The Facebook debacle & other issues

[Nevermind, I want no part of this awful awful thread]

Edited May 26, 2020 by cfx

9 minutes ago, cfx said:

I really am saddened that this thread of pure negativity seemingly gets far more posts, likes, and activity in general than any other part of this forum, which makes me doubt that the sentence that I highlighted above is true at all.

This is one of the only places ( I think, please correct me if I'm wrong) people who have/ like Smart Doll can criticize his behavior, without being banned, harassed, or what ever else his cult does to those who dare to defie him. As for the negativity, yeah, thanks to this thread( and the other one) I have thought about selling my SmD several times. Although I don't think this thread is purely negative, as at one point people were saying it was ok to buy from SmD ( to support employees at least). Hopefully this doesn't sound rude (@_@) I just wanted to add in my two cents haha. 

42 minutes ago, Mame said:

This is one of the only places ( I think, please correct me if I'm wrong) people who have/ like Smart Doll can criticize his behavior, without being banned, harassed, or what ever else his cult does to those who dare to defie him. As for the negativity, yeah, thanks to this thread( and the other one) I have thought about selling my SmD several times. Although I don't think this thread is purely negative, as at one point people were saying it was ok to buy from SmD ( to support employees at least). Hopefully this doesn't sound rude (@_@) I just wanted to add in my two cents haha. 

This is definitely a factor. The forum is largely anonymous, so people can air their grievances without having to worry about being banned from ordering in the future. I also wouldn't be surprised if several people on the forum have no interest in Dollfie Dreams, but come here because this is one of the few places that has a dedicated SmD subforum. On the topic of the larger forum, though, I keep up with new posts and there just aren't as many of them as there used to be. News posts tend to be active, but nothing remotely like it was in 2013-2015. A lot of people have moved to instagram and facebook to make new photosets and share their love, as well as doing their buying and selling secondhand. Most of the news has moved to twitter threads. Centralized forums like this don't have the draw they used to, even if they are my preference. With both of those things working in tandem, it makes this thread appear much more popular than any other.

Personally, I still like a number of Danny's products, but I don't think I would ever purchase them given his attitudes and customer service compared to the price point. I would be willing to reconsider if he hired someone else to take over the PR and was more willing to work with people when faulty products slip through the QC cracks.

4 hours ago, cfx said:

I really am saddened that this thread of pure negativity seemingly gets far more posts, likes, and activity in general than any other part of this forum, which makes me doubt that the sentence that I highlighted above is true at all.

I get how you feel, and it's certainly valid. Although, I agree @Mame said, this is the only safe place that allows people to criticize DC. In a way, I kind of see that as a positive, people have the right to voice their concerns without being harassed. Of course, I don't think anyone is wrong if they disagree with my view though.

I think I might've actually commented on this and the other thread the most actually, rather than the DD section...I liked SmD ever since I discovered them and eventually it turned into me trying to like DC again. I wanted to comfortable with my purchases of SmD in the same way I feel with Volks. I guess for me personally when I'm excited about doll stuff I tend to post on IG instead and don't really have much to discuss. My complaints go here I guess lol..I'll work on improving that.

About the whole "shim" thing though, I felt personally attacked by the way he handled it and how his supporters on FB were saying, "people are too sensitive." I don't feel safe discussing that on IG, but I feel safe here. I would rather know that he said such things, which I found out on this thread. I want nothing to do with a group that invalidates the feelings I have about non-binary discrimination.

 

7 hours ago, cfx said:

I really am saddened that this thread of pure negativity seemingly gets far more posts, likes, and activity in general than any other part of this forum, which makes me doubt that the sentence that I highlighted above is true at all.

I meant it more as in the hobby in general and how Danny spends so much time hating/bashing on others for various reasons. I'm no writer and sometimes what I mean doesn't come out right, so I apologize for that.

One thing I really like about these forums is that you are allowed to state your opinion and people here seem to be able to do so in a good manner (which out bashing/hating on others). A place where you can ONLY praise a product is a falsehood; goodness knows I've had issues with other doll companies, but never had I seen a company act the way Danny does. It is a turn off. The recent QC issues need to be brought up so people know what is really going on.

