Resin Rose BJD Expo: Unsubstantiated Recast Claims Against SakuraMitsuki

The Resin Rose BJD Expo board feels very strongly for artists’ rights and from day one has taken an anti-recasting stance. In order to support artists’ rights we require that every attendee and vendor that comes to any of our events sign a release stating that they understand that bringing recasts to Resin Rose events will result in them being removed from the event and banned from future events. By signing they agree to our terms and that they will not bring recasts to the Resin Rose BJD Expo. SakuraMitsuki signed the release form upon her entry to the event space.

It was with deep regret that I had to approach SakuraMitsuki after the accusations were brought forth to me that she may have recast dolls in her possession. I was told that she had intent to try and trade one of the items during our swap after the main event, and that they had overheard SakuraMitsuki questioning the legitimacy of the head herself. These were very serious accusations and could not be taken lightly by the Resin Rose staff.

Of SakuraMitsuki’s dolls at the expo there was a Pukifee which the body appeared to be legitimate, but the head back had a suspicious seam where my own Pukifee purchased directly from Fairyland did not. In particular, the Minifee head we were presented appeared to be highly suspect with strange sanding marks, a lack of internal markings, and unusual color. The dolls were examined by a few of the Resin Rose board members and compared with other known legitimate Fairyland dolls on site. None of us have ever encountered a Fairyland Minifee head that lacked markings on the inside. SakuraMitsuki denied having recasts to me at the event, but I was also not presented with any forms of provenance.

Faced with a highly suspicious head combined with the word of her accusers, we acted appropriately given the evidence. We asked SakuraMitsuki to leave the expo and informed her that she was not welcome to any future events per our rules regarding recast items. We did not take any photos of SakuraMitsuki’s dolls in question and therefore cannot compare the dolls that we saw at the expo with the dolls presented to the admin and here in the thread. After the event we heard from others at the expo who had overheard various things from SakuraMitsuki’s conversations that solidified my opinion that we had made the right decision in escorting SakuraMitsuki from the event.

We felt it was in the best interest of everyone involved not to publicize the events that happened that resulted in SakuraMitsuki’s dismissal from the expo as we did not want to draw attention and cause her embarrassment. She was escorted out of the expo very quietly so that it would attract as little attention from the other attendees as possible. The situation was the last thing that anybody involved wanted to have happen at the event.

In light of the investigation by DOA as to unfortunate events and the legitimacy of the dolls presented here, the Resin Rose BJD Expo is prepared to refund SakuraMitsuki’s registration for the amount she paid in entry costs ($30).

 

To clarify, the "suspicious head seam" is a crack that was listed in the seller's thread of my pukifee, he also has the appropriate stamp which was the main reason you had me removed. I quote, "I have never seen a Fairyland doll without a headstamp, I'm sorry, but you have been scammed."

These accusations were very serious, but instead of looking into my background or talking to me you proceeded very differently. I understand why you went with that route, but I think you underestimate how it has affected me and my role in the hobby and even my life. I would *love* to have a refund. You've had my email since the event and I have not heard anything from you guys since, if you would message me via email (on the release form I signed) or on here we can proceed on reimbursing me the entry costs.

I have no idea what you mean by "unusual color" of the dolls considering comparing all of my dolls headbacks they're roughly within the same gradient, texture, and color of resin. I can still provide more pictures if need be. I also have no idea what you mean by "After the event we heard from others at the expo who had overheard various things from SakuraMitsuki’s conversations that solidified my opinion that we had made the right decision in escorting SakuraMitsuki from the event." Considering I didn't discuss the head at the event because I wasn't planning on trading it, I was going to trade the shiwoo I'd just purchased the previous month (which was also examined at the expo, by a moderator, and I can provide the sales thread and pictures of its validity.)

And I was not escorted out of the expo very quietly, three security guards, one of which got very pushy and aggressive, caused me to have a panic attack and two other people at the convention had to help me walk out otherwise the security guard implied he would forcibly do it himself or call the police and have them do it, which only made my anxiety grow worse under the pressure and circumstances. I understand this is a very sensitive topic, but how you're portraying it right now is not quite how it went.

