LA Volks Sumika not allowing FCS shopping services anymore?

For Sato FCS I almost must recommend ria_ria..not sure if I already did that in this thread I can't say it enough!

Completely agree

 

Definitely seconding this. I'm one of those living in a country other than the US, so a FCS shopping service is the only way people in my situation can realistically go. I'm currently in the middle of an order with ria_ria, and she's been nothing but friendly, helpful and enthusiastic about the whole thing. Of course I'd rather be able to go to a Sumika or Sato and order myself, or else to do it via the internet... but if there's a doll you really have your heart set on, you have to do what's necessary to get it.

 

Do they have the newest heads outside of LA? The F29, 30, and 31? Does anyone know? The F30 is the only reason I'd go to LA to order.

 

I was just trying to give examples to show that not everyone here is lucky enough to be able to order more than one or two dolls per year. ^^;

Though, I have to say, I don't understand people who complain about the doll wait. They'll wait 6 months for an Unoa, for a DOD, for many other kinds of dolls, but just not for a Volks.

Granted, I do get the 'I need it noooooowwwww!' bug in me, too, but that's when I go here in the DoA marketplace and look for one I can buy and receive right away. ^_^

 

They will most likely be getting them soon as there were three elf one-offs at the last two Dolpas.

 

Ah, ok, cool! I wasn't sure since they were introduced at LA and I hadn't heard word yet about the other Sumikas and Sato.

 

uhmm what is FCS shopping

 

FCS = Full Choice System, where customer chooses specifics on a doll. This system is only available in person inside either the Los Angeles or Sato Volks stores.

FCS Shopping [Service] = a service [that may charge a fee] that orders a customer's doll for her, without the customer actually being physically present at the store.

 

Yes, 100%. They are currently on tour. When I was at the LA Store I asked.

 

Cassiel's very comprehensive FCS site, Aimee's very helpful guide, and mine which is still in progress. Each page has somewhat different information from the others..I recommend reading each of ours to get the best idea of what it is

 

*gasps for breath*
*choking*

Unfortunately, there is so much truth in that statement. We have all seen people who buy a doll and sell it mere onths or weeks later. I don't understand it, but it happens. I'm sure there are other reasons, but "impulse buying" has got to be near #1.

I don't want to sound callous, but I would not even post to threads like that. While I do wish someone could take my money and walk into VolksUSA for me, I do consider FCS to be coveted dolls. Perhaps I should say, dolls worthy of being coveted. Revered. Adored.

I do believe they are special dolls and should only be ordered by people with genuine interest.. and the willingness to commit I guess.

Idrisfynn, as for the flight issue...... I now understand what you were saying. XD I took it as a general statement to all. I'll tell you one thing, *chuckles* if there was a Volks store only 2-3 hours away from me, I would drive. If I didn't have a car, I'd rent one or "hire" a friend for the day. Take a bus even.

I'm not saying that to pick on anyone, but if I lived anywhere in CA I would just drive. Even in a bordering state, I would drive. I live in a small town, so I guess I'm familiar with driving for what I need/want. Put a Volks in Toronto and I'm there.

..really... please.. put a Volks in Toronto. NYC would be acceptable too. I wouldn't mind at all.

 

Guys. Please. Stop your whining for the love of GOD.

Do you know how many other expensive hobbies like this have manufacturers that use very similar policies? There are collectibles you can only get in NY, or London, or Paris, or Japan, and not on the internet. While I was in Hawaii I saw Louis Vitton and Coach purses that were only available on the Big Island of Hawaii. IT'S NOT JUST VOLKS DOLLS.

The whining I hear in this thread is incredibly childish. This sort of thing makes the rest of us in the fandom look really bad. You know what? If the FCS policy pisses you off, then don't order Volks dolls. Just stop whining about it. This is not the right place for you to air your complaints, or whine about how you live in a one-room shack with twelve kids and can't afford a ticket to LA to buy your 1,000$ doll.

A Volks store in the midwest would not be good for the company. Period. Too bad for you if you live in Ohio or Alabama or whatever. A store in NY might be a viable option... if flame-mongers stop turning people off to Volks products with all this opinionated whining.

Can a mod please lock this thread? This is not what I intended when I posted it e__e I thought it was going to inform and help people... not incite all the trolls on this board to another Volks flame-war.

 

orbitz is a rather bad place but expedia is good. Travelosity and cheap tickets are good too.

 

Please, mods, leave this thread open. I believe it serves a valuable purpose to the community. It is not unreasonable for people to air their opinions on a company's policies and procedures, learn what their options are in relation to that company and what others' reactions are. I've learned a fair bit reading this, and it has contributed to helping me understand Volks and their FCS policies.

