BJDs in amongst the Walmart Generation

Euhm, well I've gotten that comment a lot >.> and usually what I just think is that the people who make those remarks just don't understand about the high quality of these dolls (and many other aspects) which make them so expensive.
I ignore it, people around me sometimes think I'm a freak, but I settle, I love my boy and nothing changes that ^^
As for others in the bjd culture, all the people I know personally are perfectly fine with the prices and such, which is why they own dolls themselves, probably ;D

 

I think you need to judge the quality of dolls on the dolls themselves. Some cheaper companies actually produce great dolls. For examply they benefit from lower personnel costs because wages aren't as high compared to Japan.
Messageboards like these provide a lot of useful information in order to make a decision on where to get your desired doll from. Or you simply fall in love with a certain mold.

 

" Why did you pay so much for a doll?" I get that question and not only have to explain the quality of my "Kids" but also how they are a specialty item. Even if you put 2 of the same model together you'll find some diffrence with the fact they are done by hand.

Some people will never get it. Other friends I'm able to compare it to hobbies they have. Hence why did you spend so much on that camera, sewing machine, golf club or concert/sport Tickets?

Everyone has something the are willing to spend money on. Something that to them the quality matters but you are right on almost everything else in there lives they will just " Get a new one" when one breaks.

 

"Well in that case why don't you go tell that Porsche owner he should just 'settle for Ford Escort down on the lot in town' and see what HE says? You're basically saying the same thing."

 

I have run across this problem intermittently with the jewelry I sell, actually. "But why would I pay $200 for that when I can get something pretty at the mall for $10?" is something I'm painfully accustomed to hearing. It hasn't made me immune to this problem, but it puts me in a position to be able to use that comparison as an example easily for people who don't understand it as readily when it comes to 'a toy'. Most of the people who know me well enough to ask about my dolls at all know about my jewelry work, and have at least a general idea of what is involved in the production of the pieces I make -- mainly, 'it isn't something I could do for $10'. When I make the comparison, and say, "These dolls are made in small workshops by artists, similar to the way I make my jewelry," they may not wholly understand the difference, but they at least understand that there is a difference -- and that is a huge step right there.

 

I think that as less and less people work in artisan trades, less and less people will be able to appreciate the work and effort that goes into one of these dolls.

How many people do you know work as farriers or blacksmiths or seamstresses or traditional carpenter / cabinet makers?

Not many. Not these days anyhow.

When my dad was a boy he knew several people who did artisan trades within walking distance of him.

Phil.

 

Just wanted to add one note to remember: the "Walmart generation" doesn't have to mean cheap. I've heard stories about well-to-do people buying an expensive doll, then breaking it or treating it roughly. It doesn't matter. They can simply buy another one because they have the cash to do so.

surreality, I'm not sure how you put up with such things. I'd be temped to snap back "Then go buy your pretty $10 thing at the mall! I guess you're too dense to notice I don't sell $10 pieces of junk."

 

Perhaps I am generalizing too much, but I think the type of people who would question a dolls worth in favour of something cheaper would do the same for other luxury items, especially cars.

 

You get what you pay for. If you buy a pair of jeans for < $10, they won't last a long time and eventually you will have to buy more jeans and spend more money. If you buy a pair for $50+, they will last longer because of better workmanship/materials and you get your money's worth.

For doll clothes, it's a bit different though... dolls won't wear out their clothes (unless they are played with a lot) so I think it's ok to spend less on them. I always thought it was ridiculous to spend $70 on a pair of doll jeans that are made to withstand a lot of wear and tear while the doll barely moves!

We've got to consider the bad economy as well. Lots of dolly owners are affected by it one way or another and there is less money for luxury items like dolls. I have noticed a greater amount of people who post here purchasing the cheaper end dolls. Not a bad thing, just an observation...

 

I think cars are a great example. My boyfriend (while totally supportive of my dolly-obsession) has said several times "I will never, for the life of me, understand their price tag or why everyone is willing to wait MONTHS. You pay that much for something, you should get it in the mail WAY faster". He knows they are important to me, but for him, he could never justify spending so much on a doll or waiting that long for something you have already paid for...

...he's thrifty, so I respect his thought process. I used the car example though, and it seemes to click for him. It's not about what it's worth materials-wise, to me it's about paying an artist to create something just for you. One of a kind.

