DollZone mini Discussion Part 15

Different question:

Has anyone any experience with Alice‘s collection and their layaway service?
As I understood, I pay 1/3 of the full price initially, my product gets ordered and produced and shipped to Alice’s collection but will be on hold there until I pay the last bit. Then it gets shipped to me... is that right? Or is the order produced when I eventually pay off the layaway?

 

I love using Alice's Collections. Their layaway service is really easy. Just take a screenshot of your cart and email it to them with a layaway request and they'll send you an invoice. They've always responded to me within 24 hours.

The doll begins being produced when you place your order with Alice's and will be shipped to you when it's ready and you've paid it off. To be honest, with the wait times on dollzone, none of the layaway options Alice's offers will be long enough that your doll will be ready when you make your final payment. The current wait time is 6-8 months officially, but can be significantly longer depending on when you order and what you order (blank head vs fullset with body blushing will have very different wait times).

 

@SabaQu If you want a long layaway of a length that matches DollZone's wait time, I suggest BJDivas, they offer the longest and most flexible layaways. There isn't a large down payment upfront required either. I've heard that some people can even start one with a lower down payment than the rest of their payments. Despite this, BJDivas also puts in the order with the first payment. Really snazzy in helping distributing the money you spend!

 

@SabaQu Note that ordering though BJDivas (and any other western dealer) can take even longer, because they recieve their doll orders in bulk deliveries rather than getting your doll once it's ready.
I have a layaway for a Dllzone doll with Alice's Collections right now, it's going fine, layaway is for six months, I have three payments left. You have to email Alice anytime you make a payment and she'll answer with the remaining balance.
Clover Singing is also a good choice.

 

Yeah, there are a lot of factors to consider and balance. Alice's charges PayPal fees, which is roughly 5% for international transactions. If you live in the US, domestic shipping will be significantly cheaper than international shipping. Another important factor to think about with covid messing with shipping and more damages happening than usual is that international shipping either has no insurance, or is a pita to get an insurance claim to work out. A dealer in your country that receives your order directly from the company checks for damages from the overseas shipment and can solve any issues that arise from that. If you receive a shipment directly from the company and it has issues, they'll most likely fix it, but if you receive it from an overseas dealer, they may or may not fix it because the problem occurred between them and you, not them and the company, so the company isn't obligated to help you and the dealer might not want to because they'd have to pay out of their personal pocket to rectify the issue. I can't speak for other countries, but in the US there's shipping insurance that you can purchase, so if something gets lost or damaged in transit, the courier has to pay for it.

 

Hm...that definitely are some serious things to take into account.
Maybe I should try to look for a dealer that is already located in Germany. But if the wait times with dollzone are really that long, maybe covid isnt even really a factor anymore when time comes. Or not as much of an issue (which is just desirabe >___>).
Anyway, thank you all for your input. I will consider anything further. Also a shame that dollzone takes so long to ship their stuff. While understandable, because their dolls really are pieces of art, I am so hyped right now and half a year is quite some time for an impatient kid like myself :P

 

That's the thing, we currently don't really have a dealer here. Alice's Collections, however, offers reasonably priced express shipping options and I know from experience that these arrive in Germany just fine (ask for DHL Express over EMS for customs related reasons). American dealers really aren't a great choice for us. There's Angelesque in the UK, but feedback for her is spotty.

 

Really wish Alice's didn't charge PayPal fees

 

I guess the best alternative to AC is Clover Singing. Doesn't charge fees and is just as responsive.

 

In terms of damages, I received a body from Alice's Collections with a broken hand, and they were incredibly helpful and ordered a replacement for me with no fuss.

 

Hello, hello! I was wondering if anyone had gotten their dragon Po/Chuan yet? I put my order in in January, but I know the order period didnt stop till March. I know dollzone usually has long wait times and covid definitely doesn't help, so just wanted to check in

 

There are a couple in the Box Opening/Arrival Gallery.

 

To those who bought or intend do buy DZs Cyborg doll...

What type of body do you consider and why?

