Doll research *or* Buying too soon?

So what if people don't do research, it's their money and their doll.

Basically there are to types of people, those who learn from others mistakes, and those who learn from their own. Some people just aren't the research type. That's why they probably aren't scientists.

I myself did do some research (and by research I mean looking on websites to see which is the cutest) but left myself with no technical knowlege before I bought the doll. I have good times since then and bad times but thats part of the process.

I HAVE NO REGRETS!!!

 

I haven't been able to purchase my first doll yet, but that fine with me. I've been spending this whole time reading things and learning things. Some things were common sense to me. I think a person can be able to research up on their doll and dolls in general while they wait for theirs to arrive. I do however think it's better to research a little bit before clicking the order button.

It never hurts to read a little and release some basics of do's and dont's. Everyone has their own way of learning things and knowing what they should and shouldn't do. I know when I get my first doll if I ever have a second doubt in my mind that deals with my doll I'll rush to here and look up anything I can find about my situation. I think a lot of others think they'll just do that as well.

 

I envy anyone who can blow that kind of money on something they haven't put a ton of thought into. I'm sure they spent a long time picking out a doll, outfits, etc, but this isn't a $15 Barbie--it's truly an investment. One that I feel a person shouldn't just leap into. What if you ruin it?

I've been toying around with the idea of buying a BJD for years. The cost has held me back, but also not know what character I'd want to recreate. I finally know which one--and now I'm held up by the heavy amount of mods I want to have done (or to do myself) and I'm researching everything I can!

If I'm going to spend that much on something, I want to damn well know I know how to take care of it.

 

IMHO it seems a little silly to drop $500+ on anything and not do some research first. Like others have said, it's similar to buying a pet. You need to know how they work, how to take care of them, etc.

Plus, the research is fun! While I'm waiting for my first doll to show up I can plan out clothes, wigs and eyes. I'm even researching a new camera to get. I'm sure I'll think of even more things while I'm waiting.

 

I just joined DoA, but I've been researching BJD for a looong time. It was in 2005 when I first REALLY fell in love with BJD's and I told myself I'd never spend that much money on a doll, so I didn't buy one. I kept looking at them, getting to a point where I almost gave in and then I'd draw back from it. I finally decided after this last Con that I'm going to do it.

I think you at least need to know the basics on how to take care of them so they don't get ruined, but it all depends on your learning style, some people are MUCH better with hands on experiences some people aren't. I can see it going both ways, but I personally wouldn't spend the money on a doll without knowing what I was doing.

 

I've been doing as much research as I can before I get my boy. I'm not going to spend this much money on a doll and not know what to keep away from them and generally how to take care of them. I personally haven't touched or seen a ball jointed doll in person, but I think I'm well prepared when I do get one. And if not we'll learn together. ^.^;;
But I can't imagine buying that much for a doll and not knowing basic care.

 

I did some research before buying. I then found out they make them bigger then I was lead to believe. Most people I spoke to were into the less then 62cm. I like big dolls but found out they made them only by reading posts on this website. I have 5 going on 7 dolls. Started with 62cm Unidoll Dalia, then Rio (67cm). Which I still like but will probably sell now. I have found larger dolls but most are not realistic enough for me. I'm not into, as they say, "Barbie" dolls. Many people are obviously but personal preference is realistic faces and bodies for mine.

Research is a must or you could end up with 5 going on 7 dolls! Most of which I will be selling because I found THE ONE. Odd because its what I was looking for from the beginning and didn't think anyone made. Will have to do some sanding and altering a bit to make what I want but have enough experience it's do-able now!

Reasearch is a very good idea but again live and learn isn't a problem IF you live and learn.

 

I wish I had done more research and invested more from the get-go. Research is a must because some dolls are very hard to sell and you may not like them and get stuck with it.

 

Personally I to be 100% sure before I 'dish' out cash on anything especially on BJD's since they are/can be an expensive hobby.

I knew I wanted a BJD 2 years ago but I decided to leave it until a couple of months ago and before I finally bought my first BJD it took a good 3 weeks or research before I found the one I wanted.

Research is a great way to go. There's an unbelievable range of BJD's so your first find might be awesome but you might find something even better!

It's better to live without regret and feel satisfied with a BJD you made an effort finding. It makes it much more exciting when they finally arrive home.

.::::.

 

Well for me, I've known about the dolls for about a year, but only really started researching them in July. For me, I didn't start saving simultaneously, because I heard the dolls require a lot of care and maintenence to keep them long-lasting, and I didn't want to purchase something I could potentially ruin thanks to any ignoreance on my part.

Plus, my checks are like 600 dollars, and since all I pay for is the gass for my car... *shifty eyes* I could pretty much purchase one as soon as I got my check that week.

