would want to throw off the money. Most likely they will secure their investment, reading about how to handle the doll properly. YouTube is a great tool, and people on this hobby tend to be make truly useful content. (A millions thanks to Archangeli on her unboxing video for Sheyl Nome!! Saved my life!)

 

The only issue, on my personal opinion, will be the eyes. How does a newbie will handle that?

 

I´m pretty scare myself to try it. Most likely will never took Sheryl´s eyes out. Not sure if i will manage gluing, placing and any other related activity, on a new doll.

 

So, i truly consider this may work online. A good costumer interface to handle the buying process, good communication (warranty coverture / post sales support) and a supporting community (to make appropriate content) could make it happen.

Online DIY kits would be great news. I wouldn't be able to afford one any time soon but I think it's be an awesome option to offer online. Here's hoping it'll be a success!

I got info from Alphond that they will be able to ship DIY kits via airmail, so I guess it means they WILL ship it

I hope it becomes successful enough that he'll offer the cocoa options too x:

and that Sana will be included when she's released.

The only issue, on my personal opinion, will be the eyes. How does a newbie will handle that?

 

I´m pretty scare myself to try it. Most likely will never took Sheryl´s eyes out. Not sure if i will manage gluing, placing and any other related activity, on a new doll.

 

Eye placement is pretty easy, no need to be afraid. Gluing is more permanent, and I think Danny uses blue tac on Smart Dolls. I've used sticky tac too and it's honestly simple enough to not look up a video. Of course, feel free to look one up anyway lol. I think Archangeli has a video on eyes too.

 

So glad these kits will be online. I hope Moonlight and Sana will be option heads in the future.

Those new DD girls are kinda wreaking havoc on my doll plans but a smart doll is still my top priority so these DIY kits are very interesting to me! It's good to hear that it's not only sold in-store. If it's available at workshop price or similar that would be even better. I doubt Crimson Kai would be available as one to start but I can hope. Wishing that these sell very well so they'll be a permanent option.

I am really hoping it's all the available heads... and not just his original collection.. u no; Mirai, Kizuna, ebony and so on

Seconding this, I was holding out on buying starlight til later, but may have to move forward with this as it's cheaper and more fun. : T Not like I'm going to Japan to do this any time soon.

Um... It would be nice if the Crimson Kai is one of the available molds.

I was planning on waiting until July to see if there were any cancellations on the DD Kirito, but a lesser priced Crimson would trump that.

If these kits ARE going to be sold online then I may just pick up another Smart Doll, depending on which heads are going to be available. Although Mirai keeps continually tormenting me with her unbearable cuteness so I might just cave at last and buy her while she's cheaper...

 

I'm all for there being an option to buy kit versions; it'll save money on both the doll AND the customs fees (if I'd have known kits were going to appear this year, then I would have held off buying Ebony a few months ago )

 

Personally I love assembling dolls and swapping out different parts. I guess I'm making up for the Meccano set I never had as a kid

Hmm...it's this month only, but has there been any news on the kits being sold online? I see it on the SmD site but you can't add it to your cart and it's still in Japanese.

Hmm...it's this month only, but has there been any news on the kits being sold online? I see it on the SmD site but you can't add it to your cart and it's still in Japanese.

I think that's referring to the in-store doll building workshop? That's been on the site for a while now.

I would love if these would become available on his online store! It would be a fun way to have a part in your doll's "creation." Also, saving some money would be nice. Construction probs wouldn't be too difficult so long as there were instructions. After helping a pal string a spider bjd, I feel capable of anything, haha.

I would love if these would become available on his online store! It would be a fun way to have a part in your doll's "creation." Also, saving some money would be nice. Construction probs wouldn't be too difficult so long as there were instructions. After helping a pal string a spider bjd, I feel capable of anything, haha.

 

I've always liked toys that you have to put together. I wonder if shipping will be any cheaper?

I was wondering if this was ever even available online, since the month is almost over. I didn't check his store site everyday but I haven't seen DIY kits there at all.. just the workshop. Did anyone here catch any? :\ I don't check twitter that much either but there hasn't been anything on his instagram at least about the kits since they were announced.

Maybe it's been delayed?