Shopping Trying to decide on a backup doll

I like using DenverDoll, They have been great each time I have ordered from their stock. Although the shipping was expensive it was nice not to have to wait a few months. If you use paypal you could also do pay in 3. they pay it for you and you pay paypal back over 3 months. I like to use this method.

 

I know you probably don't want to wait, but I would order the kid delf if she sells out. LUTS my take up to 3 months, but it's a reliable 3 months.

Other than that, I think Doll leaves makes a nice MSD-sized doll. They pose well and the resin is nice and smooth.

 

Echoing the sentiment that DenverDoll is great I got one of my first dolls from them. Oh, but so is Alice's!!! And I can totally see why your decision is hard, lots of cuties to choose from that have a really similar aesthetic! I have friends who have raved about their Dika Dolls and Dollmore dolls so if this were my list I'd be choosing between those two. Luts is also awesome, if you really want the Luts doll over all the others and she sells out at Denver Doll, I think it will still be worth waiting for her.

 

I’ve bought from various companies and from various sites, most being easy and pleasant experiences. Alice has always been quick and reliable, while offering a large range of companies to choose from. I used to get all my dolls from Denver but I moved to another country and they shipping fees are a bit too high, they have the largest range for in stock which makes it very hard to not buy from. (I caved and bought an in stock DV Bor and it was insane how expensive it was for such a small doll. :/) That aside I still love going on their site to see what they have.

I have had a few Resinsouls over the years as well and they are great value if you want something a bit softer on the budget. Their resin is very hard and smooth. (I had a friend who owned a Mei and it was one of the reasons I got into BJDs.) I am more into fantasy dolls so right now I have a Zhen in natural that I have absolutely fallen in love with. I’m looking at getting another in the future with their satyr legs but like you I am a little tight on money. Sorting out our house has become a money pit but it needs to be done.

I don’t have any experience with Doll Leaves but their sculpts are gorgeous! I keep seeing them pop up on my feed and I’ve been tempted myself. 3 months for Luts is great considering some companies have been pushed back to 6-8 months. If you really like the sculpt from Luts then you should choose that one regardless.

 

I'd say simply get the one you truly want. Don't go with "backups", "oh but this one has shorter shipping times (when all of these got pretty reasonable times to begin with)" or "well a local dealer happens to have something in stock I guess" and so on.

Like, do you only want the Luts because Denver has it in stock? If no, why isn't the immediate "backup" option "I'll just order it directly from Luts"? Luts is a very reliable, reputable and old company.

Anyway, I'd say sit down again and truly, really ask yourself what you want. The surrounding factors be damned for a moment. And once you know that, that's the doll you should get. Even if it's not in stock with a dealer, not from these two dealers in particular or whatever.
Then you have the highest chance of actually loving the doll in the end, and not just liking it

 

Are you considering wait time as a factor? I know from experience that ALM Doll takes only around a month and produces nice dolls. I think Doll Leaves is four to six months? Luts took around four months for me, maybe a little less. ResinSoul is quick, too, but their dolls always need a bit of tlc to be at their best.

 

Oh man, I feel you!!!!

I must warn you, these dolls tend to mysteriously multiply, almost as fast as the wishlist *bad influence*
Not that you don't know that, But saying you're only getting one is a total curse.
On the plus side, since you want them all, you can't go wrong with whoever you choose! Looking forward to seeing who makes the final cut!

 

I haven't ordered from Denverdoll, but I have ordered from Alice, Luts and Resinsoul!

I only started ordering from Alice's Collections this year, but they're wonderful and I ended up placing orders with them four times already! Three of those orders were clothes, but one was a MSD muscular boy body from Doll Family H and he poses pretty nicely. It's my first doll body from that company and I'm pretty happy with the quality. The team at Alice's are super sweet and respond pretty quickly, and they often have deals and discounts so your new resin addition doesn't have to be naked!

Resinsoul is another good company with reasonable prices and lovely sculpts. I've got a RS Mei and she's so delicate and lovely! She does happen to be a bit waif-like though, so you should wire/suede her or be prepared to restring her somewhat regularly. Then again, I bought her directly from the company waaaaaaay back in 2008, so that might be part of it. Still, she's my only bjd with a company faceup because it was only $10 extra. Who gives pretty faceups for only $10?? Resinsoul, that's who.

I now have eleven full bjd (and some floating heads), and a decent chunk of them came from Luts. I have a Delf Soo (and an extra Soo head), Delf Luwen (and his vampire head), a Senior Delf Cian, and a beauty line minifee body from before Fairyland split from them. The minifee body was bought secondhand but the others all came directly from Luts and their quality is just *chef's kiss*. It's been a long time since I ordered from them but from what I remember, they were excellent and I definitely recommend ordering directly from them if you choose a Luts bjd.

But yeah, I'm going to echo what others are saying and tell you to get what you want. Even if it takes a bit longer to decide which one that is or to save up the funds, getting the one you want will be worth it! Good luck!