since people like neko :-)

[victoriavictrix]

Really the only place where a BJD company can make reliable money with a brick-and-mortar store is Japan, and then probably only in Tokyo. Most of them (yes, even "the American BJD" Goodreau) sell via the internet, and with good reason. Having bought a small business and ended up closing it within 2 years (and it ended up costing me twice what it ever brought in) I can definitely say, with numbers to back me up, that unless you actually have something which people are standing in line to buy, opening a physical store is insane these days.

With PayPal you can buy stuff from "dubious countries" and know you are either going to get what you paid for or your money back.

So..."Anti-American"? Not hardly. Just smart business sense.

As for Volks, it's the elitists ("If it isn't Volks, it's CRAP!") that I have a problem with, not the company or the dolls themselves. Mind you, much as I pine for an Oliva, and even though Volks dolls are really, really well made, I think anyone would be seriously insane or obsessed to pay that much money for a freaking doll. But Volks, like other luxury-goods companies, sells the EXPERIENCE as much as the product, and for that, you need to set yourself up as "appointment only" so that the customer shelling out $1-$2k for a doll is getting a unique experience. Believe me, it is not only Volks that operates as an "appointment only" business. Half boutique stores on Rodeo Drive operate that way.

[Gift_in_Edge]

K2!: That's a really neat idea by them and also works both ways, selling limiteds makes sure the company makes money and when the doll owner sells said doll they'll have good chance at selling it since it is a limited. ;)

[Misheru]

Volks has two authorized dealers in the USA, as well as their LA showroom. All of the people that I personally know that go to their local store are not snooty, rich people.

They sell their limited items by lottery so that everyone has an equal opportunity to purchase them at the regular retail price. People in the US are privileged in that we have *4* chances - we can enter Volks International lottery in Japan (online), Volks USA (online or in store) or through either US dealer. They certainly NOT anti-American. They have even held Dolpas in the US (in New York).

I don't do resin dolls (except for the one I have), but I do believe that you can order your SDs online, either through Volks USA or the English side of Volks Japan (where SD16s are available, I believe). Full choice system.

I have Dollfie Dreams and Obitsus and love them both. I like that Volks does the lottery. So far, I have been fortunate for the dolls I really wanted. But I know plenty of folks in the US who get their dolls from Japan at the AEs. That way they do not have to wait for the shipping (usually 2-3 months).

I just don't see that point of view, I guess. But then I deal with Volks more often, I suppose.

[TheHighlander]

yes ... putting their only American showroom next to Hollywood ensures that they will always have a steady stream of rich people who can afford to buy their dolls ... no argument there

Yeah, because *only* rich people like to buy high quality products...You do know that Elitism can cut both ways right? While you're putting all these 'rich' people down for buying Volks, your own attitude is at least as 'Elitist' as any of those you accuse. Inverse snobbery anyone?

... and it also lets Volks doll owners feel "special"

If you're spending $500+ on a vinyl doll, why shouldn't you feel special? I mean, seriously, this is an expensive hobby. People spend $1000's on resin dolls, what's so horrendous about a $500-$600 vinyl doll in an immaculate outfit? Since they are in such short supply and it's often not possible to get the one you want, if you are fortunate enough to get one, you will feel kinda special. Better not buy anything from Emory at Junky Spot, even his packaging makes you feel kind of special about adopting one of these vinyl (Obitsu) beauties.

I've seen their ad's for the Dolpa's ... the last was number 25 if I remember correctly ... and I was not impressed by seeing that people had to bid on the privledge of buying a doll

Oh, you mean the lottery? That might have something to do with the fact that their dolls are very often over subscribed, and the lottery is the fairest way to ensure that all collectors who want one have a chance of getting one. But hey, you'd know that if you'd bothered to research it. However it seems that your agenda is to bad mouth Volks and Volks buyers, so you go right ahead and believe as you want.

... other than DoA, which you say is pretty much a "Volks" forum ...

Funny, I thought it was pretty much a Resin forum, and vinyl was a minority topic there with Volks kind of being grandfathered in because of the heavy Volks involvement in their Resin line of Super Dollfies that preceded the Dollfie Dreams

I seldom see Volks dolls discussed in any of the other doll forums I am (or have been a member of) ......... just because something is hard to get, does not automaticall mean it is worth getting

So, why are you so annoyed about it then? Really, people discuss them in many forums, and we discuss them here too.

ok .. so I'll rephase my opinion of them ... they are "anti" anyone who isnt rich and snooty

I see, so...who's the elitist here? You seem to feel awfully superior to the Volks folks.

I have seen comments posted openly by people who consider other brands of dolls to be better looking ...

And? You're surprised or upset because people have differing tastes and think that one doll looks better than another?

snooty ... bores me to tears ...

Indeed.

[victoriavictrix]

I would QFT (Quoted for Truth) everything Highlander said. You don't have to be snooty and rich to want (or deserve!) a unique, special experience. Some people take racing school. Some people learn to fly. Some people pay extra to sit in the kitchen of a gourmet restaurant and be waited on by the head chef who explains what he is making while they watch. Some get the "backstage experience" for their families at Disneyland. Plenty of those people are ordinary folks who just want to feel special for a change. This is called "selling the sizzle as well as the steak." And the examples I gave cost about as much as a Volks Fullset Limited.

There are several good reasons why Volks actually has two brick-and-mortar stores. They built them before the economic meltdown, so the stores are established and have a regular loyal customer base that will actually fly across the country to visit. They are supported by the online ordering system, which brings in as much (if not more) money than the stores themselves. And the big one--Volks does not sell through dealers. These are all good business reasons.

There are, without a doubt, lots of extremely nice people with minimum wage jobs who own Volks dolls. This is their way to feel unique and special. They saved up, the way other people save up to take vacations to Tahiti, or have designer handbags, or state of the art golf clubs or fishing rods or entertainment systems (or washing machines!). For once someone treated them as important (rather than snarling at them at the drive-through window and acting as if one fry less was a major crime), was considerate of them, held a whole ceremony around them, and entrusted them with something wonderful.

You don't tell a bride she's snooty because she has a big wedding, with a $3k gown, and a huge reception afterwards. And if she's not being Bridezilla, pretty much everyone knows this is a wonderful, special thing, that hopefully she'll remember all her life with great happiness.

Heck, the Volks ceremony with doll costs about the same as my Las Vegas wedding, come to think of it....

But hey, you don't like Volks? Great. Don't buy one. Leaves more for the people who want them, as my mother in law would say.

[Greyhaunt]

sigh....I really feel I've been doing this an aweful lot lately, but closing this thread before we actually push the button on the flamethrowers any more than we already have.