Volks Dolpa 29 - April 28, 2013

Thank you to you both... ^^ I'm still unsure which store I should go to... any suggestion? >.< I'm guessing the less crowded ones would be better? And what is a Dolpa ticket? ;w;

 

The guidebook is the ticket to a Dolpa They are checking it at the entrance.

 

Ah, so I still need to get the guidebook? D: One book per person? Or one book per doll (if I'm purchasing)? Thank you~ >.<

 

fransyung, if you plan to attend Dolpa then yes, you need the guidebook, at least one per person, but if you want multiple slots in buying line for limited dolls, then buy as many guidebooks as you want Also one guidebook gives you one Bingo card.

 

Ah, so sorry for the confusion! D: I mean for the AE... do I still need to bring the guidebook?

 

May I ask that if I can buy DP-29 AE items on the official website? Because it seems Osaka AE can.
Should I be a Volks member to buy these online?

 

fransyung, we won't need a guidebook for the AE. Which store are you thinking of going to? We're going to be in Akihabara that day anyway, so we'll probably go there. That one is always more focused on DD so maybe the chances of snagging Ryoma are higher than at Harajuku. So exciting!

 

It hasn't been announced yet. But if there are many cancellations from the AE Lottery, then you can buy the cancelled dolls later through the Volks International website. Although you have to fight a lot of other people to do that. The dolls usually got sold out in under 2 minutes. ^^;;

Really? oAo I haven't decided yet. Maybe we can meet up, too?

 

owako, but you do not live in Japan. I think there are two AEs online, for oversees customers and for Japanese people and they are separate. I don't know the requirements for Japanese one, but you definitely can buy from oversees AE without any member card.

 

That would be fun! I'll be there with idrisfynn and MacaronTea.

 

Thanks owakoblack for the verification of Ryoma's name. I am assuming then his Japanese name also translates to dragon horse.

All the best for those attending the dolpa in Tokyo. Ryoma and Ryo are Kimono dolls from Kyoto, traditionally famed for its kimono dolls. It's a privilege to go to Japan to see them in real life and then carry them home with your own hands on a plane.

 

Re: guidebook & other questions people had overnight...

If going to the dolls party @ Tokyo Big Sight on 28 April -> guidebook needed to get in the door. 2200 yen.

If going to the After-Event @ any store on 18 May -> no book. Free to draw a lottery number.

You should go to the store closest to your hotel for the AE to make it easy. Except don't go to Harajuku for any Dollfie Dream dolls or Tenshi no Koromo clothes, since the Mado store is SD-only and won't carry DD stuff at all. Most of the other stores carry all items in the event.

There will be an online after-event where overseas customers can enter into a lottery draw for the dolls. This will be at the same time as the one in the physical stores, 18 May. There is also a domestic Japanese online event using a separate pool of dolls. You do need a Volks Webstore account to participate, but it is not required to be a VS member.

 

Awww... I'd love to meet you all... :3 Let's go to the Akiba store together then!!!

Thank you for the detailed explanation!!! You're a great help!!!

 

But the Japanese one probably requires Japanese mailing address only.

 

It does. And the international one requires an overseas address, so the Japanese cannot participate in that one.

 

I hope there will be some Ryo dolls in the international lottery! Ahhh she is so gorgeous.

 

I can't wait!!

 

Just saw the SD17 guy up on Volks USA website and came over here to see what people thought. . . looks like there's going to be quite a bit of people entering the lottery for him!

 

WOW, $1898 for Ryoma. I am definitely going to try for him at the AE rather than the US lottery. That's $2100 after tax and shipping, which is $500 more than he is in yen right now. If they did layaway like the dealers that would be maybe okay, but otherwise no.

 

Ouch. ><' And Ryô isn't cheaper either, gosh, Volks should really reajust the exchange rate... D': Well, I'm entering for them through the dealers but probably not at Volks USA. Just too hard a one-blow strike on the CC I use for dolls for Ryoma alone. :/ And I'll try the AE for the first time, though layaway through KL and WLD would be the best.

