Discovering the Price...

When I was originally introduced to BJDs, I was completely stunned at the prices. $500 for a doll?? At the time, that kind of money didn't even exist for me, so I couldn't comprehend, and every time I saw a doll I wanted, my jaw would drop at the price.
These days things are changing a bit~ I have more of an income than my teenage days, and some doll prices are dropping. (At least, there are certain brands that are cheaper...) Nowadays it's a little backwards; I can't quite believe it when I find a doll for a really low price. XD
Forking out hundreds for a doll is still a difficult idea for me, but the times they are a'changin'.

 

I'd say your friend was probably worried about the cost and while still startled and upset and worried about you made a phone call they probably shouldn't have made until they'd calmed down.

Your friend probably meant well.

I've never had this happen to me, but I can safely say the worst thing is to get angry back and demand they understand, because as my best friend says: "I don't understand your hobby, but you have the right to do with your money what you want." As I have much the same reaction to her love of cheesy horror movies, the relationship works well.

You sound like you're responsible and that all the bills are taken care of before you put money towards dollies. I'd take it one step further and make sure you have a savings pool in case things go wrong, but other than that, you can do what you want with your money, and if you choose to spend it on things that make you happy, do so. (Even if other people might not understand.)

 

The only problem I ever had was telling my mother how much my doll cost. She was like: "YOU SPENT 800$ FOR WHAT?!" but now that he's been around 2 years and she's calmed down, she actually likes him!

My friends are supportive and think my dolls are great. Although, they all say they wouldn't personally get one. And, I can understand that. I've had a few "acquaintance" type friends give me strange looks... but I really don't care. It's none of their business. I don't think anyone's friends have the right to judge how they spend their money as long as they're not forgoing rent and food.

 

My friends ridiculed me a bit at first. The price didn't bother me at all, though. To me these dolls are works of art, well loved and well made, so they're worth the money I spend on them. I'm in high school, so I don't have bills to pay, but I also don't have a steady source of income.

I ended up writing an essay about BJDs for my English class and shared it with some people I knew. They seemed really interested and excited about the hobby, which made me really happy, too. My philosophy is: show your dolls to as many people as you can, because you never know when someone will really like them. And nothing sounds better than when someone tells me that my $500 doll is "so cool"!

 

Oh I have a long and sordid history of spending ridiculous amounts of cash for toys I "don't need" so at this point in my life my family and friends can only roll their eyes.

Two years ago I bought a $150 robotic dinosaur, my hubby bought $250 worth of Gundam models this past solstice, and I have a $300 figure of Alex from a Clockwork Orange I bought while working my first job. At a certain point they either learn to shut up about it or they suffer a stroke so sever they never mention the subject again for fear of their heart stopping. ^_~ ...Or I say "you know what! You're right! just think of all the drugs and booze I could buy with that cash!"

 

For the most part, my parents are the only ones in my family that know what I spend and how much I enjoy dolls.
My parents are supportive, when I first discovered the hobby they were more shocked by the prices then they are now.
I have a job now and they are happy I find ways to keep myself busy, happy, creative and imaginative.
I've always been good for my parents and never got into any mischeif growing up and they know I'm responsible..
so there are even more reasons that the prices of my innocent hobby no long bother my parents.
I wouldn't dare tell people who aren't interested in dolls, because I'm probably setting myself up for wide-eyed, disbelief and "I can't believe-" kind of behavoir.

 

I actually had someone asked about BJD's. After I have explained a bit to them including the price, she couldn't stomach it. This actually happened during a party. I guess she couldn't stand it anymore so she spoke with me and said that the number of dolls that I have now are enough and that I shouldn't buy anymore. I should invest my money on diamond jewelries instead.

How I dealt with it? I smiled politely throughout the entire conversation. And then when I got home, I vented it out on my husband. I'm so thankful that he is so supportive of my hobby.

 

It's really nobody's business what I spend on my dolls. My husband has an idea, but he has his own expensive hobby so he's supportive. My best friend also collects BJDs so she understands. Most of my other friends think of them as hands on works of art and don't ever ask what they cost. My mother in law thinks I'm crazy, but she thought that before she found out about my dolls, so...

