Why does this site exist?

[Klynn17]

I just renewed for 6 months but it will be my last. There is no activity in here. Are people leaving? Is there another website? I thought maybe this site would pick up but it’s dead. On top of that there is someone out there getting paid for a site that still runs like the early 90s! Blows my mind.

[Barbara L.]

I have been a member for a long time and I miss the activity of Doll-Fan.
I think Facebook is the biggest reason this site is less active because most doll artists show and sell their dolls on FB and most collectors find groups that suit their doll interests there also.
I feel more comfortable buying and selling on DF because I have "known" these collectors for years, but there is very little interest here, so like many others, I list them for sale elsewhere.

[Klynn17]

I have been a member for a long time and I miss the activity of Doll-Fan.
I think Facebook is the biggest reason this site is less active because most doll artists show and sell their dolls on FB and most collectors find groups that suit their doll interests there also.
I feel more comfortable buying and selling on DF because I have "known" these collectors for years, but there is very little interest here, so like many others, I list them for sale elsewhere.

Yes its so sad. I would have loved this group to be more active. I'm on FB now too but wasn't for a long time and I enjoyed coming here, and trusted people here as well. FB is so sketchy! I miss seeing all the dolls in here, and talking.

[Pat in Alabama]

Yes, it is so sad to see this forum die. I have loved it for over 20 years but when my subscription is up in Nov. I will not renew it. I have met so so many wonderful ladies on here over the years. It felt like family on here. FB will never be able to do that.

[Klynn17]

Maybe we should start recruiting people from Facebook to join Doll Fan. Maybe lots don't know about it.

[Pat in Alabama]

Good idea but most will say why should we pay a fee when FB is free.

[Jenny5]

This in a valid discussion, Kirstin- I’m glad you posted about it. I, too wish this forum attracted the involvement it did years ago. I believe it is still the trusted site for many and a space collectors still ’peek’ in on, but without the posts there’s not enough to keep people coming back frequently. Limited participation perpetuates the problem, and I am guilty of being more of a stalker than contributor in recent years. I do wish activity would increase here and I know several who have spearheaded efforts to rally us to no avail. Facebook offers the crowds and so it steals the attention with constant activity- a shiny object that effectively pulls us in.
However, for less than $2 per month, I will continue to stop by and hope others do as well, since FB isn’t a sufficient replacement for DF. The traffic here is slow but supportive and the element of trust seems to be less and less reliable on FB. If $20 a year reduces incidents of unpleasantness or uncomfortable transactions due to a better sense of community and a system of reviewing/feedback that offers comfort and encourages accountability- my bliss in this hobby is protected and preserved. I will always try to sell here first and I prefer to purchase here as well. I love FB but I don’t post there at all (only ‘like’ things and comment occasionally) So for now I’ll stay and try to check in regularly and contribute content that might encourage others to do the same.
There are some important topics to discuss in this community and this is the place where I trust the opinions most- there is an honesty and genuine feel with members here for which I am truly thankful. I discovered the depth of this hobby on this forum when I realized how many lovely people people share it! So let’s all try to share our thoughts, questions and dolls here when we can- patiently encouraging old and new members to consider this doll space

[kd]

I've been here since 1999. I'll be here a while longer. I still enjoy reading posts, here, even if there aren't many.

[Tiffeny]

Jenny5 very well put. My subscription is up on News years day and I have not decided if I’ll keep it or not. But I will try to post more often too. I remember it was just a couple of years ago that you could come on here and have missed 25 post because everyone was posting. When I found doll fan I too just “looked” around a lot then I talked to one or two people and friendships formed. I miss that very much. I miss the conversations and the photo sharing….

[Jenny5]

Thank you Tiffeny and Dana.
I read posts daily on FB of fraud and frustration and I realize that while entertaining, with its freneticism, FB is the unrefined version of our hobby forum here. If the $20
annual fee serves to keep much of the unwanted noise out of our happy place of doll-collecting then I’ll continue to support it in hopes that you and other wonderful members do as well . The soothing joy that dolls provide can be undermined if I spend too much ‘doll time’ on FB where it seems there is a level of anonymity that emboldens some people to pursue a self-serving and insensitive agenda. I’m not comfortable sharing with that expansive audience nor do I value the feedback or input there the same way I have here. Administrators of doll groups on FB are struggling to filter the thieves and are losing interest in monitoring (I wouldn’t want that job either) so Doll-Fan.com might be the safer space to which many return. The connections made here have enhanced my experience of collecting and the topics have broadened my understanding and enjoyment of the hobby. FB is fun, but it doesn’t replace the doll-centric joy that’s always been shared here.

