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Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Realistic silicone love dolls by Matt McMullen. RealDoll is the oldest and most well known love doll to which all others compare. Includes Boytoys.
Website: realdoll.com

Moderator: TJ_Foxx

I would buy a RealDoll if:

Poll ended at Fri Sep 22, 2017 6:44 pm

The price was under $3500
30
11%
The price was under $3000
20
7%
The price was under $2500
64
23%
They offer the completed robotic doll
13
5%
They improved customer service
3
1%
They made more varied faces
28
10%
They made a TPE doll
16
6%
They made a softer silicone doll
10
4%
They made more petite body styles
32
12%
They made more voluptuous body styles
23
8%
They made a standing doll body
37
13%
 
Total votes: 276

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by Brick »

dullahan wrote:
Zebo wrote:Its always going to be about price. I have tried to show in my factory of Dreams thread, the time and artistry that goes into Realdoll. For Matt Mcmullin its not about selling the most Dolls, its about selling the most beautiful, realistic, dolls. Its about artistry and craftsmanship, not creating something you can just fuck, but something you look at and are overwhelmed with desire and want to be intimate with. A beautiful piece of art that you can be intimate with, is a dream...
I don't think anyone can deny the love and attention to detail tat goes to RealDolls. Some people just prefer faces that are different from what Matt designs.

As for price, there are always premium products for the people who can afford them. Dolls in general are a luxury product. You won't sell hundreds of top of the line Lamborghinis every month like a model like Ford Fiesta might. And that's ok. No-one's entitled to a RealDoll. There are now also many people here that wouldn't ever be able consider getting a doll when they were all priced like RealDolls due to their financial situation. This is due to the fact that TPE dolls have made dolls accessible to general public. What once was only possible to people with significant amount of disposable income has now seen a surge in interest.

But to dismiss the criticism about the head designs should at least make you guys at Abyss think if you want the business of the people who are signalling that they'd be more willing to consider your dolls if there were "less adult actress -looking" faces. I know for a fact that Matt listens to feedback and is able to make good business decisions based on that. With Harmony AI, they have often listened to their community and made changes accordingly. Good changes that still retain the vision for the project but make the app better. It's up to Matt to design if he wants to attract these people as customers. Only he knows if it's financially worth pursuing.

We all have different tastes and ideals of beauty. There are enthusiasts from at least 3 generations here that have all grown to different beauty ideals, not to mention people from different parts of the world. Different cultures and all. While you might really like faces and bodies that people here have dubbed "porn-star aesthetics", there are a huge amount of us who'd feel more connected to slightly more approachable looking designs. Girl next door, if you will. Do you guys at Abyss want our business or do we have to keep buying our dolls from other manufacturers? The choice is yours.
Yeah and we cant offer 100 faces, its just not financially feasible. However we do have a wizard of a make-up artist Kate, she can a make face plain and unremarkable or sharp and exquisite. We have enough varied faces, its all the make-up combinations. She can make a face look like the girl next door or a porn star. I was married to a beautician for 15yrs and its all about the make-up....
A never ending parade of beautiful Realdolls and of course, HARMONY!!

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by WaffleAnomaly »

Personally I'd want a face similar to DS or 4Woods. The lack of any similar Asian faces is a deal breaker.

Sai was pretty close to getting me to order one though. But eh. Could just be the photo shoot. I don't think I've seen any real world photos of Sai.

Long lead times don't help on wanting to pull the trigger either, though I know quality takes time for sure. The amount of times I've been screwed by international shipping may very well negate this complaint...

edit; on a related note, Sai's gallery page says 32A but the order page says 32B for cup size

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by pygmalion2 »

I am late to this thread. It seems that there could be two separate markets for doll products here.
The first is for a product that is so good that it could be 'real'. Matt has done well to improve things incredibly
over the years and I would guess that he has spent huge amounts on research and development.
It is hard to describe but I use the term Synthetik (artificial woman) for the Abyss products.
He arguably is the leader in this field. The second market would be for a reasonably priced and attractive doll.
And as in many other industries there is this distinction between premium and standard. In this market the TPE dolls have excelled where others have failed. For example - Candy 18, Ruby, Superbabe and Realdoll latex
have not done well. Should a company focus on what they do very well or should a company spread its focus on a different market?
Just my two cents,
Mark and the Synthetiks
<em>I know the good artist</em>

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by dullahan »

Zebo wrote: Yeah and we cant offer 100 faces, its just not financially feasible. However we do have a wizard of a make-up artist Kate, she can a make face plain and unremarkable or sharp and exquisite. We have enough varied faces, its all the make-up combinations. She can make a face look like the girl next door or a porn star. I was married to a beautician for 15yrs and its all about the make-up....
No-ones really asking for a ridiculous variety in faces. Just 1-2 that would cater to people who are not able to get a RD due to the faces. So there are people missing out on the industry-leading quality dolls just because the head selection does not offer even 1 head for a certain rather large market segment.

