How to Inspect Your Doll After Delivery: An Unboxing Checklist

Your order has arrived. Before discarding the packaging or beginning routine care, take a little time to check the parcel, compare the contents with your confirmed order, and document anything that needs attention.

A careful delivery inspection helps you identify missing accessories, visible damage, or configuration questions while the packaging and shipment details are still available.

This guide walks you through the process without requiring specialist tools or knowledge.

1. Prepare a Suitable Unpacking Area

Before opening the box, choose a clean, dry area with enough space for the parcel and its packing materials.

Have the following ready:

• Your order confirmation and finalized configuration details
• A phone or camera
• Scissors or a suitable package-opening tool
• A clean, soft surface appropriate for the product
• Help moving the parcel, if needed

Some products are heavy or awkward to handle. Check the available weight information and arrange assistance rather than attempting to lift an unfamiliar item alone.

Follow the manufacturer’s handling instructions. Avoid pulling on the head, wig, fingers, or other small components to lift or reposition the product.

2. Photograph the Outer Package

Before removing tape or wrapping, look over the parcel and take a few clear photos.

Include:

• The full package
• The shipping label
• Any crushed corners or deformed areas
• Tears, punctures, wet areas, or open seams
• Any visibly disturbed sealing tape

These photos provide context if you later find an issue inside. Minor exterior scuffs do not necessarily mean the product is damaged, but significant marks should be recorded before unpacking.

Keep shipping-label photos private. If you share a packaging image publicly, first remove names, addresses, tracking numbers, barcodes, and other identifying information.

For more about packaging and delivery, read Discreet Delivery Explained: Packaging, Tracking, and Receiving Your Order.

3. Open the Box Slowly

Open the outer packaging carefully. Keep blades shallow and directed away from the contents, as protective bags or product surfaces may sit close to the carton.

Remove protective materials gradually rather than pulling the product out immediately.

As you unpack:

• Photograph how the contents are arranged.
• Look for accessories placed beside or beneath the main item.
• Keep foam, supports, protective bags, and wrapping.
• Avoid dragging the product against cardboard edges or sharp objects.

A continuous unpacking video can be useful if practical, but clear photographs are also helpful. Focus on documenting what you receive without putting yourself or the product at risk.

Keep the protective materials and check all packing sections before discarding anything. Document text has been obscured for privacy.

4. Compare the Contents With Your Confirmed Order

Use your order confirmation and any emails finalizing the configuration as your reference.

Check the main item and the options you selected. Depending on your order, these may include:

• Brand and model
• Body and head selection
• Skin-tone option
• Eyes and wig
• Confirmed makeup preferences
• Selected upgrades
• Included or separately purchased accessories

Product listing images may show optional items or styling props. Compare your delivery with the items actually included in your confirmed order.

If an accessory appears missing, check all packing sections and your shipping emails. Some orders may arrive in more than one parcel.

Do not assume that a configuration is incorrect solely because it looks different under your room lighting. Record the concern and ask us to verify it against the order details.

Compare the main item and accessories with your confirmed order. Included items vary by order. Backgrounds edited for presentation; intimate areas obscured.

5. Check Visible Condition Before Use or Routine Care

Before using, cleaning, powdering, oiling, or making adjustments to the product, complete a visual inspection.

Look for:

• Tears, cuts, cracks, or punctures
• Areas that appear compressed or damaged
• Loose or detached components
• Missing parts
• Any substantial difference from the confirmed configuration

Use ordinary room lighting and take closer photos where needed. Avoid applying pressure, stretching material, or moving joints beyond their normal range to investigate a concern.

Handmade products can have small variations. If you are unsure whether something is a minor finishing detail or a problem requiring attention, contact us before attempting to change it.

Do not glue, trim, repaint, dismantle, or repair an area while an issue is being reviewed. An attempted repair can make it harder to establish the original condition.

6. Review Handling and Feature Instructions

A delivery inspection does not require forceful testing.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions before moving joints, attaching components, or operating optional features. Do not assume that every model has the same movement range or setup requirements.

For products with electrical or mechanical options, follow the supplied setup and operating guidance. If instructions are missing or unclear, contact us before testing the feature.

Factory photos can help you compare visible appearance, but they cannot establish the product’s condition after transport. Likewise, a photo cannot confirm every internal component or function.

For guidance on the earlier review stage, see Before Your Custom Doll Ships: A Guide to Factory Photo Confirmation.

Your Delivery Inspection Checklist

What to Do if You Find a Problem

If the product appears damaged, defective, incorrect, or materially different from your confirmed order, contact service@tanglejoy.com.

Under our current published policy, these issues should be reported within 48 hours of delivery, before using the product. Please review our Returns & Cancellations Policy for the applicable conditions.

Include:

• Your order number
• The email address used at checkout
• A short description of the issue
• Photos of the full item and the affected area
• Photos of the outer box, shipping label, and internal protection
• Relevant order specifications, if you are reporting a mismatch

For a suspected functional issue, explain what happened and what instructions you followed. Provide a video if it can be recorded safely, without repeatedly operating or forcing a potentially damaged component.

Clear information helps us review the issue and explain the next steps.

Include an overall view and a close-up so our team can locate and review your concern. This is a photography demonstration; no damage is shown.

A Message You Can Copy

Subject: Delivery Inspection Question — Order [Your Order Number]

Hi Tangle Joy,

My order was delivered on [date]. During the initial inspection, I noticed the following:

Issue: [Brief description]

Affected item or area: [Model, component, or location]

Confirmed specification, if relevant: [The agreed option]

I have attached photos of the item, the affected area, and the packaging. Please advise on the next steps.

Thank you.

Keep the Packaging While the Issue Is Reviewed

Keep the outer carton, protective bags, foam, supports, accessories, and documents until you have completed your inspection and any reported issue has been reviewed.

Do not send the product back without instructions. If a return is approved, our team will provide the applicable authorization and return details.

The appropriate resolution depends on the confirmed issue and the published policy. Reporting a concern does not mean you need to diagnose the cause yourself; provide the available evidence and let us help review it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Inspect the Product Even if the Box Looks Fine?

Yes. An undamaged outer box does not confirm that every item, accessory, or configuration detail is correct. Complete a careful check of the contents as well.

Do I Need an Unboxing Video?

A video can help document the unpacking process, but clear photos are also useful. This guide does not make an unboxing video a condition of support. Follow the evidence requirements in our published policy and contact us if you need help documenting an issue.

What if the Color Looks Different From the Factory Photos?

Lighting, camera settings, and screen displays can affect color. Take clear photos under neutral lighting and ask us to verify the selected option against your confirmed order.

What if I Cannot Find an Accessory?

Check the protective materials, separate compartments, and shipping notifications for additional parcels. If it is still missing, send us your order number and photos of the contents received.

Should I Try to Fix a Small Issue Myself?

Contact us first if you believe it may be a delivery or product issue. Avoid repairs or modifications until we have reviewed the original condition and provided guidance.

Does Approving Factory Photos Replace My Delivery Inspection?

No. Factory photo approval concerns the visible appearance before shipping. You should still inspect the product after delivery and report any concern according to the applicable policy.

Need Help With Your Delivery Inspection?

If you are uncertain about something you see, pause before using or altering the product and contact service@tanglejoy.com.

Include your order number and clear photos so we can review the question with you.

For the full order journey, read What Happens After You Order from Tangle Joy?.