FFXIV DDS Alphinaud & Alisaie Leveilleur

Alphinaud arrived safe and sound to my po box! Uhh.. no customs was asked to be paid.
Might be later down the line though, he actually arrived 2 days before schedule, don't get to pick him up
until a few other items arrive though. I'm hoping to meet Ryan Colin/his English VA with Alphinaud! 😄
Bought a carrier and/Volks luggage bag and a plastic transparent one they sell, if anyone has any recommendations
for walking around events (its not a big one) with your DD in the wild, I'd appreciate it ; w ;

I'm super anxious over taking such an expensive item and walking around with it... OTL
But its something I really want to do since Estinien's and Haucherfaunt's VAs will also attend.

Rushed photo of her this morning. Can’t tell if inserting image is working.
https://imgur.com/4v6Wkbb

Haven’t tried playing a round with her weapons yet.

 

Looks like my Alisaie will be here tomorrow!!! Alphinaud is in customs though, hopefully they release him soon 😔 I want to do a double box opening so I don't want to wait too long, it'll be hard enough not opening Alisaie right away. 

EDIT: She's out for delivery!!!!!!!

Edited August 19 by Kiwi717

I haven't opened her yet. But she was opened by customs and now I'm nervous. I'm working currently but getting off early. Fingers crossed she's okay! 

 

Did a quick peak and she looks to be okay. The box and everything appear intact! That was a super nerve-wracking box opening though. She's gorgeous!

Edited August 19 by Kiwi717

Oooohhh! She looks so lovely! The wait for my Alphie is going to be agonyyy

@Hazukami definitely use the clear bag at cons. You'll want to be able to keep both hands free while looking at things. Not to mention, your arm WILL get tired if you were to just carry them the whole time. They're light, but as the day goes on it still takes a toll. The bag also allows you to keep them close to your body and mostly out of anyone's way, keeps them safer if they do get bumped, and people can admire your lovely doll all the same. I still get lots of compliments on them inside the bag. The downside is they're a bit harder to take out of the bag unless you actually put it down somewhere, but I typically don't do that much. The only reason I'd keep them out is if they are a part of my cosplay, or I plan to take a lot of pictures. But DO bring the bag regardless, so you can put them away if needed/give your arms a break.

Also, that'll be so cool to bring them to meet the VAs! I once brought a custom Rin Okumura doll to meet the mangaka and she loved him so much she had her translator ask me all about him!

Ya'll I'm absolutely crushed. Alphinaud was sent to my old address instead of the one I specifically emailed them to update. Luckily, they messed something up with the address so it can't be delivered so he's being sent back to Japan 😭😭 I've already contacted Volks but I'm so upset. 

Oh nooo! That's so upsetting. That's always my anxiety whenever there's an address changed. Here's hoping it gets sorted out as soon as possible so he can come home.

Just an update. Volks got back to me. Apparently the address was updated everywhere except the postal code. He is being sent back to Japan and they're going to make sure he's still in good shape and send him back out. They were extremely apologetic on their message and I feel confident this will all turn out okay. They also asked if I'd prefer EMS or DHL. Here's to hoping he sneaks in without import fees. 

1 hour ago, Kiwi717 said:

Just an update. Volks got back to me. Apparently the address was updated everywhere except the postal code. He is being sent back to Japan and they're going to make sure he's still in good shape and send him back out. They were extremely apologetic on their message and I feel confident this will all turn out okay. They also asked if I'd prefer EMS or DHL. Here's to hoping he sneaks in without import fees. 

Oh, I'm glad to hear that - hopefully they'll get him to you soon!

Oh what a relief!

We might have a miracle on our hands. Alphinaud has found his way to my city! Not getting my hopes up but it seems there might be a chance he gets to me before they try to send him back to Japan. 🤞 

Just a small note on DHL: If the address is wrong, they allow you to change the delivery address via their online portal (use one of the tracking links provided in DHL's emails). 

Alphinaud made it home!!!!!! I'm so flipping happy!!!

Yay! I'm so happy for you!

He's so stinking cute!!! 

 

I love him so much! Aaahh I can't wait to get mine!

1 hour ago, GirlWiththeDragoonTattoo said:

I love him so much! Aaahh I can't wait to get mine!

Both he and Alisaie are amazing! Easily the most detailed Dollfies. Alphinaud's coat feels so nice and the way all his bits and bobs come together is just wonderful! You will not be disappointed 💜

I know VOLKS USA is supposed to be a few more months, but I just want to confirm that no one has gotten a payment request from them yet, correct?

15 hours ago, BeyondTime said:

I know VOLKS USA is supposed to be a few more months, but I just want to confirm that no one has gotten a payment request from them yet, correct?

No, I have not received any payment request yet. And it's agonizing lol

@Kiwi717 that's so good to hear! I'm glad everything is nice~

Edited August 25 by GirlWiththeDragoonTattoo

On 8/24/2025 at 11:22 PM, BeyondTime said:

I know VOLKS USA is supposed to be a few more months, but I just want to confirm that no one has gotten a payment request from them yet, correct?

I actually received an invoice to pay off the rest of my payment for both dolls this morning. If I'm reading the email correctly, it looks like the deadline isn't until September 30th.

So if anyone has pre-ordered them, then I would be on the lookout for an email! 

I also received an invoice email today! I'm so excited! I was expecting to wait longer aaahhh. No mention of any tariff through Volks USA  but honestly it may have been rolled into the price already. Either way, he's coming home soon!

I finally got to unbox them and ohmygods, I love them! Soooo many tiny pieces though, so they won't be traveling to meets very much.

Not sure if I'm the only one, but it kind of drives me nuts how easily the ears don't stay flush against their heads. i.e. the wig pushes a bit against the ear from behind and the magnet is not strong enough to ignore that lol

Is that a user error on my part because I don't have white masking tape to adhere the magnets in the head and had to use putty or are they like that by design? I'm starting to wonder if I should just glue them in (with hot glue?) or find stronger magnets for their ears

4 hours ago, Milk said:

Not sure if I'm the only one, but it kind of drives me nuts how easily the ears don't stay flush against their heads. i.e. the wig pushes a bit against the ear from behind and the magnet is not strong enough to ignore that lol

Is that a user error on my part because I don't have white masking tape to adhere the magnets in the head and had to use putty or are they like that by design? I'm starting to wonder if I should just glue them in (with hot glue?) or find stronger magnets for their ears

I have the same issue with the magnets for the twins and Frieren. It drives me nuts! I can't even get their wigs to sit right because of it. 

@kranberrijam ooh they're so cuute!

Really annoying the usa store asked for payment but still hasn't shipped. I'm dying lol

Also good to know about the ears. I'm sure I can figure out a way to make it work tho