I can continue to provide detailed pictures, but the moderators have assisted in thoroughly researching each of my dolls, even personally inspecting them, and I don't plan on staying active in this hobby after this traumatic handling of rumors against validity, but I will do my best to assure that I have made valid purchases and sales through DoA, and have adhered to the strict policies here and will continue to do so as long as I am a member, and being a member includes not owning, selling, trading, or supporting recasts in any way, shape or form.

 

I saw in my email that you sent a refund, which was what you had promised, but you didn't follow my instructions to contact me first (via my post above) and you sent it just straight to the wrong email's "paypal" which is a paypal linked to my best friend's hat business, of which my email is used as a back up for in case something happens to her contact info. Luckily I was able to contact her and she was able to find the refund info after I forwarded her the message and will hopefully be able to transfer the money to my *actual* paypal which you didn't bother to ask for.

Another thing I would like to bring up is the fact that messages are coming in asking if people should risk bringing second hand dolls to future conventions, including yours, because of the risk of blatant accusations regardless of proof of purchase or information on the doll's history. Authenticity is hard to prove in older dolls and even harder when there are no tried and true methods of authenticity without having a resin testing lab available on site or other methods that aren't based on opinion. The only advice I've been able to give to people is to not bring those dolls or not go to the convention at all if they're worried someone, be it a person of "authority" or even a person who doesn't like them who is a person of authority, could start a rumor or question their doll's authenticity and this could happen to them, since you haven't apologized in the slightest for all the damages that have been caused by these accusations that's the best answer I can provide.

So in short, if you can't bring every tiny print out, screen shot, certificate/box of authenticity, or proof of purchase from a certified seller (not a DoA marketplace listing) you can be accused, kicked out and barred from the premises and future events, and deal with other damages in relation to such courses of action.

To each of the people messaging and asking what has happened because of this, and to the expo since no formal apology hasn't been made other than a refund that has been sent to a wrong account, the damages are being kicked out of all local gatherings and told not to join in future gatherings, unable to buy/sell doll items because no one wants to deal with someone of my new "reputation" and, despite recommendations from friends and some even offering to pay for it for me, I have chosen not to seek legal reparations because that would only make all of this worse.

I think it needs to be made quite clear, that you as an Expo and a gathering for Doll owners, have set an example. Whether this example is seen as good or bad is up to the individual but it should be made quite clear these are the questions being asked from this example and these are the consequences of your actions. You did not reply to my previous post so I assume you're not interested in communication, apology, or actually bothering to get my refund information correct, so this is my follow up post on what has happened since my last post.

 

The refund mistake was me. I pushed the Treasurer to do it and missed the request for an email first.
I have PMed SakuraMitsuki to see if we can find common ground in this affair.

 

The reasons we took the actions we did are known and we will not belabor them.

That said, upon further review, and communication with SakuraMitsuki, we believe we should have handled this affair very differently, regardless of any circumstance. As unfortunate as this has been, we are using it as a chance to grow and improve rather than become disheartened. Our policies are undergoing review to insure that we will not repeat any mistakes that have been made. As before, our policies will be publicly available to any that have questions or interest in that regard. As for the staff of Portland Meadows and complaints made against them, we will not be returning to that venue so pursuing that topic is immaterial.

In regards to SakuraMitsuki as an individual, we do want to extend a sincere apology for how we handled this encounter. Should she wish to join us at future events, she is welcome to do so. While it has been trying for all involved, the greater share has been hers. Furthermore, it was never the belief of Resin Rose, or any individuals therein, that SakuraMitsuki deliberately sought to purchase recast goods. That was part of no statement made to, or by, our organization or any person on our executive committee. We do not condone recent anonymous attacks on SakuraMitsuki's reputation. Resin Rose finds all types of bullying and anonymous hate to be reprehensible. We would ask that people please treat her with respect, as both a fellow hobbyist and human being.

--Glyndon, secretary of the Resin Rose BJD Executive Board