Disappointments with Volks

I have to second their customer service. I've had one outfit (petite strawberry milk heart) that came brandnew with stains on it, and when I emailed them with detailed proof they said it wasn't defective and that those things were common... For me to have just started in the hobby and think that Volks was the high end of doll items, I felt very taken.. esp when the outfit was 80$ and I had to do cleanup on a brand new outfit. and even with some shoes I bought thru them they were folded poorly and had an unfixable crease - they did replace them but claimed they were not damaged or defective, which seemed like they were not going to concede my concern was valid but they would replace them just to keep me happy.

 

and why in blue blazes can they not sell the base dolls? I don't understand a company trying to piece things out and make it *harder* for people willing to spend 300+ on a body have to run the risk of not getting all the parts to complete their doll. You don't buy a BMW piece by piece do you (I imagine.. oh noes, I could only get the fender, tires, transmission and headlights in this click war.. but I still couldn't get the car frame!)? Why the heck should you need to buy a dollbody in stages? Make it easier for your fan base and loyal customers to *willingly* give you more money for product... don't make us have to fight so hard for it. huff huff.. XD

  mangaemi said:

I have to second their customer service. I've had one outfit (petite strawberry milk heart) that came brandnew with stains on it, and when I emailed them with detailed proof they said it wasn't defective and that those things were common... For me to have just started in the hobby and think that Volks was the high end of doll items, I felt very taken.. esp when the outfit was 80$ and I had to do cleanup on a brand new outfit. and even with some shoes I bought thru them they were folded poorly and had an unfixable crease - they did replace them but claimed they were not damaged or defective, which seemed like they were not going to concede my concern was valid but they would replace them just to keep me happy.

 

and why in blue blazes can they not sell the base dolls? I don't understand a company trying to piece things out and make it *harder* for people willing to spend 300+ on a body have to run the risk of not getting all the parts to complete their doll. You don't buy a BMW piece by piece do you (I imagine.. oh noes, I could only get the fender, tires, transmission and headlights in this click war.. but I still couldn't get the car frame!)? Why the heck should you need to buy a dollbody in stages? Make it easier for your fan base and loyal customers to *willingly* give you more money for product... don't make us have to fight so hard for it. huff huff.. XD

 

I agree, like the only thing keeping me is that the dolls are some damn gorgeous. But it's a hassle to get bodies, and I stayed away for a while waiting for a chance to snag one to no avail, thank the good lord for mitsuki!!! Another thing that bugs me, and I am sure everyone has had the problem.......unlike the obitsu company that sells the vinyl cover and "bones" separately......volks sells them in parts...together....like wth! If I need 1 thigh bone replacement I have to buy a PAIR of THIGHS!!!!! :/ like really......and even if I were to resign myself to just collecting pieces and building another doll, I would still need to buy another pair of thighs to make the first pair a complete set....:/. I think the bodies could last longer if they did it like the obitsu company.

  Gunter said:

  Izalith said:

US residents get like... 4(?) chances to win a doll? Whereas Canada or Australia get one or two chances to win a doll.

 

Does the AU have a Official Volks Dealer or something? I know they can go with International, so just wondering if there is a dealer in the AU? Volks USA serves all of North America, so if you are in Canada or Mexico you technically have two chances if you go with International as well. US Residents do technically get four tries. You have VolksUSA, Kerbey Lane, We Love Dolls, and we can go through International as well.

 

  Izalith said:

Also, scalpers. I don't mind dolls selling for a high price, but I do mind scalpers making 6-10 entries just to make a profit. They should make it so that a previous purchase from Volks is REQUIRED to enter in lotteries, so you can't just get 10 randoms to make an entry for you. DD owners wouldn't be affected because most of them would have already bought stuff from Volks already.

 

It's not really fair that some places only have one chance to enter. I mean, if you live in Italy or Spain I don't see how you could get a decent chance at getting your doll without resorting to Y! JA or eBay.

 

That isn't exactly fair if you take into mind that a lot of folks first purchase with Volks will be an attempt for a doll. Mine was. Scalpers will get there dolls no matter what, and that's just how it is. Volks can limit in some ways, but many peeps have others to help them with this to get around all those rules. So, I feel you can't really put the blame on Volks for this one. It is a problem with all hobbies that involve collecting LE items too.

 

Well, their first purchase could be clothing with the doll too.

Like, if you want to enter, you have to buy something with the entry (or have previously bought with Volks). Even buying just socks would be fine. Just something to cut down on the multiple entries by people with no regard for the doll.