I do not own a Smart Doll, but almost all my other friends do. I am not a fan of the headmolds (beside Nami, who I missed out on). If I see one second hand for a good place, maybe one day and I would have the head modded, but personally I would not buy directly. None of my friends wish to get rid of their SmD stuff, but most have decided not to buy anything direct anymore. is I simply check in on the stuff now because I feel like I'm watching a slow train wreck. With him wanting to do more licensed properties, his actions can really affect the company's future relationships.

On a sidenote, I do need to get off my butt and get deeper into the forums and post more. My free time is pretty full, but I want to talk about dolls more with people.

Edited May 14, 2020 by kranberrijam

18 hours ago, hats said:

Something along the lines of "we can't verify if x piece of clothing will fit other brands" would have been a much more appropriate answer.

Yeah!
Or "Smartdoll clothes aren't made to fit other brands"

On 5/13/2020 at 6:19 AM, kranberrijam said:

THIS ticks me off. This is a flat out lie.

Ironically, that answer is on brand for Danny Choo. 🤣  It makes me sad though, this is such a benign hobby. Was there a specific incident with Volks that prompted him to act like this or did he just decide they were his 'enemy' one day?...

1 hour ago, sunlightandtea said:

Ironically, that answer is on brand for Danny Choo. 🤣  It makes me sad though, this is such a benign hobby. Was there a specific incident with Volks that prompted him to act like this or did he just decide they were his 'enemy' one day?...

From what I recall, he owned DDs himself years ago. But Volks rejected his proposal to create a Mirai DD, so I guess he's still nursing that slight. Though I can't really see why he hates them so much. After all, it was their rejection that prompted him to create his own Mirai doll and start the Smd company.

From all his preaching about "just get up and do it - achieve your dreams!" and "don't fear failure", basically, isn't it weird that he's so transparently bitter..?
He comes off as a child that has never been told no, and now that volks said no, he feels resentment..? "They are big bullies!"
Seems like that to me at least.
Anyway, volks also had some issue with him selling (or marketing) the thing on the neck/head-peg, to allow Dollfie Dream heads on Smartdoll bodies - right?

Edited May 14, 2020 by Yumeiro

3 hours ago, bbotss said:

I guess he's still nursing that slight.

This seems very on brand for Danny. 

There was a thread in the FB group criticizing cortex and the poor person immediately got dogpiled by DC apologists. 

 

I love Smart Doll. My first BJD was a Smart Doll. I'm dying for a Mirai and and Kanata. I really want to shell one of my characters in a Liberty. 

but i'm...so done with this horrible attitude that people have. That he has. 

Personally I don't super see the problem with him claiming his stuff doesn't fit. I mean, most companies do that. Even VOLKs. No one wants to give free promotion, and dealing with the potential problems that would arise from misinformation isn't exactly ideal. There's a reason why alot of Japanese, and Korean TV shows will conceal big name brands that aren't affiliated with them. At the end of the day, messing around with clothing measurements is sort of an owner's job, not really the company.

 

Well, I just believe that the power to silence people, is what has given Danny Choo the absolute thinnest of skins. He's incapable of taking even a shred of criticism, and probably thinks about all those offhand comments, more than the copious amounts of people who leave him heartfelt, positive messages. I pity those fans, the ones that genuinely had a good experience, and thoroughly love the beauty in his work.

 

I personally think Smart Doll's products, when done right, are great for what it is. However, I will never feel safe even owning a Smart Doll anymore when Danny Choo doesn't see quality defects, as defects, and will outcast you as a 'hater' who doesn't know what handmade is if you even so much as ask him about it. I'd be scared if I got a defective product (cause mistakes happen), where on earth would I get it fixed? His dolls aren't even the cheapest in the market, but his warranty is pretty much on the rocks.

 

I just find it incredibly sad that Danny Choo himself, lacks so much respect for his own craft. As a person who draws, I love doing what I do, and I find great joy in correcting mistakes that I've made in my comics, I don't know how someone can run round with cotton in their ears, and pretend the problems don't exist, when fixing it will make his product and brand stronger. It's baffling.

Edited May 15, 2020 by freakie-oppa

On 5/14/2020 at 7:38 AM, fishbuttz said:

I also wouldn't be surprised if several people on the forum have no interest in Dollfie Dreams, but come here because this is one of the few places that has a dedicated SmD subforum.

Yes, we do exist. XD I have one DDS body and a Snow Miku head, both bought second hand. And some Volks' clothes, mostly from SD side, though. No more Volks' dolls are coming, at least not within foreseeable future. 

On the other hand, there is so many smartdolls I like that I can't possibly buy them all.

