Volks USA Tea Party Los Angeles March 15/16 2014

Oh snap, guys! I just got this reply from Volks on their FB page to my question about what DD parts would be discounted!

"The up to 50% discount is available for -all- SD/DD parts including the base bodies and standard dolls themselves. The discounts between parts and dolls varies! Keep an eye out on the sale day"

So obviously we're not going to be seeing 50% off bodies or anything, but they WILL be discounted to some extent!

 

Hmmm-- Standard dolls??? Like their kits? ... oh, but "up to 50%" can mean much less than that...

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Oh. Just got an email saying I got a Dolly Doctor Appt. to restring/check stringing on my One-Off Shirou from 2006. He's really not in bad shape, but I know he really should get restrung anyway, after so many years!

So I guess I'll be trying to brave the crowds on Saturday, when my appointment is. It should be interesting!

 

Something suddenly came up so I will not be able to be there at all this weekend =(. I hope everyone will be able to get what they want and will have a good time.

 

I am going to miss you greatly

 

Sorry to hear that, Izam! I was also looking forward to meeting you.

For anyone who has been to the store lately, were there any limited dolls left? If so, who?

As far as the Tea Party is concerned, I am not expecting anything. It's an hour long so I really don't know what will happen in that hour. Maybe some socializing and that's about it. They asked for our dolls names in the email lottery so many we'll get a cookie or something with our dolls names on it.

 

Ryoma and Ryo were still there, DDS MOMO was still there, and I saw a few of the old standards (MSD Myu, SD13 Mimi) hanging around behind the counter. Other than what's still on the website, I doubt they have many full dolls left.

The tea party probably won't be very elaborate, but I'm excited to finally have the chance to go to a Volks event! I just wish they'd had more planning time and more space for attendees.

 

I'm very excited too, I've never been to a volks event. I hope they do something fun.

 

I got my dolly doctor time approved yesterday by phone call. Can't wait for this now! What's more better is that my tax refund comes in tomorrow. So I'll probably be a little less stressed when it comes to my budget on Saturday

 

Me too =*(

I was looking forward to it too

One hour is very short but maybe all the attendees can keep the party going somewhere else afterwards! =)

 

That would be cool-- to meet up in a hotel lobby or restaurant or just hang out outside the store... Although, I bet people might be exhausted if they were there all day both days!

I've been lucky to have gone to other Volks events in L.A. (Tea Party and Halloween Party at the Volks Mansion, and the L.A. Dolpa), so I'd met Mikey and others from Volks... That was one of the reasons I wasn't upset not to get into the Tea Party. I know lots of people haven't had an opportunity to do a Volks event before. In the past, they have been VERY nice events! Food, gifts, special presentations... I'm sure Volks will try and make it special, even if it is smaller and shorter than people would wish. I've got to give it to Volks--they really do try and treat their customers well, and they really care about their dolls!

 

I am wondering if you guys could give us a heads up on what dolls are there for adoption? I am assuming they may have them out for you in case someone at the event wants to adopt? Also, anyone who wants to nonchalantly slip in a mention for Oda Nonunaga and Mori Ranmaru dolls...a lot of people would appreciate that though we've already had a little mission of mailing headquarters all at the same time with the suggestion lol >,<; Have fun everyone!

 

I am so excited to see the web only offerings! I was really hoping they would offer dolls for the online event

 

That was a very long drive. I haven't been to the LA area in 30 years. So...I am grateful for GPS enabled phones.

 

Wow I am so excited about the tea party! Husband can't go, but he didn't want to anyway so it's not a problem. So many friends will be at this party!!! Early hi to Donna, Heather, Oksana, Oleg, and my new friend Bonnie. I love that we are in such a fun social hobby!

 

I'm expecting nothing but hoping that the doll I saw a couple weeks ago is still there. Not possible right? But I'll go there tomorrow morning anyway full of optimism but cynically knowing that my hopes will be dashed....sob....on the other hand I did get a lot of good shots of the new art museum going up downtown and spent a few hours at MOCA....

 

Man...how many of us didn't get in? I feel like almost everyone made the final cut.

CathyM! I just read your post. Grats. I hope the event cheers you up! Have fun!

 

Anyone go to the sale yet? What did they have?

 

I guess some one got a MDD for 80 dollars

 

I can't wait to hear all about this weekend's events from you guys who are there XD

 

Hi everyone! I just got back from the store. I was very lucky to be number 22. Someone exchanged my terrible lottery draw of 120 because she wanted to be with her BF who drew 119. I ended up being included in the first wave of customers! Woot! Thank you to that nice lady!