I'm part of the "wal-mart" generation, I don't really have disposable income, so when someone questions me, I usually use the car analogy and just know that my doll was something I did for myself... and no one HAS to "get it".

 

I've actually heard ex doll owners say that they got out of the hobby because of the price. They just couldn't justify spending so much on a doll when their car or house or ect may need work. I of course pointed out that one then can't justify smoking because the car or house or ect may need work.

My best friend actually said the price was insane then without missing a beat said something along the lines of "Nevermind. The price I pay to go this college is insane." Which was a highly amusing comparison that I swear never entered my mind but really. Why go to a private school when at least for Gen Ed classes the price is far better for the same class at a state school?
Everyone is wasting money somwhere, dolls are just kinda an easy target.

 

I think that maybe everyone is so used to mass-produced goods that are cheap (but not necessarily nasty) that they just no longer value things of some worth.

I have just realised that even though I am willing to sink £200+ on a doll I am still not willing to plonk a similar amount on a Forge World Warhound Titan in 40K scale. I think it is because with a BJD I have a lot more modelling possibilities than I have with the FW Titan. Once I have built and painted the thing it's just gonna sit on a shelf taking up space and I won't actually be doing anything with it.

Anyway, back onto the topic at hand: I am of the belief that because so few people are taught artisan crafts, even at school, that they no longer know the true value of things that are made by hand.

How many people buy their suits from a tailor or their dresses from a seamstress that are totally made to measure from scratch? How many these days buy a new gate for their driveway from a blacksmith to order rather than going to get a bog standard machine welded one from Homebase or B&Q?

Through mass production we have gained many nice things, but we have also lost the knowledge of the true value of hand made items.

Phil.

 

i knew that, i knew that...not in doll world...but i really knew that as someone said it to me...

I just remembered...it's shoes actually...my friend loved to purchase 'cheap' ones...she ended up with foot sore (^.^)'''...i said to her, i purchased expensive shoes, yet, i really like it and i wore it more than 2 years or until it was broken...i don't like buying shoes...and found that cheap shoes only wastes my money (cause i have to buy over and over again...i'm not satisfied with the quality on one side (and thus keep looking for one) on the other side, it makes my foot sore, sooo...i still have to purchase it somehow)...my friend then bought a quite expensive shoes she liked, she loved the shoes and satisfied! it was great in style and comfy to wear at the same time.

in doll (non bjd) i've seen 'barbie'-like doll here, cheap bootleg version and the quality...i remember, i wrote facebook status about it right away...I didn't want the doll, though but the doll came with some clothes i need for my 27cm doll sewing...since the package is cheap, i purchased it...i then give the doll to someone...really-really such a pathetic doll...

it's the same as bjd doll...I can imagine bjd in my country one day, cheap bootleg version...haha...well, i wish, it never happens...

I remember, back then, leather puppet which was part of javanese culture here was made by skillful person, high craftmanship...now, the quality of this stuff degrades quite a lot (compared to ones belongs to my father...)...i think it's because that is: to make this craft more purchasable and make it available a.s.a.p to the market...so the production must be quick and thus, there will be something to sacrifice: quality.
Even so, this cheap leather puppet has their own customer...

These days, people want a cheap price...that's ok, though...but i wish there will be a concsiousness that when it comes to 'art', 'craftmanship', they'd better appreciate it by not comparing with 'cheap' (price and quality) version. Some people may see this hobby as comon, general doll...so, they can't appreciate the artificial, craftmanship, design behind the bjd...

 

Exactley, it's not just people who buy cheap things that are careless with them.

I don't understand why people in this hobby can't come to terms with the fact that there are some people who like things cheaper. There are all kinds of people in the world, some like spending money, some hate too. That is just how it is. Why does it matter to everyone so much how much money people are/aren't spending in this hobby?

 

This. The one thing I don't get about the 'Walmart Generation' is the fact they're unaware that they're spending much more money in the end. I've even had a friend prove cheaper doesn't always mean better when he complained of how he hates the taste of baked beans. All he's had were the cheaptastic 50p cans from A Supermarket. And now he won't even try the £1.50 cans of Heinz, because he hates the taste because of those cheap beans.

