Why I Am Bothered

First, and most importantly, I hope my readers know that I am not a chronic complainer.   I really do love my Integrity dolls.   This hobby is my escape from the stress I experience in my profession (I teach elementary school).   When the hobby becomes stressful, it is doubly upsetting.

If IT didn't have the responsive customer service component in its business that it does, I would probably have already moved on.  The staff at IT is incredible at trying to correct problems and provide replacements.  I know there was recently a death in the family, and my deepest condolences go out to everyone.

I guess I wouldn't be so aggravated with my latest acquisitions, if IT hadn't set their own bar so high.  It's difficult to not compare this year's dolls to those from the last convention.  Here is one of my favorite FR dolls ever, After Tonight Eugenia Frost.

She was a centerpiece doll and cost $130 if you were lucky enough to have your number drawn.  (I paid $5 less for her than the dolls from the mainline this year.)   Since IT was able to give me this for $130, I get frustrated to receive some of the dolls I've gotten this year.  This doll is gorgeous.

Here is Midnight Star Elise Jolie, also from last year's convention.  Another exquisite example of what IT is capable of producing.

This is what I've come to expect, so, naturally, I am disappointed with what I've received this year.

Eugenia Frost is my favorite character.  I had high hopes for City Prowl.  I am still awaiting the second replacement.   I decided to take out Touch of Frost Eugenia.  She arrived this past spring, and her eyes had to be corrected by an artist.   Even though there was an additional cost to have this done, she is one of my favorite dolls from 2014.  (She is wearing the dress from Hard Metal Lilith - an ITBE offered to last year's convention attendees.)

I don't want to have to get in the habit of sending new dolls out to be "corrected".   It is an added expense.  In this case, it was worth it.

I just contacted IT for another replacement.  This time it's Elusive Creature Natalia.  Here is a photo of what I received.  Her left eye screening is definitely off.  I've already been contacted and told a replacement would be sent.

There are problems in every doll line - I've been around a long time and have experienced most of them first hand.  As much as I like collecting dolls, I think it's the miniature fashions that appeal to me most.  There really isn't any other company producing doll fashions that rival those of IT.

I've purchased nine FR dolls this year.  So far, four of them have had problems with their eyes.  I don't like this statistic.  I thought long and hard about my "bad luck" and come to realize that my luck shouldn't be this bad.   I know the dealer I use allows local collectors to cherry pick their inventory before sending out their orders by mail.  That's probably a big reason why I have so many dolls arriving with problems.  I am being sent the "leftovers".   My first step with all of this is to change my dealer.  If anyone knows of a great dealer who doesn't add a premium to their FR dolls and doesn't allow local collectors to pick over the dolls, please let me know.

If this doesn't help, I guess I'll move on to a different solution.