The Facebook debacle & other issues

Yeah, I remember that going down, it was uncomfortable to watch. I've mentioned that I've followed Danny since the pre-Smartdoll days, and I'd never seen him go off on someone like that. It was a real eye-opener, and it's part of why I personally try to avoid buying directly from the company. I'm on my own with repairs, but at least I can (hopefully!) avoid a potential name-and-shame if there's a problem with my order.

It just baffles me- I had an order go missing recently from a company that sells tea, and even though things are going slowly (covid, I get it,) we've both been polite with our inquiries and updates, and- crucially, I think- this company mentioned that they are willing to re-ship my order at no cost, because they, like most companies, know that a good customer interaction when something goes wrong will mean more money in the long run, even if it means a short-term financial loss right now. While the phrase 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar' isn't true, the sentiment behind it holds weight, I think. Companies I've had problems with who have worked with me to resolve the issue made back their loss and then some on my future patronage. With Smart Doll's growing reputation as a company with drama, and with Danny's track record of lashing out whenever customers contact his company with issues, I genuinely do worry that it's going to impact their bottom line sooner or later. And despite what Danny may think of the people he considers detractors, I think the majority of us don't want to see the company fail. I know I don't... I wish I could just buy dolls and have it be chill.

3 hours ago, Deyja said:

He was really nasty to her. I was talking to her on Facebook, and she ended up having to return the whole doll. She told me she moved the refund process to paypal not as a dispute but as a back up/documenting and that she was scared. Honestly, it wasn't a bad idea. She wasn't trying to get a free doll but just wanted protection from a company (Danny) who went ballistic on her over a pair of shoes. He then took her going through Paypal as another personal attack and just shredded her. It's been a year since it happened, and I don't remember everything else that happened so there are details I'm not remembering or just don't know about.

Damn, that's horrible and legit a bit disturbing. O_O Going to PayPal is fair enough as Smart Dolls cost a small fortune and tbh the protection is there for sellers who won't refund faulty goods. Damn, having to return the whole doll is shitty. Feel so bad for her.

Edit: @Mothiraffe yeah, I wish a chill shopping experience was the norm with Smart Dolls, rather than uncertainty and anxiety. o_o It really should not be this hard to give a person money for things!

Edited July 2, 2020 by Katsudon

2 hours ago, Mothiraffe said:

I think the majority of us don't want to see the company fail. I know I don't... I wish I could just buy dolls and have it be chill.

I wouldn't be surprised if he just does a walk-in-store or "nope, no more dolls for anyone" and just shuts down the whole company, in a fit, one day.
I've felt it before the pre-order rant, but after it it felt even more plausible.
So even if we want to see a company succeed, it is indeed hard to support it, if the owner is prone to bully customers and throw tantrums/takes things out on everyone.

2 hours ago, Mothiraffe said:

 With Smart Doll's growing reputation as a company with drama, and with Danny's track record of lashing out whenever customers contact his company with issues, I genuinely do worry that it's going to impact their bottom line sooner or later. And despite what Danny may think of the people he considers detractors, I think the majority of us don't want to see the company fail. I know I don't... I wish I could just buy dolls and have it be chill.

I really do hope that he works on improving his personal customer service experience by the time the DC Superhero Smart Dolls come out. I'm pretty sure a good chunk of people who buy them would be ones who aren't in the doll hobby/collecting community and I can't imagine many of them will put up with a highly rude response to a quality control issue, especially if it's directly coming from the owner. They're not going to care about wabi-sabi or anything regarding the company philosophy if the customer feels there is an unreasonable flaw with their Smart Doll. Word travels fast, even more so if he were to be extremely rude to someone that has a notable social media following.

 

6 hours ago, Katsudon said:

Edit: I had a random wish last night... which was cortex kits for the smart doll boys. ^^; I mean, if they were kits, Danny and team wouldn't need to put so many resources into producing them (and if we could buy separate bodies and heads I would totally buy a boy cortex body and a Monday head, because I presume that post from Danny was a joke, as he tried to make the doll look like Chucky.) Yup, it's a silly dream, but I really like the idea of cortex.

I had been hoping from he beginning that if Cortex was successful, transitioning the boys over would be the next step. Clearly that is never going to happen.

1 hour ago, Yumeiro said:

I wouldn't be surprised if he just does a walk-in-store or "nope, no more dolls for anyone" and just shuts down the whole company, in a fit, one day.
I've felt it before the pre-order rant, but after it it felt even more plausible.
 

