Choosing who comes next! How do you do it?

I have a quite long list now as I recently allowed myself to see dolls and keep in a folder the ones I would like to have despite not having a character that would fit them (that's my usual procedure with dolls: I have created a character so then I find the sculpt).
Because of this I had to figure out a new way to sort them out in order to know which ones I would like to bring home first:
- In the first place limited dolls or long sold-out dolls are placed on the lowest part of the list as I hope I can forget them because my finances are the worst and I usually can buy a standard priced doll every 2 years or so.
- Then, as the writer that is inside of me is really strong, I try to get them all a story so I can have an idea of what would them look like when they are finished and what could I do with them (in photo-shoots, etc.). The ones that I didn't come up with a character for, are placed in the lowest part of the list.
- I tend to order them in groups due to the universe they live in (my current dolls live in the same universe, the real world, but I am eager to have some fantasy themed dolls in other universes) and see which ones I would like to develop first due to the difficulty to find them wigs, eyes, clothes and all of that stuff.
So that's what I personally do but it will be different depending on which way you live the hobby and what you want to do with your dolls.

 

I tend to have a short wish list so it's whoever has been on the list longest is next. However, there are a few circumstances under which that would change. First, if one of them is going to be discontinued, then I consider them next. If I can't afford it then I'd have to bite the bullet and let that sculpt fall away for the moment. When that happens, I tend to keep my eye on the second hand market in case it comes up later. Limiteds are another factor and I tend to judge them the same way I do with dolls being discontinued.

 

I don't go out to look and choose a doll. I just browse dolls for fun and if I really Really REALLY fall in love with one I'll consider buying it if it's in etc.

 

This is good topic id like to follow this
I had this same big question before too

 

like many others, i follow a list based on characters ^^ but this list can change bc of company events/sales or finding discontinued sculpts on the marketplace :') i've had both happen to me already!

 

I have just put my wish list together. I'm think I'm going to pick up the less pricey dolls first then try to get the more expensive and limited editions as funds become more available.

 

I have a pretty short list, and I'm not very prone to spontaneous random doll purchases--- I actually don't buy dolls very frequently, and for the most part do stick to the wishlist. If I see a great deal on someone on my list, I'll prioritize that. Otherwise it kind of goes by who on the list I feel most inspired to work on when it comes time to buy a new one.

 

When I start buying dolls again, have two already waiting to arrive, I want to buy another female to even out the male to female ratio. Not sure who it will be yet, and it's better that way. That way I don't get any ideas and start looking when I shouldn't be.

 

I tend to carefully plan any dolly spending with careful consideration and lots of thought. Ive bought two full dolls and a head so far and i will by another full doll and a head before the end of the year. Because i live with people who are not fond of how expensive my hobby is I have to be careful. Lately Ive been kinda looking into impulse buys but so far I have held strong and not bought them. How I choose who will come first is by seeing the importance to my other dolls or my story. I had a choice between three different dolls when I ordered my second one. Resinsoul Sui on a tang body for my dragon character, Resinsoul Song for my Mei's partner, or a minifee, just cause lol. The song won over due to his role in my story.

 

It is usually for a gap I want to fill for a particular type of character. And I have to consider the price as most of us do. And I usually just see who calls out to me as a must have.

 

I don't really plan ahead, I just sort of stumble from one event to the next.

 

I had this happen recently. I planned to buy my Abadon head a body only for Dollzone to release Snow and Gray. So then I had the decide on getting the Gray Fullset or the Body from Luts. What decided it for me was Dollzone's spring event. I really wanted Miss Jia, their little Monkey/Sloth.

 

I'm coming up on some decisions in July. I could either pay off my layaways early, or order a couple doll heads for the bodies that are in the one layaway, or order a body for the head that just arrived. OR start a yet another layaway for one of the more expensive dolls on my list. I also tend to gravitate towards more readily available sculpts, but there are two limited/semi-limited that I would drop all other plans for to get, so I'm hesitant to start another layaway as that would mean I wouldn't have any to spare should either of those dolls become available anywhere. I'm leaning towards just paying off the current layaways early and ordering the heads and the body in August, but I still have a few days to think about it.

It definitely is difficult to decide who comes next sometimes.

 

Selecting a new doll as part of a collection is generally a difficult decision.

I am also pretty random when it comes to the dolls I buy. A lot of the time it most definitely depends on the amount of cash I have available.

 

There are usually one or two I have my eyes on - however sometimes another sculpt that I forget about appears on the second hand market and just because of easy availability they get bumped up my list

 

I'd have to say I keep my list and watch for the best deal. If i can find a mint second-hand version, perfect. If the company of one on mt wish list has a sale, I spring on that too. As long as I have the funds. It's rare for me to buy a doll full price, though I will do it if I am hungry enough for a new face.

 

For me, the primary deciding factor is budget, of course. What comes after would be how much I like the sculpt and how difficult it is to acquire. If it's limited and wouldn't be practical to get, would there be alternatives - say, a sculpt that isn't too far off and could be made better with the face up? The final deciding factor would be harmony with the aesthetics of my existing dolls.

 

I don't really have a set plan for who comes next. Usually I just pick up whatever sculpt happens to catch my eye. I'm naturally more attracted to the imaginative type sculpts and the anime sculpts (which oddly enough I don't OWN any anime like sculpts). I actually pre-ordered my first elf-like doll (always have wanted one), and I'm actually considering on getting her a mate, who would be my first boy doll. I definitely have a more strong idea for the male doll I want, so I've been looking at Model Delf's and Iplehouse 1/4 boys.

 

The way I collect dolls has changed so much since I started the hobby back in 2008. I used to find a doll i liked and buy it then worry about all the accessories later. I ended up with alot of dolls in odd sizes who were really hard to clothe and complete. Endless frustration for me and most of my early hobby dolls have been sold for that reason.

No when a doll enters into my wishlist it only gets to stay on there if all the things I need to complete it are readily available. In fact, I often order the wig, eyes, clothes etc. before I order the doll to ensure its complete able before I fully commit. They only dolls I will make an exception for are amazing second hand deals and even then they have to be real steals!

 

My next purchase will be 3 dolls at once. For that reason I've decided they will be next because I have to save up for them (a 2K purchase). Otherwise I tend to buy dolls that I instantly fall in love with.