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Your Thoughts on Preordering a Blythe?
Written on August 31, 2016 at 12:00 pm by MichelleFiled under: Musings
Preordering a Blythe through a reputable Blythe retailer is one of the best ways to get a new release doll at (or close to) the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, MSRP. The unfortunate thing with preordering a Blythe doll is that it usually has to be done based off of the concept illustration and not off of the product promotional images. This is one of the reasons why I’ve never gone through with a preorder based off of an illustration prior to this new Devi Delacour (is it October yet?!).
In a way, it is a smart marketing tactic because it helps the manufacturer determine the potential popularity of a new doll and they can figure out how many to order from the factory. On the other hand, given that the dolls are not inexpensive, it could make it more difficult to bring in new buyers based off of illustrations, or buyers in the community who have been burned before from an impulse purchase.
The best impulse Middie purchase ever.
I’m in the category of where I generally like to know what something looks like before I buy it (this mentality does not transfer over to blind bag purchases – of which I love doing because who doesn’t love surprises?). I’ve never preordered from an illustration prior to Devi Delacour because I like knowing what I’m getting, and I generally like seeing photos taken by fellow hobbyists over the promotional photography because it’s nice to see the doll outside of their stock clothes. This also did not apply when Jackie Ramone’s promotional photographs were made public because as soon as I saw her, I had to have her (and then promptly went and bought her – I think I may have a problem with impulse buying dolls on occasion…).
What are your thoughts on preordering a Blythe doll? Have you ever preordered a doll based on an illustration? How about the promotional photos? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
I preordered my Dark Rabbit Hole based on her illustration. I love Alice in Wonderland, and seeing her as this gothic/darker version of her made me want her based on the illustration. I knew that I would love her as soon as I got her.
Currently, she’s my only preordered girl. I bought all my other girls used
Jackie Ramone is the only doll I’ve ever preordered! Like you, as soon as I saw her illustrations I knew she was worth the risk. I’m so glad that she turned out to be as awesome as I had hoped! So far I haven’t been swayed to preorder any Neos – none have been released at a time when I had the means to preorder that were tempting enough to get me to actually do it.
The first doll I preordered from just illustrations was Curly Blue Babe and she is gorgeous but her hair was kind of disappointing at first. I’ve only pre-ordered a few from illustrations (I can’t remember who else, exactly) but I think I’m going to stop because the last one (Playful Raindrops) while a gorgeous doll, didn’t end up the way I thought she would. It’s too big a financial risk for me!
Done that once, it was a Miss Sally Rice whom I preordered from Magma. I had no problems with the quality or image but couldn’t bond with her because of the translucent plastic and hair color – it turned out I only like non-transparent plastic and natural colors. I’ll be fine with a preorder another time, even from the picture, if it is a bang-less normal plastic doll with a mold I’m comfortable with (ain’t impressed by modern pouty modifications).
No, can’t bring myself to pre-order without seeing the actual doll – too risky!
But, once I can see the actual doll pre-ordering is a nice thing to be able to do – you can pay, sit back and wait for delivery of something you already know and love!
I LOVE preorders! Think Im a bit addicted to taking that gamble with only their odd illustrations to go by (who can really tell anything from those?). Ive almost always been pleasantly surprised by the real deal. Most of my Blythes were preorders with a few lottery wins thrown in. But may I add that those of us who take the preorder risk should get some discount! Other companies encourage early sales that way and I always aim to pay as close manufacturer’s retail as possible. Thanks for letting me make my first comment. I live in the Fraser Valley and attended Blythecon Vancouver. Great job!