Doll research *or* Buying too soon?

I do tons of research when I think I might buy a doll, but I still occasionally buy one that I don't love enough to keep. Photos, even owner photos, don't always accurately show how a doll really looks, so it's only when I see one in person that I know for sure that I will keep them. Sometimes they are even more wonderful than I expect and I am ecstatic that I have them, but once in a while, when I open the box, I can immediately see that there will be a problem. That's one reason I love conventions; it is a great opportunity to see lots of dolls in person and to be able to see firsthand their resin color, quality, size and all the other little things that, to me, make a doll I would love to have.

 

I was first introduced to BJDs about a year or two ago through hanging out with friends who have them. At the first doll meet I went to those years ago I instantly fell in love with one of the doll molds. I went home and considered buying it then, but in doing the research to find the doll, I realized how expensive it would be and continued looking and learning, but knew that I would not buy any time soon. Over the years I've slowly learned how to handle the dolls and I finally placed my order. It was during the wait for my doll that I did most of my research on what to use on dolls, etc. I mostly read about clothing and face-ups and stringing. I have seen some heavy doll modding and knew I wasn't interested in it, so I did no research on it. If my intrests change I will do research on it later. I also didn't know until my doll arrived that it would have seam lines, so I called up a friend and she walked me through sanding down the lines and my first face up. I was comforatable doing the face up because I knew it could be fixed and I have taken a few art classes.

So to sum it up, I'm saying that I learned in steps, but I did my most in depth learning after I bought my doll.

 

Well, I've been looking at pictures for the past about 6 months, until I stumbled upon Blue Fairy dolls(my loves), and I decided I HAD to have a Sarang, but I wanted WS, as theirs is very beautiful, so for about 3 months I've been researching, and the only way I was going to get a WS Sarang was through the MP or getting a limited which would be from $500 - $600 dollars, and I really didn't expect it to be soon, but about two weeks ago they released a Limited Edition Sarang and I fell in love with everything about her, so now I'm waiting for her.

I must say though, most of the information I gathered was about caring for a doll when you got her, and how to string her and do her face-up, but now that I'm getting her, I'm learning about the difficulties that could arise upon arrival.

I felt bad because I know some people that have waited years to get their first one, so I kind of panicked and felt like I was "jumping in", but I don't feel like years of research is required for these dolls, and I think the researching and the waiting period really give two different kinds of information.

I don't feel like I'm rushing in anymore, because I'm getting exactly what I've always wanted right off the bat, I owe my parents substantially now(lol). I do wish I could have had a close enough friend with one so that I could be there for a stringing or a face-up session, etc.

Also, I feel like you could research forever and ever, but you still don't know what you're getting into fully, until you've held one in your hands.

But, many people impulse buy and love their dolls, but also a vast amount of people also impulse buy and aren't as satisfied as they would have been.

But, when it comes down to it, know your facts.

 

I definitely bought my first way too soon. Not knowing what a faceup is but deciding to buy a doll anyways is what happened to me. My first has one now though and its okay. I guess I should have found DoA earlier. But nope, I just took a plunge and ended up loving her.

After spending half a day researching every thread I thought of that could help me, I eventually learned my lesson, and bought each doll carefully. I learned things not only from DoA but actually having the doll in my possession. There is still things I need help on, but I just ask or search and I get tons of help from the nice people on here.

 

My most recent buy, a Crobidoll Nia, I had held one various times at a meet-up and just loved him so I got my own. Now what I am getting, a Volks Rose, I have now held a Volks limited SD-10 female and so I know what I'm getting into with her as well. I've bought on impulse, and many of them I have kept.

 

I think in getting anything extremely expensive requires some type of research. I'm glad that I am on DOA, so when I do get my doll, I won't make any stupid mistakes in doing face ups or just finding the type of doll that will fit me.

 

I'm about to purchase my first one & have probably been researching for 2 months. I joined this site & it's been soooo helpful because I realized there are quite a bit of things I hadn't really thought about before. So now I'm going back through my list that is narrowed down to 3 and comparing the companies, reviews & pics of the dolls.

I'm hoping that's enough that when I purchase my 1st, I'll love her!

 

I bought my first two dolls without any research. I did read the doll's description thoroughly on their websites, which is why I thought twice about getting Camine - what do you mean $500+ and I still have to pay for faceup and clothes and shoes!? But I ended up getting him (plus faceup) and an IH Lion Fullset. I knew nothing about caring for a doll, customizing, etc. All I knew was that I loved the look of these dolls and I was going to get me some. Although I will say that the Lion taught me a valuable lesson about Aussie customs

Later on, when I decided I'd like to try faceups, I did research on how to do them, what to use, etc. From that research, I learned several useful things including what materials can and can't be used on a doll, how to clean them when they get a little grubby or stained. I also learned I don't have the patience to do faceups

And that's continued to be my approach to this hobby. I do research if I want to know something specific; be it how to sew a shirt, bead a bracelet, or whatever. DoA has been an infinite source of useful information but I didn't find and join this forum until I already had two dolls.

Maybe my saving grace was that I didn't know anything at all about these dolls when I started buying them, so I didn't think, hell yes, I'm getting that doll and I'm going to paint its face myself. I didn't even know you could do that! I was too consumed with working out what sized clothes and shoes to buy for my poor nekkid Camine - DOD boys being slightly taller than 60cm and so much fun to buy for when you're a n00b to the hobby

I've been in the hobby for a few years now and, over time, I've learned a whole lot just by browsing DOA and the various doll sites. But none of my dolls have ever suffered from my ignorance and should I want to do anything to a doll, I would do the research first.