 

Most of my friends don't know about my dolls. I have a 'doll friend' and she has one doll but it was a gift. She enjoys it but whenever I talk about buying another one she rolls her eyes. Like, yes, there I go wanting to buy another expensive doll. But then I laugh whenever she comes home from work with little purchases she's made (Oh this was only five bucks, it was only ten bucks, it was on sale, I get a discount). It's probably like 50 bucks a week on those 'little purchases'. Plus fabric that sits in a box, a gym membership that's never been used, computer parts that sit around the house. Hey, that could've bought you another doll missy.
When I started getting more into the hobby I swore I wouldn't start spending a lot on dolls... but then I think 'How much were those shoes? You've worn them once. You HAD to have that coat when you have TWO coats. Yes, another cute hat that will sit on the dresser and do nothing'. My dolls I play with every day, my xbox... maybe once every couple days, my playstation hasn't been touched in YEARS'. All the clothes and shoes that were SO cute are just hanging out in my closet. Little things add up and get FAR less use than my dolls do. So if I don't spend the money on those little things I can save up and get something I actually enjoy.

My motto for this hobby is 'Never regret anything that makes you smile' and when I see my boys, I smile

 

My friends are actually very supportive of my doll hobby, especially my best friend. At first she thought it was kind of strange that I was spending so much money on a doll, but once he got here and saw all the things I could do with them she understood.
My parents on the other hand still haven't gotten over how much they cost, but I don't care. Its my money and I can do what I want with it.

 

The day I placed my first order, my mother ended up talking to an old friend of hers and- oddly with no provocation- the doll hobby came up. She was basically bashing a couple she knew who was in the hobby for how much money they had spent on their collection, and how happy she was that they had finally "outgrown" it and sold off most of their dolls so they could do better things with their money.
My mom, knowing of my recent purchase, kept her mouth shut. She tried to make it clear that not everyone in the hobby mismanages money and goes into debt. She never got her point across, unfortunately.

I agree with what has already been said here: it's a hobby- and an art hobby at that. When it comes to art, you basically get what you pay for. I've never been a jewelry or shoes type of girl, nor have I ever been a big spender. I rarely buy things for myself that don't have purpose. In fact, this may be the first time that I've truly spoiled myself with something "useless". When it comes down to it, my spending habits shouldn't be anybody's concern but my own. If people want to judge you for it, that's fine, but you don't need to accept their verdict!

 

I always make sure that I share beautiful pictures of my dolls. When my friends see how beautiful and artistic the dolls are, they might say the dolls are expensive, but I've never once had someone say they're not worth it

Of course I did get offended when one of my friend jokingly knock off a zero off the price. She said it as a joke but it still does seem like an insult to the doll (eg. when I said that the doll is worth more than $400 and she replied "What? You mean $40?")

 

I don't own any dolls yet, still trying to get the whole saving money idea sorted out. When I first saw the dolls online, I was totally floored by the price. 5 years later and it's still a little hard to wrap my mind around, but it's something I really want to get into. The best part is I don't want a whole lot of outfits or eyes or shoes. One, two at the absolute most is fine. I'd rather have several dolls than a ton of outfits. Can only wear one at a time anyways.

Convincing my mom is another story... sure I might be old enough to make those kind of decisions myself but at the same time I want her to understand. Besides her purse and shoe collection easily tops any amount of money for a doll. The boyfriend didn't really approve at first but when I pointed out how much he pays for video games in several months time, really the money all adds up. It's not like I'm spending any more than him, I just spend it all at once.

 

My husband thought he knew how many dolls I have but he was wrong. He guessed 5 but it 's actually 9, and I doubt I'm done, though I'm not jonesing for anything right now. Probably because I'm broke at the moment. If I get a good commission, I might splurge on a wig or shoes for my tinies. They're still hairless, naked, and unshod, poor babies. Still, my doll expenses are about equal to his scuba equipment, and don't get me started on his dojo dues. If we're counting coup on the expensive hobbies, he wins hands down.

All bets are off if I ever win the lottery though. I'll be that rotten butthead who snaps up every limited anything that catches my fancy then.

