Doll research *or* Buying too soon?

I researched for a while - maybe a little over a year, and then I finally decided that I couldn't live without at least one. I read a lot... until I couldn't find anymore websites that I hadn't already visited - yet, coming here to this forum I'm learning a lot more. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, even though I researched a lot, I'm learning new things everyday - seems like there will always be a new discovery on how to care for our dollies etc... I love it!

 

This is interesting to me because as a "newb", I still don't know much about these dolls and did buy one anyway. However, I read a bunch, visited websites, found this forum and read for a while before I bought it.
And my question was going to be if most people bought their first bjd's as kits or fullsets. I knew I could never do a faceup myself, or was afraid to, but I wanted one of the dolls. And it's true, I was very naive, I don't know much, and I wish I did! I wish I'd discovered these years ago when I started collecting dolls. But I also continue to learn and with time, I think I will buy a doll to put together, do a faceup, and build a person and a personality. (but my Yomo is so gorgeous I could never make one this striking!)
This forum is fantastic for all the different discussions. I've learned so much just reading everyone's posts and I too just learn everyday.

 

p.s. my picture worked! I'm so happy! My first pictures of my doll.

 

I have been doing research for my first doll for only a couple of months although it seems longer. I was beginning to wonder why I haven't been able to decide on that "one" doll yet, but from reading these posts I see it is not that unusual. Not only am I looking for the doll whose face I fall in love with but I am also looking at body types and each brands pros and cons. I tend to be this way for any major purchase so I guess I should not be surprised. At some point I guess I will just know it is time! I hope!!

 

I did research for years before I got my first doll. I'm one of those people who knew almost all the in's and out's to BJD ownership before I had mine. I actually feel a little bad for people who make the purchase and then have to figure everything out. They put a lot of money down, and they aren't going to get the most out of their investment due to the lack of research... unless the learn fast!

 

Ow man, I wonder if I am one of those fast learners or am I just impulsive? It hasn't taken me years to research, more like a few months... I looked up every company and info site I could, pictures and forums. How to do's and what not to do, owner experiences and their trouble. I guess I kinda made up my mind from early on, I wanted a bjd for myself. So... I have ordered my first BJD, and I feel very good about it. I know pretty much what to do with her and what to expect. In fact I have collected all the tools for her faceup and for sewing her an outfit once she arrives, I am prepared. Okay, if someone puts two bjd's from two different companies next to eachother and asks me which is which I might have to guess... Is that a bad thing? Does it matter?

 

My roommate had gotten her first doll, and after about a month of looking I decided on my Bobobie Weylin. A price was a major factor at the time, but now not so much. Between the two of us, we look at a doll about three months before finally buying it. Then there's the initial buyer's regret ("Are you sure this is the right face for him?" "I'm not sure about his body...") which ebbs away quickly and we love the doll :3

 

I've been doing research on BJDs for nearly three years...and I still haven't even bought my first! Then again, I extensively look at every possibility I have before making a decision on...well, everything.

 

I discovered bjds two years before actually purchasing one. I spent that two years learning all that I could about hem, so that I cold be prepared when I actually had mine. There were a few things that I was still in the dark about even after I bought my first doll, but I made sure to ask questions here so that I wouldn't ruin my new dolls. Personally I think that if one does not want to do research before getting his of her dolls, that's fine. I would suggest it though so that there aren't any major accidents to be had from know knowing what gets to be basic knowledge on the board. I also feel the doing at least some research, helps the would-be doll owner make a more informed decision regarding which doll he or she would like to purchase.

 

What's there to know? (Just kidding). There is just Sooo much information out there, I guess if you analyze this and that before buying -- would you ever get one? Yeah, this is just light hearted. I did not do enough research. I'm new and should I have done more research before plunking down so much cash -- probably. Everyone is different. I guess I live my life that way. I jump in and then decide if I can swim or not. I would suggest that people do some research or ask some questions before buying their first doll. It can be a costly mistake. The one thing that I noticed right away is how different the doll looks in person. Also, I'm not good at dimensions -- so someone tells me 80 cm I think "oh". Then I calculate that into inches and think -- resin = heavy "WOW". Especially if your end goal is to buy only maybe one or two dolls, make sure you get the ones you truly want.

 

Yeah I agree with you! There are a LOT of people that just jump into this hobby without doing any research at all. I understand people asking questions when they're first learning (I was too, luckily for me I have a friend who had been in this hobby since her highschool years and she taught me all I needed to know)

Even though I only own one doll I did my research, checked out a lot of companies, ASKED QUESTIONS about what resins are good or not (which was good because I WAS at one point in time looking at Narsha dolls) ....

