Do you like the idea of "limited" dolls?

@Isenn and Jescissa

I guess that I've been a little jaded by my previous collecting hobbies. For example: When a CCG I was into exploded in popularity, a good number of the older players started to drift away because it wasn't a "niche hobby" anymore and they saw the new people discovering it as "not true" to the game and hobby. It didn't matter that increased demand made certain cards skyrocket in value or anything like that. It was the fact that it became popular.

I didn't mean to imply that everyone who likes limited dolls or BJDs in general were all elitists. While I might go to a convention and meet someone who looks down on my AoD because they've got a Limited Volks, that doesn't mean I'll think that's how everyone in this hobby acts.

I understand that the hand crafted nature of BJDs mean that people don't want them to become mass produced, and I see the appeal in having a hand crafted item such as these. I was just going off of my impression regarding some of the comments I've read on DOA, and based off of my previous collecting experience.

Ultimately, I'm super laid back when it comes to hobbies I'm in. This is no exception. I didn't realize that I may have offended people at the time of my original post, but I do apologize to any I've offended. c:

@Isenn: Waiting is killer, although I think it's killing my boyfriend more. He wants to make stuff for Cecila but needs her to be here so he can gauge what style to make the items in. It's kinda funny.

 

I love the idea of limited dolls. Not persay the limited part, but it does make the doll more special if you WERE able to buy it. Also, if one were to want the doll can get it second hand. Limited dolls might also give a sense of "wow, i don't believe i have this " to a person who has obtained one. But i will admit, it's great to see a doll i thought would be limited because of its attention to detail and extras that isn't limited lol.

 

I've got mixed emotions
While I love that idea of "I have it - you don't mwahahahaha-ha!" feeling, I see the you-missed-it-boohoo or I-don't-have-the-money-up-front-waaaaaahhhhh side of it too.
Which do I side with? 0_o"

 

I don't mind limiteds that much. It's a part of every retail. Limited signed books, limited clothes from a certain designer, limited makeup colours for a season etc. etc. It's just what people to. It's promotion and it's how they can jack up the price on a standard item. That's business. If you want a limited save for it and you'll feel all the better for reaching your goal.

What I DON'T agree with is OOAK dolls
Now if you're going to release a single doll in this style and leave it up on your webpage for every 100,000,000 other joe smoe to view it's just teasing! T__T I understand the owner of said doll may feel very different but I just think it's very....rude of a company to do that. *shrug* If you're going to put that much effort into a doll at least make 10 or something? This is my opinion though and I don't look down on anyone who owns or makes OOAK dolls, I still admire the dolls, I just find it very tedious to know that no matter how much I like a doll or save or wish I won't ever be able to get it because that's what the company has already decided.

BJD's are a rare hobby where I don't think doll scuply popularity has a lot to do with it. There are thousands of El's and Yders and why? Because even if there's more than one, people still think the doll is unique and will buy it. It has nothing to do with how rare the actual doll itself is. I think this would prove the same for any limited or OOAK doll. If it's pretty and people like it they will buy it, so why hinder your market so much producing these uber limited one time only dolls when so much more can be gained?

>.< That was long, end my 2cents

 

Limited doll is... such as 'landmark' that companys are based on capitalism, as the result. ^^;
They would know they don't need to offer dolls in limited quantity surely... but ironically limited supply arise money...

As they are limited, dollmakers pay attention more for the dolls... and usually the limited dolls are worthy. I love most of them... even though they make me poor. haha.

 

Limited is good in some ways. It gets diversity into the hobby a bit and helps retain resale value. Also, hopefully you get a better level of quality than something that is just churned out. However, the degree of "limited" can be too high, though. I like the idea of limited time availability rather than limited numbers. For example, making all that are ordered for an item for 1-2 months rather than just making x number than never again.

 

Because they're not doing it for the money.

You're operating under the assumption that dollmakers operate like WalMart, are focussed solely on maximizing their profits, and should care about creating some egalitarian mass market that pleases everyone. One should definitely reevaluate such an assumption, in light of the artisanal nature and small-to-tiny size of so many BJD companies & ateliers/studios.

A company/studio may make an OOAK doll because it is special, because they like to make special things for their customers, because an exceptionally beautiful specimen will increase people's general desire for their products, etc. They may have a monetary motive in there, in that they can certainly charge more money for fewer dolls when they make LEs/OOAKs. But they certainly don't do it to be "rude". ( I have to laugh every time I hear that people actually think other people sell things out of malice.)

You're also operating under the assumption that "no matter how much I like a doll or save or wish I won't ever be able to get it"-- but that's only because you have not tried, & are already admitting defeat without trying. If that's the attitude, then you definitely won't get it! But if you really want a certain OOAK doll, there are ways of acquiring them. People get one-offs on the secondary market all the time, and it'll absolutely happen again.

 

An OOAK is a super special creation. The companies are able to make a more artistic and detailed doll because it will never be mass produced. It gives the company an opportunity to show off their creativity and craftsmanship! Do you realize how much more experimental and creative a customiser can be if they don't ever need to worry about making the same thing a hundred times over perfectly?