 

I don't think that's too much, considering how many of us buy clothing/accessories with our doll. Rarely do we just buy one limited doll and call it a day. It would definitely keep dolls in the hands of those that actually *want* them and away from scalpers.

 

Many hobbies do this, where you have to purchase something in order to enter the lottery.

  Nelly19 said:

I agree, like the only thing keeping me is that the dolls are some damn gorgeous. But it's a hassle to get bodies, and I stayed away for a while waiting for a chance to snag one to no avail, thank the good lord for mitsuki!!! Another thing that bugs me, and I am sure everyone has had the problem.......unlike the obitsu company that sells the vinyl cover and "bones" separately......volks sells them in parts...together....like wth! If I need 1 thigh bone replacement I have to buy a PAIR of THIGHS!!!!! :/ like really......and even if I were to resign myself to just collecting pieces and building another doll, I would still need to buy another pair of thighs to make the first pair a complete set....:/. I think the bodies could last longer if they did it like the obitsu company.

 

exactly.. aesthetic is what keeps me wanting to buy Dollfie Dreams - obitsus knee, elbow, torso design isn't as pretty as DD. On the legs, I'm not really sure why they can't just sell them as an R and L replacement piece. God knows they've already got things pieced out, why not just make it easier for me to replace *one* thigh or *one* arm? With the current high demand for DD bodies, I'd wish Volks would take a step back just for a moment and skip making *one* LE doll just so they can catch up on making base bodies and have them in regular stock.

 

I'm really not a fan of just waiting around for a *reasonably* priced used DD body to show up on the MP. WIth the shortage there's too many instances of a split from a recent doll body sold on the extreme high end, replacement part assembled price, or trying to pay out the wazoo to piece one together from the replacement parts (and hoping you get all the parts at one time o__o) when Volks could just release the standard body for the set price and save everyone aftermarket money that they don't ever see and insure they make *more* of a profit.

 

but alas... first world problems... XD

Edited January 16, 2013 by Guest

  Izalith said:

 

Well, their first purchase could be clothing with the doll too.

Like, if you want to enter, you have to buy something with the entry (or have previously bought with Volks). Even buying just socks would be fine. Just something to cut down on the multiple entries by people with no regard for the doll.

 

I don't think that's too much, considering how many of us buy clothing/accessories with our doll. Rarely do we just buy one limited doll and call it a day. It would definitely keep dolls in the hands of those that actually *want* them and away from scalpers.

 

Many hobbies do this, where you have to purchase something in order to enter the lottery.

 

If they are going to a Dolpa it would work cause they would have to buy the guide book, but on their site you aren't allowed to buy anything with the entry. This is I believe true for both International and VolksUSA.

 

So if everyone bought a $2 pair of socks with their doll to enter...what would make a scalper and their friends stop entering? Honestly, it'd be absolutely pointless. XD The scalper will STILL get the doll and get the money back + some, and now they can just throw a pair of socks at the person as a "free gift."

 

Also, someone new in the hobby may not WANT to buy extras if they aren't sure they want to stay around. I've known plenty that do that. I've done that with other dolls. That seems rather silly to be buying extras for something you don't even know if you will like. :P

Just opened my Rise, put her head on my DD2 body, started dressing her and pop! There goes part of the gold snap on the back Can't find it. Now the strap on the back is hanging off. I also cannot get her wig on. Not stretchy and too small

  Gunter said:

  Izalith said:

 

Well, their first purchase could be clothing with the doll too.

Like, if you want to enter, you have to buy something with the entry (or have previously bought with Volks). Even buying just socks would be fine. Just something to cut down on the multiple entries by people with no regard for the doll.

 

I don't think that's too much, considering how many of us buy clothing/accessories with our doll. Rarely do we just buy one limited doll and call it a day. It would definitely keep dolls in the hands of those that actually *want* them and away from scalpers.

 

Many hobbies do this, where you have to purchase something in order to enter the lottery.

 

If they are going to a Dolpa it would work cause they would have to buy the guide book, but on their site you aren't allowed to buy anything with the entry. This is I believe true for both International and VolksUSA.

 

So if everyone bought a $2 pair of socks with their doll to enter...what would make a scalper and their friends stop entering? Honestly, it'd be absolutely pointless. XD The scalper will STILL get the doll and get the money back + some, and now they can just throw a pair of socks at the person as a "free gift."

 

Also, someone new in the hobby may not WANT to buy extras if they aren't sure they want to stay around. I've known plenty that do that. I've done that with other dolls. That seems rather silly to be buying extras for something you don't even know if you will like.

 

Except socks aren't $2 @ Volks =P .

 

And you don't need to purchase item with every order. Just need to have a previous order with Volks.

