Lets continue our support for VolksUSA together *We tried*

So I know all of us have been chipping in info on whats been happening to VolksUSA, and mostly responses have been confusion, sadness, and unhappiness at what we are losing from the store. However it looks like the dust is settling, and VolksUSA is trying to reinvent themselves.

 

For all our North American customers USA/Canada/Mexico lets support VolksUSA the best way we can as they get back on their feet as hopefully an even better webstore than before. By that I mean buying from their website if you are in their area of service. And continuing to post news here on VolksUSA events and info.

 

This topic is for positive comments and ideas, we already know what we don't like, lets throw out some great ideas of what we do like or would like!

 

Thanks to pichu10176 for this youtube link of the new manager's speech at VolksUSA

 

Lets support them in making VolksUSA even better!

 

edit: Well we all did try on this one, can't really say I support this idea anymore.

Edited January 3, 2015 by Guest

Things I'd like to see in the future reboot of VolksUSA:

 

-Support for the full range of USPS offerings for shipping. Customers should be able to pick "First Class" for anything 13oz or under, and "Priority Mail" for any other item. The only time customers should need "Priority Mail Express" is if they're in an emergency rush (rare). For Canada/Mexico, "First Class International" should be used for anything up to 4lbs.

 

-A website shopping cart where the item is reserved for the customer once they get it into their cart. Like Volks Japan's.

 

-A web server that can handle high traffic load during release events without slowing. This is an opportunity to excel, and be even better than what Japan is offering!

 

-Have the reliance on Facebook be only temporary. It's a more professional image to maintain your company news feed on your own website, and VolksUSA should have an image at the same quality level as their dolls.

 

-Maintain the VolksUSA webpages' historical record of all their old releases. It's a really useful reference when going back to look for previously-released items. In fact, it was probably the best feature of the old VolksUSA website. This is something the Japan sites don't really have, so it's another place VolksUSA can excel.

 

So, those are some things I thought of that I'd like to see the new reboot of VolksUSA either start doing, or keep doing (in the case of the final item).

All really great ideas SakuraSylph! I am hoping the new shipping and cart system idea is something they will be working on when the website migrates.

The historical record would be so useful! I really like that idea. And I agree, a blog like Sumika times again would be fun and involve the customers more. When they were doing tutorials and featuring customer's dolls I felt they were on the right track with involving the fan base and giving useful tips for the hobby.

I completely agree with SakuraSylph! Especially on the shipping, cart, and Facebook/blog thing. I actually liked the cross-referencing and breadcrumbs the USA site had, so I think I'd actually like it if more of their changes to it are on the back end rather than the front. (The Volks international site on the other hand. . .yikes. Their front end is a train wreck.)

 

As for a server that can handle event traffic, the best solution might not be one single server at all. I hope they at least look at cloud hosting like NaNoWriMo.org uses; they are very much event driven, and cloud hosting has worked wonders for them. Apparently the cloud hosting lets them take more bandwidth when they need it but not have to keep it up during quiet spells.

 

EDIT: After watching a bit of the video, where he mentions events not doing as well as they'd hoped, I had another thought/wish. I think perhaps the Japanese head office doesn't grasp how big the US really is, and therefore how unfeasible it is for a lot of people to travel to an event held only by one company/organization. I think it would be a *BRILLIANT* move if they started getting booths at doll shows and/or conventions. Think about it--100K unique attendees show up to SDCC aa year, AX got 61K, and Phoenix ComiCon 55k last year. That's a LOT of exposure, both to fans and newbies.

EDIT: After watching a bit of the video, where he mentions events not doing as well as they'd hoped, I had another thought/wish. I think perhaps the Japanese head office doesn't grasp how big the US really is, and therefore how unfeasible it is for a lot of people to travel to an event held only by one company/organization.

 

This is so true. I wanted to go so bad, but it's a 34 hour drive one way nonstop! Yikes! A one way flight is $500 bucks on the cheap! That's the price of a FCS by the time I get back home. No one reasonable can afford that!

Very good point about events Poofiemus!

For all of us living on the opposite end of the country traveling is just not feasible time and money wise. The idea about setting up at major conventions and doll shows around the country is a very good idea to get more exposure. And yes the USA is huge! Residents could take their whole lives just exploring their own country!

I agree with the shipping (The two worst shipping priced states would be New York and California...man those shipping rates when buying or shipping stuff there makes me cry.). I know it hurts my chances of buying smaller items like hair care products (wax or hair oil) or outfits when my only shipping options are $15 or $40+. And that may be more then actual price of shipping SAL or even EMS directly from Japan in most cases. USPS priority or even parcel post rate would definitely be great since I really dislike UPS and DHL after many years of receiving damaged products.

I do hope they keep the information about older Dollfie (i.e. parts breakdown and eyes). I found information like this useful for getting the correct parts for my Yukino if she ever had any issues with needing stuff in the future. I also like the fact Volks USA page has pictures of the eyes already in a display model head. I am more of a visualist seeing it on a particular face then trying to guess in my head how it may turn out.

As for the facebook setup I really don't mind it for new information and keeping in friendly contact of stuff to happen. But I won't be making any public comments on the page directly since god knows how facebook will share that information with all of their 3rd party things seeing a lot of what you do and where you go.

I will continue to support them, as long as they keep good customer service. So far everyone there on the website in previous buys have been very helpful and friendly in making sure I got what I needed and wanted.

 

Also thanks for the video link!

Anyone in yet? Looks like the website is under heavy traffic =)

 

I don't blame you, in fact i stay up for this xD

Anyone in yet? Looks like the website is under heavy traffic =)

 

I don't blame you, in fact i stay up for this xD

They said on their Facebook page that the website may not be up exactly at 11. Though it' was at least a place holder screen before so it could be traffic bogging it down. I hope not though

I am not having trouble getting into the website but there's no sale prices either, as far as I can tell.

 

From VolksUSA:

We're having issues with the re-opening the store with the new updates and it reverted to the old website with the old prices!

 

We greatly apologize for the inconvenience this is causing!

 

The new website with all the sales prices should be live in a few minutes.

I can get onto everything but the store.

Sale prices are up!

I finish my shopping. Very sad indeed

 

And they just update the sale price. A few min ago if you put items into cart you can also see the new price.

 

Standard model is like 100$ off, a real deal indeed. But what i was looking forward to were the base saddle type C and the pin vise, which they only tell you they are out of stock upon check out.

 

End up with a couple of hands, a high heels and a shapely bust

I'd be careful with the hands and standard models (Miko in particular). You can add them to cart but in the listing, they will say it is out of stock.

 

Also, big apologies to chibinezumi for derailing this topic.

We're all very interested in supporting VolksUSA, I'm sure. That's why we're here!

That's why no one can access the site!

 

I got the normal hand and the paper one just fine :p

Whoops, forgot about this until I saw this topic ^_^;

I got some spare parts and blank heads to customize, should keep me busy for a while!