Deboxing 101, or How to Destroy Your Doll's Value in 5 Easy Steps

[kyogres]

I participated in Dollmageddon Day 2 yesterday--also known as "let's buy dolls from the Disney Store online"--and let me just say that I am so glad that I got the dolls I wanted in-store, and that I was only trying to get extras for friends and resale

Comments

[skdarkdragon]

The dolls are so pretty! I almost want one, except that they're super expensive on Ebay. @_@ I hadn't heard about this phenomenon before you guys started posting about them. Was it kept on the down-low, or did I just totally miss it? XD;

[skdarkdragon]

Also, your dolls look lovely, even with Tiana's messed-up curl. You hardly notice. :) I'm definitely not one for keeping things MIB, but I am also always so scared I'm going to wreck things trying to take them out of their package! Why must it be so difficult??

[kyogres]

I had no idea it would be this difficult. I collect anime figures as well, but those don't run the risk of getting damaged when you debox them.

I'm tempted to try and fix Tiana's curl, but knowing me, I'd probably ruin it even more. At least right now you don't really notice until you look at her from the back.

[kyogres]

Yeah, the ebay prices are ridiculous right now. My guess (though I could be completely wrong) is that the prices will go down a bit in a few weeks, after the hardcore collectors buy the remaining dolls they need to complete their set.

I'm not sure I'd say that it was kept on the down-low, but it wasn't really publicized outside of Disney collector communities.

Originally they were releasing one doll per week, and the first few dolls remained in the store for a few hours or days before selling out. Then the dolls started selling out faster as people realized that they could make a profit on ebay, and things got crazy when they released Snow White. Disneystore.com crashed and oversold her doll. For some reason, Disney decided that the best way to prevent that from happening again was to postpone the other dolls' release dates and release them all at the same time (aka Dollmageddon).

I didn't know about the dolls until sorcerhuntres mentioned the Snow White fiasco last month. (I missed Snow White by about 12 hours.)

[crimson_angel02]

I tried yesterday while at work on my iPhone for Rapunzel and I didn't even get pass the front page it was so bogged down.

I love, love, love Tiana's dress! And The jewels on frog Naveen are too sweet. xD

And I agree the dolls look much better without that cardboard backing in the case. I really a baffled why Disney packaged this dolls like that. I am too nervous to try with Mulan so she'll end up staying in it until I get up the nerve. :P

[kyogres]

I managed to get Jasmine in my cart, but I accidentally had two of them in there, and it was near impossible to delete one. I was using a very fast computer too.

I was a bit disappointed that Naveen's jewels were on his neck instead of his back. I think jewels on his back would have been cute.

The cardboard backing is my main complaint about these dolls. It's even worse because they attached the certificate to the back of it. You would probably have better luck with Mulan than I did with Tiana. Mulan's hair looks like it would be harder to mess up than Tiana's, since it's already in a bun.

[princealia]

I was tempted by hers as I have a couple Tiana dolls, but decided against it once because I couldn't make up my mind on her face in the pictures. Yours make her look a lot better than the website did.

[kyogres]

This is my first Tiana doll. I've wanted a doll of her for a while, but the ones I saw in my local stores I was less than thrilled about for one reason or another. I'm super picky when it comes to dolls and figures of human characters.

I can't remember what the website photos looked like, but her face looks great in person.

PS - I love that icon! Is that from the original movie or one of the sequels?

[princealia]

The ones by Mattel are awful. I only have the first couple they released at the Disney Store around the time of the movie's release and the big limited edition doll (back when that word meant you could just call the Disney Store and have one sent to you despite the store only having 10 per store XD) that came with the movie. Their mold is much better.

That's from a statue at Tokyo Disneyland. I can't find the exact photo anymore, but it's from this garden: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shagadelicbabe/2333121636/

[kyogres]

I wondered if the craze over "limited edition" Disney items was a new thing or not. There was a 15 year period where I didn't really keep up with Disney merch, but I don't remember any mad rushes to get limited edition items when I was a kid.

That garden is gorgeous! Seeing photos of Disneyland/Disney World always makes me want to go back.

[bleufishie]

I have a collectable My Fair Lady barbie that I probably won't be able to sell because my parents smoked in the house. I don't plan on doing anything with it, and it's still in it's original box and everything.

I should see how much the things go for on Ebay, even if I don't think it'd sell.

[kyogres]

Might as well look it up and see. I have no idea what Barbies go for. (These aren't Barbie brand, though I think Disney did make a few Barbies.)

Personally, I wouldn't mind buying a doll from a home with smoke. You'd think the smell would go away eventually, especially if the doll was kept in the box. It's mostly plush that I refuse to buy if they smell like smoke.

[kyogres]

Thank you!

I was hoping that I could make enough to cover the cost of one doll ($60), and was pleasantly surprised when I made enough to almost pay for both of them.