More Chinese companies are now making BJDs, and other Asian BJD companies are having some or all of their products made in China. How important is it where a doll is made?
I'm sure that for the purist collectors, only BJDs made in Japan or Korea will do. There's nothing wrong with that. Japan is after all where BJDs began. It could be reasonably argued that dolls made in Japan or Korea are higher in quality than those made in China.
For those collectors driven by necessity, by price, dolls made in China are often more affordable. Certainly the quality of Chinese-produced dolls has improved, at least for some of the companies out there. Of course there has been a learning curve to be endured by both company and consumer while each company (hopefully) learns from its mistakes. Some companies are better than others at listening to feedback and correcting problems.
My position is, the Japanese and Korean companies should be upfront about whether they are having dolls or doll parts produced in China. Let the customer decide whether to buy them or not based on having the correct information.
Case in point: CustomHouse. They have admitted to the Bisou line being produced in China. But considering the price of the Ange line specifically, the recent half price sale they had, and the fact that ALL of the resin felt and looked the same, at least while we were selling their BJDs, I have to conclude that all of their dolls are most likely made in China. Why not just come out and admit it publicly? If they have, and I missed it, please let me know.
Another case in point: SoulDoll. As far as I know, they haven't admitted to their dolls being made in China, but a reliable source says they are. You'd think their prices would be lower though.
I think companies won't admit their dolls are being made in China because they're afraid of losing customers and they're afraid customers will think their prices are too high.
But, I could be wrong. In any case, I just wish companies were more open and honest about their dolls.
And speaking of high prices, I freely admit to owning two of the Tonner BJDs. Nobody made me buy them. But why were they so bloody expensive, considering their origins in China?? $550 for a 16" fashion doll is no bargain compared to what Dollmore or Ficon charges. I have to wonder how many people didn't buy them just because of the price.
I believe I read that most of the Sybarites are made in China, and people certainly fall over themselves to buy those. "But they're expensive, they MUST be good!" LOL.
[I]I'm sure that for the purist collectors, only BJDs made in Japan or Korea will do[/I]
Oh I'm pretty sure that is the case as well. I'm also fairly certain that mentioning that some parts of more expensives dolls are made outside of the Japans or Korea in certain forums would be like throwing a lit match into a barrel of oil (or cat into a room full of squirrels)
Like yourself, I'd prefer the companies to be upfront but I think you are bang on the money about them not mentioning it, because they've created a mythology that they must support in order to command the prices they demand.
By the way ~ I'm glad you've decided to blog and I found it. Honest, insider opinions based on hard won experience and common sense is as fascinating as it is appreciated.
Warm regards from Waterloo Ontario (purchased a Elfdoll Doona Soah from you) *^__^*
I just discovered Dolls and Friends is no more. Though I had yet to buy my own, I loved to browse store, chat, learn, and occasionally buy gifts for my doll owning friend. In fact, I made it a point to bring my doll owning friend to the shop when she visited me. I'm sad to see it gone, but I'm glad you're still around in the bdj community.
I think it doesn't matter where the doll comes from, if you like it and want to buy it. What I don't understand is why Korean dolls are much more expensive than Chinese ones, moreover now I've read some of them are made in China too. But well, I've already read about the difference of prices in the Korean webs and in the International ones and nobody seems to care, at least in important forums as Den of Angels. In smaller or local ones, there seems to be more concern, because we think it's mainly due to the dollar exchange fluctuations.
There's a web page which shows the difference in local currency and dollars, just in case you want to share:
http://www.geocities.com/fairpricesforall/index.html
I figure I should point out that a Delf (made in Korea) is cheaper then a Dollzone SD now. When I first got into the hobby, Dollzone was considered inexpensive...they seem expensive now especially compared to Luts and the newer chinese companies)
I think the stigma of dolls being made in China, is that they are all copies of Volks or other dolls. While this is somewhat warranted with blatant ripoffs on eBay, to more sublte ones like DRBJD's copying of Doll-zone's body (interesting because they are also from China and were known to copy Volks) (An unfortunate discovery after getting my DRBJD and comparing it to my Doll-zone). I hate to say it but China IS the bootleg capital of the world.
People also, wonder why they are paying so much for a "cheaply made doll" as all things from China must for some reason be cheap. They compare the doll to things like dollar market toys. While overall the doll making process is "cheap" (Resin doesn't cost that much and the time spent on the sculpt is some made up figure as to what it's really worth.) So the $700 doll probably costs only $90 to make overall. So the sculptors from Japan and "C"orea must be super insanely awesome, even though that's what they are paid to do.
for me it really don't matter from where it comes from...but sometimes, i feel that China-made-in is mostly not good quality (sorry)...(^.^)'...it's not about bjd itself, but almost everything (we have china-made-in attack in our country...)...
i won't spend a lot of money for stuff produced in china, though...unless, it's really-really worth it and so far...well, japan and korea bjd are much more worth it to spend the money...i like the face of the doll...they are kind of fresh and not too what is it in english...mmm, too 'overdone'...
The quality is the most important for me and i'd rather purchase from a wellknown and trustworthy company because i'm pretty new in bjd...i won't waste my money on something more than 100USD for questioned quality...
everything in korea is expensive (that's what i read)as well as japan (last article i read tokyo is the most expensive city...)...so...i guess, that explains (^.^)'