 

WOW I was certainly not expecting that price! I was going to enter for him through Volks and KL (whom I've had pretty good luck with) but now it's much more tempting to just enter for KL, the AE, and maybe Y!J (depending on the prices). That price difference is a Piccolo right there, whom I'm also contemplating entering for.

Edit: According to x-rates the rate is about 99 yen to the dollar. I can't even remember when it was that high! I definitely think I might be trying Y!J before the VolksUSA lottery window is up.

 

$468 for a naked Yo.

I remember when I purchased the original Piccolo direct from Volks and he was $278.

 

I inquired with VolksUSA and it sounds as though the price is unlikely to be adjusted. The exchange rate is decided by headquarters, and we all know how slow they are to change any process. It's not surprising that they don't have the same flexibility as the smaller Korean companies who can adjust their prices quickly when the disparity becomes too great, but it is a little disappointing since the yen has been in the 90s for a little while now. I am sure that the import process adds quite a bit of complexity and they were losing money on their US dolls for a while. Seems a shame that it will drive customers back to buying the old school Y!J way. I certainly don't want to go back to that!

 

Well...in a more positive light, there will probably be less people entering the US lottery because of the price, meaning that the chance to win the doll might be greater in that pool?

I'd say target Y!J first thing on 4/28 and if nothing ends up less expensive, there's still the US lottery until 5/1. And the AE, of course. ;P

 

Considering that they changed the VolksUSA prices not too long ago I doubt any change will happen any time soon - if at all. One of my biggest regrets is not getting one of the standard SD13 girls before the rate change. = A=

Good luck to everyone entering, especially those going for the AE and stalking out Y!J. Since this is the third Piccolo/Anne release now I agree Y!J is def the best option to hopfully get at least them cheaper.

I didn't like Ryouma at first, but now I realise he doesnt actually have a sculpted smirk and am excited to see custom Ryoumas.

 

I'd hope so, at least there's the chance of layaway with the dealers even if the price is well... terrible. ><' I'm still trying for Ryoma though, I do really like him and since I will be moving around possibly until at the time they arrive, it's good to have an actual person who might hold the doll on request until I settle down just as it was with SD16 Megu. o.o

But yeah, I will be keeping my eyes on Y!J too if I don't get any with the dealers and I have the money to pay in full. XD

St James - I see, thanks for the heads up. Such a pity that a large company such as Volks takes so long to change the rates, I'm just glad I got a couple of dolls when the prices were lower than the AE. :/

 

AE in Japan or through the website? Is it possible to cash and carry the dolls if we won through the international website? Has anyone ever did that before?

I can't wait to see you, too, MacaronTea! Which dolls are you guys bringing along? I probably would bring a Yo... xD Have to prepare space if I won something!!

 

The dolls for the online AE are separate from the dolls in the Sumika AEs and ship from Kyoto. They bring a shipment in to each store the day before - not very many though - I counted six Kujos at Harajuku when we were there last and he was the largest quantity of any of them. But you do get to walk away with them in a shopping bag!

I don't think I'm going to bring a doll this time since we're only going to Tokyo and I'm not even taking a camera. I like to travel with my Hewitt if we're going to Sato and I brought my Kanata back with me once, but it's a lot to carry when I generally avoid checking any luggage.

 

Awww, you're a light-baggage tourist! xD I am going to splurge a bit so I will bring an empty large suitcase and my Tenshi Tsugumi... He'll travel in my handbag... Hehehehe...

I'd still attempt to enter the website lottery then. I just hope if I won it'd be easy to pay overseas. xD Have to inform my bank first just in case they thought someone stole my card and did a payment overseas with it.

 

I originally wrote this up in PM, but decided to share it with everyone here in case others might also get some value out of it. The following is how the After-Events are typically run in physical Volks stores in Japan.