I had quite the struggle deciding on a body, primarily because the doll in it's entirety is so...sparsely dressed. I want the full set for this piece of art and I want it displayed just as seen in the promo-pictures. And yet...I kinda don't feel comfortable having a nude hyperrealistic doll with blushed nipples sitting on my shelf. So I thought maybe the male body would make the chest less awkwardly nude but I'm afraid that would only dislocate the problem a few inches further south. XD
Usually I am really not squirmish if it comes to nudity, especially in inanimate objects and yet... those dolls are really quite realistic and it would be displayed rather prominently because sure as heck I want everyone to see it if I pay this much for it!

What are your thoughts and feelings on the matter?

 

Imo, the fullset's body makeup really goes with the artificial aesthetic of the cyborg concept. That, plus the clear dress and the natural joints of a bjd makes her pretty far from realism imo. I don't find DZ's bodies particularly realistic either, there's Dollshe and Iplehouse for that. I think if you get her in gray, it'll be even more clear how it's a piece of stylized art rather than a hyperrealistic naked doll sitting on your shelf.

 

Ah, thank you so much! I didn't realize there was a box opening gallery

 

@SabaQu as a fellow german and long time collector I share my experience about ordering. I've ordered from Angelesque (UK) a few times and I personally had never any problems. And the best part about ordering over them is, you don't have to run to the customs office... well at least back then, not sure about now with the Brexit stuff going on. And then there is something else you must be wary about shipping from china with EMS: GDSK
It's the german shipping partner of EMS China and they offer you their "Zoll service" and charge extra fees on top of your customs and tax fee and keep the doll hostage until you pay their service Or send the doll back after 7 days I think. Well, there is a way around it (Selbstverzollung bei der GDSK) but better let it ship with DHL.

 

@Froschschenkel
I ordered my Zero last week via Alice's Collection since people recommendet them and the initial communication went really well (since I had several extra wishes). I hope everything goes well though. I had mixed experiences with different orders and different countries of origin though the years, especially as a cosplayer. Never had problems with things shipped from china but had to travel to custom centers several times when ordering from the US.
I don't really know how to controll this beforehand or how I can know if Zoll issues might occur or not...

 

I only had problems with EMS China because of their choosen german partner. The first time I ordered from Alice collection years back, I found out about GDSK and paid their charges with gritted teeths. The second time, I was prepared with this page I posted but then we had this Poststreik (what's this called in english? I don't know) and I got the GDSK letter 7 days too late and they send the doll back to china on that exact 7th day, a friday and around the Time I opened that letter as I learned after a phone talk moments later and I had some hazzle to get my doll shipped back to me, this time with DHL.
The third time I forgot to ask to ship via DHL but I went through the steps from that page I posted and It worked flawless.
So, hopefully everything will go well with your order and if you encounter GDSK, just use the Instructions on that site.
Good luck.

 

I got a Luke (retired now) about six years ago, and was really shocked when I opened him and saw how absolutely tiny his head was and how awful it looked on his super long neck. I've just kind of lived with it, but now I'm wondering if anyone knows of a smaller body that fit well with DZ heads? We also have a Megi, and his head and body are perfectly proportioned. I put him up on the marketplace, but if I could find a way to get him looking a little less silly, I'd definitely want to keep him. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

 

Hmm... I think Doll Chateau would work. The bodies are long and skinny, but their narrow shoulders might work better with a tiny head.

 

Sorry to crash the discussion but I wanted to share a pic of Evelyn (my Raphael). I decided to be brave and added some freckles and blushing to his default face up (darkened his eyebrows too but you can't really see them behind his hair xD). I think he looks really cute~



He's white skin but given that he's now 8 years old he's yellowed and I felt like his face up was making his yellowing really stand out. I think the freckles and blushing compliment his mellow complexion now

 

@Capistrono I echo the earlier suggestion of Doll Chateau. Dollzone and Doll Chateau are sister companies and their resin matches perfectly. I have a Dollzone head on a Doll Chateau body and it’s a perfect fit both in color and proportions.

@Magical Rin I love what you’ve done with him! Raphael is one of my all time favorite Dollzone sculpts, and the enhanced face-up you’ve provided him with really adds to his unique cuteness.

 

Haven't posted Rune in a while, so here he is, home with me for the holidays.

 

@Magnus Vale He’s truly amazing...such an awesome sculpt!

