Do people often sell very damaged / unwanted doll bodies?

People do sell them from time to time-- some people enjoy taking on intense restoration projects where they buy a very damaged doll and work at cleaning/repairing/restoring it. I'm doing a project like that myself currently, on a doll body that I bought brand new and then messed up badly, years ago, with really unskilled dyeing and modding. I thought about selling her as a project doll, but decided I wanted to try salvaging her myself. And yes, when people sell a damaged doll the price is lower to reflect that and the damages are disclosed up front so the buyer knows what they are getting.

The shape and dimensions of even similar-looking doll bodies can vary so much that if you wanted a separate body to do test fittings on, you'd really want to get another of the same body that the doll you're sewing for has. Also, for what it's worth-- sewing for my dolls is one of the main things I do with them, and it doesn't damage them at all to fit the clothes right on them. If you're worried about scratching them with pins, I've seen people use small clips to hold works in progress together on the doll body instead, though I've never tried that myself-- I usually just baste my pieces together first before I try it on so there isn't any need of pins.

 

I have seen some heavily damaged and modified dolls on the secondhand market. Usually, the price reflects the level of damage, sometimes they're sold as "junk" dolls. A lot of people into restoration or heavy mod projects like them. Though I have seen some who don't drop the price low enough to reflect the damage. Those seem to sit on the MP for quite a bit longer.

 

It definitely happens! Personally I've sold I think at least six "junk" dolls?
Basically I was more into the hobby in the past than I am nowadays, and I hit a point where I took a look at my doll projects and realised I just needed them to be absolutely gone. I couldn't justify another minute on them. My "time debt" to the projects had passed the threshold I felt was at all acceptable and I needed them gone. That meant I've sold dolls which are heavily modded with unfinished mods, massively discoloured from dye, etc.

Just keep watching spaces where dolls are bought and sold, and you'll find cheap project dolls!

 

I don't know if I would call it "often" but damaged dolls does show up from time to time, as the others have mentioned. They may need a bit of restoration to be suitable sewing models, though, so make sure you want a modding/restoration project and not just a mannequin if you buy a doll like that.

Another category of bodies that tend to have very low prices are older bodies that while perhaps not exactly damaged are less desireable due to limits in posing or having bodytypes that are not as popular anymore, often in combination with pretty heavy yellowing due to age and sometimes some basic wear and minor damage such as chips or dents around joints. Dolls like that often sit unsold for a long time and can be found at very reasonable prices. They require a lot less work to get them ready for sewing.
Just do your research and make sure you know what it is you are buying and try to find something that you find at least a little bit attractive as it won't work to inspire you to sew if it's a doll you dislike or are frustrated with.

And as mentioned by @thedarkeststar13 bodies differ enough, even within the same size category, that what you make for one doll may not fit another.

BJDs can be cleaned easily, especcially if they have no blushing on the body. If you make a habit of cleaning stains away as soon as you notice them there shouldn't be much of a problem as long as you avoid permanent markers or ither things known to stain permanently. And you could keep a doll chair or something else for the doll to sit or rest on to keep it off the table surface itself. That in combination with paying a bit of attention and chosing methods for marking your fabric with care should eliminate most uf the worries about staining.
I sew a lot for my dolls and have had no problems at all, to be honest. But I do keep my sewing area reasonably clean from messy things and I have a food ban in the sewing room. I've learned that the hard way.

 

Tbh, you're pretty unlikely to find a MNF A-line body being sold as too damaged or junk. You might find one of the older discontinued B-line bodies, but the measurements between those are different. MNF are pretty popular and in demand still, so even ones that have some kind of minimal damage aren't going to go for a whole lot under market.

 

@ashefaust Dolls sold as "junk dolls" are often unfinished mod projects or dolls that have have had some sort of accident. It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen. Look at restoration projects in the workshop section here on DoA to get an idea. But yes, missing limbs or litteral holes are not out of the question.

If you look for a bargain you probably can't be too picky about what specific body you are looking for. Any doll that is currently popular and in demand is not going to go for very low prizes, regardless of minor damage. You may find something like a very old volks body or an early dika doll or something like that. Dolls from some company known for severe yellowing such as early doll zone and even iplehouse can also occasionally be found cheaply. But a doll will not go for a super low prize simply with a single point on minor damage or sign of age. If the doll is over all in reasonable condition there will have to be several minor things that draw the prize down for it to be truly cheap. Otherwise the prize will be just a little bit lower than normal and from some companies that may still be very close to the prize of a new doll (but you know what you get and don't have to wait for production.)

You could be lucky so it doesn't hurt to search, but it's honesly unlikely. So unlikely, in fact that a very low prize on a doll with only minor damages is a red flag and could point to hidden damage or even the doll being a recast. Make sure to do your research and do your best to not to shop in unsafe places.

 

I was thinking extreme mods could alter the fit--for instance my super modded bodies wouldn't fit clothes their un-modded forms would (modding male bodies feminine, shortening legs, widening a torso) so that would be a consideration as a sewing model, but I very seldom see mods as intensive as some of the things I get up to, and I don't sell my modded dolls--I just bond with projects better, I guess. Ironically a literal hole is something I've thought about doing! (think, a glass case inside a doll chest)

 

That was part of where I got the idea!! Once I start her, there's going to be a project journal, but there's a glass case with ribs and a heart involved in the planning

 

Hello, do anyone know how likely it is to break a doll like that? I mean holes and broken joints... Are they very fragile? (I don´t own one yet and before I buy one I want to get familiar with them a little.)

 

As mentioned, those are often unfinished mods. The original owner had a plan, started the mod, and for one reasone or another never finished it and sold it on in it's mid mod condition.
The only accidental breaks I've seen that were that extensive is one doll that a dog got hold of and another that were in a house fire. Both have restoration threads here on DoA. Do a search in the workshop section. There may be other good examples as well.
Nothing that extreme happens during normal play.
These dolls are generaly very durable, although not entirely indestructable. If a doll falls onto a hard surface there is always a risk of dents, broken fingers or damage to painted areas. A bit of risk awareness is always good to have, but you don't need to be scared to handle your dolls.

 

Thank you. I´m usually very carefull handling precious things but of course, accidents do happen. Now I´m assured that unless some accident happen, my future BJD will be allright.

 

I've seen them every now and then on the MP. I've actually sold a damaged body myself. i think it just comes down to luck on being able to find something you like, that you can also fix/mod yourself.