Volks USA closes their doors 3/30/14 [Website to remain!]

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Edited June 1, 2014 by Guest

@ Subaru

 

I don't feel like anyone is angry, or being unreasonable. We are making real points about possibilities for not only the future but the reasons why such things are happening. It is normal to have disagreements when debating such things, and from what I can tell no one is actually being aggressive or even rude. Just stating their opinions, and facts. I didn't quite get where your comment came from because I simply don't see the anger you speak off.

 

@ Yukamina and Poofiemus, yeeeesss. Exactly.

 

I don't even feel like I have to say anymore because you both hit the nail on the head~

 

@ Misuka

 

Of course I know no one knows, I just merely lookin' for an argument that supplied why this would directly end or be a reason to the end of the USA branch's willingness to keep the doors open and deal in LE items. Sorry if I confused you. I truly was just lookin' for a reasoning in that belief is all.

 

I feel like it is unfair to compare Volks to other BJD companies, because truly they are one of a kind. Poofiemus' posts alone explains why. Volks isn't required to change, because why change what works? Pre-orders throw off their entire system, their production speed and the necessary control they have. When the Sabers got up into crazy numbers and Volks was left to deal with the mess? Everything suffered. It takes a lot of time to stop and catch up, and is even worse when delaying limiteds (mind you that companies do commission them to get said DD made, so that's a huge thing to have to delay because of one pre-order.). The only compromise to keep their rate of dolls released and do pre-order? Very limited pre-orders (about the same amount of the lotteries), which would mean breaking everything down to click-wars. I'mma say that'd piss a lot more people off than lotteries do. I get the personal reasoning(s) people have behind wanting more pre-orders, but with how Volks works, with their resources, and their total refusal (and I support this 110%) to outsource, they will forever be limited in their abilities. (I'd hate for them to face something like Soom did.) I'd rather have more releases, and less available dolls any day than only a couple of dolls at a time with a chance to get them for sure. Plus, someone needs to keep fueling my SD17 addiction. :>

 

I think everyone, and I mean everyone is losing money. Volks may just simply not be benefiting anymore from the USA branch. I actually think what affects the Volks USA branch is a lot more about USA only problems. Not exactly customers or actual rates of sales, but more so just the rates to run a business here and such. (CA is terrible, and their rates just keep going up!) As I stated before, I really just think their gross income isn't enough to reasonably pay what they have been. By closing doors and limited the stock they receive they may be saving hundreds. (import tax from the USA can go up to 20% of the items value, and you get in major trouble if you lie about values on something like that.) I actually like the fact we are being pushed to all go to one site now. Not only is it easier, but it is more fair. The competition is truly equal then.

 

A small, very cynical part of me thinks I need to do this in regards to this entire discussion about pre-orders vs. lotteries. #Firstworldproblems :P

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Edited April 11, 2018 by Guest

I feel more disappointment and confusion from peeps on here. It does suck to a certain degree, but I guess I just can't care that much. As long as I can get what I want in some form I'm happy.

 

May be best to simply refer to what is going on here, and not bring over other communities. I could go on about how people feel on DoA, but I'm not because I don't want to confuse the masses on here. ^^;;

D-Don't get me started on DoA........ ＿|￣|○

I feel more disappointment and confusion from peeps on here.

 

Yup, that's basically how I feel. And really, the confusion is regarding the future of the USA branch, the web store, and the lingering commitments/orders that have yet to be fulfilled (Miku preorder, incoming Dolpa 30 stuff, etc).

 

Granted, playing out the drama of ending the physical store alongside the big web sale does sort of fit with the whole "Event" mentality--if they're continuing with much after it, I'm gonna hazard a guess we won't hear a peep about how that'll play out until after the final web sale is done. "Oooooh big thing, we're closing ALL the things!" *closing sales are over* "Close *all* the things? Naw, we're like, still doing this thing, with stuff. We just wanted you to think it all final so you'd spend more money." Of course, that's presuming the ultimate plan isn't to actually close all the things.

 

/cynicism ^^;

You summarize it pretty much exactly how I thought of it, Poofiemus. It does seem very much like Volks to play their cards super close to their chest just to keep everybody guessing and speculating and thinking "Oh, no, well I'd better grab what I can now just to make sure". I also think they kind of rely on the drama they stir up to generate cheap advertising. If everybody runs around arguing about their pet theories, at least that's getting their name mentioned a lot more. It's like the "new line" they announced about a month and a half ago. No info at all, besides just a very vague teaser announcement with "more info coming soon." A month later and all they say is "Keep watching for more information!" Really Volks, you are exasperating on purpose, I know it!

