Buying a doll that doesn't fit your collection

I can't say for a fact but I am planning to buy Iplehouse dolls which don't at all fit what I have now. I've been planning to split my collection into groups of my different OCs, that way, I can still have them all without having to worry about them looking good together.

 

My AE Peppermint was completely on the fly and in no way fit in with the other dolls. She was tiny and human and had no story whatsoever, and then I bought her blank without really knowing what she would look like without a face. I was honestly kind of bummed when I first opened her and found she wasn't at all what I expected, but after I played with her a bit I decided I liked her anyway.

Now she's still the lone one out story-wise, but all the other dolls love her. I almost bought her a big sister at one point but decided to just let her be story-less and solo. I wouldn't doubt that I'll do it again someday, because like I tell my sell; even if they don't fit they're still cute and worst comes to worst you can resell later.

 

I plan on buying a DC Olivia and a DZ Una. Una is much to.... fantasy-like to fit in my collection of normal and moderately enhanced human dolls. Olivia is absolutely gorgeous, but her proportions are not realistic at all, and she wouldn't fit either. But I want them both. Una as a... sit and look pretty doll, and Olivia is going to be a project doll that I want to make into an OC of mine.

 

I would bother summing up all the different styles & stories & universes there are in this mad collection that started out (however briefly) homogeneous... but that would still take too long. So I think I'll just say Yes, I got all kiiiiinds of shit up in here. Worlds within worlds upon worlds.

Re advice for someone too nervous to break their homogeneous streak: Don't bother doing it till you really feel it. You'll know when! And don't worry about realizing when the time has come; when you're feeling it, that doll will already feel like it's yours, even before you get your payment processed. Your collection, with its one or two odd notes adding texture, will suddenly 'pop' all the more strongly every time you look at it. :3

Yep, the immigration problem. They're called "anchor dolls". They sneak in as a lone anomaly, and next thing you know they're bringing home a best friend, a brother, a long-lost lover, a second cousin twice removed....

 

I choked a little. XD

*ahem* Fortunately for me, my collection is basically all over the bloody place in terms of companies, aesthetics, sizes, resin colours and whatnot, so it can be fairly easy for me to work something in. My only requirement is that I be able to come up with a character for the doll that fits into my group/setting. And I can get preeeeetty flexible when it comes to how they fit in. >>;

 

Have you ever bought a doll that didn't fit in with your main collection? (either due to storyline, fantasy vs human, aesthetic, resin type, company, etc)
Yes, he's a cyborg and white skin. He sticks out like a sore thumb. I'm also getting my first SD sized doll so I know he's going to dominate the landscape.

Did you have a problem bonding with your different doll?
Nope, I love him despite his differences to my other dolls.

If it was not a problem, what do you think helped you accept this doll?
I just REALLY wanted him. He was the first doll I had that "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!" effect with. It make me sound like I didn't really want my other dolls... All my dolls are really wanted but this was a limited edition that I couldn't go without. It was obsession from first sight, then on his arrival he was immediately loved.

Any advice to somebody wanting to try something new but afraid to take the dive?
Be sure but it's always nice to take a risk.

 

My collection consists of fairly stylised MSDs, and the next doll on my wants list is a realistic Iplehouse SD.

On top of that, I'm fairly sure her style will be pretty modern whereas the others wear historical fantasy sort of clothes.

I'll probably just keep her separate from the others. I really want her, the difference in style won't stop me from wanting her enough to buy her.

 

+1000 I couldn't agree more.

I always say each owner has her own rythm to know when to do certain things, mostly related to buying something new, selling a doll or whatever. Trying things out can work or not, but only the OWNER knows. Other friends or people can help with their opinion, but it will never be as accurate as one's own opinion. If you feel like it's time to try something out, go ahead! If you don't feel like it, then don't. The time will come and you'll know when it's come and when it's not right to try it out yet, so don't force yourself into doing something you're not ready to do, wait until the time comes.

When the time comes when you're sure you want to try, then do it. It'll work, 100%.

 

Have you ever bought a doll that didn't fit in with your main collection? (either due to storyline, fantasy vs human, aesthetic, resin type, company, etc)
Yes! I actually have a few story lines, but right now one doll is really quite different from the rest. My collection is a bunch of human guys....and an (off-topic) anthro doll. XD

Did you have a problem bonding with your different doll?
A little bit but he's too cute to not love!

