Kagamine Rin/Len Reboot!

22 minutes ago, BeyondTime said:

I don't think they just chop two zeros off. They have to pay for shipping from Japan, and California is an absurdly expensive place to run a business.

California never met a tax or fee that it didn't like. 🤣

Doesn't change the price difference, but the difference seems in line with how expensive things are here. 

Yes they did. If you look at his listing on the international site, his base price before taxes and fees is 72,000 yen, and the USA price is $720. If you keep an eye on a lot of their pricing, it's based on the original price in yen before taxes and fees, with the decimal point moved two places. Before, that was a fairly reasonable way to approximate a yen to dollar conversion, but with the current rates it's way off, especially on higher cost items.

5 minutes ago, Jezrah said:

Yes they did. If you look at his listing on the international site, his base price before taxes and fees is 72,000 yen, and the USA price is $720. If you keep an eye on a lot of their pricing, it's based on the original price in yen before taxes and fees, with the decimal point moved two places. Before, that was a fairly reasonable way to approximate a yen to dollar conversion, but with the current rates it's way off, especially on higher cost items.

I think that you are both right.  They are, indeed, running a 100 yen to dollar simple conversion rate on the prices, which is disadvantageous for American buyers.  But @BeyondTime is also correct to say that there are additional costs incurred by Volks USA.  One thing that he didn't mention was import taxes.  Volks, as a business, is the one importing the dolls from Japan, and no doubt paying the import taxes to do so on a large scale.  That allows Americans to purchase the dolls domestically, and they do not need to go through customs.

Unfortunately, the benefits that VolksUSA provides are not worth the trade offs.  I've never had an issue with US customs, and off all the things I've imported from Japan, I've only ever been flagged to pay taxes a couple of times.  I've never paid any taxes on dolls from Japan.  So most likely VolksUSA is, as a business, paying duties on dolls that we, as individuals, can import directly from Japan ourselves without paying taxes.  Combine that with the 132 yen to dollar exchange rate that we currently are enjoying, and it's hard to justify a purchase from VolksUSA over the international site currently.  You're even likely to get your preorder a few months earlier from Volks Japan as you don't have to wait for the surface shipment from Volks Japan to arrive in California. 

2 hours ago, BeyondTime said:

I don't think they just chop two zeros off. They have to pay for shipping from Japan, and California is an absurdly expensive place to run a business.

California never met a tax or fee that it didn't like. 🤣

Doesn't change the price difference, but the difference seems in line with how expensive things are here. 

I know it is very expensive in Volks USA. I always used to order from them, until last year. When I order my first mochi Ashi body from volks JP because it was out of stock in Volks USA. I was amaze at the difference  from the price. For the whole body in Volks JP I paid $311 including shipping. So my next DDdy f-3 body I order from JP too and it was way cheaper $315 including shipping. The last thing I order was my DDP Ribbon and I paid $375 for her including shipping too (I got a 5,000 Yen discount coupon for her). So I save a lot of money ordering from volks JP. So when the preorder deposit for kaito was open I decided to do it in Volks JP. It was $215 for the downpayment

so as right now I recommend ordering from volks JP. So if I preorder Len I will do it in Volks JP.

Edited February 7, 2023 by MrFjmg03

1 hour ago, That_Dollfie_Dude said:

I think that you are both right.  They are, indeed, running a 100 yen to dollar simple conversion rate on the prices, which is disadvantageous for American buyers.  But @BeyondTime is also correct to say that there are additional costs incurred by Volks USA.  One thing that he didn't mention was import taxes.  Volks, as a business, is the one importing the dolls from Japan, and no doubt paying the import taxes to do so on a large scale.  That allows Americans to purchase the dolls domestically, and they do not need to go through customs.

Unfortunately, the benefits that VolksUSA provides are not worth the trade offs.  I've never had an issue with US customs, and off all the things I've imported from Japan, I've only ever been flagged to pay taxes a couple of times.  I've never paid any taxes on dolls from Japan.  So most likely VolksUSA is, as a business, paying duties on dolls that we, as individuals, can import directly from Japan ourselves without paying taxes.  Combine that with the 132 yen to dollar exchange rate that we currently are enjoying, and it's hard to justify a purchase from VolksUSA over the international site currently.  You're even likely to get your preorder a few months earlier from Volks Japan as you don't have to wait for the surface shipment from Volks Japan to arrive in California. 