That was what I was worried about when the timer appeared on the site XD and clearly I wasn't the only one. I saw some people on facebook who bought their dolls during the timer crisis because they didn't know what was going on. Chances are they are less pessimistic than me... but they still felt they had to pounce when a timer appeared on the doll/s they were after. ^^; 

53 minutes ago, RainbowNanaki said:

I had been hoping from he beginning that if Cortex was successful, transitioning the boys over would be the next step. Clearly that is never going to happen.

An enby can dream, can't they ;o;

XD

(Sorry for the double post. I forgot to double quote. And I tried to copy and paste but my phone said nope. Sorry!)

(Seriously, cortex boysssss)

Edited July 2, 2020 by Katsudon

I'd take Cortex boys over nothing! Even if they were only Final Boss Grade! I've shell-swapped consoles, changed batteries in gameboy games, and done a whole host of stressful tinkering -- bring it on! 

He cannot let the shoes go. He literally cannot let it go. I was enjoying reading about the process but he just had to mention the shoes, didn't he? It's been a year now.

Haha that was my thought too. Always back to the shoes. -_-

I was surprised that they buy leather that has already been weathered, rather than that being part of the manufacturing process. ^^; I mean all it takes apparently is a bit of rubbing alcohol and some sandpaper. I was surprised, because he talks about how smart doll apparel is designed by people with a fashion background... and even me with my non-fashion background knows that worn looks are created deliberately during manufacture. It allows the designer control over the look, and doesn't waste materials, as one might if they were trying to match uneven leather on some shoes, per se.

I uh actually have some leather off cuts, and some rubber for soles. Temptation to see if I can make some boots o_o;;

@Katsudon Make some boots! And yeah the realization that... Danny buys pre-weathered (? less processed??) leather is.........interesting. I mean if he wants like- like you can buy untanned leather if he wants. Hell you can buy rawhide (not the dog chews) even, probably for less- unless these guys specialize in a certain type of processing for their materials? I think we'd need to know more, but I too am curious why he prefers to buy processed materials rather than do it in-house. Perhaps it saves money in labour and time, it's beyond me to know, and there could be a completely valid reason. ^^

I'm extremely worried about that Monday sculpt coming to life and disposing of me, and he keeps releasing dolls with it. It doesn't matter what faceup it is, it still gives me the heebie jeebies. 😨

33 minutes ago, sunlightandtea said:

I'm extremely worried about that Monday sculpt coming to life and disposing of me, and he keeps releasing dolls with it. It doesn't matter what faceup it is, it still gives me the heebie jeebies. 😨

Everytime I see it, I do this face: 🤢

Lol...

I find the Monday sculpt kinda cute but what bothers me so much (and ruins the sculpt) are the eyes. Why are they always cross-eyed!? I find it more obvious and bothersome with the Monday sculpt. Those eyes just make the sculpt creepy than what it actually is... in my opinion. 

Edited July 3, 2020 by solebria

On 6/30/2020 at 10:36 PM, Katsudon said:

Oh god the ventriloquist dummy mouth is gonna haunt me O_O

But without that he'd be a totally cute boy XD I reckon a ton of people would be into that.

I'm sorry, just hadda roll into this thread for ONE comment, and one comment only!!!

The immediate first thought in my head upon seeing the pic was hearing the Archivist say "statement begins" and then a story of all these dolls crushing the necks of their new owners using nothing but the DC SmartDoll clothes tags .... this has been your rando Magnus Archives non sequitur for the day

PS: is wabisabi supposed to basically be teh overpriced on-purpose-manufactured "Shabby chic"?

Edited July 3, 2020 by Chise

16 hours ago, sunlightandtea said:

I'm extremely worried about that Monday sculpt coming to life and disposing of me, and he keeps releasing dolls with it. It doesn't matter what faceup it is, it still gives me the heebie jeebies. 😨

I'm not the type of person who says any dolls are creepy or creep me out but Monday sure comes close. Maybe a little too far into the uncanny valley for me. I find I can't look at pictures of the sculpt for too long without the need to look over my shoulder.

Edited July 3, 2020 by Deyja
spelling

22 minutes ago, Chise said:

PS: is wabisabi supposed to basically be teh overpriced on-purpose-manufactured "Shabby chic"?

There was a more scholarly discussion on it a few pages back. The simple answer: in the traditional philosophical sense no it’s not, but in the modern sense it seems like it can be exactly what you’re suggesting.