At $14 per sock... multiple entries are going to be expensive. It's no longer "free money" anymore.

 

Well, if someone new to the hobby can't afford to spend $14 or even $60 on accessories/clothes for their doll, then they might want to rethink entering for that $700 limited =O . You don't buy a $700 doll and then decide "not to stick around".

 

=3

  Izalith said:

Except socks aren't $2 @ Volks =P .

 

And you don't need to purchase item with every order. Just need to have a previous order with Volks.

At $14 per sock... multiple entries are going to be expensive. It's no longer "free money" anymore.

 

Well, if someone new to the hobby can't afford to spend $14 or even $60 on accessories/clothes for their doll, then they might want to rethink entering for that $700 limited =O . You don't buy a $700 doll and then decide "not to stick around".

 

=3

And then we'd have the issue of NOTHING would be in stock. Want a pair of striped socks for your brand new doll? Nope, someone bought them cause they had to.

  Izalith said:

Except socks aren't $2 @ Volks =P .

 

And you don't need to purchase item with every order. Just need to have a previous order with Volks.

At $14 per sock... multiple entries are going to be expensive. It's no longer "free money" anymore.

 

Well, if someone new to the hobby can't afford to spend $14 or even $60 on accessories/clothes for their doll, then they might want to rethink entering for that $700 limited =O . You don't buy a $700 doll and then decide "not to stick around".

 

=3

 

Was just an example, and actually seeing they usually are gaining hundreds more...$14 for a pair of socks is nothing. XD You need to remember they aren't gaining just $50, they are usually managing a good $300++++ mattering on how the market treats the doll. Look at Aoko at her 100k price. If I were to turn around and sell mine right now I'd be able to most likely get $400 more than what I spent! XD Should mention that the people who would really be affected by this are new people to the hobby. Scalpers are pretty much all people who are already established buyers from Volks as most collectors later start to sell for profit. Also, most scalpers attend Dolpas, which means to enter they have to buy the guide. This means they already are clearly showing they are willing to spend for just the CHANCE to scalp.

 

Or they simply just don't want to waste the money on something they won't use. I hate buying stuff I don't need. If you do order for JUST the doll because say it is your favorite character, then it just seems rather silly to be throwing out cash for that.

 

  waha said:

And then we'd have the issue of NOTHING would be in stock. Want a pair of striped socks for your brand new doll? Nope, someone bought them cause they had to.

 

That too. Lol. Talk about screwing everyone else over who actually wants them.

  Gunter said:

  Izalith said:

Except socks aren't $2 @ Volks =P .

 

And you don't need to purchase item with every order. Just need to have a previous order with Volks.

At $14 per sock... multiple entries are going to be expensive. It's no longer "free money" anymore.

 

Well, if someone new to the hobby can't afford to spend $14 or even $60 on accessories/clothes for their doll, then they might want to rethink entering for that $700 limited =O . You don't buy a $700 doll and then decide "not to stick around".

 

=3

 

Was just an example, and actually seeing they usually are gaining hundreds more...$14 for a pair of socks is nothing. XD You need to remember they aren't gaining just $50, they are usually managing a good $300++++ mattering on how the market treats the doll. Look at Aoko at her 100k price. If I were to turn around and sell mine right now I'd be able to most likely get $400 more than what I spent! XD Should mention that the people who would really be affected by this are new people to the hobby. Scalpers are pretty much all people who are already established buyers from Volks as most collectors later start to sell for profit. Also, most scalpers attend Dolpas, which means to enter they have to buy the guide. This means they already are clearly showing they are willing to spend for just the CHANCE to scalp.

 

Or they simply just don't want to waste the money on something they won't use. I hate buying stuff I don't need. If you do order for JUST the doll because say it is your favorite character, then it just seems rather silly to be throwing out cash for that.

 

  waha said:

And then we'd have the issue of NOTHING would be in stock. Want a pair of striped socks for your brand new doll? Nope, someone bought them cause they had to.

 

That too. Lol. Talk about screwing everyone else over who actually wants them.

 

I don't think you guys are understanding.

 

Most of us here have one way or another bought stuff from Volks.

So we don't need to buy socks or clothes or whatever, you're already eligible.

 

Scalpers, however, find dozens of family members/friends to bid on the same doll. These family members/friends have NOT purchased from Volks before.

 

So how do we discourage them? You must have made a minimum purchase of $X before eligible to enter in the lottery. I think the vast majority of us don't have *only one* limited doll, and nothing else. We buy clothes/accessories/whatever with our dolls.

