Doll research *or* Buying too soon?

I am new to BJDs and I am afraid I purchased a lot with no research. I have my first 2 now and I think I will be more picky about what I buy.

Aliza

 

I'm in the beginning research stage, and learning that there is so much to learn. All my life I've longed for the perfect doll for me (think of Sara Crewe and her father shopping all over London for Emily), and made missteps in my search (e.g. Gene dolls and Tonner dolls, which are beautiful objects but not particularly friendly or expressive). My main mistake is rushing into a purchase and hoping that the doll will work out, rather than waiting for that moment of recognition and certainty. Fortunately, the price of bjds is high enough that I'm willing to wait and see what comes on the market.

 

I have been slowly learning about BJD's for the past two years and I still don't know if I'm ready. lol :P

But if someone has money to burn on a doll like that and don't mind risking possible damage with trial and error then I say go ahead.

As for me, a $100 doll will be treated with the same kind of care that a $500 doll would be.

 

I thought I've researched enough but after reading the first post, I realised I'm not as ready as I thought.

I'm not exactly artistically inclined so I'm not comfortable with self face-ups so I'll probably commission someone to do it. I know now that I should have some epoxy putty or something to stick the eyes (have to research more on that), and need that special eraser and I definitely need to find out what sandpaper's suitable... & more maintenance stuff. (More reading! O.O)

All these factor in when I'm still choosing the doll. I'm hoping to adopt a pre-loved one so I don't have to bother about face-ups, sanding lines.

So, yeah, definitely research. I think it's enough to put anyone with only a mild interest in this hobby off.

 

I guess you can say I kind of jumped in, considering the time from learning about BJD's and purchasing my first one was about a month and a half. But once I find out about something I tend to do mad research, looking up various things. I'll spend hours on the net doing almost nothing else. Granted I still have a lot more to learn, which I can do for the next five months while I wait for my doll to come home. People should certainly do research, but whether you spend two years or two weeks before buying your first doll is totally up to the person. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, some people just like to learn as they go. I spent almost 3 years doing "research" and going to school for fashion design, and I often still have to go back to the book to refresh certain information, especially if it's something I don't have to do often. So no matter what we're always going to have to do more research. Especially me because I'm really forgetful. xD

 

Heh technically I don't even have my first 'on-topic' doll yet, but I don't regret my first two girls. They're obitsus, and so OT, but I almost decided not to get them and to save for a pukipuki lily instead. I mean, she's lovely and all, but I love Alice and Emilie. I know I only would have decided not to get my obitsus because they weren't on topic and I desperately wanted to share my first doll(s) on DoA. Nevertheless, I don't regret my decision and even if DoA is too stuck up to allow them on here (jk), I love them and don't regret them.

I may still get a pukipuki at some point, when I have the money, though.

 

I don't have a doll yet, and in fact started trying to make one because I've got too much time on my hands right now and fancy myself able to do it (rude awakening, seriously.) Then I started realizing what I was spending on clay and other materials and realized that, say, that DZ lola MSD I really, reallllly like isn't ALL that expensive.
Maybe I'm justifying.
Hey, it's almost Christmas!

 

I usually research everything before I start. It is really a nuisance because I sometimes destroy my own enthusiasm. And, I think it keeps me from making a commitment. But I really do appreciate this skill because I usually get the doll I want. So there is a positive and a negative aspect to all my research.

If only I could actually hold the doll in my hand before buying. I would know right away if I wanted her. But, there are no doll shows or stores with the kind of dolls I want. So I have to buy from pictures on the internet.

One thing I really appreciate is reading others' opinions. When I read about breakage and very long order times or other difficulties, I think twice about getting that particular doll.

 

I've been doing lots of research from this forum, flickr and BJDs owners as I want to make sure I will not feel disappoint to have my doll with me (for some reason such as hard to find clothes that fits or shoes etc.).

I'm happy when doing research as I know that the one I choose will worth every money I spent on.

 

I spent months of getting info about dollfie. I didn't want rush with something so expensive, sth, what I would let everyone look at. After knowing so informations, I started looking for ideal doll for me. I spent 3 months lookin' for it. It was so hard, because I plan to have only one doll, so my needed to be perfect. Then, when I bought it, time when I was waiting for her didn't seem so long ;p
I think that everyone should first get some info, then it'd be less stupidity and ugly dolls (I'm not appeal to anyone).
Or maybe with dolls there is less problems, because if sb can afford it, it's ok, he is not harming anything (or maybe sb's eyes), but for example fish - if sb firstly buy fish, and then start to read about them, he can kill them! It's awful!

 

I don't have my first doll yet but, I ordered him about a month after realizing a BJD was financially possible. I've actually wanted one for YEARS but, since I couldn't afford one all at once and I'm PATHETIC at saving, I put the thought aside. But then I was told about layaway and jumped right in. I've been researching ever since, though. I'm already preparing a dollkit (though I'm not completely sure what all it should contain yet besides eye putty, magic erasers, and string but I'll get there) and I'm watching doll opening videos so I'm sure to open him right and whatnot. I don't regret my decision and I don't regret getting into this hobby but WOW are BJDs a lot of maintenance. It'll be okay, though. I am prepared for the challenge.