Make-up of course makes a big difference. More natural make-up can make faces look vastly different than striking make-up. Still it does little to the jawline and bone structure, which is very much a trademark of RealDolls. But nevertheless off-putting to some.

But I think there's not much point continuing the back and forth. You've obviously not open to the idea and don't share our segments sentiment on the matter. It's even apparent in the wording. "Plain and unremarkable" vs. "sharp and exquisite". But that is ok, you as a company decide what you produce and what is viable. Some of us will just have to resign to the fact that we'll not be able to ever own a RD because of the faces.

Though of course you could do what one other manufacturer did and make a preorder project. They promised to make a custom torso design a reality if 25 people here committed to preordering it and paid a deposit. .The deposit money was enough to cover the cost of the design and the mould. Once enough people pay, you can produce the design with less financial risk. The process will also wed out people who are just flapping their lips. The true potential customers will always be revealed when it's time to put money on the table.
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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by upsux »

dullahan wrote:
Zebo wrote: Yeah and we cant offer 100 faces, its just not financially feasible. However we do have a wizard of a make-up artist Kate, she can a make face plain and unremarkable or sharp and exquisite. We have enough varied faces, its all the make-up combinations. She can make a face look like the girl next door or a porn star. I was married to a beautician for 15yrs and its all about the make-up....
No-ones really asking for a ridiculous variety in faces. Just 1-2 that would cater to people who are not able to get a RD due to the faces. So there are people missing out on the industry-leading quality dolls just because the head selection does not offer even 1 head for a certain rather large market segment.

Make-up of course makes a big difference. More natural make-up can make faces look vastly different than striking make-up. Still it does little to the jawline and bone structure, which is very much a trademark of RealDolls. But nevertheless off-putting to some.

But I think there's not much point continuing the back and forth. You've obviously not open to the idea and don't share our segments sentiment on the matter. It's even apparent in the wording. "Plain and unremarkable" vs. "sharp and exquisite". But that is ok, you as a company decide what you produce and what is viable. Some of us will just have to resign to the fact that we'll not be able to ever own a RD because of the faces.

Though of course you could do what one other manufacturer did and make a preorder project. They promised to make a custom torso design a reality if 25 people here committed to preordering it and paid a deposit. .The deposit money was enough to cover the cost of the design and the mould. Once enough people pay, you can produce the design with less financial risk. The process will also wed out people who are just flapping their lips. The true potential customers will always be revealed when it's time to put money on the table.
I believe the point is that the 1-2 faces that appeal to the crowd you're in would still be unappealing to crowd B who would still want 1-2 different faces made to appeal to them. Look a bit further and you're now requiring many, many more faces to appeal to everyone. And we all know there will always be one person who still isn't happy with all the options then available. Assuming 100 new faces are needed is perhaps an exaggeration, but the point remains the same.

On the flip side I see where you're coming from - I completely disagree :wink: - but your point is interesting insomuch as I don't recall seeing any examples of what you're actually looking for from Abyss that would meet your standard, requirement, etc... (for lack of better words) that would tip the scale and satisfy you as a buyer. It'd probably just lead to more head butting as we've seen, so if you feel inclined, pm me an example because I am honestly interested in what you're looking for since you've been so open about it in this thread.

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by dullahan »

upsux wrote: On the flip side I see where you're coming from - I completely disagree :wink: - but your point is interesting insomuch as I don't recall seeing any examples of what you're actually looking for from Abyss that would meet your standard, requirement, etc... (for lack of better words) that would tip the scale and satisfy you as a buyer.
dullahan" wrote:I like the more adult faces of DS, Private Island Beauties
I understand this can be hard to understand for people who are not affected by the uncanny valley effect or prefer the bone structure of the current line-up of RD faces. It's rather pointless to argue about things that are personal preferences.
upsux wrote:I believe the point is that the 1-2 faces that appeal to the crowd you're in would still be unappealing to crowd B who would still want 1-2 different faces made to appeal to them. Look a bit further and you're now requiring many, many more faces to appeal to everyone. And we all know there will always be one person who still isn't happy with all the options then available. Assuming 100 new faces are needed is perhaps an exaggeration, but the point remains the same.
While the slippery slope is always a possibility, opting to not widen the selection at all due to fear of increasing demands for different faces sounds a bit of a silly to me. No-one's forcing Abyss to open the floodgates if they try at new designs every now and then.

