Hi everyone! We’d really like your thoughts and feedback about a new concept we are considering. Sorry about the long post, please bear with me to the end.
Recently, after the announcement of our “Longest Layaway Anywhere” feature, many people asked us to represent companies that we don’t yet represent. While we work through the huge list of suggestions, it is inevitably the case that certain companies and artists, and very popular ones at that, will likely never change their practice of not having dealers. Thus, our hands are tied as far as being able to help you guys get dolls from these companies. 
As BJD hobbyists ourselves, we understand firsthand the pain of missing out on a super limited doll, a pain that’s made even worse because we see the doll, know that it won’t be sold again, and aren’t able to purchase it because the company/artist doesn’t offer layaways. Even if these dolls do appear on the secondhand market, their price often becomes ridiculously inflated and still they’re impossible to purchase because the seller may not offer layaway. Trying to spare others in our beloved hobby from this pain is a big part of why we established our long layaways, even though such long layaways do pose a good amount of risk to our group, as we sponsor the layaways out of our own pockets with income from our fulltime jobs (yes, BJDivas is just our side gig ;P).
However, we never like having to tell anyone that we can’t help them get a doll that they want, and that we might never be able to help them because the company/artist that they want the doll from won’t accept dealers. So, the idea that we are knocking around is that we’ll sponsor layaways for BJDs from *anywhere*. We would need to charge a surcharge of the doll’s cost (estimating around 20%), to help us front the payment for the doll as well as to go towards other layaways of this kind. Furthermore, we would need to be more selective about what dolls to sponsor with this kind of layaway, as well as evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis, since this plan would be pretty high risk to ourselves.
We would of course be continuing to appeal to companies and try to become formal dealers for them, so that the burden of the surcharge to our customers can be eliminated, and that everyone can use our long layaways without paying any premiums. However, until we achieve our dream of representing every company that every customer wants us to represent, this is the best alternative we have thought up.
This would be only for BJDs and possibly BJD-related items. The purpose of this is to help our fellow hobbyists get the dolls they need. Sorry, but we won’t help you buy a new car or upgrade your house (but your BJD’s house, maaaaaaaaybe). ;P
We’d really like everyone’s feedback on this idea. Do you like it? Would you use it? Do you feel that it’s a horrible idea and OMG BJDivas you’re horrible people for even thinking of this (please don’t be shy about being honest if you feel this way 
)?
To thank everyone that helps us with their input, we’re entering all Likes, Comments and Shares into a lottery for winner’s choice of accessories created by us. If we get a lot of participants, we’ll increase the number of possible winners! Shipping of prizes will be paid by us.
To see all possible prizes, visit this page: https://bjdivas.com/product-category/ourproducts/…
(Please note: if you choose the flipflops as your prize, you get the 3-pack, not just a single pair. 
)
I was thinking Smart Doll or even Dollfie Dream dolls from Volks USA. I would love to be able to order everything I need and then pay you all back so I don’t go bankrupt.
Marie, you are magical. <3 This is true, Volks has shiny things, but you need the money now to purchase them. I never have the money at the times of releases.
Also, I need a long Smart Doll layaway too so muuuuch.
I think it is a lovely idea to assist those that would miss out in a doll because they could not pay for it all at once. As I understand it, the buyer would have to pay an extra 20% to be able to utilize the service? For myself, I would not use the service if that were the case. I am not at all saying that you guys don’t deserve the extra money, because I know how much hard work goes in to what you do for us. I am just cutting back on my doll purchasing for various reasons. Thanks for all you do.
I actually think that you have a great idea! Personally it would be harder to front an extra 20%, but if you’re expanding layaways an extra 20% isn’t much over all.
I feel like from a buyer stand point an extra 20% isn’t much if we’re talking about a doll that might not come back to being available any time soon. I could see myself using the layaway if a limited/retired doll came up regardless of a small fee of convenience.
I would personally like to see more artist type bjds from individuals as a long layaway option. Their sets tend to be limited since they’re sometimes personally working with casting companies and more expensive from their time and effort. It would guarantee a sale for them and make their prices more attainable.
Also bigger mainstream companies. Fairyland, Volks, Peakswood, etc. 🙂
This would be a good idea for independent artist dolls! Sorry if my input is no good… ^__^;;;
Haru Casting would be awesome to have a chance at. They are soon to produce E and Minor and they will go fast.
Personally I don’t have an issue with a surcharge for the convenience of being able to do a layaway that couldn’t otherwise be done. I’m still just dipping toes in the BJD waters at this point, but this is largely due to the significant expense of the dolls. Making that more manageable is a benefit that allows more people to get into the hobby (legitimately) and if a surcharge is what allows you front the money needed, then that is reasonable.