I've read the entire thread, and it seems to me, by and large, to be a reasonably civil, generally whine-free discussion, for which everyone should be commended, given that feelings about the dolls we want do tend to run strong. I wouldn't want to see the character of this thread painted with too broad a brush.

The amazing thing about people is they can take an idea and run with it, leaving the intentions of the orginal poster in the dust. I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing.

Lisa

 

That's called hijacking a thread

 

The above is the first post. The title of the thread is about Volks not allowing FCS shopping services. Every comment in this thread bears on the subject of no FCS shopping services. The discussion may not have gone as you intended it to go, but it hasn't gone off the stated topic and exhibits no qualities of a hijacked thread.

That's all I meant.

Lisa

 

Never mind -__-; I don't want to re-state myself again.

 

Well, I think the discussion has been about buying ... mostly about how-to. Yeah, you'll always have the people who think it's their right to buy anything anywhere regardless of how the company handles their selling process. *shrug* Grain of salt stuff ... let it go.

I think there have been enough intelligent answers to these posts that actually can help others understand why Volks does things the way they do. I don't think it's deteriorated into a flame-war or even terribly heavy-duty Volks bashing.

If anything, it's helped me decide that I don't want to use a shopping service ... I want to make the effort to go there myself, so I can experience this unique option.

Lisa

 

Can someone point me to the flamewar, because I'm not seeing any..like FairEmma, I've actually learned a lot from this thread and understand their policies and why they do the stuff they do better.

Doesn't mean I don't still think shopping services should be allowed for those outside of the US or Japan, at your own risk and with a no refund option though XD But hey, it's their decision, their company and as a customer, you're going to have to adapt if you want the product, of find another way to get it if you can't adapt..or simply give up(but I don't think many of us would be willing to do that XD)

I still hope they open a store in Europe so my friend can order her F-16 though..I can imagine it's an amazing experience, and if there was a Volks store in this continent, I'd totally go there just for the experience-and I don't even want an FCS! But it's a different story to fly to LA..

 

Like I've said before, SHOPPING SERVICES ARE STILL ALLOWED, VOLKS CAN'T STOP YOU. Just don't flaunt it around that the doll isn't for you or order a mass amount every weekend.

 

I agree, and just to clairfy, don't even mention that it is not for you. Dont even say it. And usually it is much more safe to put your own shipping address rather than the other person you're helping.

And on another point, I think it is pretty fair for European VOLKS fans to complain and ask more from Volks. As long as theyre civil and insightful about their own opinions, then I dont see any need to shut them up. I was actually surprised to learn that Volks USA doesnt ship to other countries besides the USA, Canada and Mexico. And yes, these dolls are expensive and they are a luxury. But if European Volks fans want to use an FCS Shopping Service and understand what theyre getting themselves into then they probably would appreciate the advice that peopel are sharing. If they would prefer to use a shopping service in order to save time and money, say $1000+, from a trip to a Volks store, then there are options available for them.

And I understand that you're very upset, Celebare, that people are conversating and giving advice to each other on your thread. I wont speak about this any longer, since it bothers you to the point of demanding this thread be shut down. I apologize for any discomfort to you.

 

But please consider that it's kind of disrespectful to so blatantly ignore Volks's policies like that D: They're not stupid. They'll catch on, and who knows what they'll do ti limit it if they continue to have problems with people buying dolls for other people?

 

It is not "blatantly ignoring" the policy when it is being ordered for a close friend or a client whom you've thoroughly discussed it with, "blatantly ignoring" would be ordering 10 sunlight F-16's and auctioning them off on Y!J one after the other. I feel like this sentiment against shopping services is just Volks' way of saying they just can't handle that many FCS orders, and they're using it as a way to make themselves not responsible if someone orders through a service and dislikes the result.

 

Same here but I'm really wanting a Megu through FCS... I'm no where near the US...

I guess I should just save up as much as I can during next year when I go to Japan and can get one myself

What would happen if the person who was running the service got caught?

 

People outside the US can always order Sato FCS through various shopping services if they wish. No need to make a trip all the way to japan. Unless you want to of course! I suspect the elf heads will eventually make it to TnS in Japan. It's only a matter of time. And Megu is a regular FCS head, already available in Japan and the US, so you can use Sato FCS services for that. Much cheaper then a flight to Japan.

 

Um, hasn't Volks always not exactly liked shopping services?

I really don't see why there is a 7 page thread on this...and why people are worried about potential consequences.

Really, they can't stop you buying a doll. This is majorly over reacting.

Though I agree about the discussing it part, theres no reason for international members to be worried about buying dolls from shopping services.

 

That's like saying, "It's not shoplifting if it's just one lipstick for a really close friend." If Volks doesn't want shopping services, they don't want any type of shopping service, including well-thought-out purchases for 'close friends'. You're bending morals to suit your own wants.