 

I've done a ton a research before deciding to buy my first doll, and even though I've been looking at this stuff for several months now it's a lot to take in. Especially when there's contradictory advice, such as the division about whether or not it's okay to use acetone to remove a faceup. But that's just my personality...I like planning things out and knowing things in advance, and it's a lot of money to spend for me to get my doll and have no idea what to do with her. But to each his own--maybe some people like learning after they buy.

 

total agreement, but this isn't a bjd specific phenomenon as everyone knows. Whatever the hobby there will always be bandwagon riders. I really doubt it is about being afraid to be called a newb because these people still ask questions, like you say, with the dolls in their laps. If it was a fear thing, you'd just keep quiet and research :/

but then this is a hobby where you need to learn alot and some people do genuinely prefer the trial and error way of doing things rather than the painstaking cataloguing of information prior to buying that others do. It seems to always fall into two catagories though- people who have money to burn and people who are saving/on a budget. The value of money and therefore the values of dolls are extremely relative! I think this impacts peoples decisions in the way they choose to do things x

 

I have to say I probably did something part way... a little bit of jumping in and a little bit of research. I knew I wanted and was going to get a doll, I did some research on companies and dolls, but not much on deeper doll care.

DoA isn't always accepting new members and I can see how some people might not have the chance to do a lot of research before buying a doll. I was on a few forums before joining DoA and to be honest they were intimidating and provided no help at all. In fact on one forum, someone told me to come to DoA to find the answer...

I learned through some online acquaintances who had got me into BJDs what all the "options" were when ordering a doll but I never researched paints, sealants...etc simply because I was not planning on doing any modifications or my own face up to start. At the time money wasn't a problem either and layaway was super easy so I just went ahead and I purchased my doll with default face up and body blushed. Basic care research came after I got my doll, how to restring, how to clean, even where to put S-Hooks. lol I knew the gist of how the dolls were put together and basics of what not to do (touch face ups...etc.), but everything else came later.

I love my first girl and I've really enjoyed learning through experience with her. I love that I'm learning with my own beautiful doll. Of course I am very careful even after getting her and I would never do something, put a substance on my dolls, or anything else before researching it first. But that's just me and how I do things. I love jumping into things and learning through experience, but I don't take unnecessary risks.

 

I agree. But this kind of attitude sort of appears everywhere, not just in the realm of dolls.

Nonetheless, I see two scenarios:

1. The rushed buyer really really likes the doll even after the purchase
2. The rushed buyer realizes the doll isn't what he/she wanted

Under case #1, I believe it's fine. The owner will eventually learn how to treat the doll right.

However, under case 2, I would feel that it's a little sad the doll who was never intended to be loved would fall into the hands of such an owner. But there's not much anyone can do right? We can only hope that the owner would choose to either learn to truly like the doll, or have them adopted, rather than mistreating or putting them in storage.

 

Being one who did research, I would agree with you.

BJDs are so expensive and there are so many things that an owner should know about them before buying them. Even if a person sees one that they must have, they should still do research on proper care as to not messing up their dream doll. ((Like I spent a few hours every day for about a month and a half doing research before buying my first BJD so that when he gets here, I don't screw him up right away.))

For example......you don't want to pay $500 for a doll, she comes, and then you go touching her face a lot because it's pretty, and that $60 face up you just bought is ruined by the oils in your fingers and you didn't even have her for a long time.

 

I am actually going through somethin like myself recently since I am soon going to be a new BJD owner . I at first was saving money for the Chocolate Aro Idoll at Dollmore but realized I would be disappointed at the size and would want a bigger doll. So, I found Clovera at Dollzone but now I am thinking of getting another lovely doll instead @_@.
So I am still stuck on the decision but kinda have the feel of what I now want. It took lots of brain power and time to be honest.
Not because I wanted to "fit in" or anything like that. It's just I found her so cute I wanted to play with her and take millions of photos of her cuteness and show how proud I am of having her is all. I guess...I just wanted a new friend with me to always have with all the time and that I can talk to ya know? I wonder if anyone felt the same when they purchases their first...^_^

 

I have been interested in BJD's since June of this year and I spent at least 3 months researching, looking at blank heads, playing with my friend's Fairyland Minifees, reading as much as possible about resins that are good quality, and figuring out with companies I liked the best.

I now have a Fairyland Pukifee, a Minifee Karsh, and a Minifee DES head. I love them dearly. I'm really happy with them. I know the terminology and I bargin shop I've learned a lot from just reading and researching on DOA! I also ask lot's of questions!!

I feel like what I did by waiting instead of jumping the gun for a Angel of Dreams doll or Bobobie (not that they are bad dolls AT ALL, just not what I REALLY wanted!) has made this hobby much more enjoyable for me.

 

I had an entire paragraph written for this, but my computer deleted it >.<

So in a nutshell I agree with you, I don't like seeing people buying these dolls n a whim and asking obvious questions later on. They take too much time and energy to just be bought with daddy's money. (sorry if I sound like I stereotyped that) They need more attention than that, and I find people who bought a BJD like that don't keep them for very long and just sell them away, or don't take care of them.

 

I spent a long time researching before I bought my doll, I had become interested in them a couple of years before I finally got mine and I'd done a lot of research over that period, I never thought I'd actually be able to own one but I spent a lot of my time looking into it just out of interest anyway.