I don't see how it discourages new members, $15 for an accessory is nothing when you're talking about $700-800 dolls. And if there's less scalpers, it actually makes it MORE AFFORDABLE because now those new members have a better chance to get their limited dolls, rather than buy them for double the price on eBay or whatever.

 

And I don't mind scalpers buying guidebooks. The chances for winning a doll at Dollpa are already low, you could buy 10 guidebooks and not win anything.

 

Like I said, many of us have already bought from Volks before, so this proposition won't affect us that much. Just gives us better chances against the scalpers with 15 entries from different households.

  Izalith said:

I don't think you guys are understanding.

 

Most of us here have one way or another bought stuff from Volks.

So we don't need to buy socks or clothes or whatever, you're already eligible.

 

Scalpers, however, find dozens of family members/friends to bid on the same doll. These family members/friends have NOT purchased from Volks before.

 

So how do we discourage them? You must have made a minimum purchase of $X before eligible to enter in the lottery. I think the vast majority of us don't have *only one* limited doll, and nothing else. We buy clothes/accessories/whatever with our dolls.

I don't see how it discourages new members, $15 for an accessory is nothing when you're talking about $700-800 dolls. And if there's less scalpers, it actually makes it MORE AFFORDABLE because now those new members have a better chance to get their limited dolls, rather than buy them for double the price on eBay or whatever.

 

And I don't mind scalpers buying guidebooks. The chances for winning a doll at Dollpa are already low, you could buy 10 guidebooks and not win anything.

 

Like I said, many of us have already bought from Volks before, so this proposition won't affect us that much. Just gives us better chances against the scalpers with 15 entries from different households.

 

Oh, no, I fully understand this. I'm saying that they won't care cause they usually need to buy multiple guildebooks and things like that anyways, so they'll just make those who will enter for them (family/friends) buy the guidebook then. Problem solved.

 

And I'm in fact only collecting DD for their characters these days. I don't have original characters, and I don't need to customize. I simply want a giant figure of my favorite characters. ^^ I don't buy accessories anymore, unless relevant to the character and those are usually sold as a lottery item.

 

While we may be fine, there will always be new people to the hobby who just simply want to enter for a doll. I don't like the idea of having to spend a certain amount beforehand not because it will affect me, but because new members to the hobby aren't always looking to customize a DD. There are plenty of people who share the same opinion as me and just want THE DD. They don't need extra bits and pieces, and thus the rule you have to spend X amount before you are allowed to buy what brings in all of Volks money...hah, just seems rather pointless. It is a very roundabout way of doing something that in the end doesn't solve the problem at all. You may kick out a few people who would, but I don't think it is enough to scare off the big players out there who I always see scalping.

The only way to do something against scalpers would be if Volks was willing to do more preorders instead of lotteries with limited amounts of doll. This way everyone who wants the doll would be able to get one and it wouldn't be that interesting for scalpers anymore, because they couldn't make such a profit with preorder items.

 

But as I don't see Volks changing their ways just to please some overseas customers, we will have to deal with the situation as it is.

  Juanita said:

The only way to do something against scalpers would be if Volks was willing to do more preorders instead of lotteries with limited amounts of doll. This way everyone who wants the doll would be able to get one and it wouldn't be that interesting for scalpers anymore, because they couldn't make such a profit with preorder items.

 

But as I don't see Volks changing their ways just to please some overseas customers, we will have to deal with the situation as it is.

 

This isn't really true.

 

Saber was a pre-order project, yet she still sells for 150 - 300k yen. Way more than her pre-order price.

Awards for early buyer. (true fans?).

  marisa_doll said:

  Juanita said:

The only way to do something against scalpers would be if Volks was willing to do more preorders instead of lotteries with limited amounts of doll. This way everyone who wants the doll would be able to get one and it wouldn't be that interesting for scalpers anymore, because they couldn't make such a profit with preorder items.

 

But as I don't see Volks changing their ways just to please some overseas customers, we will have to deal with the situation as it is.

 

This isn't really true.

 

Saber was a pre-order project, yet she still sells for 150 - 300k yen. Way more than her pre-order price.

 

But a general increase in price, over time, is NOT scalping. Scalping is purchasing an item specifically in order to sell it at a higher price, usually immediately after you've received it (and sometimes even before you've received it). That the Sabers have had a natural price increase over time is just the normal market at work.

  marisa_doll said:

Saber was a pre-order project, yet she still sells for 150 - 300k yen. Way more than her pre-order price.

 

I don't think she was...

She wasn't. But Nero and alter v2 was.

