Shopping Dealer v. Company

Of my dolls, it's been a 50/50 split on dealer and company orders. I prefer to order in-stock dolls from dealers, but if I want something specific, I'll order direct. It's mostly a shipping and time issue.

 

Not going to lie, most of the time I've bought from dealers! Unless it's from a small independant artist, I find dealers helpful as you can buy from multiple companies through one checkout if you want to, or sometimes buy extra accessories that said dealer sell to add into your order. Likewise, some dealers like Alice's Collections run events/deals where if you spend say, more than $100, you can get a pet doll for $10 or something like that XD
I also find dealers a bit more approachable- with the example of ACBJD, I've built up a relationship with some of the team so if I have an issue, I know I can easily reach out and they'll in turn reach to the doll company, rather than me as one individual going to a company with an issue (I have BIG anxiety lmao)

 

Most of mine have been through dealers since they sometimes have special events/deals (Alice’s Collections), have better layaway options (BJDivas), cheaper shipping (CloverSinging), and less of a language barrier. They’re also very helpful if there’s any kind of issue with your order.

The only time I’ve ordered directly from a company was if I had the money to buy the doll without layaway, and I usually only do it if it’s a small company that doesn’t have a dealer. The benefit of ordering direct for me is I don’t have to wait for my doll to be shipped to a dealer before coming to me, which is quicker since dealers often wait and send orders in batches to a company - especially for event items. But I’d rather have to wait longer and have that extra security net of going through a dealer if I can. Communicating direct with companies is kind of frustrating if there’s a question or problem and their English isn’t as good.

There’s definitely some companies I feel comfortable ordering from directly if I don’t need layaway but others have a reputation for sometimes being difficult to deal with and in those cases I would absolutely go through a dealer.

 

I have purchased both from dealers and directly. Depending on your location and financial situation dealers can be a great choice. You can usually skip customs and use long layaways for things. I've never had issues ordering from a company directly but as Elomina said, I've only done it if I was ready to pay in full. My first few dolls were direct because I was unaware of the dealer option but since finding out and trying it out I personally prefer the flexibility of using a dealer.

 

Like @Elomina stated above - communication is a big reason I have mostly stuck to working with dealers. I've found their websites easier to navigate (for the most part) and correspondence generally goes smother (for me at least) on the dealer end than directly with the company. That said, I've had terrific experiences with small artists as well, who don't utilize dealers - so I think it all kind of boils down to who you are dealing with and how much patience and goodwill you have going into the process.

 

I'm copying my post from a thread in the past about this (here if you want to read the other replies too: /threads/pro...g-through-a-dealer-or-ordering-direct.832007/)

 

I've ordered from both.

From dealers: Loong Soul, Telesthesia.
Direct company website: Angell Studio, IOS, and Luts.

The longer the wait time, the more likely I will order from a dealer. I've recently gotten to know New Clover Singing and that she also acts as a Taobao agent (free shipping and no PayPal fee are the main reason I go for New Clover Singing these days). Thus, I will likely order from her again in the future for Taobao items and for dolls and/or items from Chiense companies.

 

I almost always use a dealer, because things like language barriers can be a big issue for me - Google translator is dumpster fire. I have a couple of companies I will work with directly, because their English is good and I can understand (not a slight against other companies, I just have to have things very clearly explained sometimes and as I said, Google translate is hot garbage), but in general I go through dealers. As mentioned above, Alice's Collections is great, and the one I use most often, along with Denver Doll.

 

I've ordered directly from bigger companies like Luts and Iplehouse and Volks, who are more likely to have layaways and English speakers on staff. But I've also ordered from dealers when I want longer layaways and dolls from different companies. It really just depends on what I'm planning to get in the order, and if I know a good dealer who works with that company.

Most of my dealer dolls have been through Denver Doll, although I also have one on layaway with New Clover Singing and am planning an order with BJDivas; all of my Alice Collections orders have been clothes/accessories so far.

 

My last purchase was through a dealer, and some of my first as well. The only dolls i got directly at the company were ones that the European dealers didn't held. I don't mind paying a little extra through the dealer to avoid import taxes and know the price ahead of time. I noticed the price was higher for both BJD Dreams (but great service and responsiveness), and Angelesque (not too good concerning service and responsiveness) than directly from the company. Read reviews about the dealer or company on here to know what to expect.

 

I buy from both, as well as secondhand. I think my dolls are probably split fairly evenly between the three, really. It all depends on whether the doll is currently available new and the price difference between new and used. If I can find the doll I want secondhand in good condition and cheaper than new, I usually go secondhand. But when I'm buying new, there are a few different factors I consider. If it's available in stock with a reputable dealer, I'll go with them. If it's a company I don't know much about but available through a dealer I like, I typically go with the dealer. But if it's a company I've used before and was happy with their communication, I usually go straight to the company. A lot of it also comes down to what sales or events each have. Usually, a dealer will also run the company's sale, but sometimes there are extra incentives from dealers, like Alice's Collections often having event pet dolls for an additional $1-10 or free shipping. I also shop around for which way to buy will be the least expensive, as it can vary due to shipping costs, fees and what sales they may have going on.

 

I'll be going through dealers most likely from now on, if I can at least. Some of them (looking at you, BJDIVAS) will submit your order to the company as soon as you make your first payment. That means your doll goes into production right away, while you work to pay it off. That allows you to save some time waiting, as when ordering direct from a company, they will wait for you to finish payment 100% before beginning production.

 

I’ll order through dealers if I have to, but I’d generally rather not deal with the longer wait times or have a middle man between me and the company if there’s an issue.

 

I think this depends on the company as Luts and Soom start your order right away.

 

I thought I would use dealers more but I ended up ordering direct more often. Dealers can save on shipping costs sometimes and if a domestic dealer has what I want I definitely will do that. I ordered through a dealer in China and even though they had a great price and amazing customer service the cheaper shipping option took a lot longer. I still trust them and I was satisfied with the experience overall but I will try to order direct or through a domestic dealer first.

 

I usually directly order from the companies! Some companies like soom gives you points every order so you can use them on your next order.