It seems like there are more new BJD companies all the time. Pluto Doll and Dragon Doll are just two of the newest mentioned on Den of Angels; surely there are even more being formed even now.
With the economic downturn spreading far beyond the U.S., there are fewer dollars being spent on non-essentials such as dolls. How will the new companies-or even older more established companies-survive?
The answer to that is, not all will. Sad as that may be, I think it's actually a good thing for the BJD buyer. Why? Because it will serve to weed out the companies that are only marginal as far as quality, customer service, design, and price. If you have only a certain dollar amount to spend on a doll, are you going to spend it at a company with a reputation for being slow, having poor communication, or even too new to have any reputation at all? I think most folks right now are too leery to risk potentially losing their money buying from such companies.
My advice to new (and established) BJD companies: use this time as the opportunity it is to outshine your competition and possibly speed their demise. Offer stellar customer service by rapidly responding to questions and concerns. Ship only good quality product, and do that as soon as possible after purchase. Make production as rapid, effecient and cost-effective as possible. Replace defective parts as soon as requested by the buyer. Be competitive in pricing. (Right now there's a fair amount of difference in the value of the dollar vs. the Korean won, but many companies are loathe to lower their prices to more accurately reflect that.) Approach American and other retailers about carrying your products-the more people actually see the dolls for themselves, the better off you'll be. Be friendly in tone with your customers and retailers and lose the arrogant attitude so many companies seem to have. Consider participating in BJD conventions in the US and elsewhere. Think "outside the box" in promoting your business and in your doll sculpts.
Do these things, and you stand a chance of weathering the current economic storm and even coming out ahead of your competition and in your customers' hearts.
So true, Kathy! Some of the big companies have too much confidence in theirselves and have lost quality and customer service. I really hope the new ones make them reconsider their situation. A customer who wants, let's say, a Shall over any other doll, will purchase a Shall no matter the service or quality DOD offers to them, but a customer who wants to choose between two dolls from two companies will surely take customer service and quality into consideration and that should give the companies something to think about!
I know this is a very old post,
but still..
I'm amazed by how many bjd company made it out
of the depression.
Especially as the complains about companies not having good services,
extreme seam lines and so on continues to grow.
A lot of people new to bjd that came from other doll hobbies,
are asking questions why we pay 300 usd for a doll while the seams aren't even sanded.
And if you think about it, it is absolutely stupid we do!
Which only tells me it doesn't matter what companies do,
as long as we want their dolls...
no matter how long it takes to ship, the size of the seams, the flaws and the price tag...
some people will still buy them!
With probably has something to do with bjd for some people being close to an obsession.
Now,
i'm setting up my own company.
And ive been paying extreme attention to possible customers wishes.
Asking them questions and i discovered how many people are secretly unpleased by companies.
And i sure as hell don't want to be one of those.
..so sound like i have an huge pile of seam sanding to do when my bjd arrive ^__^'
I think the doll manufacturers are just following the trends in customer service across the boards. Businesses don't have the respect they once did for obvious reason.s