From RD fans I can understand this. This is kind of an occurrence in online fanbases. Whenever there are new people demanding for more wider appeal, the old fans come to the defence in fear of that what once made RD special and inclusive will be gone. Seen it happen a hundred times over the recent years and is a very human reaction. Hearing the same from manufacturer affiliated personnel who work under Abyss umbrella signals me that we are not welcome in the club. Luckily, there are dolls for every tastes now. Just not in the lineup of arguably the best manufacturer in the market.
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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by MannyCan »

dullahan wrote:Just 1-2 that would cater to people who are not able to get a RD due to the faces. So there are people missing out on the industry-leading quality dolls just because the head selection does not offer even 1 head for a certain rather large market segment.

Make-up of course makes a big difference. More natural make-up can make faces look vastly different than striking make-up. Still it does little to the jawline and bone structure, which is very much a trademark of RealDolls. But nevertheless off-putting to some.
I really agree with this. Bone structure (particularly the jawline) and "eye-size & placement" are two things that would benefit from a re-visit if you're looking to make a more feminine face.
upsux wrote: On the flip side I see where you're coming from - I completely disagree :wink: - but your point is interesting insomuch as I don't recall seeing any examples of what you're actually looking for from Abyss that would meet your standard, requirement, etc... (for lack of better words) that would tip the scale and satisfy you as a buyer.
For me its less "Jenna Haze" and more "Minka Kelly".

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by Begog »

I think you guys are missing the point entirely. Like any other company, Abyss is market-driven. If there was reasonable demand for what you're asking, they'd make it, and in fact, they did in the past. Boytoys were once quite cartoony, with big eyes and exaggerated features (the calendar girls is an example). But, they are all gone now, in favor of more realistic faces. Why? Because that's what the CUSTOMERS demanded, those of us who actually buy these dolls. So, the consumer base that shells out big money for the finest sex dolls on the planet wants more realism, not less, and if Abyss were to start creating less realistic/more cartoonish faces, actual customers like Upsux and I would be damn disappointed in them and have something to say about it. Things like "Damn. They are going in the wrong direction here. That is SHIT." So there's that. But realistically, our opinions would not matter one iota if less realistic is what sold. Customers like myself want the most realism possible in our dolls, so less imagination is needed on our part.
If less realism/more cartoony is what you want, then I suggest you stick with the cheaper brands - realism costs money, and the more you get, the more it costs. And I also suggest that you buy now, rather than later, because realism is ramping up quickly on the lesser dolls too, striving to catch up to the big boys. There's a reason Ruby13 went out of business, and the last few faces they designed were much more realistic that the older ones. They made good solid dolls, and were reasonably priced, but when TPE dolls exceeded them in realism, they were doomed. And that's just how business works.

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by arnomartes »

Body 9 and bigger...
than she looks like Kelly of www.3rd-Art.com
that would be mega sexy :-)

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by dullahan »

Begog wrote:I think you guys are missing the point entirely.
Yes, we apparently seem to have difficulty understand each other's point of view. Which is why it is pointless to continue this discussion. I'm getting misheard and I am probably interpreting your points wrong equally as much.

So let's just agree to disagree and leave it at that :)
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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by Peregrination »

A common thread in the complaints about the RD face seems to be the shape/jawline.

Is it possible that this is an 'architectural' issue? Abyss dolls have articulated jaws, but it was my understanding that this is relatively uncommon. If you need to have both the hinging for the jaw as well as an oral cavity, that would put a fairly strict lower limit on how wide the jaw would have to be.

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by MannyCan »

Begog, I totally understand your viewpoint. Totally. I myself am very much data driven. So I don't believe we're "missing the point".

The poll itself says that 10% of the people would consider a RD if their faces were more to their liking. I don't know if that's statistically significant. But for the purpose of a simple analysis, it seems like it has some credit. Consider that if you removed any of the "price" related choices. The face response in the poll is in the top 3 (remember, we're only allowed one choice). It is at least worth looking into.

I know we have an opinion. But its also what the data is saying. RD seems like such a great company. And I love that they have successful pioneered this industry. I have nothing but massive respect. But just like Blackberries lost to iPhones .. and Blockbuster lost to Netflix, even the top notch companies have to be mindful of market disruptors and change in customer sentiment. This is the new norm. Again .. I don't believe we're "missing the point". Its just a different point of view.

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by upsux »

dullahan wrote:I like the more adult faces of DS, Private Island Beauties
I've been a fan of the PIB Hope (non oral) face since I first saw her and she looks flat out amazing in some of their photos.
dullahan wrote:While the slippery slope is always a possibility, opting to not widen the selection at all due to fear of increasing demands for different faces sounds a bit of a silly to me. No-one's forcing Abyss to open the floodgates if they try at new designs every now and then.