I haven't found this mentality with dolls, more of their clothes and accessories. Recently we seem to have a lot of new people who are shocked at how much this stuff costs, but I would always say to anyone who gasps at the price tag that this hobby was never intended to be cheap.

Besides, ANYone can get a barbie

 

Well, rather than buy Heinz beans, which are also mass-produced nasty rubbish, I'd suggest your boyfriend take the time and effort to make his own, slow-cooked and wholesome and delicious. Canned baked beans are vile, I totally agree with him. And equally, someone can spend comparatively little on a doll and put time and love into making it something spectacular. Look at all the beautiful customised playline Barbies out there - some are breathtaking.

It's also an open secret (there were scandals about it in Australia) that expensive jeans and tshirts were made in exactly the same factories by the same people from the same materials as cheap chain ones, and just had different labels sewn in - the only place they were of better quality and lasted longer was in the owner's heads. And again, people who work in food factories have testified that supermarket "basics" cans and more expensive ones came form the same line of can, they were just packaged differently. So I'm not sure what point people are making here.

I don't know, but peering into other people's bank balance seems to be an obsession here. This must be thread one billion on the theme, second verse same as the first... I'm waiting for someone to start on about how she gets all upset with people who don't buy designer handbags or combine them with cheaper shoes, that tends to happen about page 17. :/

Price is no guarantee of quality - compare reviews of Planetdoll dolls to Dollkot dolls, for example. It's a life lesson most people learn eventually.

 

I was shocked by the prices in 2004 when Brightfires first introduced me to the hobby, but I was not like "hell no, I am not paying that", I was more like "I am really gonna have to save up for this kind of a hobby".

As for the rise of the "cheaper" dolls from the likes of Bobobie and ResinSoul, to my mind they are still of a pretty damn good quality despite their cheaper prices, and I see them as the ideal entry level dolls or for cheaper dolls that serious model makers like me would be quite happy to butcher. I would not baulk at doing a major mod to a Bobobie doll, but I will think twice doing a major mod to a $700 Iple House doll. At the very least I am gonna try the modification out on a Bobobie 68cm Girl Chun before I attempt it on a $700 Iple House EID Jessica...

I have armies from Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy Battle that cost me in excess of $700 US (around £500+ UK), so to me dropping $700 on a doll is not a major issue, even if I am going to have to do some serious saving for it.

Now if I won the lottery, you can bet your bottom dollar I would be buying a lot more of them...

Phil.

 

pbrennan42 makes a great point, there is a dearth of true artisan crafts in the world today and when they do appear people simply do not know how to react.

I get it, I come from a family involved in all sorts of artisan crafts. I grew up doing dressage and most of my tack was artisan made, hand crafted and will last several lifetimes. My grandfather was a carpenter and wood turner, he made the most beautiful hand turned furniture, it is priceless, and he used to sell it for what it was worth. People never understood since they could go to Freedom or Ikea and get a coffee table for $100 and he was charging $400...but his is a one of a kind piece that will last hundreds of years and end up heirloom or antique. I am a tailor and hand tailor clothing for my friends and family, as well as my dolls. yes you can get mass produced stuff cheaper, in fact I had a good friend hire me for a commission once and then tell me "oh don't bother I can get it cheaper online at Lip Service" I said "fine, go ahead, Lip Service makes great stuff, I own a fair bit, but you will walk into the club and see 50 other people wearing it too." He got the point, I got the commission.

I also heard the wonderful term "false economy" used above, one of my favourite terms!

A lot of people think "oh I will just buy the cheaper one, why would I pay that much if I can pay half for the same thing?" well it is not the same thing, while the expensive item will last you a decade the cheaper one lasts a couple of years, do the maths, half the price but you have to pay that price five times as often, in the end you pay more, much more! I have always been raised on the motto "for things that are important to you spend what it takes to get the best quality you can afford" My winter coats are expensive, my scarves are not, my boots are expensive, my tshirts are not. My bed is expensive, my quilt cover is not. Things that are fashion items, or transient well...I buy cheap but pretty, the things that need to last I pay a mint on.

Well...things that are meant to last or keep me safe, I don't scrimp on cheap airlines either....

*** please note I did not say buy the most expensive, i said buy the best quality, I am well aware that price and quality are not ALWAYS correlated.