DDIII Cracks

All DDIIIs still have cracking problems, because they aren't to the thickness of plastic they need to be. You can buy those shoulder/hip parts for only $7.50 from Coolcat (all parts needed for 1 doll at that price). You have to take the doll apart to put the reinforcement in, but DDIIIs are very easy to take apart.

 

Yes, but if you get an older DD3 the cool cats parts will not fit, so it's not $7.50, but $7.50 plus the ~$100 to get new thighs and a new bust inner skeleton. And to make it worse the older thinner parts are the most likely to crack.

 

P.S. Has the world really reached the point where the requirement OD > 2*ID is considered scary math that needs a warning? Sigh.

Yes, but if you get an older DD3 the cool cats parts will not fit, so it's not $7.50, but $7.50 plus the ~$100 to get new thighs and a new bust inner skeleton. And to make it worse the older thinner parts are the most likely to crack.

 

P.S. Has the world really reached the point where the requirement OD > 2*ID is considered scary math that needs a warning? Sigh.

 

Apparently your joking detector is not working today, Scripple.

 

Good point for the older DDIII thing. I believe Saber Alter 2 is considered a newer DDIII. I haven't taken mine apart yet to check her against Rise, who's a bit newer still.

Apparently your joking detector is not working today, Scripple.

 

No I saw the laughing emoticon. It was more the realization that such humor typically has a basis in fact.

 

Good point for the older DDIII thing. I believe Saber Alter 2 is considered a newer DDIII. I haven't taken mine apart yet to check her against Rise, who's a bit newer still.

 

As I stated I believe some Saber Alters from the first batch have the older parts. I guess the best thing would be to ask for photos. If you look at the Cool Cats site they have photos of the difference and it's not that hard to see.

Cool Cat will be making the ones to fit the older DD3 models after the holidays.

Thank you all for the fast replies. I've been assured by the seller that she is crack free for the time being and she poses well...if all else fails I have some DDII Bodies to fall back on if the unfortunate cracks begin to appear.

 

...maybe I should ask for pictures...

Hmm. I ordered some shoulder parts, but skipped the hip parts since I have never had trouble with the hips and I'm nervous about removing the legs. Now I wonder if I've made the right decision.

I searched this topic, but found no mention yet of any notification or acknowledgment from Volks that a manufacturing or design defect exists. I'm guessing there are consumer protection laws and watchdog groups in Japan. I was wondering if there has been any formal complaints or official pressure applied to Volks from Japanese sources who are surely experiencing similar problems. This is a sizeable problem; I'm considering my purchase choices now based on the prevalancy of this problem. If it's so bad, that an aftermarket provider is able to make money selling a solution, then a legal case certainly has a basis for proceeding. I want Volks to stay in business; I want for them to be able to continue offering the products we want, but if they're reluctant to address this, someone will likely sue them to get their attention. These dolls aren't inexpensive & part of that expense is the value the brand brings to the product. That brand quality is now in question. Volks, are you listening?

I searched this topic, but found no mention yet of any notification or acknowledgment from Volks that a manufacturing or design defect exists. I'm guessing there are consumer protection laws and watchdog groups in Japan. I was wondering if there has been any formal complaints or official pressure applied to Volks from Japanese sources who are surely experiencing similar problems. This is a sizeable problem; I'm considering my purchase choices now based on the prevalancy of this problem. If it's so bad, that an aftermarket provider is able to make money selling a solution, then a legal case certainly has a basis for proceeding. I want Volks to stay in business; I want for them to be able to continue offering the products we want, but if they're reluctant to address this, someone will likely sue them to get their attention. These dolls aren't inexpensive & part of that expense is the value the brand brings to the product. That brand quality is now in question. Volks, are you listening?

 

Not to sound dismissive...but the Japanese government has far more serious issues to deal with than one involving what is, at it's heart, an expensive toy.