Really Volks, you are exasperating on purpose, I know it!

 

Volks in a nutshell, folks!

This was just posted on the FB page https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/10014598_831120980236957_1673700543_n.png

Wow, that's really surprising! It sounds like there might have been a... difference of opinions between VolksJP staff and VolksUSA staff on how VolksUSA should run. "Have left the company" is usually very nice code for "were given the option to resign."

 

The fact that they relocated a manager from Japan makes me think that they might re-establish lotteries after they've had a chance to re-organize the business.

This was just posted on the FB page https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/10014598_831120980236957_1673700543_n.png

 

Thanks for linking that! I agree, Cauldroness, that does sound like there was some disagreement between Volks JP and Volks USA. Especially since it seems to say the *entire* US staff is gone now. Yikes.

 

It does make me hopeful that this is a transitional period, but with that much of the original staff gone they're probably going to be reinventing the wheel a bit. This could get interesting.

It's sad that the old staff is gone and I'll miss them, but Hideyoshi seems really cool too. I had a conversation with him about what anime is popular in the US and what kind of characters people here would want made into dolls. I feel like that's kind of a good sign at least.

From their Facebook page:

"The number of people who hoped to come to the Tea Party would fill the space in our store in Los Angeles, and the line of those who would have to wait out in the street for their turn to enter the venue would reach the next block. We are indeed very grateful to all of you."

 

And that's just everyone that signed up for the tea party. I know some were probably like me and couldn't be there that late on Sunday, so Saturday morning will be...busy.

I may be wrong, but I've had the impression that it's 'normal' for Japanese to clean out staff if they want a major change. I think most of this comes from what was said of the changes in the Toyota F1 team over the years (which no longer exists), but when I saw that they got a new manager and many staff were leaving, this is kind of what I thought happened. Sort of, the fact that all the old staff is gone is a bit of a shock.

Biggest thing I miss already is that Volks Int. doesn't have pics with the eyes in DD heads. *sigh* All I wanted was to get a quick guess if any of their purple eyes would be ones I'm interested in.

 

~Sister Kyoya

They're offering Lucky Packs online.

 

Someone take my bank card right now and hide it from me.

They're offering Lucky Packs online.

 

Someone take my bank card right now and hide it from me.

 

Ooooh! I take it that info's somewhere on their Facebook page? (I hate Facebook's interface so my own Facebook-fu is weak. ^^; ) Might have to try to toss one or two in my cart if it's not too competitive for hands and a new 03 head for Agatha.

They're offering Lucky Packs online.

 

Someone take my bank card right now and hide it from me.

 

Ooooh! I take it that info's somewhere on their Facebook page? (I hate Facebook's interface so my own Facebook-fu is weak. ^^; ) Might have to try to toss one or two in my cart if it's not too competitive for hands and a new 03 head for Agatha.

 

I asked on their FB page after seeing pictures of lucky packs in their in store event :3 I asked if they will be seperated by DD, SD, etc, but they didn't reply back Still, they could be an awesome deal!

At the in store event they were only for the 27cm dollfies.

Wasn't sure if this should be posted on this topic or the meet-up one.

 

 

This is the new manager's speech on how VOLKS USA will operate after closing their physical store.

Thank you for posting the video link. I wish I could understand the manager more easily but I've got the gist of what he's saying.

I'm really sad that the store closed. I'm finally going to have a big girl job in about 1 year and one of my dreams was to go visit the store some day and buy a FCS in person. For a kid from the midwest who's been working on school debt for 8 years running, the Volks store seemed like a fairy tale at the end of the long road to my career. I hope they will still offer the FCS.

 

I'll be excited to see what they do next.

Biggest thing I miss already is that Volks Int. doesn't have pics with the eyes in DD heads. *sigh* All I wanted was to get a quick guess if any of their purple eyes would be ones I'm interested in.

 

~Sister Kyoya

 

Even though I am a newbie to owning one, I completely agree with this. Having eyes equipped in the head helps show how well or not so well this will fit your girls persona. Shopping is more fun when you feel like you know exactly what things will look like (or pretty close) without the extra guesswork.

Tried to get a wig lucky pack, they were listed at $24 and I added it to my cart and it said $24 then I decided no, took it out. Saw the price of the LP change to $10 so I added it then it still said $24. Took it out and tried again and it was gone. Since it's DD/SD/MSD...that's perfect for Momo's big SD head and Rise's little DD head

Edited March 22, 2014 by Guest

Want some stuff >_< damn for USA only shipping!