Indeed, I would agree with that assessment. There has always been a difference in cost, and in the past I could accept it as the cost of receiving things domestically. Especially if I was buying normal in stock items since they would arrive more quickly. It's just the current exchange rate that makes it disadvantageous. I just worry that it could hurt Volks USA to lose business to the international site in the long run. I don't want to lose them. Hopefully it's still being offset by second chance business, when you couldn't get something in the International release and the Volks USA price was still better than scalpers.

6 minutes ago, Jezrah said:

 I just worry that it could hurt Volks USA to lose business to the international site in the long run. I don't want to lose them.

Yeah, I guess Volks has decided to keep 100 yen per dollar as a base conversion rate over the long haul.  There are certainly times when the conversion has dipped below 100, and it's nice to have a consistent price.  But since Volks Japan is willing to sell directly to US customers, and with the exchange rate being so favorable for so long, it does make me wonder if it's not time to adjust, at least to 120 for the new standard.  I know that I probably won't be considering VolksUSA unless the exchange rate fall significantly.  I just wish I could pay up front for preorders with Volks Japan.  Who knows what kind of rate you will get eight months down the line.

Excited to grab Rin, she has been sitting in that "if she gets a reboot I'll try to get her, but I don't want her enough to pay aftermarket"-category for me. I'll have to pass on Len tho, Kaito is too close and two replenishements + taxes in fall would be a hefty sum as well.

In the meantime, I'll continue hoping for a Luka reboot...

I'm hoping that my partner snaps up both either Len or Rin this round! 🤞  Even though I'm the one that's active on social media, it would be really cool to see them sitting next to my Miku. 

That bag though, I'm not very impressed.  To me, the gray takes away from the Kagamine-ish-ness.  The twins on the other hand...SO cute! 🥰💜

 

Ryu

Got my preorder in for Rin, the carrying case, and the Snow Miku 2023 outfit set.  Amazingly I liked these preorder project items a lot more than any of the clickwar stuff.

pre-ordered Len!! so excited finally I can have him without paying like 2K for him, on the secondhand market. Now to wait till fall XD

This is my first time dealing with Volks' deposit payments, is there a general idea of when to expect the second payment email? I ordered through the JP website, but am terrified at the thought of missing/not receiving the payment email and getting Rin canceled.

28 minutes ago, MagicalRinchan said:

This is my first time dealing with Volks' deposit payments, is there a general idea of when to expect the second payment email? I ordered through the JP website, but am terrified at the thought of missing/not receiving the payment email and getting Rin canceled

its been a few years since I last participated (junior saber was last), but if I recall correct you have about a month long window to pay the second part near the release date. For junior blue they sent out a few payment reminders during that period, but you can still check your account page for the pending preorders if absolutely nothing shows up around release.

1 hour ago, MagicalRinchan said:

This is my first time dealing with Volks' deposit payments, is there a general idea of when to expect the second payment email? I ordered through the JP website, but am terrified at the thought of missing/not receiving the payment email and getting Rin canceled.

Well, Kaito was my first preorder and also I preordered Len. For what I know the second payment is suppose to be when the doll is released so for the twins is in the fall. Kaito is released on March/April. I guess just follow up with the order to see that the deposit went through and it will be OK!

7 hours ago, MagicalRinchan said:

This is my first time dealing with Volks' deposit payments, is there a general idea of when to expect the second payment email? I ordered through the JP website, but am terrified at the thought of missing/not receiving the payment email and getting Rin canceled.

Is it similar with Miku's Snow 2023 outfit?  I mean, a deposit is put down, and the rest is paid when it'll be delivered? 

Also, how much is required to put down on Len/Rin/both?  Can they be paid in full?

 

Ryu

44 minutes ago, RyuichiSakuma13 said:

Is it similar with Miku's Snow 2023 outfit?  I mean, a deposit is put down, and the rest is paid when it'll be delivered? 

Yes, normally about 4 - 6 weeks before delivery you will get a payment request. Just keep in mind that Volks sets the schedule and while they are very good about keeping their timing commitments, they do reserve the right to adjust things as required. They usually post a schedule notice on their website when the exact dates for payment and delivery are decided.

 

44 minutes ago, RyuichiSakuma13 said:

Also, how much is required to put down on Len/Rin/both?  Can they be paid in full?

It's roughly a $250 deposit through Volks Japan. Volks USA is a full prepay.  

 

I wish Volks Japan allowed a pay in full since I'm not feeling confident that the exchange rate will stay favorable by the fall!

Can we put down a down payment and then pay more later on, but before the pre-ordered dolls/clothes come due?  I'd like to do that if they allow it. 

