New doll foot ankle looks bent inwards... how do I fix this? [Pix Attached]

kbsnhk · Post by **kbsnhk** » Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:24 pm

Hi all, have been on the forum for a while but first post here. Long story short, I received my very first doll and was really frustrated that there seems some issue with the ankle: it is bent inwards like some bad lateral ankle sprain. I suspect the skeleton ankle joint had been severely bent somehow. Is this something that can be fixed?

toddjy · Post by **toddjy** » Sun Feb 11, 2024 7:55 am

Have to make five posts (any post, not new threads) before you can post an image.

kbsnhk · Post by **kbsnhk** » Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:56 pm

Thank you for the reminder! I have uploaded the img now.

Wheezer · Post by **Wheezer** » Mon Feb 12, 2024 12:41 am

kbsnhk wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:24 pm Hi all, have been on the forum for a while but first post here. Long story short, I received my very first doll and was really frustrated that there seems some issue with the ankle: it is bent inwards like some bad lateral ankle sprain. I suspect the skeleton ankle joint had been severely bent somehow. Is this something that can be fixed?

The ankle should NOT look like that.

Before you start any repair, contact the seller and try to get some resolution.
A new doll should not have that and they need to address it.

After that, then on to repair.

Cheers!
... W ...

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:00 am

At least nothing is poking through but for a first doll that's a heart breaker

kbsnhk · Post by **kbsnhk** » Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:30 am

Wheezer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 12:41 am
kbsnhk wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:24 pm Hi all, have been on the forum for a while but first post here. Long story short, I received my very first doll and was really frustrated that there seems some issue with the ankle: it is bent inwards like some bad lateral ankle sprain. I suspect the skeleton ankle joint had been severely bent somehow. Is this something that can be fixed?
The ankle should NOT look like that.

Before you start any repair, contact the seller and try to get some resolution.
A new doll should not have that and they need to address it.

After that, then on to repair.

Cheers!
... W ...

Thank you so much! I've reached out to the vendor and will report back once I hear back from them.

kbsnhk · Post by **kbsnhk** » Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:31 am

seagull wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:00 am At least nothing is poking through but for a first doll that's a heart breaker

A heartbreaker yes... now I understand how fragile dolls can be...

Dollyman25442 · Post by **Dollyman25442** » Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:24 am

I suspect this occurred in shipping. Tell us, did your doll arrive like this or did this happen after delivery?
If she arrived like this it's shipping damage and you should be able to get a replacement. And if that's what did in fact happen, get tdf involved (assuming it was purchased new from a tdf approved vendor) as they should be able to help get the issue resolved.
If this happened after delivery, You're going to have a tricky repair to make that will likely involve surgery.

UpperLower · Post by **UpperLower** » Mon Feb 12, 2024 2:45 pm

Take photos of the box your doll came in, damaged or not, and show the vendor you purchased this doll from. If it is damaged, that tells it was likely damaged during shipping. If the box is not damaged, it’s likely due to improper skeletal assembly from the factory.

kbsnhk · Post by **kbsnhk** » Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:08 pm

The doll arrived like this when I unboxed. The thing is that the box didn't have signs of impact and the foam/plastics around that specific ankle was not damaged either... I'd be shocked if the guys from the factory shipped the doll like this knowingly

Wheezer · Post by **Wheezer** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:20 am

kbsnhk wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:08 pm The doll arrived like this when I unboxed. The thing is that the box didn't have signs of impact and the foam/plastics around that specific ankle was not damaged either... I'd be shocked if the guys from the factory shipped the doll like this knowingly

Stranger things have been reported with new dolls.

It might have been that the foot was damaged during construction.
Then the foot was wrapped while the body was hanging, so no weight on it and it did not bend.
Off to boxing, shipping and to you.
Finally you get it, open it and see the flaw.

As it has been suggested, contact the seller plus TDF (if an approved vendor) and get something going to resolve it.

You have to put you foot down over this matter!

Cheers!
... W ...

kbsnhk · Post by **kbsnhk** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:33 pm

Wheezer wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:20 am
kbsnhk wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:08 pm The doll arrived like this when I unboxed. The thing is that the box didn't have signs of impact and the foam/plastics around that specific ankle was not damaged either... I'd be shocked if the guys from the factory shipped the doll like this knowingly
Stranger things have been reported with new dolls.

It might have been that the foot was damaged during construction.
Then the foot was wrapped while the body was hanging, so no weight on it and it did not bend.
Off to boxing, shipping and to you.
Finally you get it, open it and see the flaw.

As it has been suggested, contact the seller plus TDF (if an approved vendor) and get something going to resolve it.

You have to put you foot down over this matter!

Cheers!
... W ...

Hi Wheezer, thank you so much! I have contacted the seller, who mentioned there is some local festive event going on (lunar new year I guess?) and I should expect some delay in their response... Would you recommend contacting TDF at this stage as well or waiting for the seller's potential solution?

UpperLower · Post by **UpperLower** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:01 pm

kbsnhk wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:33 pm

Hi Wheezer, thank you so much! I have contacted the seller, who mentioned there is some local festive event going on (lunar new year I guess?) and I should expect some delay in their response... Would you recommend contacting TDF at this stage as well or waiting for the seller's potential solution?

I recommend contacting TDF just so they are “in the know.” Tell them that you’ve contacted the vendor and just waiting on a reply. Ask if TDF has any advice on how to proceed for a smoother resolve.

Wheezer · Post by **Wheezer** » Wed Feb 14, 2024 10:03 pm

kbsnhk wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:33 pm Hi Wheezer, thank you so much! I have contacted the seller, who mentioned there is some local festive event going on (lunar new year I guess?) and I should expect some delay in their response... Would you recommend contacting TDF at this stage as well or waiting for the seller's potential solution?

There are steps to have TDF help you out, first I would suggest you look HERE (viewtopic.php?t=131238)
Then perhaps send a polite and concise message to TDF about your problem.
You can also do some searches on TDF for others who have been helped to resolve their problems.

Just a couple of suggestions:
1) Keep the detailed stuff between you, your vendor and TDF. Maybe brief updates posts, but not every detail. Venting may feel good but seldom helps.
2) Accept that your seller/vendor is in another time zone and culture. Thus holidays may delay replies, translations may not be exact and other oddities.
3) No matter what the web site says, most are small shops without a huge staff. They are running close to 100% now, so things may take longer. But you might be surprised.
4) Keep your expectations realistic. Due to the high cost of shipping and generally low margins, you may not be offered a replacement doll. You may be offered some funds, swag, parts, etc. as compensation.
5) Take pictures of the box, doll and capture/save any web pages, e-mail or other correspondence.
6) No matter what happens, keep calm and be nice.

Hope it helps.
Cheers!
... W ...