 

Japanese companies can practically get away with murder and it's the tendency of the Japanese people to just say "Shoganai" ("It can't be helped...") when problems like this happen. They're not going to go off and sue a company because their doll's joint broke.

 

Volks will not admit direct fault because they are a Japanese company run buy Japanese people. When a company in Japan publicly apologizes for something it has to be a HUGE issue. (ie Sony and the loss of tons of user info) By Japanese business culture standards this will remain low key, as it should, and they will likely continue to dole out replacement parts on a case by case basis to keep the collateral damage as low as possible.

 

Publicly coming clean isn't always the best way to fix an issue. If anything it would just hurt the company's image. Doing low key individual responses is the only viable solution if they want to keep their reputation.

 

It seems like Volks has honored it's 2 week warranty thing in most cases now even though they were hesitant in the beginning. I think one needs to remember that they have never had a widespread issue like this before...so maybe they were just learning the ropes, you know?

 

As for aftermarket providers offering solutions, Coolcat has been offering doll parts for as long as I've been in this hobby. This isn't a new thing.

 

Everyone screws up sometimes. Even Volks. The problem seems to have been addressed for the most part in newer models...so there's really no legal case anyways.

 

Yes it sucks...but I think it's utterly foolish to begin discussing litigation.

Hmm. I ordered some shoulder parts, but skipped the hip parts since I have never had trouble with the hips and I'm nervous about removing the legs. Now I wonder if I've made the right decision.

 

It's not too bad. Use a hair dryer to loosen up the vinyl. SakuraSylph built a DDS last weekend from parts and he had no problem attaching the legs using a hair dryer. Removing can go the same way.

 

I searched this topic, but found no mention yet of any notification or acknowledgment from Volks that a manufacturing or design defect exists. (snip) These dolls aren't inexpensive & part of that expense is the value the brand brings to the product. That brand quality is now in question. Volks, are you listening?

 

Many companies intentionally make products that have a higher failure rate than they really need to. The reason is it'll make people buy more. Buying more = more money. And since Volks sells DD parts separately now... Yeah.

 

And for the expense, you have to keep these things in mind:

 

1) DDs are made in Japan. Not China or other countries that pay their workers very low wages.

2) DDs are hand made and each doll takes time. Factories do not print these by the thousands. On Crunchyroll, there's an episode of Culture Japan where Danny Choo goes to Obitsu (also a Japanese doll maker) and sees how the dolls are made. Volks' process is a bit different, but they're still hand made like that. Hand made items generally always cost more than factory produced items due to labor costs.

 

Unfortunately, this is just how it is. Volks is slowly making them better, but even the "durable" DDIIs cracked now and then. If you don't like how durable they are, the only choices are to not buy them or try to fix your doll yourself to make it more durable or just buy them bodies that you feel are more durable. I personally think it's worth trying to improve the dolls because I like them, but it's up to you on how much you're willing to do.

Replies from tubatime1010 and DJStarstryker to my post have been enlightenening regarding Japanese business culture etc. My experience with Japanese business culture as it interfaces with the electronics R&D I've worked in for many years has been that they've been very responsive to problems, concerned about getting it right. My personal ownership experience with their vehicle and consumer products has been that they're among the top contenders and noted for quality. So I am somewhat taken aback by the attitude of "it can't be helped". It clashes with my preconceptions about Japanese honor and integrity. It may be as you say; however, I tend to think that Volks is having trouble keeping up with growth. Rather than planning obsolescence, I think they're scrambling. Trying to buy the key components to make repairs reveals shortages & out of stock. Looking at their problems from the outside, I think there are better ways to go about resolving them, but my ideas come from a western perspective. It appears patience will be required. My wife often tells me I could use more of it.