From RD fans I can understand this. This is kind of an occurrence in online fanbases. Whenever there are new people demanding for more wider appeal, the old fans come to the defence in fear of that what once made RD special and inclusive will be gone. Seen it happen a hundred times over the recent years and is a very human reaction. Hearing the same from manufacturer affiliated personnel who work under Abyss umbrella signals me that we are not welcome in the club. Luckily, there are dolls for every tastes now. Just not in the lineup of arguably the best manufacturer in the market.
I don't think it's so much fear as it is lack of communication, and despite any reply you received earlier in the thread, very few people have been openly forward enough to say "here's an example of ABC" to show what they mean. Abyss could make giant-eyed alien faces, green-tusked orc faces, or squishy-faced funhouse faces and it wouldn't affect me in the least. Aside from a raised eyebrow it doesn't detract at all from my Doll, or anyone else's for that matter. I believe any eye-rolling comes when no example is given as to why 'X' needs to be improved. Price points and the ability to freely stand are all self-explanatory but when someone says your face isn't feminine enough, or the jawline is horrible, or whatever their objection is without then saying ... unlike this doll, unlike this model, etc... it leaves everyone, not just fans, with nothing to work with.

You've provided the PIB example above, if you were a fan of the Hope like I am that leaves Abyss with the ability to either recommend one of their faces with similar make up or perhaps an owner here could link a gallery of a similar doll. When I wanted a custom face done this is exactly what they did for me: provided current options to narrow down what was closest before going all the way with an expensive, truly custom face. Behind the scenes of course they also know that at least one customer has a tremendous desire for a face that looks like 'model x'. This is the best thing that Manny's Jenna Haze post did, solid photo examples of what people are looking for with the subtleties in the faces. Having a presence here with active members is another great tool they can use but it's only as good as the info they're able to get. If they see a tremendous amount of people referencing a face that looks like Jenna Haze you can safely bet they'll look at providing a close option or new face to meet that need.

Hopefully, pun intended, others will suggest solid examples of what they want improved and Abyss can move us all forward with improvements no matter how small or large. :D

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by Begog »

Peregrination wrote:A common thread in the complaints about the RD face seems to be the shape/jawline.

Is it possible that this is an 'architectural' issue? Abyss dolls have articulated jaws, but it was my understanding that this is relatively uncommon. If you need to have both the hinging for the jaw as well as an oral cavity, that would put a fairly strict lower limit on how wide the jaw would have to be.
Real humans have a movable jaw too (shocker, I know), unlike most dolls with a fixed expression that simply have a mouth hole with no structure. With the Wicked Real Dolls, an actual mold of the porn star's head was made, and their dimensions are almost exactly the same as the actual human the head and body was cast from, and they are completely recognizable as a copy of that person, including the body dimensions, unlike say, Luna Star or Misty Stone TPE dolls. So, the WRD's have the SAME JAWLINE as an actual live human. The same is true of other full-head designs.
With the face-x dolls (removable magnet face), a standard head is used. All faces must conform to the same magnet pattern in order to work with the face-x head. IMHO, this too, is a very realistic design with somewhat limited variation, but they do quite well with that. The advantages here are, you can change the face in seconds, and oral cleanup is much easier.
Another reason for a larger jaw/mouth is to accommodate the oral function. Most people want that. Therefore, many of the designed heads were created with that in mind. However, many of the full heads (like my face J Crystal) have a small mouth and jawline. This makes her somewhat unsuitable for oral sex, but she sure is pretty, IMHO. Because of these options, I'm having a hard time understanding the complaint here. I mean seriously, if Lupe or Kalani or Crystal has too strong a jawline for you, then please post a pic of what you are looking for, so we can better understand the problem.
Image
Begog: Word is, your jawline is too masculine. :whistle:

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Kwench: WTF? Who fucking said that?

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Re: Poll from Realdoll: What would make you a customer?

Post by MannyCan »

Begog wrote:Another reason for a larger jaw/mouth is to accommodate the oral function. Most people want that.
Ok - that is a legit point. Most DS and PIB heads don't have oral functions. The ones that do are significantly different that the ones without. In the case of DS, the two that they have are .. not pretty IMO. PIB is better. But the difference is noticeable.

Maybe evolution (or similar) has made us value getting oral from a slim jawed pretty girl highly? Not sure. have to think about that one. Really ... an amazingly pretty girl going down on you is one of life's most amazing freaking experiences. There's GOT to be a way to have your cake and eat it too!

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