Mickey came out around 10:30 and greeted everyone online.

On the way in the door we were greeted and given a small gift (black bag) pictured below with a little necklace. The first floor had all the normal showroom dolls on display and for sale. You could remove a ticket from them and claim a doll as your own! I noticed a very pretty Masha and Rinon on display. Also, upstairs they had a Creamy Mami. We were instructed that each person could purchase only one doll.

Upstairs they had loads of lovely outfits, shoes, wigs, customization tools, furniture, wings and doll parts on sale. I picked up a beautiful SD kimono!!!! FINALLY! So happy. They only had one SD kimono that I could find but I'm not picky on Kimono colors. They had some other lovely kimonos for SD16 girls. The other outfits included the band theme dresses and some cute detective theme outfits. They had LOADS of furniture on the floor. I noticed a lot of people picking up couches. There seemed to be a significant mark down on these items. I also picked up some undies and grabbed a 10 dollar goodie bag. I don't collect the "who's that girl" dolls found in the goodie bag but I plan to give her away as a gift to a girl in need of a dolly. The gift bag was packed with cute accessories.

I tried to limit my stay because the line was so long. I likely missed a bunch a things but it was an awesome experience. Thanks again to the girl who swapped her lottery number with me.











Now to go remove the googly eyes from that bra!!!!!

 

Just got home! Bought the MSD F-06 floor model.

 

never mind. I saw his price

 

Grats!!! She is beautiful!

 

Isenn, looks like you got some great stuff! Ah, the googly eyes bra

eleniel, well even though nothing really caught your eye that's so awesome you had a last chance to do FCS in person there. Who'd you order?

scorps Congrats on your new addition! She's lovely. I love that dress too.

 

Nice!

 

The googly eye bra is just....hilarious!
I had to get it. I did remove the eyes I want to use it with an outfit I'm making. I took some time to put the Kimono on Lark this afternoon. WOW she looks amazing. I'll post some photos in the gallery later. Really...those kimonos are dream items for me.

 

I stopped by Volks today on behalf of a friend in Tennessee who has long wanted a Volks doll but has never had the chance to acquire one. I walked away with Yukinojo (original release) for her, not in his original outfit but in one of the new "marching band" suits, and wearing very spiffy shoes. All for $1000.00. And he was GORGEOUS. Considering that I couldn't go in the morning, and didn't get there until 4 PM (and I only went because when I called at 3 PM, Volks confirmed that they still had "big boys" left), I felt incredibly lucky. And then I found out that Yukinojo was the doll my friend had been praying was still available. After we worked out purchase logistics on the phone, Mikey asked to speak with my friend too. My friend was literally crying with joy at getting her dream doll plus being so welcomed to the "Volks family" by Mikey herself.

It was an amazing day. Still, as a Southern California local I'm deeply saddened that I'll no longer be able to stop by Torrance and "play dolls" for a few hours. It's the end of an era that has brought me great joy over the past seven years.

 

Yes, it IS sad that we won't have the store here any more!

I saw that Yukinojo! He was fabulous in that outfit! ... and seriously, the prices on those dolls was just amazing. So nice to pick him up for a friend!

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I bought a bunch of metallic eyes, some customization tools, a chair and a couch, and one of the all metal SD waist stands (love those!).

I also had a Doll Doctor Appointment. My Shirou One-Off has not been restrung ever and I've had him since 2007. Amazingly, while his elastic had loosened, the doll doctor just tightened it a bit and then put kips in his arms and neck--and those REALLY helped his posing, which was OK to begin with. Now he feels very solid. I was glad to have that experience! The Volks people are all so sweet. I really will be sorry not to see them any more!

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So fun to meet and chat with a bunch of doll-owners. Lots of names I recognized from DoA (when people mentioned their user-names).

I missed the line in the morning and the gift bags. But I could walk right in in the afternoon. The line was for the cashier! But chatted with people on line. Caught up with Mercy a bit... and we got our pictures taken by Volks waiting on line in the stairway... it's on the Volks FB (I'm in the striped shirt holding my Shirou)--
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...945.1073741826.665627280119662&type=1&theater

SDink was on line ahead of me, and CathyM also... and so many others.

Had a great day.

 

I wish I could have gone while I was in LA today but my sister has a strange doll anxiety. She won't even stay in the same room with my boy. I'm glad that it seems like those that went down to the store had a great time.