There's also the fact that Volks intentionally does NOT make as many of the dolls as there is demand for. They know the demand is higher. But high demand means that people are willing to pay higher prices. Yes, even the regular stuff that they plan to make more of is affected by this too. Look at it this way - to buy all of the parts for a DDIII or a DDS, it costs ~$400. That's a lot of money for one doll. And this isn't even including head or eyes or wig or clothes. But if it's harder to get, the price can stay that high, and if the price is high, people will see it even more as a luxury product.

 

As a non-doll thing to compare it to, that's why perfume can sell for obscene amounts even though it's essentially scented water that costs a tiny fraction of the purchase price for the maker to make. It's seen as a luxury.

 

For the repair thing... again, Volks is slowly getting better. Unfortunately, it's not as fast as it probably should be, but... like you said yourself, there isn't much that we as the consumer can do other than stop buying the dolls. But there's enough people still buying, more than the demand, that Volks will still be sitting pretty in profits even if a bunch of people here boycotted them.

I was searching Taobao for DD items (clothes, eyes and such) and found some hobby shop or hobbyist (probably) who offers "repair services" for DD frames. Like casting replacement wrist or shoulder part.

 

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.3.0.60.HAjdZm&id=16433968827&

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.3.0.74.HAjdZm&id=18638276314&

 

If I understand what Chrome is translating...

Home sick today. Up very early shuffling in a hazy stupor from the headache, and then began finishing up electronic bill paying and seeing what's cleared. Done. Began checking on three DDII listings on Mandarake I've been monitoring, still there. Checked Volks sites for standard DD availability - zero. Decided to check Dollfie World for outfit availabilty. New Miko DDdy listed on sidebar, .....huumm, uuhh, what!? Click Click, payment processed, now shows accepted. So, if all goes well, I will soon have first hand knowledge of the lastest rendition of the internal workings. Still, based on these discussions I'm considering older DDII as preferable to the DDIII 2011 & 2012 vintages when it comes to future purchases.

 

For aftermarket replacement, I remember seeing what looked like an articulated anodized aluminum internal torso frame structure for various DDS,DD,DDdy. I think it was on yahoojp. Definitely not cheap.

Yikes...There's still one up on DollfieWorld...but 800 dollars? Man...idk if I'd ever pay that for a standard...

 

and if the availability of Miko on Volks' site a couple days ago...then the sudden availability of Miko on DollfieWorld mean anything...which I kinda think they do...then it can only lead me to believe that DollfieWorld is buying up everything they can from Volks just to flip it for a profit.

 

Which leaves a really sour taste in my mouth...bad enough that I dont really want to buy from them anymore. They're milking the dollfie community for even more money by buying up anything and everything volks can put up then reselling it for a $200 profit. Ugh.\

 

I'm all for people profiting where they can...but this is just kind of mean on their part. It's basically preying on those of us who are dying to get these new standards.

just wait it out it will become available on volks soon

Yikes...There's still one up on DollfieWorld...but 800 dollars? Man...idk if I'd ever pay that for a standard...

 

Dollfie World is a known flipper. Natalie flies to Japan for Volks events to buy stuff to resell at high markups. The only reason they can get away with it and still have a good reputation is because they're one of the few places that is willing to offer long layaways (up to a year) and they're willing to help you get just about anything. People tolerate the flipping for those things.

Located the aftermarket internal structure that I mentioned above; it was on ebay. They can be found under the BJD section using search phrase "remodel parts". From my technician's background, it looks to be a strong replacement. From a financial perspective, it's most definitely a luxury item. ...Reminds me a bit of the robot skeleton from the old "Terminator" movie.

Yikes...There's still one up on DollfieWorld...but 800 dollars? Man...idk if I'd ever pay that for a standard...

 

Dollfie World is a known flipper. Natalie flies to Japan for Volks events to buy stuff to resell at high markups. The only reason they can get away with it and still have a good reputation is because they're one of the few places that is willing to offer long layaways (up to a year) and they're willing to help you get just about anything. People tolerate the flipping for those things.