The 100% specific details are going to depend on what store you attend the AE at. There are directions for every store that will participate, but those directions will only be posted close to event time. The directions will also only be on the Japanese version of the Volks pages, so that's where you will need to look maybe a week in advance. That said, here's how AE works in general for stores that use the "line lottery" method:

1) You will go to the store you chose, and will be there by the time Volks said you should be there.
2) Volks will gather everyone into a single file line, and it does not matter at all where you are in this line.
3) Said line will walk past a Volks person holding a big box of folded papers. You will draw exactly one paper from the box. Accidentally picking up two is fine as they do stick together sometimes, but make sure you knock the extra off with your finger. Do not attempt to actually take two or more out of the box. (Volks will be watching for compliance.)
4) On that paper is a number, and this is the lottery number you got. What's it for? Official line order.
5) Find the area that has your number on a sign and stand there; there'll be ranges like 1-30, 31-60, etc.
6) The Volks employees will help everyone sort into precise order based on their lottery number.
7) Next Volks will offer anyone a chance to turn in their number and leave if they didn't like what they got.
8) Now is when you get to claim dolls. For each limited item, Volks will have a stack of tickets. For each item in turn, Volks will start with person #1 in line and go from there, asking each person in order if they want to buy that item. Raise your hand as the Volks staffer with the tickets walks by you if you want the item currently being asked about. This continues down the line until the tickets for that item run out.
9) The same process repeats with all limited items until all tickets are given out (or at least every person gets asked). This means that if you are in front of the line and rich, you can buy one of everything, and if you are in the back of the line you will probably get nothing at all. So that one little number will pretty much determine your fate entirely in one fell swoop.
10) When all tickets are handed out, Volks will come and staple any tickets you got to your lottery slip so that everything stays together easily.
11) You wait until the store officially opens at its regular business hour. It is possible to leave at any time by handing your lottery number in to the staff, and if you stay in line you will be expected to buy at least one thing before you reach the register.
12) When the store does open, the line of people will be led snake-like through the store, from the entrance and eventually directly to the checkout register. You pick up each clothing item from the event that you may want, as you walk by it. Usually you can only buy items part of the event during this first run through, and you can go back later for standard doll parts or wigs or what have you.
13) Put all items you want in your shopping basket and, when you're done, lay your lottery slip of paper on top. (You don't get to keep it usually.)
14) Pay at the register. Cash, credit, points cards, all OK.
15) Now you can pick up your new doll if you bought one. Take your ticket, which you've now paid for, over to the designated pickup spot for limited items. You will exchange it for your new doll.
16) All done! Now you can shop in the rest of the store, or go on with your day.

This is also more or less how getting limited dolls works at the actual Dolls Party at Tokyo Big Sight too.

 

I am surprised that the 2 YoSDs are priced lower than previous Yos. I think the pricing of the big dolls might not be related to the exchange rate. May be, kimonos are expensive to make. Ryo's kimono can only be appreciated fully if you see it in person. Ryoma comes with an extra hand and that could cost more. It is also possible that Volks decides to up its prices in general. I notice that these days, Volks wigs are short and simple, seldom do we see the long elegantly styled wigs that came with early dolls.

 

Meguhime and Botenmaru both came with outfits, didn't they? I think that's why they were more expensive. Same with Yo Jun and Isao. How much were the last nude Yos?

 

If I got it correctly then we no longer have KL...
Rochelle, I wish you all the best! And Thank you for your work!

 

Yes, I guess KL will no longer be a Volks dealer... so US citizen only have WLD now. (_ _)

 

Yes, unfortunately Kerbey Lane will not be an option with this Dolpa as Rochelle is retiring. She will be missed!

 

More Ryo and Ryoma.

 

Thanks, Kuma... Can a good Samaritan helps translate the little announcement on the end of this page : http://www.volks.co.jp/mado/mado130420.html/ ?? The bits about DP29 with Ryoma and Ryo's photo? >.> Thank you so much beforehand! >.<

 

They're going to have the Dolpa 29 dolls on display from April 20-April 27 at Tenshi no Mado.

