Doll research *or* Buying too soon?

I definitely think that I bought my first doll prematurely, but even then it wasn't without extensive research beforehand. The only thing that troubles me now about it was that he was a complete impulse buy (I had been saving for a different sculpt beforehand, but I did have the money at the time), but at the same time, my taste in aesthetic has totally changed anyway, and I've become much pickier about sculpts. All the same, by the time I got my first bjd, I did know what to do and what not to do with him, I had the general grasp on how to care for one and understood things such as restringing.

At this point in time, I haven't bought any dolls for over a year, I've kind of just been taking a behind the scenes approach to the hobby for now, saving up some but not really buying. The first two dolls I bought were definitely a learning experience though, and while there's times when I regret it, I still loved them both (and still have one of them, sort of...in head form |D)

Nevertheless, despite all the research that I've done in comparison to actual buying or handling of dolls, I definitely wouldn't call myself well versed on the topic by any means. I could explain to you what most hobby-related terms mean, but actual experience-wise I'm still lacking.

 

When I first got interested in these dolls I spent hours reading about them.
It was their beauty that drew me in, but then I wanted to know as much as I could about why they cost so much. That lead me to learning about how to customize them, what they're made of, how to take care of resin. There was a lot I didn't realize I needed to know about when I finally had my first doll.
I made some mistakes, but I did research after and I know better now, lol.

I'm sure there are people who knew nothing about BJDs, but saw one at a doll store or a convention and just had to buy it. But that's why we have sites like this. To help people figure things out. :p

 

I feelt more safe after reserch and how much it would cost. It's better than jumping in to this hobby and realise than it costed more than you thought, cuse than I wouldn't be in to this hobby anymore.

I joined the swedish community that was filled with good advice and so much help to the members, likewise here on DoA.

 

Well, I didn't know much before I bought my first doll... and I ended up asking dumb questions on doll forums, buying the wrong size wig because I didn't read the ebay listing carefully enough, and spending hours upon hours searching for the poor kid's outfit... Things went more smoothly with the next doll, as I already had a large base of knowledge to draw from.

So, yeah... I don't think "buying prematurely" is really a thing. Most people probably take the time to learn all the things they need to know about BJDs AFTER they get into the hobby, not before.

 

I do a LOT of research before I pick up a new doll. If I can I try to meet up with someone who has one in person before I take the plunge and purchase one. They're really expensive, especially when you get into customizing, so like any other investment I like to be really sure I'm getting what I want before I purchase and end up regretting it.

That being said, that's also why I usually buy second-hand on the market here.. at least if I end up regretting my purchase, I'm doing it for sometimes up to a couple hundred dollars less than I would've spent otherwise!

 

My philosophy is if I love it, I must have it! You can do a lot of research, but I think overall you need to love the way they look.

 

I literally did a lot of research the whole 3 years I was saving for my first doll. It's more to I don't have other things to do since I was stuck in the dorms most of the times. But it really isn't me to just jump into something without even knowing the basics. I thought I at least need to know the things I need to know before doing anything. Its just like Korebeast said, you can't exactly not knowing that smoking while filling the gas tank is wrong. Everyone knows that, right? So why not spend some time in getting to know the basics the least? Or at least READ what the page said. It's like asking the information counter where is the toilet when the sign is clearly pointing to the toilet....in front of you.

I have a friend, she's-well, let's say we discovered this hobby about the same time. Honestly, despite all this time, she still doesn't know how to take off a doll's faceup. She only knows about magic sponge, MSC, pastel and acrylic. Granted its the basic in faceup, but you will definitely want to dig deeper once you decided to do something, no? Well, actually she doesn't even know what to use for faceup until I explained everything to her. I, at least expect her to search some more, but I guess I was wrong? Now, she has more dolls than me and STILL do not know the basic of the doll care.

But that's what friends are for, no? To help while you're in need. I guess she's either too shy to ask here... although there's always the search button. Lol.