If it was a problem, did you fix it and keep the doll? If so, how?
Well originally I bought him without having much of a story line for him so I simply created a new storyline to fit him!

If it was not a problem, what do you think helped you accept this doll?
As I mentioned, he's now got his own story line so he's not as much of a man out. XD

Any advice to somebody wanting to try something new but afraid to take the dive?
Try it out, if you don't like the doll you can easily re-sell!

 

I have a few dolls that I feel do not really fit in all that well. Mostly my Kremer because of his scale. He's so~ tiny, while I usually prefer 60 - 70 cm girls and boys.

I got a little more laid back about the whole "Everyone has to fit in!!" - thing anyways though.
If I like a doll enough that I want to own it, and it either fits one of my pre-existing characters or style concepts, then that's fine. Even if I can't work them into my main storyline.

 

I started with 16cm and 25cm tinies, white skin. That's the perfect size and colour for me. But I always knew I would own a tan doll one day. Well now I'm about to buy a tan Bory who will definitely not fit in due to his size. But I already have a plan for him to become a part of my family, he will get a little tan sister in 25cm size who will be the friend of my other tinies. No big deal.

On the other hand, I don't plan my doll family anyways. And if I should ever own a doll that won't fit in at all, that won't be a reason not to buy it. Not everyone has to fit in

 

I have some dolls on my list that wont fit my collection. But part of me wonders if I will ever actually get them. I wouldn't want them to look out of place or not fit in with photo stories and things like that

 

Have you ever bought a doll that didn't fit in with your main collection? (either due to storyline, fantasy vs human, aesthetic, resin type, company, etc)

Yes. I started with 4 dolls that were all the same size, all elves, all from the same company. But then, more and more different types of dolls were being made. I didn't want the same thing all the time. I found I wanted something different.

I don't have just one storyline. I'm not trying to shell all my characters. So it is easier for me to accept different dolls.

The problem is... they start to want friends that are similar to them!!!

Did you have a problem bonding with your different doll?

A little, but I was happy to try something different. AND--I bought two similar dolls (from the same company, both elves), so they could be together.

If it was a problem, did you fix it and keep the doll? If so, how?

See above--getting more than one can help.

If it was not a problem, what do you think helped you accept this doll?

Buying a companion. Having fun with doing something different with them that I can't do with my other dolls (new storyline, new outfits, new looks).

Any advice to somebody wanting to try something new but afraid to take the dive?

Everyone is different. I can't help myself... I see different dolls that I happen to like (a LOT), and I will feel bad if I DON'T get the doll. So it's a bit opposite of a problem for me.

I can only say, if you really want the particular doll so SO SOOOOO much, then it's very likely you are making the right move. If you just think you sorta want to try something, but are still unsure, then don't. With dolls, I think you have to really be quite passionate, or you are probably not making the best choices...

 

I bought one BJD 3-4 years ago, was frustrated by my lack of knowledge, and put her in a box. A year and a half ago I rediscovered BJDs and started collecting more seriously. All of my dolls have been female except one male. I've had YoSDs, MSDs, and SDs - fantasy and regular humans. At this point, I am beginning to redefine my collection as I find that some of my girls hold my interest more than the others. What I am finding is that I particularly enjoy the little girls (single and never had children) in my collection. I have sold my one YoSD, am looking at selling one or two more, and now have what I call my "no titties" collection policy. If the doll is a mature, busty girl, she is not for me. I know this goes against what a lot of people enjoy, but that is my preference.
I did not attach to the YoSD. I have not attached to the more mature girls, which is why I am looking at rehoming them. One I am considering having repainted because I really like her face but can't seem to find the right wig or outfit for her.
I think the best advice is to buy what you love. I look at dolls all the time but am buying a lot less because I'm really thinking about how they will fit in with the others and with me. Don't know if this helps but you can never tell.

 

Have you ever bought a doll that didn't fit in with your main collection?
Mine was a size misfit. From the beginning, I'd had my heart set on collecting 1/3s, and in the process fell in love with Volks Anais/Tae. Volks MSD F-06 is the mini version of Anais which is not limited and thus more affordable, so I ended up bringing a F-06 girl home.