 

To be fair, for Canadians, it costs about the same to order from DW than it does to order from Volks USA. That's due to the horrible shipping rates and also the customs charges. I always get charged from Volks USA, and never from DW.

To be fair, for Canadians, it costs about the same to order from DW than it does to order from Volks USA. That's due to the horrible shipping rates and also the customs charges. I always get charged from Volks USA, and never from DW.

There's actually something wrong with that, I think. Last time I read the Canadian Harmonized Tariff codes about six months ago, there was supposed to be zero duty at all for dolls and parts thereof coming from the United States. You should be able to argue your case if you get slapped with fees, unless something's changed recently.

 

I could beat DollfieWorld on both price and layaway terms for all regular DD items. I don't go shopping to resell unless people specifically ask me to, though, since I'm just a fellow collector not a business. (Sorry, not a DW fan personally.)

To be fair, for Canadians, it costs about the same to order from DW than it does to order from Volks USA. That's due to the horrible shipping rates and also the customs charges. I always get charged from Volks USA, and never from DW.

There's actually something wrong with that, I think. Last time I read the Canadian Harmonized Tariff codes about six months ago, there was supposed to be zero duty at all for dolls and parts thereof coming from the United States. You should be able to argue your case if you get slapped with fees, unless something's changed recently.

 

I could beat DollfieWorld on both price and layaway terms for all regular DD items. I don't go shopping to resell unless people specifically ask me to, though, since I'm just a fellow collector not a business. (Sorry, not a DW fan personally.)

 

I'll be contacting you for the next release of outfits, then! Not sure why I get charged the taxes, though . . .

A friend said that he ordered the Cool Cat hip joint reinforcement parts but they didn't fit well. He asked Cool Cat about it and they said that he must have the older version of the DDIII body with thinner joints. They said they would send him the smaller cirbleepference parts for the older body. I think that is great that they are going to offer both versions. Especially since the older ones are the ones most likely to break.

 

newer/thicker (left), older/thinner (right)

thanks for the info for this, i gotten 2 pairs as well but yet to use it but since my alter & nero are the first batch, guess it will not fit also. time to do a check.

Hi

 

I saw there are 2 size Cool cat reinforcement joints on their site. One large for new models and one small for first models. They do a list with first models, but they don't know if their list is complete or not.

Here is the list :

 

霧雨魔理沙／霧雨魔理沙〈きりさめまりさ／Kirisame Marisa

博麗靈夢／博麗霊夢（はくれいれいむ）／Hakurei Reimu

十六夜咲夜／Izayoi Sakuya

アキラ／Akira

モエ２nd Ver.／Moe

アオイ 2nd Ver.／Aoi

ユキノ 2nd Ver.／Yukino

 

Can anybody please tell me if Mariko is a first model or a new one? It could be interesting to complete the list with people experience.

 

Thank you in advance

Hi

 

I saw there are 2 size Cool cat reinforcement joints on their site. One large for new models and one small for first models. They do a list with first models, but they don't know if their list is complete or not.

Here is the list :

 

霧雨魔理沙／霧雨魔理沙〈きりさめまりさ／Kirisame Marisa

博麗靈夢／博麗霊夢（はくれいれいむ）／Hakurei Reimu

十六夜咲夜／Izayoi Sakuya

アキラ／Akira

モエ２nd Ver.／Moe

アオイ 2nd Ver.／Aoi

ユキノ 2nd Ver.／Yukino

 

Can anybody please tell me if Mariko is a first model or a new one? It could be interesting to complete the list with people experience.

 

Thank you in advance

 

I'm fairly sure Mariko is a new one. They used the new molds for the WS DDS, so she even had the grooves.

 

Millhiore had the thicker parts, but still had the old peg style.

 

I'm fairly sure Mariko is a new one. They used the new molds for the WS DDS, so she even had the grooves.

 

Millhiore had the thicker parts, but still had the old peg style.

 

Thank you so much ^_^