 

ordered a mist strayer using AC for the first time and it went smoothly! her little plug tail is sooo cute and her lips are adorableeee! just...-inhales- jkasdndskjhsdk
i faced her up myself and just fell in looooove! pic of her here!

 

Is anyone ordering bunnehs? I may try to swing Taru.

 

@VampireAngel13 No bunnies for me, but I am interested in the new BB girls. DZ would have to bring them back just as I was thinking of getting out of the 1/4th doll game. I'm just way more invested with my 1/3rd crew.

 

@Cloudedmind Tell me about it!! I've been trying to get out of 1/4s for years, but I have a handful I just can't let go of (two of them are DZ Carters XD ). And now Taru....I have bunnies, she'd fit right in. Plus I really want that Tempura kitty D: and I need another 1/6 body and I'd like a Merlin head. So a giant DZ order may actually have to happen.

 

Does anyone have dollzone Neil, could I see some pictures please, also does anyone know if I order the face up would I be able to ask to make the lips less dark?
Also I’m curious about the waiting time for dollzone in general.....?

 

Out of curiosity, did anyone order any purple dolls during the previous event? I would assume they would have shipped by now, but I haven't seen any owner photos!

 

Did anyone order tan from their event last year and has received their doll? Mine is on his way and I'm excited but nervous about the colour.

 

Been getting busy with the Dollzone projects lately. Completed the eye opening touch-up, suede job and a partial dye on Anson and working on making her some floral clothing while I wait for the warm weather to be able to seal her floral pieces with MSC so I can start painting her. Only took me four years to figure out how I wanted to tackle my design for her. > . >
I ordered pieces of Neruga and am still waiting on other random body parts in the mail to see how my hybrid experiment is going to go with her. In the meantime, she be chillin in a shoe box.
Snow Fulai just arrived today! Both of these girls are going to be gargoyles so I will be dyeing them both grey and blushing to look like stone. Found some thrift store candle holders a couple weeks ago that were a brown color. I hit them with some grey primer, did an acrylic wash and blushed with pastel to make them look like stone pillars for my gargoyle darlings to perch upon! Still waiting on warm weather to seal those, too. I forgot to take the before photos of the pillars. Depending on how many errands I have to run today, I might get Snow Fulai taken apart, washed and then get her dye job out of the way this evening.

 

I made the above comment back in Oct 2016. I am happy to say, after 5 years of waiting (and praying that Dollzone would not discontinue him before I got the chance to get him ) I have ordered a fullset Noel! Yay! I'm so excited!



Actually, I'm kind of surprised they didn't discontinue him the last go-a-round of discontinuations since, by Dollzone standards, he's an old sculpt. I ordered him from Denver Dolls, since Alice's Collection didn't have him listed anymore.

He is going to be my anniversary doll to myself to celebrate 15 years in this hobby. I always seem to want a Dollzone doll to commemorate anniversaries.

 

Sorry to reply to a post from back in October, but from what I remember, DZ didn't have a different skin for pink/yellow so the 2007 normal should just be labeled as "Normal Skin" I think. That said, it does match the new normal skin yellow quite well!

 

Good for you! I'm so glad you finally got him. I did the same with Carter. I dithered over him for years.
After 11 months of waiting he arrived on Saturday. One surprise is that he has a faceup. And I didn't order the faceup. Bonus, I guess

 

Yay grats! Is it bad that I hope for "mistakes" like that with my orders? Haha

 

Thanks CathyM! Now, for the wait. The wait-time for Dollzone dolls is so long, now My first Dollzone boy arrived in less than 30 days back in 2006.

And, congrats on getting your Carter! (Huzza! on getting a free face-up!) I'm so glad you didn't miss out on him. He really is an amazing sculpt.

What are your plans for him? Would love to see a photo of him.

 

I think my wait was at least 6 months in 2007 haha But that's still not anywhere on a level that it is now.

 

You'd think after the long wait I'd have a storyline, or at least a NAME for the poor guy. But NOPE. Lol.



He's pretty cool, though. I Iike him.

 

May I ask where you got his clothes? Those pants and shirt look like they fit great!

 

His pants are from TTYA (they come unsnapped when he sits down, tho). I got his hoody secondhand, and it's unbranded. So I don't know who made it.