Yeah and they are not worth much more than they were when they first came out ^^

  Strife212 said:

  marisa_doll said:

Saber was a pre-order project, yet she still sells for 150 - 300k yen. Way more than her pre-order price.

 

I don't think she was...

 

Saber Alter 2nd ver. and Saber EXTRA/Nero were the only pre-orders. Original Saber, Saber Lily, and Saber Alter ver. 1 were all lottery dolls, and their prices do match what you stated.

 

Saber Nero and Alter 2nd go for about 80~90k. Not 150~300k, and actually no one would spend 300k on either Saber Lily or Original Saber. >.>; 250k MAYBE, but mostly right around the 200k mark is a normal for them.

After reading all the staining issues even with full body stocking. What other options should I consider to reduce the effects or possibly cancel it. I'll be purchasing a DDdy body soon with the DDH-06 head, animetic eyes and what not. Just s some stater information for someone new with this hobby. Luckily I'll be purchasing light colored clothing.

I think my only problem with Volks is that, as I live in Europe, that makes be able to enter the lottery only once and that's with the rest of the world, except Japan (I mean through International). It really feels like Volks is hating on us Europeans. I mean, through Volksusa and USA dealers, anyone who lives in USA, Canada or Mexico can enter 2-4 times and that's only against the rest of USA, Canada and Mexico.

I'm pretty new so I don't know if there are any European dealers, but as far as I've seen, there are none around.

  mayaiincho said:

After reading all the staining issues even with full body stocking. What other options should I consider to reduce the effects or possibly cancel it. I'll be purchasing a DDdy body soon with the DDH-06 head, animetic eyes and what not. Just s some stater information for someone new with this hobby. Luckily I'll be purchasing light colored clothing.

 

The newbie section has a lot on staining, you might want to check there. I also think Aquilla (correct me if I'm wrong) has a blog with an article of staining.

One of the "crowns" on my Aozaki Aoko's wig is flatter than the other one.

What the heck. For such an expensive doll, you'd expect her wig to at least be decently symmetrical.

I'm screwed again because I purchased her brand new from an auction (yup, cuz lotteries are so reliable!) and the first thing I noticed is the mistake on her hair.

 

Not very happy with Volks. Did I mention the time my Shining Blade Sakuya came with a missing earring and they refused to replace it because I had to buy from them AND contact them within 14 days?

 

Even the clothing... when you're paying $100+ for the outfits, having mistakes in stitching and tears in the fabric is unacceptable. I mean, come on, the clothes for my dolls cost more than the clothes I wear...

their price?

  Izalith said:

One of the "crowns" on my Aozaki Aoko's wig is flatter than the other one.

What the heck. For such an expensive doll, you'd expect her wig to at least be decently symmetrical.

I'm screwed again because I purchased her brand new from an auction (yup, cuz lotteries are so reliable!) and the first thing I noticed is the mistake on her hair.

 

Not very happy with Volks. Did I mention the time my Shining Blade Sakuya came with a missing earring and they refused to replace it because I had to buy from them AND contact them within 14 days?

 

Even the clothing... when you're paying $100+ for the outfits, having mistakes in stitching and tears in the fabric is unacceptable. I mean, come on, the clothes for my dolls cost more than the clothes I wear...

 

Unfortunately, with any mass produced item that involves humans there's bound to be an error at some point.. Though I'm with you, for the price you'd want to hope that your item comes 100% as pictured and not have imperfections. I'm confused with some of their sewing decisions, like having a delicate thread to hold a bikini or dress together with a metal hook... or not really sewing their little snaps tighter... There are some outfits that I just feel like a fool for buying b/c the quality isn't up to par.. but others I sit there and just whistle b/c it's just too complicated and good.

 

For example, Cirno's blue dress... I don't see how in blue blazes they were able to mass produce that when there are so many mini ruffles on all those pleats... mean while I can't even sew a pair of socks right! XD

 

Though about proving mistakes/defects.. VolksUSA mentioned that they don't get to make those decisions on an item, that it's the Japan office that does. I'm not sure how Volks is in japan for returns... maybe most Japanese are more forgiving on small booboos? (that's merely speculation tho).

 

Though if you buy a doll from a 3rd party (auction, individual seller, etc) Volks has no legal obligation to help resolve any disputes with missing pieces, imperfections, defects, etc etc.. b/c it's just basic liability - once it's bought from them in a sense Volks and the purchaser have an agreement - the original purchaser must let volks know within 14 days if there is a problem. Now after 14 days or if the purchaser decides to sell it to someone else, Volks is no longer responsible to help. Just because it wasn't a transaction directly from them. No company could function like that. But that's the risk of ordering thru a 3rd party : \