 

Me: I love this Prowess! She looks great! Please let me bring her ho-

Danny: We may be at a stage to release some early access prototypes late August. I can’t release until we get a closer color matching frame though. As for how to get hold of them - you just have to be brave

Me: 

Why. Why can't we just buy something normally. Is it SO BAD to just SELL THE PRODUCT DIRECTLY. Is it entitlement to want to trade money for a specific good? Now people are going to have to stalk the site waiting for that page to update and hope to god they 1) have the money on hand to impulse buy a doll, 2) are able to order the doll fast enough to get it before everyone else does, and 3) get the doll they actually hcking want out of the five hundred dollar lootbox.

Is it just me that finds this unreasonable?

2 hours ago, Mothiraffe said:

Why. Why can't we just buy something normally. Is it SO BAD to just SELL THE PRODUCT DIRECTLY. Is it entitlement to want to trade money for a specific good? Now people are going to have to stalk the site waiting for that page to update and hope to god they 1) have the money on hand to impulse buy a doll, 2) are able to order the doll fast enough to get it before everyone else does, and 3) get the doll they actually hcking want out of the five hundred dollar lootbox.

Is it just me that finds this unreasonable?

Oh, it's not just you who thinks that. The fact that he even has a $500+ gatcha/lootbox option is bad enough. I have a bad feeling that it will get to a point where the ONLY way to get a specific new Smart Doll is to make a "Only the Brave" purchase and pray that you get that doll.

16 minutes ago, HanaLuka said:

Oh, it's not just you who thinks that. The fact that he even has a $500+ gatcha/lootbox option is bad enough. I have a bad feeling that it will get to a point where the ONLY way to get a specific new Smart Doll is to make a "Only the Brave" purchase and pray that you get that doll.

And you can't even buy them as your first purchase. If someone is trying to get a blue doll after the Volks joints fiasco, if they have never bought a Smd before, they can't. They would have to buy a whole doll and then maybe in the lootbox get the blue one.

His words say "I want new customers and dolls for everyone" but his actions say "I only want my wealthy super fans to buy my dolls" 😕

Edited July 4, 2020 by LuluChan
Typos

Honestly he talks about churn and the need to grow his business (which again, I understand and respect, dude's gotta make money!) But then he makes it difficult for first-time buyers to purchase a Smart Doll if they don't have proof of owning one already, and just- surely that's worse for the bottom line than just selling the dolls normally? I know if this was any other industry, like- If someone refused to sell me their tomatoes because I had never bought their tomatoes before, I'd be baffled and go back to the grocery store, but- you have to give people the CHANCE to buy your product to begin with. 

Fuck dude I just want the pretty blue doll and I feel like middleschool all over again with the cliquey behavior and exclusionist tendencies. it's that feeling of "why aren't i good enough" and I should not be feeling that about the ability to buy a product. This is absolutely beyond the pale.

I'm mad at how much I LOVE Prowess in blue. If anyone here gets her and doesn't want her I'll pay you retail+. I think that might be my only option, because i'll be bamboozled if I'm not banned, too... seriously, I can tell you Danny's losing out on potential revenue sources with 100% certainty because I'm here pining that I am unable to just purchase the product I like most. Pardon my salt, but I just... hate the mindset of "we only want certain customers." It's so hateful. 😕

Maybe his brave comment is only referring to the early access prototypes and not the official release?

I thought he was referring to the prototypes and not the actual product? Usally the Only the Brave thing is for prototypes of unreleased dolls, so blue prowess will likely be released "normally" ( if you ignore that stupid pre-order system) Also I forgot who it said but, there was a old cocoa Moonlight in Garage sales, for over $2,000 us, already sold out : /. You were right about him selling her for a ridiculous price, unannounced. 

Edited July 4, 2020 by Mame

6 minutes ago, Mame said:

 Also I forgot who it said but, there was a old cocoa Moonlight in Garage sales, for over $2,000 us, already sold out : /. You were right about him selling her for a ridiculous price, unannounced. 

So what's the excuse for scalping his own product after supposedly going above and beyond to avoid it for his limited releases? Dude just sold a used doll with an old frame, that he knows is very sought after, for 5 times its retail price (for his new dolls). Didn't even bat an eye. 

I don't even know how anyone could defend that anymore. I'm honestly disgusted.

Holy shit. Having to use a proxy to get the doll I want through Volks' Dream Choice system may be slightly inconvenient, but I'll sure as hell take that route any day over this scam-like $500 gachapon garbage Danny is once again pulling. I know I'd be livid if I didn't get a doll I wanted with that, and frankly, it's beyond unacceptable at this point.

Decisions like these show me has no clue how to retain a steady customer base, imo.

Edited July 4, 2020 by Selenae