I personally like Smart Dolls more than DDs because of their proportions and skin tone variety. Since that reveal of the Licca-Chan type sculpt a week ago I finally know what it's like to want a doll so bad lol.
 

Tbh, most companies are pretty garbage beneath the surface, and in the grand scheme of things Culture Japan seems to be one of the more ethical ones. At least I can be sure that smart dolls weren't assembled using child labor.

 

To reflect what's now going on with this thread, I decided to change the topic name a bit.  Yes it started with just the Facebook problem but now it's kind of evolved into an all encompassing piece showcasing the various problems and issues that seem to keep cropping up in Smartdoll Land.  So far everyone has been pretty civil about voicing their opinions and views and I appreciate that.  Let's all try and continue that so that new people coming in don't see this as just a 14 page rant on Mr. Choo.

As for me and the Smartdolls I own, I'm very happy with them and do not associate them with Danny.  They aren't the problem and shouldn't be chastised for their makers actions online.  I know many people who have sold off their SmD girls due to how he does things and they have every right to do what they feel is best for them.  But I'll be keeping my girls because I really like them for what they are to me.... pretty dolls that make me happy. 

 

 

Billy

I am also of the opinion that people are free to choose to not buy from Smart Doll, or even to sell the dolls they have, but also to continue buying as well. I will continue to buy the products that I want, because for me boycotting this company would be hypocritical, though it does make me nervous that I could potentially receive a below par item that I have no recourse for.

Because I am the only income in my household, I have to be careful with my budget. As such, I shop at Walmart for the same two reasons as everyone else: the lower prices, and the later hours, since I work the second shift. This is despite the fact that I know first hand that their employees aren't always treated great. I worked for Walmart full time when I was younger, on the overnight shift, but that was when the economy previously tanked, and they laid me off just before Christmas with no warning so that they wouldn't have to give me benefits. However, the people that work there now still need those jobs, and for me it had been better than other retail jobs, because I was paid more for working overnight, plus it was full time rather than part time. There are others that boycott places like Papa John's, but I still order from them occasionally because I still like their pizza. Again, those other employees still need those jobs.

I also work for a major corporation, and while I like my job and feel that I'm treated well by my company, many of our customers don't like us. Though, this is more a symptom of our overall business, and our competitors are likely to have similar problems. 

Anyways, since I don't boycott other businesses and corporations that have some issues, I don't see the point of boycotting Smart Doll, though I don't approve of Danny's handling of issues. Maybe one day he'll allow someone to help with PR. I still like the dolls that I do buy, and I'm able to get products that aren't offered elsewhere, such as toned boys and additional skin tones. I only wish that the boys and their parts were easier to obtain. 

I'm not sure it makes sense to boycott a business because the owner is a bit of an ass on twitter & insta, but I also don't think that what's going on here is really a boycott. All I really see is that some folks have expressed distaste for his behavior, and therefore won't give him their money.

I think his online behavior is one thing, and his refusal to accept responsibility for quality control is a separate matter. Elon Musk can be an ass, but people still buy his cars, and SpaceX is still sending rockets into orbit. In point of fact, post Covid-19 his cars may be even more popular now that people have tasted clean air for the first time in their lives. On the other hand, if he refused to acknowledge major defects in his vehicles people would eventually stop buying them.

I think with Danny there may be a breaking point where the bad rep his quality control is getting will become common enough to tip the scales.

As I mentioned awhile back there is an American VA who recently got Me Too'd. While this VA still enjoys a dedicated fan base who have stayed by him through all of his troubles, bottom line is he can't get voice work and major cons won't touch him because he's got a bad rep. Danny's Facebook fan club won't be enough to keep him afloat if the public at large realizes he shames people who ask for help with problematic products. 

With all that said, I suspect that he's not a bad guy and just needs some professional help with his thin skin.

Edited May 16, 2020 by BeyondTime

2 hours ago, BeyondTime said:

As I mentioned awhile back there is an American VA who recently got Me Too'd. While this VA still enjoys a dedicated fan base who have stayed by him through all of his troubles, bottom line is he can't get voice work and major cons won't touch him because he's got a bad rep. Danny's Facebook fan club won't be enough to keep him afloat if the public at large realizes he shames people who ask for help with problematic products.

 

I get the comparison, but being a sex pest is orders of magnitude worse than just having a bit of a thin skin and a tone problem.

