Volks USA

History

Volks USA opened for business in 2006. The manager was Kayo.

Along with the online shop, there was a physical showroom Tenshi-no-Sumika in Los Angeles in Torrance, California. In the showroom, you could make an FCS order for a doll.

Volks had membership cards which you could get by ordering from their online website or registering at the Sumika in LA. This card was used for entry to member only events. These are no longer used and are merely relics of the past.

On January 25, 2006, Tenshi-no-Sumika in LA opened a blog where they posted Volks limited sales updates and event information. This blog was updated until March 2014 and was removed by 2016.

On March 14, 2009, Tenshi-no-Sumika in LA opened the Sumika Times blog. This blog was updated until March 2014 and was removed in mid-2014. This one featured customer dolls, product showcases, and restock news.

In January 2014, it was announced that Volks USA staff (specifically the manager), were removed and replaced. During this same announcement, LA showroom was planned to be closed in March. My teenage dreams of visiting were crushed. Hideyoshi Shigeta, son of the owners, was put in place as the new manager and new staff was hired.

Volks USA works out of their warehouse now in Gardena, California. You cannot visit the location except to pick up your order in the parking lot.

During the 2023 web store renewal, they started a new blog. It would be until October 2024 that Volks USA offered online FCS again.

During 2026 Dolpa, Hideyoshi mentioned he was no longer the manager of Volks USA.

Ordering Information

For many limited releases, VolksUSA will have their own lottery or preorder. Due to licensing issues, don't expect every release to show up on VolksUSA. An odd limitation occured when Canadians could not enter for or order the Frozen dolls, but this isn't common.

Always expect your doll to arrive at least a month past the International arrivals. They are shipped by cargo ship from Japan to LA. After this, they are checked and sent out from the warehouse in Gardena, CA via whichever mail service you choose.

Included with your doll will be a sheet of paper that includes a link to the "Owner Limited Items" page for your doll. These are option hand parts, and other "extra" items like a second wig won't be included. You will need to be logged into your account, which is added to the user group that can view the items. If you have a different paypal email from your account email, you may need to email them to be added to the group. These items will be shipped by sea to LA, so expect another long wait. Alternatively, you can order the option hand parts (or any other parts they may offer) from Volks Int, if you are able to find the link. Ask around! It's likely someone will give it to you.

For more information on VolksUSA online FCS, please visit this page!

VolksUSA pricing has generally been $1 USD = 100円, which could be good or bad for you depending on the exchange rate (it's very bad right now). For orders shipped outside of California, VolksUSA does not charge tax. Local buyers can choose to pick up outside of the warehouse and skip the shipping fee.

VolksUSA does not offer Beauty Salon, Satogaeri, or Trade Exchange services outside of in person LA Dolpa events.

Information specific to the old webshop: The lottery entry period lasts the first 10 days of the month and the winners are sent emails around the 17-24th at 12AM PST. All winners receive the email at once. The losers do not receive anything. Winners may be able to see themselves added to a "User Group" on their profile before emails are sent out. It's theoretically possible for a winner to not pay and a winning email could be sent out later, but don't bet on it.

USA Exclusive One-Off Models

Once in a while, VolksUSA is sent one-offs to share with their American customers. These one-offs are also sold at the terrible exchange rate, but they still might be cheaper than buying one of the more coveted models secondhand.

US Dolpa and In Person Events

Approximately every 2 years since 2015 (with a break for COVID), VolksUSA hosts a Dolpa in LA. These are much smaller events than most Japanese Dolpa. Tea party tickets are limited.