 

Ryu

Edited February 13, 2023 by RyuichiSakuma13

1 hour ago, RyuichiSakuma13 said:

Can we put down a down payment and then pay more later on, but before the pre-ordered dolls/clothes come due?  I'd like to do that if they allow it. 

 

Ryu

No, unfortunately you won't be able to make another payment until the remaining payment is due. 

I'm quite sure I remember Miku having alternate hand poses sold with her nail polish on, but have alternate hands for the other Vocaloid dollfies ever been available? Reboot Rin's photos show her with different hands that include the yellow nails, however I haven't heard a word about Kagamine hands for sale with this reboot-

Otherwise, does anyone have advice for doing simple custom nails? My mind goes to acrylic paints as I've used for faceups already, but if there's more alternatives I'm very curious to hear.

52 minutes ago, MagicalRinchan said:

I'm quite sure I remember Miku having alternate hand poses sold with her nail polish on, but have alternate hands for the other Vocaloid dollfies ever been available? Reboot Rin's photos show her with different hands that include the yellow nails, however I haven't heard a word about Kagamine hands for sale with this reboot-

Otherwise, does anyone have advice for doing simple custom nails? My mind goes to acrylic paints as I've used for faceups already, but if there's more alternatives I'm very curious to hear.

For what i saw the kagamine twins aren’t getting second pair of hands only the original with painted nails, maybe there will be later for sale separately. I know that Kaito comes with a second pair of hands so that’s nice.

5 hours ago, TVXD said:

For what i saw the kagamine twins aren’t getting second pair of hands only the original with painted nails, maybe there will be later for sale separately. I know that Kaito comes with a second pair of hands so that’s nice.

Yeah, they show pictures of Rin with the "peace sign" hands in the advertising, but in the written description (i.e. what you actually get) there is only one pair of hands listed. 

1 hour ago, That_Dollfie_Dude said:

Yeah, they show pictures of Rin with the "peace sign" hands in the advertising, but in the written description (i.e. what you actually get) there is only one pair of hands listed. 

I guess we’ll see when they come out XD

Ugh, I’m debating getting Rin. I don’t like her regular outfit though, if I did I would get the Empty Sekai to put in her and sale the original. But I already have a spent a lot on dolls this year. Plus I don’t have the Miku outfit. Narrowly lost the bid on one on eBay so now it might be out of my reach. 😞

 

I haven’t seen the Rin Sekai outfit posted yet, have they said when it will be released?

31 minutes ago, RavenWiccan said:

Ugh, I’m debating getting Rin. I don’t like her regular outfit though,

You can always just get her a t-shirt to start off.  She's cute in many different styles of clothes.

 

4 minutes ago, That_Dollfie_Dude said:

You can always just get her a t-shirt to start off.  She's cute in many different styles of clothes.

Yeah, I think I would do the Empty Sekai and find a longer blonde wig for her. I’ve seen some people put longer ones on her and I love the look! 🙂 It’s just whether to be bad and actually order her. 😅 I might see if I can find someone who wants the outfit to do a split. That way I won’t feel quite as guilty since it wouldn’t be as much. 🤣

On 2/15/2023 at 6:53 AM, MagicalRinchan said:

I'm quite sure I remember Miku having alternate hand poses sold with her nail polish on, but have alternate hands for the other Vocaloid dollfies ever been available? Reboot Rin's photos show her with different hands that include the yellow nails, however I haven't heard a word about Kagamine hands for sale with this reboot-

 

On 2/15/2023 at 1:41 PM, That_Dollfie_Dude said:

Yeah, they show pictures of Rin with the "peace sign" hands in the advertising, but in the written description (i.e. what you actually get) there is only one pair of hands listed. 

 

On 2/15/2023 at 2:48 PM, TVXD said:

I guess we’ll see when they come out XD

All Miku's (Default, Sakura, Snow) came with 2 sets of hands (DDⅡ-H-01 & DDⅡ-H-04). Luka came with two sets as well (DDII-H-01 & DDII-H-08). KAITO will come with DDⅡ-H-01B & DDⅡ-H-02B. Meiko (DDⅡ-H-08), Len (DDⅡ-H-06B) and Rin (DDⅡ-H-08) all came with one set of hands even though the promotional pictures for the Kagamine twins showed more; the pictures for the original release had peace hands and widespread hands in them even though neither twin actually came with those. Bummed to see they also included them in the pictures for the reboot. Imo it makes it unclear to consumers that you're not actually getting those hands.

The only official additional hands with nail polish that were ever sold are for the Default Miku. There's no word on them planning to sell additional hands for other Vocaloid characters.