1 hour ago, IgelFullmetal said:

I get the comparison, but being a sex pest is orders of magnitude worse than just having a bit of a thin skin and a tone problem.

Oh I totally agree, but I was pointing out that a die hard fan base won’t be enough to counterbalance things if an increasingly bad customer service rep tanks his business. If enough people start thinking that Smartdoll customer service involves emotional abuse then they won’t spend $600 on a luxury item called Smartdoll.  

To me there is a difference between the silliness of listing the umpteen million things he wants people to know before buying his products, and refusal to accept that cosmetic damage is a problem, because “wabi sabi.”  The silliness isn’t going to ruin him, but poor business practices could. 

I’d also say that his policy of return the entire doll because of a damaged item like a shoe is a really poor way of handling customer service. Just replace the shoe and you have a happy customer who will give you repeat business. Instead Danny picks the route of “give me back the doll and feel bad about the entire transaction so you won’t come back again,” and it’s all justified by wabi sabi. 

I wasn’t suggesting that his social media rants were the behavioral equivalent to a guy who is sexually aggressive with underage fans. Frankly that would be a very unfair comparison. 

Edited May 16, 2020 by BeyondTime

3 hours ago, BeyondTime said:

I'm not sure it makes sense to boycott a business because the owner is a bit of an ass on twitter & insta, but I also don't think that what's going on here is really a boycott. All I really see is that some folks have expressed distaste for his behavior, and therefore won't give him their money.

-snip-

With all that said, I suspect that he's not a bad guy and just needs some professional help with his thin skin.

Like I've said before, I don't think he's a fundamentally bad person, either. I think he has the skills, networking, and the creative vision to turn Smartdoll into something incredible. Look at what he did with Culture Japan! His blog was huge, his mascot so popular that she has her own line of figures and makes cameos in mainstream anime. However, I think the fact that he has poured so much of himself into the SmD image has made it difficult for him to separate criticisms of the dolls from himself and vice versa. I am personally not comfortable gambling away $600+ on a doll that, if defective in some capacity (quality control mistakes happen, it's really no big deal if handled well), will get me named and shamed on his instagram and in his facebook groups for "not understanding wabi-sabi" and "being a bad customer." It's immature and frankly juvenile to face problems this way.

I try not to shop at Wally World because of the way they treat their employees, but I know if I get a defective product from them or criticize their business practices on the internet, I'm not going to be berated for it or banned from shopping there in the future.

It's really too bad, because I love a lot of the tea skin girls.

Can someone link me to a thread or catch me up on what the smart doll QC problems have been lately?

1 hour ago, sunlightandtea said:

Can someone link me to a thread or catch me up on what the smart doll QC problems have been lately?

Bits and pieces are scattered about this thread. About page 9 is where the wig incident starts and after that is pretty much all the most recent QC problems. 

17 hours ago, fishbuttz said:

I am personally not comfortable gambling away $600+ on a doll that, if defective in some capacity (quality control mistakes happen, it's really no big deal if handled well), will get me named and shamed on his instagram and in his facebook groups for "not understanding wabi-sabi" and "being a bad customer."

He often talks about his policy on how customers are not god. He seem to have taken it too far to the extreme...
And trying to justify it with public shaming, or bullying. Even if he does not outright name people who complain or have critique, it is awful behavior.
He has the power to turn a small complaint into a full-blown malicious attack on him, and people are quick to take his side. 😕  
 

17 hours ago, fishbuttz said:

Like I've said before, I don't think he's a fundamentally bad person, either. I think he has the skills, networking, and the creative vision to turn Smartdoll into something incredible.

Indeed! I agree.
I love the product and the vision. And cool to have the representation of different skin colors and conditions. But then to alienate people - ban then even, is all but inclusion...


If Danny had a different company (something less niche) and he acted this way, I think things would be different though - he'd quickly get more backlash. Even if it ultimately wouldn't change anything...

Danny just revealed the name of the licca chan type sculpt along with his usual short story, and you can just tell it was written by a male silicon valley type entrepreneur with a rich daddy lmao.

 

All joking/saltiness aside, Monday is very cute. I hope she comes out in Tea skin soon.

 

I will just enjoy what I have and try to ignore the drama because even though he can have a crappy attitude at times, it could be FAR WORSE. I think a bad attitude is something I can live with. 

Edited June 15, 2020 by jenlovesdolls
my thought changed