Shipping Soom on layaway

I'm not positive, but I believe most companies start producing the item after the layaway is completely paid. There's a few exceptions but I wouldn't assume the doll is started.

 

In my experience, it's still a 3 month wait after you finish your layaway. I assume this is so you get a fresh doll and also so they don't end up with dolls sitting around in the case of a cancelation.

 

I am going to tell you about my last big doll order from Soom that I did on layaway. I ordered Elf Saiph at the end of March 2020. I paid her off by the beginning of July 2020. She did not ship until the beginning of September 2020. So it was a 2 month turn around. I believe they didn't make her until I paid her off. Her full set clothes were already made - they only made 20 or so. But I believe she wasn't cast until I paid her off and her face up wouldn't have been done until she was done. I would have to check her certificate to be sure.

 

I always assume that the doll will not be made until the layaway is completed. It's a good mindset to be in because then if it gets shipped shortly after you complete the layaway, you're pleasantly surprised!

 

This is the reason I like dealers, like Bjdivas. When you layaway with them, the doll gets ordered right away and you can avoid that extra waiting time for production. I know this option isn't always feasible, but it's Incredibly helpful in this hobby when you can use it.

Otherwise, you do have to wait at least a couple months for the doll to be made, then another month or so with shipping.

 

Well, I found this on Soom's FAQ under 'Shipping' (words bolded by Soom):

8. When I make an order with the Soom layaway, my order will arrive within 60 to 100 days after the full payment?

Normally our dolls are started to produce and shipped within 60 to 100 days after confirmation of your full payment. In case of the layaway payment orders, orders start production with other general orders when the first payment is confirmed.

Our dolls are produced with many steps of processing, so a small amount of dolls are produced by each day. So when the dolls are ready, we will send them to customers in order of full payment orders. The layaway payment orders must be delayed in full payment day compared to other general orders, so the shipping may be delayed as well. Additionally, the orders with layaway payment need a long payment period and irregular timing of payment, so the orders are rarely delayed to be ready by reason of missing aggregate or delaying production of some parts. For that reason, it is explained that shipping orders are within 60 to 100 days after the full payment day in general case, but most of them will be shipped shortly after full payment day since they have already been in production.​

 

I did a layaway order with Soom in Dec 2021 for their ID75 Free Choice event. My layaway started 29 December 2021, was completed in 19 February and my Tawny Zak was shipped 11 May. So in my experience, it was 5 months total wait. The Soom waiting room list should be a helpful indicator of current production times.

 

I ordered a Soom Breccia 19 February 2022 with 3 months layaway, and she was shipped 23 June 2022. So it took about 4 months for my doll