Did you have a problem bonding with your different doll?
Not initially. But over time I fell out of love with the mini size -- not surprising since I loved 1/3s from the start.

If it was a problem, did you fix it and keep the doll? If so, how?
No, I ended up selling both F-06 and the other mini girl (Soom Pel) I bought to keep her company. The only reason I bought F-06 was for the headmould, and I would not have bought her if Anais was not so expensive and hard to find. The truth is, I love my F-06 girl, but my interest in minis has waned to the point that the character I created for her is not a strong enough reason to keep her. I just don't have the headspace to manage minis AND 1/3s at the same time, and my big dollss are more important to me.

Any advice to somebody wanting to try something new but afraid to take the dive?
Consider your choice carefully, and if you still want that different doll -- go for it. My mini girls gave me a lot of pleasure when they were here, and I don't regret getting them. So even though they're now leaving my house, the expense paid to get them was worthwhile because they made me happy in that time.

 

Have you ever bought a doll that didn't fit in with your main collection? (either due to storyline, fantasy vs human, aesthetic, resin type, company, etc)
I started out all over the place. While I sought a semi-realistic look, they were supposed to be supernatural creatures. They were all over the map in terms of size, coloring, and appearance.

Did you have a problem bonding with your different doll?
I never bonded with the more stylized looking dolls and non-adult dolls.

If it was a problem, did you fix it and keep the doll? If so, how?
I sold the dolls. I'd rather have a few I love, than a hodge podge I'm lukewarm about. The more realistic they look, the better chance they have of staying in my house.

If it was not a problem, what do you think helped you accept this doll?
N/A

Any advice to somebody wanting to try something new but afraid to take the dive?
Like someone else mentioned, you will know when you're ready. You can always build a new collection around that doll too.

 

Have you ever bought a doll that didn't fit in with your main collection? (either due to storyline, fantasy vs human, aesthetic, resin type, company, etc)
Yes, a Bobobie Apollo, he didn't look any thing like I imagined, and he was super floppy.

Did you have a problem bonding with your different doll?
Yes, I tried to like him, I tried to pick a name for him, just couldn't do it.

If it was a problem, did you fix it and keep the doll? If so, how?
No, l put him on ebay and sold him for less than paid.

If it was not a problem, what do you think helped you accept this doll?
N/A
Any advice to somebody wanting to try something new but afraid to take the dive?
Everyone will run across a doll in their collecting that just won't cut the mustard. Sell it and move on.

 

Have you ever bought a doll that didn't fit in with your main collection? (either due to storyline, fantasy vs human, aesthetic, resin type, company, etc)
Yep! My two Rosette girls don't fit in with my 'main' collection at all. My main collection revolves around a fantasy setting where most humans have some animal features (horns, hooves, etc), and my Rosette girls are from a fictional pesudo-Victorian boarding school.

Did you have a problem bonding with your different doll?
No, but I think I would have, had it only been one doll. Because I bought two dolls that are both outside the main storyline, I can bond with them both through exploring the interactions of their characters. One doll alone wouldn't work for me.

If it was not a problem, what do you think helped you accept this doll?
I'm certain it was having the two dolls that made things work. Just like I couldn't own only one character from my main storyline, I also couldn't own only one from my side storyline.

Any advice to somebody wanting to try something new but afraid to take the dive?
If you know your bonding process relies on having multiple dolls interacting together, don't be afraid to dive in and get more than one doll that's outside your normal comfort zone!

 

Have you ever bought a doll that didn't fit in with your main collection? (either due to storyline, fantasy vs human, aesthetic, resin type, company, etc) Yes. My recent boy, Minifee Karsh. His character was supposed to be a "bad ass" ladies man, instead he is a soft family man who adores his girl!

Did you have a problem bonding with your different doll? Not really, because his new character instantly came to me when I saw him. His name and everything!

If it was not a problem, what do you think helped you accept this doll? I think just finding his character and how it fits into my family helped.

Any advice to somebody wanting to try something new but afraid to take the dive? Just go for it. Worst comes to worst, you really don't like the doll and you sell or you make another character for them