Volks USA Closing LA Store

Volks USA has announced that they will be closing the Los Angeles Tenshi-no-Sumika LA showroom at the end of March, 2014.
Here is the text of the announcement posted on their blog today:

Big Changes Coming to VOLKS USA!

January 11th, 2014

Hello!
As many of you may know, 2014 is the 15th Anniversary of the birth of our “Dollfie” line of dolls, paving the way for so many new opportunities in the doll hobby.
With that, VOLKS has a lot of things planned, and for VOLKS USA that means a lot of changes.
In Spring of this year we’ll be introducing a new website with new systems and services for all of our customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We’re very excited to introduce it to you!
We have a new manager here now as well and he will be leading the way for these changes and for the future of VOLKS USA. Here’s a message to all of you from him.
“I’m dedicated to presenting joy and excitement to our customers through VOLKS’ hobby world! I’m really looking forward to the future of VOLKS USA and I hope to create a thriving hobby base here in the United States.”
That being said, we do have some sad news. Our Tenshi no Sumika in Los Angeles showroom will be closing after March of this year. Our last weekend open to the public will be March 29th and 30th.
We know that our local customers and those of you hoping to visit will be upset and disappointed and we do understand. We thank you so much to all of you who have come to spend time with us, bringing joy and gifts along with you and we would love to see as many of you as possible before then!
We hope that all of you can understand that this is difficult for us as well and is being done with an eye to the future. We hope that someday we can open a new store location. Until then, we will focus on our web store, on growing VOLKS USA’s presence here in the United States, and work to make it the best that it can be.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us over the years. We hope that we will continue to have your support in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Your VOLKS USA Staff

 

http://blog.volksusa.com/

Wonderful Wonder Woman

Tonner's newest Wonder Woman has been released. This is a gorgeous doll on the 16" heroic body.

2014  Wonder Woman 52     $199.99

When I searched for pictures of Tonner's Wonder Woman dolls, I was surprised that there were so many.

2006

2008 Trunk Set sold by FAO Schwarz

2009 - Deluxe 17" Wonder Woman

2009  8" Tiny Betsy as Wonder Woman

13" Wonder Woman

22" Amazonia

16" Steampunk Wonder Woman

22" Wonder Woman

There are more: Amazon Princess, Amazonian Warrior, Justice Protector, Diana of Themyscira.  I don't know if they are all the same character. I need to study up on my Wonder Women.  The new one is my favorite but the Steampunk one is really adorable.
You can also go to this site:  Wonder Woman Museum.
Dreamcastle Dolls has an amazing reference:  DC Stars.

2014 Barbie℠ Fan Club Membership

Club renewal begins tomorrow, 1/8/14. If you have not been a member in 2013, membership will open on 1/15/14.
Cost $24.95

Benefits:

• Up to $80 in BarbieCollector.com Online Shop rewards – $20 per calendar quarter*
• A Barbie^℠ Fan Club card case** – your gift with membership (and sent with free shipping)
• Quarterly “Designer Videos,” sneak peeks at upcoming releases, downloadable goodies, and access to the exclusive Barbie^™ Bulletin Board
• First access to audio interviews, collector spotlights, Fun Facts, and looks “behind the glam” with the passionate people on the Barbie^® Collector team
• The opportunity to purchase four (4) Club-exclusive dolls, as announced*** (doll purchase is NOT a requirement of membership)

Some sneak peeks at what's in store.

Project Typhoon Haiyan Goods Received

Two of the four items I bid on in the Project Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda Fundraising Auction arrived today. They are both Ashton Drake Gene Marshall dolls.
First is the "Love Paris" Gene doll dressed in the lovely wedding ensemble from the 1995 Gene in Monaco.

Next is the 1998 Creme De Cassis Gene Doll.

Both of these dolls, among other items, were contributed to the auction by the very generous Franklin Lim Liao.

I Wasn't Going To Do It...

Famous last words.
The Tonner virtual factory sale began about 2 hours ago. I took a few looks and in some cases couldn't believe my eyes. The prices on several items had to be at or below wholesale. Perhaps there was only one left...
For example:
Antoinette's Fanciful Outfit was priced at $40! I paid way more for that gown and that pisses me off.

It's not like it's from last year or anything.  

Seriously?

These two new dressed Tiny Kitty dolls are priced at $60. each. That's less than half the discounted price.

Getting even more pissed. My feeling is to never again buy anything Tonner before it's been out for 4 months. I got these two Tiny Kitty dolls on October 18, 2013. That is less than 2 months ago. 

WTF???

Any dealers who still have these items in stock are screwed. 

There are a few good buys remaining such as the original Glinda, The Good Witch at $95. Although, she's been around for quite a while, her original issue price was over $200. 

As of right now, very few items are sold out.  

Here's the link: http://www.tonnerdoll.com/virtual-factory-sale?page=0%2C0

Knock yourself out.

Tonner: 75th Anniversary Collection - Wizard of Oz

Tonner revealed five new Oz family dolls. This time the twist is that they are all on the 19" Wilde Imagination Evangeline body.
Have they done an Amelia sized Oz yet? 
Oz lovers who also love big-headed dolls will go for this collection.

Castle Stroll - Outfit

$139.99

GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH™

$249.99

WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

$249.99

Absolutely WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

$149.99

The fifth doll was a sketch of a basic Glinda. Apparently the photo wasn't ready because it says that the doll is available to ship.

I understand it from the company's point of view why stands are not included with these dolls. It's not like finding a stand for 19" dolls is easy. The Evangeline stand is a good stand and for dolls priced like these, the stand should be included.