 

I love the angle of Ryoma's face in this photo: https://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/754368371.jpg He looks a bit pensive without the smirk showing. Like others have said, I'm sure he'll have a wide range of expressions depending on how he's painted.

 

This exactly. >< I hope she gets better with her health issues and everything goes all right. She will be missed for certain...

Now I gotta put my hopes on WLD and try Y!J/AE. :/

 

Thanks everyone for the kind words and good wishes. I will miss selling Volks dolls but my health has been getting worse the past 2 years. Osaka is my final order. Good luck to everyone entering DP29!

Rochelle

 

I won't be bringing any dolls along, in the hopes of leaving room for bringing one back. ^_^

I'm with you in this boat. The more I try to look past the make up the more I wonder about him, as the painted on smirk flat out doesn't work for me.

 

Ryoma is totally giving off that Spike Spiegel (from Cowboy Bebop) vibe to me. lol I'm not sure why.

 

Haha, when I saw the photo of Ryo with the gun, I thought ......Faye Valentine and Spike. It's that smirk on his face, his posture and pose that is like Spike.

 

The more I see of Ryouma, the more I want him. I really like his painted on smirk. I should probably increase my bidding amount on Rinkya.

 

Thank you... I will be visiting Mado, too, if time allows!

Get well soon!!!

You're already bidding? O.o

 

Oh no. When you first sign up for Rinkya they have you put down a dollar amount that they then multiple by a certain amout that determines the highest yen amount they will allow you to bid up to. If you want to go past that I believe you have to increase your dollar amount and I believe that can take a few days to update on their site. I just want to be prepared.

 

Ha haa, I wasn't the only one! Volks is so damn good at what they do. I need to stop looking at photos so I won't be tempted. As much as I like the sd17 body, I think Ryoma would look awesome on a SDGou body.

 

So would I. From some of the pictures his nose kind of reminds me of some of the Switch boys noses. Hahwa was the first one to come to mind.

 

I thought the same exact thing when I saw him!!! xD!

~

There are so many adorable outfits coming out this Dolpa and my wallet is screaming because I want all the ones I know will be harder to get!

Were there any new shoes coming out? I saw a few spreads of the dolls and outfits but I didn't see if there were any shoes anywhere?

 

It's Alice I'll be going after. I've never been much of a fan of the vinyl, but this girl is so much like Yuko in Holic and Hanajima in Fruits that I can't resist her. Anybody else interested in the Witch?

 

Indeed. I'm interested in both of the DDs only from DP29, and primarily Alice amongst the two. Will be trying pretty hard to bring her home.

I think she's neat by herself, but then could also cosplay as other characters well. You could make Alice into a Hotaru from SailorMoon, Victorique de Blois from Gosick, maybe Homura-chan from Madoka, and probably others I haven't thought of yet. We've needed a head with a faceup like this one for a while.

 

The Dolpa 29 collection is amazing, Ryo Narasaki is so gorgeous.
I'm sure there will be alot of people wanting to buy her.

Oh wow, what a story, Narasaki had a dramatic life.
I feel bad for her.

 

the dolls are amazing this dolpa, I really like Narasaki Ryo, she reminds me of an SD16 Taisho Roman Megu ^^
and the clothes are awesome too~
are the clothes dolpa only or are they going to be available online somehow?

 

The clothes will be available online during the after-event sale in May. You have to wait a few weeks after Dolpa but yes you can get them.

 

yay! thank you for the quick response Holo's Apple Tree! ^^

the after event is on the VOLKS International site and runs on Japanese Time right?

 

That is right. It will usually start at around 11am JST on a Saturday. Of course, the specific time for DP29's AE will be posted by Volks after the real Dolpa event has finished.

Also, if you are in Japan, it is possible to go to an after-event at an actual physical store. Earlier in the thread several DoA members were considering going together.

 

I just read Ryo's life story. i enjoy reading history. Sadly, life hasn't been kind to her. If she had been a man, she would have been a very high ranking government official. A very capable and intelligent woman.

 

Hey, where are you guys getting the recent pictures?

Thanks.