 

I got there around 10:30 and was surprised at how long the line was. Luckily I picked number 56 and got jumped up way ahead in line. When I went in and found the doll that I'd see a few weeks ago and she was still there but had no tag and when I asked I was told that she had been bought a few minutes before. So there was an MSD downstairs that I had seen that was really cute and at this point I was looking for something assuage my desires. When I got back down her tag was gone! He who hesitates is lost. I got a couple wigs but the melee upstairs in those tight corners was not conducive to me looking at more. Plus the employees were asking us (very politely) to move along so others could get in the store. So I bailed. I'm glad I went and it was fun to talk to people though I kind of wish I'd asked people their DoA names.....I still feel sorta shy in these situations. Anyway, after paying for my wigs and leaving the store I headed to see friends in Hollywood and stopped at Blum and Poe gallery and found a great show by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara:

https://www.blumandpoe.com/exhibitions/yoshitomo-nara-5#images

It was really fantastic. Good times down in this city......and last night I was taking photos in Runyon Canyon and the light was gorgeous up there. Glad I'm away from rainy Seattle....

 

Not much stuff for sale today but some people were able to pick up some nice pieces of furniture!
Guess the main sales melee was yesterday!
Alex

 

Thanks for the link. I love Yoshitomo Nara's work. I definitely need to check out that show. The sculptures are so cool.

I hear you on the crowd in the upstairs part of the store. It was pretty tight up there. I couldn't even squeeze into the wig section but that's ok. I wasn't looking for a wig. Everyone was so excited! It was a great experience. I wish I had talked to more people too. I would like to get a bit more involved in the community in general.

Here is a link to the Kimono I purchased with Lark showing it off. I had her with me at the store yesterday and it was fun to share her with others Volks enthusiasts! http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...costume-kimono-Volks-Yugiri-*-*POISONPIXXI*-*

I'm looking forward to some Tea Party photos from those of you who made the cut!

 

Very awesome time at the tea party. Congrats to everyone who got a sei-tenshi, rei-tenshi and ai-tenshi! =D

 

Tea party was wonderful!! Everyone was so nice! And it was great meeting so many Volks fans from DOA. . Huge congratulations to Donna, Oksana, and everyone else who won. And thank you to Volks!!!!!

 

Wow, I just read this... did not know Volks was closing their store.... Wish I would have known sooner.... sad face...

 

That's great that they were giving away the tinies! Were photos allowed? Was there any hint of the future VolksUSA structure? Did they seek any input at all? Dying of curiosity.

 

Amazing, amazing experience. I've been so emotional all afternoon! Spirits were high and everyone was just so supportive and friendly and caring. It was a really lovely sendoff. The Shigeta siblings took care to acknowledge everyone individually and reassure us that Volks won't be withdrawing from North America.
Hide, the manager, wants everyone to know his three missions: rebooting Volks USA, listening to customer input, and doing his best to serve all of the North American customers. Of course, there's no way to know for sure what's going to happen, but from having been so close to the USA branch during all of these changes, I have a lot of faith in him and all of the new staff.

Here's to eight years of good memories!



Edit: St James- there weren't any definite announcements about the future of the store, probably on purpose. ;P Photos weren't allowed, but they did take a ton for their Facebook page. They are definitely welcoming customer input- Hide stayed back for a long time to listen to a line of customers making suggestions, and he says you can reach him via the service email and Facebook.
And the tenshis were a huge surprise! So happy for everyone who won them- it was incredible just to see them so shocked and happy while the rest of us cheered on.

 

I was so excited I won a komame plushie

 

I asked about the future of a physical location. Hide said that they weren't happy about the location of the present store. They said in the future they are looking to open in an area closer to an airport - maybe in L.A. or even New York. Nothing definitive right now. Also I mentioned that when they open a new location they should consider doing monthly one-offs to attract more business. I don't know if it's even a possibility but he wrote it down.

 

I am so glad you all had a wonderful time! I was tearing up looking at the pictures. Even though I didn't make it to this event I am so grateful I have been able to visit the store and I attend a dolpa. I am really excited for the doll lottery next week!

 

It was really nice seeing everyone at the Tea-Party!

I really enjoyed talking to you Chobi! I laughed when you told me that I should dress up as Mother SD... I also enjoyed talking to CathyM as well! I recall meeting lots of new people but I am very very bad at remembering names....

 

Always good to see you, pleiades! Thanks for taking such great pictures all day!

 

Looks like a lovely party! I am sad I wasn't able to attend, but looking at the photos brings back a lot of nostalgia of past parties. I am hoping they will have a store in the future, and will continue to be active in the USA.

 

Oh! It was nice meeting you eleniel!