It is not "rude" if everyone can't get exactly what they want when they want it. That is life. Why not just appreciate the beautiful thing for what it is and understand that it is not just about making money. Sometimes it is about inspiring others, challenging your artistry, creating excitement about your work, and raising the bar for every other competitor out there.

 

I like it simply because it makes the hobby seem that much more interesting to me. Like I only got into it recentally, so when my flatmates are looking at old dolls its almost like looking at relics on an age long since passed "And THIS, was the such and such by somecompany, a rare and coverted doll!" "ooh, ahhh, woah"

Iuno, it just adds an extra layer of depth to the hobby that I didn't expect so thats why I like it. That aside I do understand the frustration of not being able to buy a limited doll an dmissing out, but to add to the 'life is unfair' pile, well...it is unfair! D8 But deal, I guess.

 

I like that limited dolls retain their value on the second-hand market better than non-limited dolls. But, the dark side of that is, sometimes you end up with a limited that there isn't much demand for because on one really knew about in the first place.

If limiteds were forever available, how many people who feel they 'have to have to have to' have it and scour the internets for days without sleeping for that one doll would be going 'Eh, I'll but it after I've bought fourty seven other dolls, because it'll always be there?'

Yeah, it really sucks when you see a limited you truly want but can't get (either because of second hand prices or lack of second hand availability). Oh hai Black Shall anyone? But as others have said, ya can't always get what you want.

 

I both like and dislike the idea of limiteds. As a collector it's nice to know that there is a limited amount of something out there and they can allow doll companies to be more creative with what they produce and to use techniques that are too difficult to use for every doll (Soom's limiteds are good example of this). I also like how the costumes and face-ups can work together really well.

I find it very frustrating when certain styles of dolls are only available through limiteds or when most of the dolls a large company produces are limited. Soom seems to be heading in this direction and Volks can be this way as well. I don't like it when it seems like something is limited for no reason.

So, I guess my opinion is, for really unique dolls that wouldn't get produced if they weren't limited, limiteds are great. They're good for unique costumes and face-ups too. I do not like when normal sculpts are only available as limitieds, especially when it they company produces them at a fast pace. I don't like it when certain body types are only available on limited dolls too.

 

The idea of the release of such dolls is good. It allows you to see them in a completely new image.
But the limited number of these dolls saddens me.
Not all people who want to purchase limited dolls can make it in time, before these cruel words "sold out".
And I didn't have time too. Yes. My first BJD-love is a limited doll ...
When I first saw her, I still did not understand what it means.
I missed my chance ... And now I’m very sorry about this ...

Sorry if I said something off topic ... T_T

 

If it were not for limited dolls, I would have little interest in becoming involved with this hobby. With a collecting background in an art form in which each and every piece is OOAK, I'm just not compelled to accumulate something that is relatively mass produced.

However, that doesn't stop me from drooling over other people's gorgeous hunks of not-so-limited resin.

 

I've never wanted a limited doll - they just havent released one I like enough yet! Also I like to customise/style my own dolls so a limited fullset would be wasted on me.

However, I LOVE the idea of limiteds. They let the company show off their style and identity and get really creative without taking the risk of a big production run.
I also don't get the bawwwing from people about how they couldnt get a doll they wanted because it was limited, really the company has no responsibility to make sure everyone gets every doll they want.
It is odd when a compny makes an entire mould limited, though. I'm sure a lot of Dollzone fans are going to be disappointed over the Chinese New Year Mo head, but whatever. It's dollzone's choice.

 

My opinion changes on the day (and the amount of money in my wallet but I think for the most part I like the limited edition dolls. They make me feel like BJDs really are unique and special compared to "other dolls" and happy to be a part of the BJD world...

 

Money wise, it sucks. On the other hand, there's a smaller number of people in the world with that specific doll. I think it makes the doll more personal and unique.

 

I like the idea quite a bit. While it can be frustrating when you miss out on getting a doll you may want badly, limited dolls can be all the more special to collectors.

 

Personally? I don't quite understand the fascination, but I've only just gotten my own baby recently and can't imagine spending more money or sleepless nights wondering if they'll arrive on time/safetly.

But like my signiture says, I'm a newb and there really hasn't been any doll besides Sabine who's caught my eye, limited or otherwise. The day might come when I see a lmited that I would eat someone alive for... >>

It's a personal choice, and one of themany that make this hobby so diverse and pleasurable.

 

It's a double edged sword. On one hand, I fully respect the companies right to make extra money by selling artificially limited rare dolls, and I respect people's right to buy them, and feel special because they own something that not everyone can own.
But I also hate seeing the perfect limited doll, that was released and finished its sales run long before I even got in to the doll hobby...

 

I have to say I agree with sharnofshade.

My personal view is that no, life isn't fair, but in an ideal world it would be and I hate that in order to compete people have to make life unfair on purpose. Hate it. But then I am a depressive and my worldview is whiny like that.

My absolute grail doll is Jun Tachibana, so I sympathise with people who are pining after distant dolly targets - and the longer I leave it, the more expensive she gets! - though I did hit my second dream with the elven Lishe, so I haven't got that much to complain about. I think the best of both worlds is the time-limited release, though a rillyrillylong preview period would be nice - to let people get money together in advance. But hey, I know nothing about economics and business except that what they're doing seems to be working for them