 

I have recentally been doing a lot of research on bjd's. One question I have is should you buy the clothes, accessories, wigs, eyes, etc.. before you buy the doll? ^-^ Sorry if it seems like a silly question, but I just want to know before I actually buy the doll.

 

Nooo! the world will go 'splodey in a screaming fiery vortex of swirling hot gasses and Neufchâtel cheese if you dare to breach this void, bwhaaaa-
...okay, not. ::is a silly tigger::
Apologies....feelin' a big goofsome

Whether you choose to get this stuff before you get your doll depends very much on you, what sort of doll owner you choose to be, and what kind of doll you are looking for.

If you are planning to gt a fullset doll, getting stuff in advance wouldn't be necessary. Some dolls do come with random eyes provided by the company (often very nice ones - I am still debating whether to replace the ones in my Baha, they are so spiffeh) so that is not necessary right away. Tinybear's dolls come with a random Tinybear wig, too - but hers are the only basics I've seen so complete. I like to have a wig ready for a new arrival if I can swing it because having a bald dolleh hanging around is a bit sorrowful, imho - but some people leave their dolls wigless indefinitely, searching for the 'perfect' wig (or maybe they dig the baldy look - this is quite common to see on tinies). However, if you are taking a blank doll and may be spending a lot of time getting the faceup just 'so' -either doing it yourself or commissioning- then there is not so much urgency in having eyes and hair ready.

Clothes are similarly variable. If you are interested in dolls because you like to sew, or are taking a doll with unusual proportions, you will probably want to wait on outfits for a better chance of getting the to fit. On the other hand, if you are getting a 'common'-sized doll, then it's always nice to have at least a robe or kimono for them to wear when they arrive, and there's no reason not to get them a bit of a wardrobe if you happen across some things you really like. Many manufacturers or resellers publish their dolls measurements in their listings so you can shop in advance of their arrival, or you can search for them on the internets or on boards (like this one here, fancy that )

Sometimes a doll will arrive and you discover their 'personalities' are different than you expected and they want different things than you anticipated. For example, *I* thot my green Bobobie Nissa was going to be a little faery-moth, with renfaire-inspired gear and a flouncy name. He, on the other hand, popped out of his little yellow BBB silky pouch, marched right up to me and said 'taek me 2 ur leader' - turns out 'Celadon Gossamer' wasn't his name, but 'Roswell', and he was the other sort of 'little green man' But he doesn't mind at all, playing at faery dress-ups, so I have the best of both worlds!

If you are stylin' your doll to be a specific character, also, there is no reason to not pick up the parts as you find them. tall!Tibby, my 43cm, came to me eyes-first. Nice blue cat eyes are not so easy to find, and when I picked up a pair off eBay (from Emory at JunkySpot, oddly enough) I then went seeking out a doll to fit them, and the Tigerbaby character. I was surprised to find it right under my nose, practically, when I finally saw a decent photo of the BBB Pixie head (one of the most underrated of the 'affordable' dolls, imho) and learned body-swaps were easily done through JS.

If you are on a tight budget and saving up, it seems to defeat the purpose to go spending on accessories while scrimping to get the doll itself. In reality, a doll without eyes, wig, and stuff to wear isn't much of a doll at all, so when you set saving goals it should include a reasonable amount over for these very important support items.

So, how's that for a non-answer to your question? Like so much in this hobby: ymmv

 

Woww! Thank you oh so so very much tigerbaby! =) I love you Haha. That was VERY helpful =D Thank you thank you
I really want the Latidoll blue line Cara. She's beautiful
Yeah, I get what you mean by personalities. Hehe. I'm probably gonna buy her a wig at first, and see how she likes it, and if it's not her thing, I shall buy her one that is perfect
Hehe. Once again, thank you ^-^

 

I knew about BJDs for years before purchasing my own.
I always went through sites looking at the different molds picking and choosing what ones I liked best.
Then when it came time to buy my own,I did all the research I could.
I looked up various face-ups to get a feel of what works best.
The posability and durability of different brands.
What products to use on what doll.
What to do in case something went wrong.
I wanted to know what I was getting myself into before I took the plunge, I didn't want to spend $200+ on something to utterly ruin it >.<
Of course, since buying my first doll, I have found products I wasn't sure about. So I went to a second hand store and spent $5 on odd dolls and experimented.

It's like anything really, you should never spend big money on something without at least a little research.
If you buy a car,you want to know the weakness of that car and how much it will cost you in the long run, don't you?

If you don't look into things, all I can say, is you get what you deserve/ask for...

 

I knew about BJDs for a couple of years prior to buying my first but never really had the guts to buy one until I had landed my first steady job.

