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.

30 Day BJD Challenge- Day 18

18). What is your least favorite company?

I think going based entirely on my own aesthetic preferences and past doll history, I would have to say Bobobie/Resin Soul.  Technically the two are separate companies, but BBB is the caster for RS dolls.  They also produce some of the same sculpts, with RS  having much more updated body styles.

My first doll was a BBB/RS Ju in white skin.  I have also owned a BBB Apollo, a RS Gang, and a newer RS 60cm body.  Unfortunately, none of them stayed because I was quite unsatisfied with their posing ability and aesthetics.  That's not to say they aren't nice dolls, because they are.  Some of the RS sculpts are quite fantastic posers these days.  I've also seen people do some really amazing things with the sculpts aesthetics-wise.  For me though, they just weren't a good match.

30 Day BJD Challenge- Day 17

17). Do you have a favorite company?

This is kind of a tricky question for me.  Overall, I'd say my favorite company is Volks.  I love their sculpts and the culture they've created to go along with them.  Many companies have large stores, but Volks (to my knowledge) is the only one to have their own compound.  The representatives are all very dedicated and care a great deal both about their dolls and their customers.

On the other hand, I also love Cerberus Project's (CP) sculpts, potentially even more than Volks'.  Technically CP is not a company, it's a sculpting team that sells dolls through Fairyland currently, and previously did so through Luts.  Uri is an old CP sculpt from their time with Luts, hence why he's referred to as a CP Luts Delf El (sculpting team, company, doll size title, sculpt name).  I have always loved everything about the Delfs from their design to their posing capabilities, and of course their personalities.  So aesthetically speaking I suppose CP could be my favorite in a sense.