[Susanluvsbabies]

I too miss the days when I joined 20 years ago when if you not check the site 5 or 6 times a day you were afraid of what you missed. I have always felt safe selling or buying a doll from someone on this site. I would hate to see it disappear. We need to find a way to make it relive t again. Facebook makes me nervous if selling or buying.

[Jenny5]

I agree, Susan- the opportunity to leave feedback and consult fellow members for transactions offers peace of mind (and a bit of a deterrent for those of ill-intent). New members have to earn that trust but they benefit from an established network of known collectors. Transactions on eBay offer some safeguards, with reviews/feedback but the cost and hassle of selling there is making it a less popular option these days too. All of these things are a reminder as to why this forum has been a favorite place for collectors- maybe we can all help remind each other (and trusted friends on FB) of that.

[Klynn17]

I love this site too. I joined in 2016 & then rejoined when I let my membership lapse. I love coming here & do it daily. It was more active when I joined & I’ve just noticed such a huge decline. I didn’t have Facebook for years & recent came back. It’s not the same. I met many woman at Rose that were in here. I don’t hear from them anymore. Makes me sad. I’d rather come here than Facebook.

[LovinIt_Crystal]

I miss all the posts on here but still stop in to check. Always hoping it picks up someday.

[georgeanne]

I miss all the lovely people who were on DF. I miss all the excitement of new scupts, kits and reborners showing their work. I also really enjoyed all the chats we had not just on dollies. I feel so sad that people have left and Dollfan is basically dormant. I do not do facebook. I don't like it and would not feel comfortable buying there. I will be here till the bitter end and will only leave if Steve closes down the site but I hope he doesn't. So many Ladies have helped me through dark times in my life and I will forever be grateful.

[suebabygirl]

I have been on doll-fan for years and years. It was such a vibrant site. Always some new discussion about OOAKs and lots of artists that would post and make beautiful dolls. Also, a great community for people who love dolls to talks about their collections and post pictures.
Steve told me he was going to revamp this site soon and was looking for suggestions. If you are a member, I would encourage you to get in touch with him and give him suggestions on how this site would be better.
First on my list is I have to log in every time I get on this site and I believe it is a server issue. I also use to enjoy postings staying on the for sale sections for a long time versus being wiped out in a week or two. There are no listings because they are all gone too fast.
Also you can't go back through the listings and see what was for sale a few weeks ago. All in all, the site needs to be modern and usable. We need need some new sections. For example, Free stuff sections, trade stuff sections and up to date sections on newer and classic dolls. I collect Madame alexander vintage dolls from the 50"s, I would love a vintage section. We could have all the composition dolls, vintage etc. It is pretty outdated and the good features it did have are not here... all to say, it can be revived with suggestions and input.

[Barbara L.]

Very good comments and insights by everyone.
I would love to see the new sections that Sue mentioned. Another suggestion is BJDs with clothing and accessories.
It is discouraging to even post when the sales posts are gone so fast.
And I think part of the problem is there are two different listings areas. The one across the top and the one that we can see under the Board Index drop down, which is the one I use. They don't seem to be interchangeable unless I am doing something wrong.
I am willing to contact Steve if you think it will help.

[tovisbabies]

Really like those ideas!! It used to be such fun!

Tovi

[dollhntrjudy]

Hi, everyone,
I feel sadness that this site is so much less active than it used to be. I come here occasionally. Like all of you, I don't trust buying or selling dolls on FB. I've heard of scams both from buyers and sellers. Here, we could see the reviews of those selling dolls and trust that we wouldn't be cheated out of a great deal of money. Years have passed and my husband has died four years ago. Live is different and quieter. I still have my collection of silicones and plan to sell them soon at a big discount since I don't have the energy to enjoy them anymore. I remember many of your names.

[LadyFortuna]

I just got back on here again after being busy for 2 yrs. My initial impression is it's so hard to navigate the forum. I prefer the old one. This "newer" version didn't really modernize it for ease of use and I'm not bad at computers. Like where did the Search bar went for searching keywords??...