What's up with Volks?

Volks USA store.

There's been a lot of developments lately with Volks that I've been following along with in a sort of third-party way.  All my Volks dolls sans Fumiko were bought second hand for a number of reasons, in particular because Volks is expensive and they do not allow any layaway programs.  So while I've been keeping an eye on it, I hadn't really focused on it closely. Until now.

At the end of last year, Volks announced it was discontinuing all of its standard models.  This was kind of sad for me because I always wanted a Megu head, but there was no way I was getting a full doll before the end of the sales period.  For those unfamiliar with Volks and the way they do things... Basically the Volks site (Japanese and USA) featured a number of "standard" mod

Volks Megu

els you could buy blank or with face ups.  They were very simple, and came in both MSD and SD sizes.  Volks also sold dolls via events, lotteries, auctions, etc.  So in order to purchase one of the rarer dolls, you needed to win a chance.

On the flip side they have the full choice system (FCS) which is where two of my boys originally came from (Ghost and Nowell).  This system gives you a range of head sculpts, body options, hands/feet options, eyes, wigs, and super customized make-up.  You have a consult with someone in one of the locations and they take down every last detail.  You then either have the doll shipped to you (if you do it in Japan they only ship in Japan) or pick it up at a Volks store.  This allows for almost endless possibilities, and the ability to get some head sculpts you wouldn't otherwise be able to.

As mentioned above, Volks Japan does not allow you to ship FCS orders outside of Japan.  So either you go through a shopping service, or make a friend in Japan who will then ship it to you.  The alternative for those in the USA is to visit the LA store and place an order in person there.  I had always hoped to visit the store as it is not far from where my best friend lives.  I have planned on getting an FCS doll, and almost went through a shopping service once.  I'd prefer to do it in person, which is why I was waiting for an LA visit.

Unfortunately at the beginning of this year, Volks USA announced it would be closing it's LA store at the end of March.  This upset a lot of people for obvious reason, and many rushed to make plans to visit.  Then, just a few days ago, Volks LA announced it would be changing the dates of its closure and moving them up, to mid-March.  They also set a date at which FCS orders were finishing, further crunching the available time.  I know people on the DoA Volks threads that are pretty upset about this.  Volks is difficult enough to order from already, and to add this to the mix makes it even more frustrating.  I have also heard from several people that Volks USA is currently liquidating it's store stock, and closing down many of its online accounts.  Coupling that with the fact that there is all new staff, people are feeling rather uncomfortable.

The hope is that Volks is doing this to make way for a more accessible ordering system.  There have been s
ome hints at an updated FCS system, though nothing concrete.  People are hoping FCS will be available for ordering online, with shipping options to everywhere.  And/or that Volks USA will still keep at least a warehouse open so that people can order from the US rather than paying shipping from Japan.  Which is supposedly what Volks is planning, but it seems a lot of things are up in the air.

Ghost to be the last?

What this means for someone like me is that I have probably (unfortunately) bought my last Volks doll.  Now I *love* Volks, I love their aesthetics and their "mythology."  However they have always been some of the pricier dolls out there, and now they are heading towards completely un-affordable territory.  I cannot afford to participate in any of the lotteries (an "entry fee" of $100-200 for a chance to win the opportunity to buy a $1000+ doll), and more likely than not unless FCS goes online, I will now never do one.

It also affects the resale market, of which I am a part.  I have browsed the MP a few times for Volks heads, and the prices have skyrocketed.  Megu heads are now several hundred dollars, and I have yet to see a head under $100.  Which to me is pricey, even knowing how expensive this hobby is.

I'm saddened to see Volks upsetting so many loyal customers, though obviously I don't consider myself in that boat as most of my Volks purchases are secondhand.  Still, I've noticed how opinions have shifted as of late, and how many people are just plain upset.  Hopefully they will take care of their long-time customers and give the rest of us more options in the future.