 

I remember when I saw the price. I saw this magazine with these gorgeous dolls on the cover and I read the article about Volks and their dolls and how they are customizable. I said to myself, "I want one of these dolls. They're perfect!" I've always loved dolls so I scanned the article for the price. $500?! I was heart-broken at the time but determined.

Now I have two BJDs and I honestly don't care what others think. I try to explain to people the process and why it leads to the dolls being so expensive. I get a general reaction of, "Well I don't see why it should be so expensive." It's the look they give me more so than the words. That look disturbs me because it comes after I explain that pouring the liquid resin is very dangerous since the fumes can cause health problems. It's almost as if they're saying, "So what if it causes health problems? I don't see why they should cost so much. After all, it is THEIR job."

Other than that I don't think about the prices anymore. In all honesty, the money isn't a lot to me. I generally buy YoSD sized and they run about $300 after face-up and shipping.

 

The problem is as well the toy industry. I mean, I was shopping for dolls for my cousin's birthday and Barbie generally costs between 20 and 120 dollars (Australian, and we have HORRENDOUS entertainment and import taxes. It costs me 110 dollars for a video game, when the same game is available in America for 20. Given that the AU dollar is stronger than the US at the moment, it really gets my goat.) So basically, even the most expensive Barbie - the one that came with the Horse Ranch and said things and had two changes of clothing - cost the same as a blank BBB. (Btw, this is in terms of retail market, not collector's market, which is what most people come into contact with. I'm aware collector barbies can fetch well above the 1000 dollar mark)

People have this tendency towards a lowest common denominator - the most common dolls available are worth $20, therefore -all- dolls are worth $20. Because BJD are a luxury version of a readily available commodity, they are percieved as costing 'too much'. Also, BJDs are not common knowledge, so people don't know that there are more expensive, luxury versions, and believe that all dolls are 'cheap barbies.'

I tend to explain in terms of a jewellery analogy - Barbies are costume jewellery, and BJD are fine jewellery. Including in terms of investment value. (My father was finally won over by the hobby when I pointed out to him that one of my dolls had increased about $400 in value in about three months due to high demand and limited availability.)

 

Ehe it is simple.....when my friends find out the price, and go "SO MUCH MONEY FOR A DOLL!!"' I just say "Yes, it is; but that's how much these dolls cost so whatever." and leave it at that. After that, they just respect my interests.

 

When I bought my doll, my mom and I sorta tricked my dad into thinking they were a bit more then what I was spending (he was a second owner doll) by showing him the price of one of the larger dolls. He's still yet to find out how much they really are, but the next few dolls I have to buy, so he probably won't find out.

But I told one of my friends and he simply asked "2 dollars and 40 cents?" ...I just about smacked him for asking that >_>;

 

I get that alot from friends who knows nothing about or are not into BJD. For friends who are very into the Japan culture, they usually more or less know what BJDs are and that they are generally "expensive" so I don't really have to do much explaining. Even then, I do not tell any of my friends their exact costs. For others outside the hobby, it can be tough convincing them BJDs are sort of like an art hobby. They just equate is as "some cheap dolls that are just for show". I sort of told my best friend my first doll was a "few hundred bux" and she sort of went "wtf, that was so expensive, you're very rich aren't you? waste money". I was very offended truth be told. Well, unlike her I don't spend hundreds per month on a whole list of other "unnecessary" stuff that she indulge in. For every person who has said that my dolls are a "waste", I can likewise come up with at least one hobby of theirs that is equally a "waste" in my opinion. lottery betting twice a week? smoking a pack a day? that prada bag collection? $700 for a single online game item? and the list goes on. My point is, each of us has a hobby and perhaps indulgence, even if you don't agree with it, the least I feel at least friends should do is to respect it. But well, now when people ask I just say they are collector items and keep it at that. XD

 

When I first came across BJDs, I was stunned by the price tag which goes into the thousands. Nevertheless, I was completely drawn to it and bought one on the spot. Over the course of time, I slowly got immune to the prices. Likewise, my colleagues, close friends and family are slowly adjusting to the insane prices as well.

To me, it is all about priorities and what makes me happier. Sure, I can get a Chanel or Prada bag for the same amount but will those bags make me happier? Nope. My friends understand this and now we have this mutual understanding along the lines of "you can go get your chanel bag while I go get my dollies." XD