For my first, I didn't do any research at all; the mold was beautiful and I've been obsessing over it for a couple of months. Now, that was before I found out that I was a VERY picky person concerning little details and if one thing bothers me about the doll it would bother me to no end.

Well.. my first came and went, and I now do a lot of research but found that even research doesn't really pinpoint the specifics of what I am looking for since everyone's view on those specifics are so subjective. I guess the only real way to find out for me is to either actually buy the doll and learn about it or somehow by chance find that particular doll at doll meets--which I cannot go to as of yet because of the lack of proper transportation and time.

It's sometimes so frustrating with this hit-and-miss tactic, but hey.. I guess that's the fun of this hobby...

 

I think it's true that a lot of people will jump into something like buying a bjd headfirst just because they've got money burning a hole in their pocket and they want something pretty.

I don't yet own a bjd, and I'm currently doing my research to avoid being an impulse spender and ending up with a doll I only mildly like because it's readily available.

But, you know - people are going to do whatever they see fit. Some people are going to regret their purchases made in haste, but at least it will be a learning experience for them.

 

I researched for about three months or so before buying Davey. But I must say, I learned a whole lot in those three months! I didn't want to be called a "newb" but I didn't want to damage a doll even more. Besides, everyone here was so nice that I knew they wouldn't judge me (one of my favorite things about here, there are few jerks). So I posted questions, read tutorials, watched a faceup tutorial on youtube about 10 times, pmed a girl who has now become one of my very close friends. And now, I have Davey. I've done her face-up, I sealed her myself, I restrung her just fine (with the help of some strong hands, thanks dad!), and I love her. I couldn't be prouder of her. Sure, she isn't perfect, but she's mine, and I love her. (And hopefully soon, she'll have her sister, see siggy!)

But I think its best to figure the basics. What paints, ect are safe, what to do if say the hand falls off or something (First thing I did when Davey arrived was memorize and photograph her joints, just in case)

Basics are good. Nothing against people who jump in, if that's your way, by all means, go by it. But my advice it read up and study.

~Chaos

 

Personally, I don't have a doll yet-- I'm haven't even started saving up for one yet xD I do know who I want, but even that was a meticulously weighed decision (I sat on the decision for a year...actually, I still am) because I don't want to get stuck with a doll that I might regret buying for many possible reasons (such as upkeep, or falling in love with a different doll, etc.)

Another thing is that I also want to consider all the possibilities before deciding to buy, in terms of availability of clothes, shoes, wigs, and where to get them, and what the acceptable substitutes are.

So yeah, research first. Especially when dealing with an object that you know isn't exactly a practical expenditure, but still want very badly anyway xD

 

even thought I'v know about BJD for a few years I admit that I'm doing my studieing about taking care of/ modding / restringing well ... now. While his nearly on his way of beeing made lol. actually I just wanted to go look how I can saflymake a scar on his face with the tools I have available :]

but thers some logic in things tho, like NOT to paint them with oils , or sharpies atleast I'm not a noob in art materials ,lol.

 

I've known for a few years what BJDs were but I was never interested in them until one of my friends started talking about how much she wanted one. She had been doing research and such for it for years before she finally decided to buy one. He arrived around mid-May. After I saw hers and got to play with him, I fell in love with him, joined DOA and within a few days figured out which two dolls I wanted and already had names established. I didn't buy right away though, I researched and discussed with my friend all the dos and don'ts all the while managing to get some of my other friends into the hobby as well. I spent hours every night for a good two weeks on DOA to learn new things. By the time June rolled around I had so much new dolly knowledge in my brain I felt I needed to buy one. My dream doll (DoD Petsha) was out of stock at the time I was ready to order so I went for my second choice (because I knew I was going to get both at some point, it didn't really matter that much who came first.) I had problems when I ordered a DZ Megi from Moggie on eBay, I never received any information etc, got my money back and went straight for Junkyspot all the while stuffing my brain with more dollie information. I recieved my Megi in mid-July and took him just about everywhere with me. With the amount of time I spent researching, I don't think I ordered too fast because I found this to be a huge investment of my time and money I didn't want to ruin him right away. I have two friends that know nearly nothing about these dolls that already have one each, it worries me sometimes that something is going to happen and they won't know how to fix it or they make it worse by fixing it the wrong way. I have no doubt they love their dolls but when I brought up something that most doll owners should know, they looked at me dumbfounded. I believe they should have done more research whether it be while they were waiting for their doll or if it was before they even ordered. I understand that not everyone has that amount of time to put into this hobby but I considered this a huge commitment. It makes sense to go back and do research on something like restringing or modding a part of your doll after you already have him/her but atleast read up on basic care of the doll before they arrive. I only restrung Oliver for the first time earlier this week (even though he's been so floppy since I first got him) and it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be.