 

(+_+) That last statement shows the lengths that people are willing to go through to get their FCS. Some people might be willing to lie to help their friends.

Personally, I don't think anyone has to lie or make up stories. They only need to go in and have the FCS shipped to their house - then forward it to their friend. It isn't neccessary to tell Volks what they plan to do after the FCS arrives to their home.
----------------
On a side note: Many people think Volks is deliberately making things harder for them. Actually, I find that Volks USA employees go out of their way to make things easier for their customers.

I was still at my university when my FCS arrived and I wanted him to be with me rather than wait until I was able to go to LA to pick him up. It would have been another two months, but they were kind enough to send him to my university when I told them of my situation (^w^).

A more recent example I can think of was when my sister was ill. She was unable to go to the store to pick up her SD. But the store manager was understanding and let me pick up her doll for her at the store.

I think their policies are so that they can continue to provide good service for their customers.

 

I just thought I'd add, that Volks has a little statement at the top of their Japanese weekly e-mail newsletter, that basically says that to be aware of the fact that if you purchase items through a proxy service or seller, that they cannot help you if there is a problem.

The point to note, I think, is that they're not telling you to NOT purchase through a proxy seller -- they're merely warning you that they can't help you if you encounter a problem with the seller.

 

Which is exactly what I think this supposed "policy" is all about- my FCS boy was not ordered by me and the world didn't end, Volks didn't tell me I was ruining their business and would not be allowed to buy anymore of their dolls. Keep in mind the LA Sumika is NEW, before it was built all we had as an option were shopping services to Japan (besides, you know, flying to Japan). I'm guessing you (Celebare) would be feeling differently if you had wanted your F-09 two years ago.

 

What has this discussion to do with thievery or morals? It's doll shopping!

I don't see anything wrong with a relative going to buy on someone's behalf, or a shopping service for that matter. To be quite honest, I think people are just as likely to be unhappy with their doll if they order it themselves. It's a shame, but it's not the end of the world; you still end up with a nice hard-to-get doll and faceups can be changed.

Why on earth should you have to travel all the way to LA to order a doll when you know someone already living there? Plenty of people have done FCS and there is the information around about what sort of questions they ask and what choices are required. You can prepare a picture for the faceup in advance.

I don't blame Volks for wanting to limit the numbers, though; I think it would be too much for them to accommodate internet ordering as well.

For quite a long time now, Volks has said they don't like proxy ordering. I don't think it would be an insult to them to do it, though. Just be discreet.

 

Celebare...in your opening post you're all "be prepared to lie! " and now you're telling us that it's just wrong to go through a shopping service and GOD FORBID we hurt Volks's feelings?

Yeah, way to flip-flop, guy.

 

My reply was to Usagi -__- I'm saying, Volks has a POLICY in place, and you can't simultaneously state that it's important to respect Volks, and say it's ok to lie to them and ignore their rules. Just trying to clear up an inconsistancy I saw in Usagi's argument.

I just did an order for someone, but I would not do another. Now that I know their policy (not just hearsay and rumors, which is all I've seen on this board prior to this), I don't want to disrespect the company by going against rules that I have seen very clearly myself.

 

Whoa whoa whoa nelly.
Inconsistency in Usagi's argument?

Then pls see:

Wow. Are you even reading what you're posting?
"LOL GUYS BE READY TO LIE TO GET YOUR WAYY~
BUT WAIT YOU SUCK IF YOU DO IT AND YOU'LL GET CAUGHT!!"
Honestly, make up your mind.

 

I'm going to throw in a quick 2 cents, and I apologize if it doesnt make much sense.

Now, i'm not saying you should lie, but i'm not saying everyone should stop FCS shopping services or large orders or whatnot, but in the end we're not hurting the company by doing FCS services.

They get the same amount of money (or even more, depending on how many people buy). They're happy with their money, and we're happy with our dolls.

I could see why they might not want people ordering for others, with liability and maybe other reasons, but in the end its a win-win situation and they just cant deny it.

 

Christ, guys -__- There was no smiley attached to my 'be prepared to lie' statement. If I'd said in the first place, "It's totally ok to lieee omg *heart heart*" and then said "But it's disrespectful </3" that's flip-flopping.

 

I think people need to step back and take a breath here. This debate is starting to get rather personal and we don't want to have to lock the thread.

 

aww... this kinda sucks... I understand, though, and i'm not going to complain...

I did want to ask my grandmother to order for me though.. seeing as she lives near the store, and i live in Virginia... x-x with no chance of getting there any time soon... ah well. I'm just glad there a store in the US! I'll get over there eventually...

 

Nikita - you're right ^^; I'm sorry for being so snarky, everyone. It's not a good idea to post on a topic like this when you're stressed out :'D Hopefully no hard feelings, and if I insulted anyone I apologize. I definitely didn't mean it :3