My thoughts is that if you're going to invest in something you better do your research, especially if the item you're after is a lot of money

 

I researched the actual dolls for a long time. It might have not been quite so long if money hadn't been tight. I never really had any intent of doing much more than dressing them. To be honest, I thought I would just put a wig on her and that would be it. I would never consider another pair of eyes.. I always think I am going to do some sewing...
Now my dolls don't wear the same wig for a week, I’ve changed their eyes and I am starting to think one could use some freckles. I also bought a used doll that could use some face-up work done. So now I will do some research for that part of the hobby.
I am usually the one who does so much research the actual experience is anti-climatic. I think that these dolls are really teaching me to play and only learn what I need, to do the job at hand.

 

I think maybe more of the question should be, doll research or customizing on a whim? When i got my MNF Chiwoo from LUTS back in the day I researched enough, I knew I wanted a faceup from LUTS, since I didn't know how to do one myself, I knew he was coming with eyes and that was it. And so i ordered a few clothing items and wigs with him from LUTS and found a few starter outfits on DoA.

I think as long as new doll owners research customization before they attempt anything is best. That way you don't have any sharpie or oil paint/pastel mishaps. ^^

 

Well, honostly I think its a smart thing to so atleast some research.
Espcialy because there are expensive, it would be a shame if you didnt know about face ups, and wanted a doll with 'make-up' but didnt know how to order ( just an example)

I did loads of research, perhaps more than a year ( also counting in the months of looking for the right doll for me)
I watched face-up tutorials, restring tutorials, and many more...
Its also interesting to do research, you really get to know allot and that these are special dolls ( I find them special haha )

I'm helping my friend with researching as she doesnt know allot about them yet, and she would like one in the future.

So yeah research is important in my opinion

 

I'll admit, I just kind of jumped into the hobby and bought a doll right off the bat. ^^;
I saw a doll I wanted, and although it wasn't the cheapest, I had enough money saved and I knew it was a doll I could enjoy (still have that one!).

But I do a bit of research when I had recieved my first doll, like proper resin care and how to clean it, what kind of sealant to use, etc. All that basic, essential research took about maybe an hour to complete; this was also back when the hobby was a relatively new thing.

So... IMO, there is no excuse to why people don't do at least a little bit of research before buying, or immediately after buying a doll. It dosen't have to be super in-depth research either; just the basics. Then you can do a little more later on if you're going to try something new (ie. first face-up, modifications).

The information is there if you look for it.

And, just like caring for a real leather coat or a pure wool skirt... you need to know the care instructions before you try anything on it. :/

 

It took me at over a year of even know what they were and how to care for them before I even started to save for my first doll. Now two years later i have three and one on the way! ^_^ There is still alot I do not know, but that will come with time.

 

I've been interested in BJD's for over 6 years and doing research on and off, so I'm about as well versed as I can get without actually owning a doll. Yep, I've been holding off for 6 years and I JUST found my dream doll (Souldoll Queena). But I believe you really should know what you're diving into when you buy a BJD and research as much as you can before hand. I would be so upset if I ruined my doll after paying so much money for her. Not to say that you need to spend as long as I did waiting (heck no!), but I've only waited as long as I have because I had other priorities for my money and I think I'm mature enough now to handle having a BJD (If I had bought one when I was 13 I probably would have ruined it, to be quite honest). I think people should spend about a year though just researching and re-thinking their purchase before they buy, because that way you will KNOW you're going to be happy about your decision and not do anything to comprimise it. ^^ Just my 2 cents.

 

I've know about BJDs for a few years now but haven't really done too much research in that time until now that I've decided for sure that I really want one. I'm currently saving up for my first doll and in the meantime I plan on thouroughly researching as much as I can about BJDs and their care. But research isn't everything and while I want to know as much as I can before my first dollie arrives, I think that the most useful thing will be learning as I go along. I tend to be more hands-on.

 

To be honest, I've never looked up a word of research about it before. I didn't really jump on the dolly bandwagon or irresponsibly buy one without looking up maintenance, but I have been watching my sister take care of her doll for a number of years. Only now I'm allowed to own one because I'm old enough; I was only about 11 when I saw my sister take care of her first doll. My best friend just recently ordered one for me and herself, because of that felix brownie sale. (They haven't arrived yet, but my sister had shown my friend the site, knowing I've wanted a doll for a while, she couldn't resist getting one for my birthday and also one for herself because of their adorableness.) My sister is the one who got us both into this hobby, and she's assured us that she will inform us on maintenance and the like. I've been asking her numerous questions while awaiting my doll's arrival, so I figure I'll be much informed by the time they get here.

 

I'm still researching before buying my first doll. It's easy to look for different, beautiful dolls, and to try and decide which ones to aim for first. However, personally, I have already found it more than a little akward to ask basic questions (not on this forum, but on others) as I have come across many somewhat...snobby, I suppose, owners, with large collections, who do make you feel like a complete newb for not knowing how the doll is assembled, how to change the eyes, what to use for faceups, etc. As a result, I still have no clue as to the answers of any of the previous questions. However, I will certainly make sure that I do know, before I purchase a doll. After all, as you said-$600+ is a lot to spend on something you know virtually nothing about.