 

He looks absolutely adorable.

 

Oh CathyM, he looks wonderful! (Love those little teeth! )

He's also looking very stylish, and that wig is perfect on him.

Congrats again on his arrival!

(A lot of times, I don't have a backstory or name ready for my dolls before they arrive because I try to forget I even ordered them. Otherwise the wait-time would drive me crazy. )

 

Hey everyone! I was wondering, is dollzone usually responsive to email inquiries? I was tempted to email and see if they might be planning a purple resin event anytime soon... I think the last one was Feb 2018? I'd love to get their new MSD girl Snow in purple, so I am really tempted to email them and ask... if nothing else, I imagine it would show interest in a purple resin event at the very least? I'd love to get Snow in purple or blue (I don't think they've ever done blue before...) but I am not exactly keen on the prospect of dyeing a bjd right now. ^_^;

 

I recently bought really old Dollzone Mo second hand and finally finished his wig so I thought I'd share his picture here:



He's a really old one so his body kind of sucks (I hate his stupid knees especially) but I love his cute face and am glad to have him added to my doll family ❤️

 

@digi He’s fabulous! There’s so much character in the old Dollzone sculpts, and that wig looks great on him. It really enhances his look.

 

@digi He's adorable! I love the wig, the white streaks in the black looks really good!

Got some new pictures of Rune, I think he's going to be the final recipient of this wig which has been worn by at least seven other dolls at some point. XD

 

@Magnus Vale I agree that the wig style and color looks very natural on him. It’s an excellent choice to draw out his good looks, and it goes well with his unusual eyes as well.

 

Hi everyone, just thought I'd introduce myself with my Ji Zero (Human)


IMG_6986 by Emilia Lunney, on Flickr

Still getting to know her as she's not even got a name after months still! But I'm coming to learn her style a bit more. I plan to get her some custom eyes and maybe a different wig, I just find it so hard to choose.

 

She's gorgeous~! So happy to finally see some owner pics, I definitely still want to pick her up in grey~

 

Ugh!! I am having massive dolly regrets!! I had SO MANY chances to buy a DZ Mirai and I didn't! And lately its been REALLY bothering me that I didn't buy her when I had the chance! *sob*

 

@digi Mo - is my favourite boy from DollZone! And I'm very glad to see him again
The wig really suits him and looks very stylish!

 

dumb-ish question: are most of DZ's MSD heads (of the same sculpting vintage) approximately the same size?
I sent my Carter off for an eye opening mod, but forgot to measure the head before sending it out, and the materials I ordered to make her wig have finally arrived I wanted to get the wig done before she goes off to the faceup artist and was thinking of using my Rosemary's head as a stand in, but it would be incredibly annoying if the measurements are just different enough that using another head would create more issues than it solves

 

@Girrl I don’t know if this helps, but I found Carter’s head measurement on the BJDivas site. It lists it at 17.8 cm.

 

Digi, wonderful to see an old classic sculpt like Mo! I absolutely love him!

And his tan resin is beautiful, too!

Congrats on getting such a lovely boy!

 

Love all these owner photos!
My Ray Frog came in recently, so I wanted to share a quick photo. I got her on the slimmer female body, and the fullset clothes still fit great!
Her name is Rana, but I've just been calling her Froggy for the most part. lol

Newclover had to ship her frog parts separately, so those should be arriving in the next week or so.

 

@Beansproutmomo She’s absolutely precious…such a sweet face! And I love the idea of her having froggie feet and hands. How perfect that her resin is green!

 

Thank you @PoeticSoul ! Yesss, I'm so excited for her frog parts. Goodbye shoes! LOL
The green resin is even better than I had hoped. Really lovely color.

 

I could use some help. I have a Dollzone girl but no idea who she is. Previous owner said she was pretty sure her name is Lilith. But in googling I find no such doll. So could someone please tell me who she is? Her COA is just a Chinese written post card as well as a small metal card with not much better info. Here is a couple of photos.
ID Please by Marie, on Flickr
ID Please by Marie, on Flickr
ID Please by Marie, on Flickr

Thank you.

 

Looks like Pandora to me. I'm pretty sure DZ did a horned version of the sculpt, which might have been called Lillith (it may have been an event thing?)