We seriously need that trainwreck tan Megu boy... Maybe....

and congratulations on winning the ai-tenshi!!!!!!!!

 

AH, Just got through with my 4 hour drive back from L.A! I had a great time both Saturday and Sunday!! I'll show off some of my pictures when I get them uploaded. When I visited the doll doctor, he let me take pictures of him fixing my dolls.

I've just peeked at the Volks Facebook and saw how the tea party went. I'm so jealous for missing out on the excitement! Congrats to those who got lucky with a Sei Tenshi!!

 

Using the hotel computer ..... Had an amazing weekend!!!! I can't believe how much fun I had! I got to meet some great people! *waves to chobi* and got to see so many lovely dolls. Saw some old friends like funnylori who got very lucky but I'll let her share! Hung out with anavel, izam, sdink and mercy!! I got a big number on Saturday but that was ok! Drooled over the orphan dolls. Lots of them found new homes. SDink and I did the last FCS at the Volks LA store - both of us got F-42. I ordered a sunlight and she got a white skin! Total impulse buy!! Peer pressure at it's finest. haha Sunday got to see nathankatt and just chat with people as we waited. And I scored the Black gothic couch at a steal! Tea Party was awesome! Volks stressed they are not leaving, they are staying in Torrance in a different and bigger warehouse and are re-booting VolksUSA. I think a lot of really positive changes! Everyone walked away with a gift from Volks. I got th Konomae bucket. Awesome weekend!! A big thank you to VolksUSA for putting on such an amazing event.

 

It had been over 7 years since my last visit to the Volks store so this trip seemed so nostalgic! I've been out of the loop the last few years so it was really great to catch up on bjd talk with familiar faces, people I never see unless its Volks event time. Collectors were so friendly and I must have gotten into conversations with at least 10 people whom I had never met before, in line and upstairs at the event! A shout out to Pris84, SDink, Beamlette, Nikkitin (my Gany's original mom!)and Mercy for all being so darn interesting and sorry I didn't get to talk much to DanielFalls and Aichan as I had to leave and catch a flight right at 5pm - grabbed a cookie on the way out the door. It was hot upstairs but it was worth it to see all of the great prizes - seems like the folks I was around and talking to seemed to get the best prizes - so tenshi-less once again after 8 tries!!!
Funniest moment for me - getting up the nerve to call JennyNemesis at 10 am on a Sunday morning (while I was in line) as Pris84 wanted to offer her something from the Volks store! Saddest moment - finding out after i got home that the bf accidentally dropped my Volks rose and cat bag at the security checkpoint at the airport .....
Alex

 

I could recognize a few faces at the tea party. Some folks look the same; others changed quite a bit. I'm sorry if I didn't say hi to you. I suck when it comes to faces. D=

Everything else was like a blur.

 

chobi: She looks so cute with the rose. Congratulations!

pris84: It was fun to meet you all!

Besides the heat, I hope everyone had a good time this weekend.

 

Finally uploaded all of my pictures to my computer.
Here's the doctor fixing up my Sei Tenshi Agony!



I'm so happy that he's able to stand again.

 

I would have given so much to have been there. I was kind of out of the doll loop while I was taking care of my mother. Couldn't travel at all. She passed in January and, for comfort, I got my HyperManiacs back. I also got bodies for the two Ria twins I got from Ria Ria and an Enn. My Volks babies.

So I went to the Volks USA website to maybe pick up one of the last standard Ryo guys...and was directed to Facebook where I saw the tea party pictures just posted! Now I'm able to travel again and was thinking how great it would be to finally go to California to do FCS. And it's too late.

Congratulations to everyone who went. The thought of seeing you all in person ....that would have been epic. ARRRGH. I feel like I missed my own wedding or something!

But, hand on heart, I am thrilled for those of you who got there.

 

We are finally back home from Japan and from LA! It was so much fun there, and it was nice to meet new people and some familiar faces, thank you to everyone who came! ^^ We shot video of new VolksUSA manager Hideyoshi Shigeta about their future plans.

[video=youtube;HggfD-pQVQg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HggfD-pQVQg[/video]

I promise pictures soon too.

 

Thanks for the video! Interesting speech. It sounds very hopeful. I was getting pretty sad seeing the store close, so it seems as if they are not leaving and becoming just an on-line presence. I wonder what will happen?

 

april, in the line they said that they are thinking to open a store in a more central location, like LA Downtown or NY.

eleniel, big congratulations with your Ai-Tenshi! ^^

Ok, here are our pictures: http://linuxhacker.ru/d/?q=node/333