 

Ahhh..As you can see I've been a DOA more than 3 years... and my posting is below the acceptance to be allow anywhere near the Marketplace... ..Why you might asked? ..I've been a silent reader of the DOA forum the entire time... I've been thinking a lot these last past few years... I really love doll... and the ultimate of doll collecting..is owning a BJD...

I've been doing research in every aspect..all from how to take care, face up , wigs..clothing etc2...and even sizes.. whether SD, MSD or tiny is suitable for my taste....

Through those years , I've been saving alot for my dolly funds..bit by bit.... I've even got married during those years, having two kids below age of 3 years old... have a fulltime career in engineering...own all the necessities that I think that I should have..but ..back in my mind...i really need to own BJD... at least one....

I don't know whether it was a phase in life or what (I'll be turning 30 this years.....)... and just before the 2010.... I've already commiting a BJD Binge.... A big time !!!!....It was a craze event in all BJD Doll company....Sales & freebies everywhere...Who doesn't love a good purchase right? I bought 3 tiny bjd and 1 msd..all in December 2009..and my last purchaseI've made was just yesterday....another tiny bjd, msdoll Pan......(I just want to have an even number in my tiny bjd troop...)

I don't know whether this is considering as an impulse purchase...but I don't feel any regret...I feel some kind of fullfillment in my case...so...i think it better that one should make a research first before seriously committing in this bjd hobby...

 

I'm maniacal when it comes to research, sometimes to my own detriment. I spent two years not allowing myself to get a doll, not because I couldn't afford one financially, but because I was fully aware of the emotional investment this hobby will require, taking time away from my other creative pursuits. While as was making up my mind, Mr. Dollshe stopped making Hounds. I do believe that were I more impulsive, I wouldn't have missed on my dream doll.

The moral of the story is: if you* have stumbled on a face that truly calls to you, buy the damn doll.

* You are fiscally responsible, emotionally mature, socially well adjusted individual, with some measure of mental health.

 

my first bjd (Elfdoll Ryung) was purchased after a lot of research. Sadly I didn't own her for long as I had a change in personal circumstances and had to sell her. Since then I've purchased several dolls and each time I've done my research beforehand.

 

One of the reasons I joined DOA (other than to ogle user pictures of dolls) is to help with researching for my first doll I'm very picky and I'm not at all one of those types to just go straight into something without knowing at least the basics, I feel it makes me foolish in public when I myself do something like that. I'm not very brave at all ^^; For those that can do that, all the more power to you C: and everyone's different and has their own preferences on how they enter a hobby, different things work out for different people.

 

When I get in to something; I do lots of research. I enjoy researching things, it's fun to learn about things you actually want to know about. Plus, if I were to buy something that expensive, I'd want as much information as possible.

 

I was lucky enough to have an older sister with dolls, so I knew about DoA, Mr. Super Clear, restringing, the magic eraser, watercolor pencils for faceups, velcro and what have you well before I thought I would buy one myself. Still, in lack of this, I can't imagine I would invest in something so pricy before knowing how to take care of it. Never really had a bandwagon mentality, personally =/

 

I always always do TONS of research before I really get into any hobby, even the very inexpensive ones.
Sometimes I enjoy the look of something but find out later it may be too much work or too time-consuming.
But with BJDs I felt that I could handle everything the hobby entails =D I spent almost a year browsing the forums and learning before I got a doll, and even that was a learning experience; I learned that I can not handle big dolls >.< so now I have two tinies and they are happily keeping my company!

It's always important to know what you're doing BEFORE you do it!

 

Sometimes I think the research is the best part of a new hobby, what did we do before the internet?

 

Oh I totally agree to that. As I found out you could purchase those dolls I really wanted one. Well I also found out that they are very expensive. So I tried to find out about everything about those dolls. Which brands exist and what a face up is and how you should handle your doll. I still don't have my doll and I am still learning about them. I really wanna know everything so I won't mess my beautiful and expensive doll up.
If people have so much spare money on their hands to just buy a doll by an impulse thats good for them ^^

 

My friend got me into BJDs nearly a year ago, and I've been Googling dolls ever since... still don't have one. It's mostly because I can't afford it (I'm not actually old enough to hold a job), and I figure that if I could, I'd have bought one within a week.

Funnily enough, I haven't actually looked into how to do faceups, restringing, modding, etc. I don't really intend to do that kind of thing anyway, but I've mostly just been reading stories about whatever's happened to owners and their dolls... I probably won't get into the technical stuff until he shows up at my house. I made sure I know basic stuff, though. Sharpie's the root of all evil, UV rays aren't far behind, and Nia's no Barbie. As long as I won't destroy him with a stupid mistake, I think I know enough for now, and I have this place to get answers to whatever questions come up.

So, yes, I've been researching my eyeballs out and can't remember what I did all day before this, but it's more for fun than anything else. And like everyone else has said, it basically depends on what kind of person you are, ne? Although, lurking around the forums had me change my mind as far as which doll I'd like, so it can help.

 

Honestly, it seems a bit silly to care so much what other people do with their dolls- it's their hard earned money and if they want to throw it away then that's their business. Not everyone likes to do months of research when getting a doll, even if said doll is a bjd. I personally didn't do any such thing until after I'd purchased my boy and was hanging around here while waiting for him. You have to remember that this hobby is different for everyone, and so the way you handle it is fine, and so is the way that anyone else would. Personally, my dolls hang out on my bed letting their wigs get mussed and buried under pillows. That's entirely my prerogative though- I bought them, I play with them, and if I wanna let expensive dolls hang out sprawled over my bed than I do. Whereas, tons of other people keep theirs in glass cabinets with their special dresses and wigs on. That's their prerogative.

lol- that's my little rant- didn't mean to offend anyone in particular.

EDIT: just a disclaimer! I love that this one has stayed 'offense' free and I just wanted to keep it that way!