 

Two years later and I'm still dipping my toes into MSD/SD territories. I know all the basics of face-up's and I still don't know everything but I want to learn. I wanna be able to do everything without worries without messing up my doll. (Or dolls....Cause as we all know BJD's are like potato chips. You eat one and before you know it you had the whole bag.)

 

I did a ton of research before I bought my doll, about different companies, sizes, how to care for them, restringing, I watched videos about doing face-ups...I spent months making sure this was the right decision. I may not know everything about them, but I made sure​I would be well-prepared when my doll arrived ^-^

 

I did a lot of research before I got my first one so I knew how to care and what different sculpts and companies there where etc. My second one was kind of an impulse buy though so we'll have to see if I bond with her or not when she arrives |D

 

Outside of knowing what "BJD" means and having a very basic understanding of the criteria necessary for a doll to be considered a BJD, I knew nothing when I purchased a LaTI yellow directly from the manufacturer for my 9-year-old daughter who managed to save every penny of her allowance and gift monies for many months to cover the cost of this doll, the basic face-up, eyes, wig, one outfit, and international shipping. Based on the price alone, I realized that this doll was not going to be your "average" doll and would need to be handled carefully and that maintenance care would be involved. I think I didn't realize how very much else is involved in the "care and feeding" of a BJD, because our only exposure to BJDs was through a small handful of acquaintances who had a LaTi yellow or two in addition to their numerous Blythe dolls. I'm still very much a newbie, but the relatively brief amount of time I've spent here on DoA has left me with the impression (not a bad impression, mind you) that LaTi yellows are kind of a "gateway" BJD or a "BJD light" (both literally and figuratively!). That being said, I don't plan on going further with this hobby until I become significantly more educated. Thank G_d DoA is here to assist me with my BJD education...

 

Oh I for sure did research. I did lots, & lots of research. Was expensive, frustrating and taught me not only what companies to stay away from, but also to really love what I did like and be careful how many I get of the same body as well as face.

 

Maybe my situation was unusual, but I had honestly not really known what BJD's were until given one as a gift. I have done many art-oriented projects and have remaining art supplies from them, but at the time had no idea what to do with this doll. I never worked with reson before this girl, and I find that being a BJD owner is a learn-as-you-go kind of thing. I WISH I knew beforehand all the things I know now, but the whole experience is part of the hobby, right?

 

Another one who researched! Or rather, another that still is doing research. Part of the reason I'm bothering to go so deep even before I buy a doll is because I had to know enough to convince my parents that yes, I know what I am spending so much money on and yes, I understand and can deal with what I am getting into. Another reason is the slow saving process for my first doll that I'm still in the middle of (December you can't come quickly enough), so why not make the waiting time beneficial while I'm at it? As a side note, I'm currently trawling through information about customs, online payment accounts and where to get things like clothes, eyes and wigs after (US or China argh Taobao why are your prices so cheap yet your memberships and payment methods so fiddly for foreigners).

 

I did a little research, but I hadn't even heard of DoA when I first got Amir.

I'm the type of person to learn things by doing. I could read "how to"s for years and not grasp the concepts, but let me try it and I'll understand. I can watch restringing videos or look at online clothing patterns or read a step by step list of how to do a faceup and I just won't get it. It all blurs together and I end up more confused than when I started. But hand me a doll and I'll figure it out.

I DO think it's very important to at least read the sales page to know what you're getting. I know someone who ordered her first doll because it seemed SO cheap and she was really excited...only to find out upon delivery she had ordered just a blank body, not a fullset. To be fair, the pictures DID show a full doll with faceup, and could be misleading to a new person who doesn't know what to look for, but a little more research could have prevented that. Plenty of people have ordered wrong eye, wig or clothing sizes, or badly matched hybrids or whatever due to failure to research.

So I think while some things need to be researched first, others are fine "learn as you go" type things. You don't need to be an expert to own a doll. Even the experts learn new things by experimenting.

 

I had heard of dolls from a friend of mine, and I attended a Face-up panel at Anime Festival Orlando. I was given a smaller head, because the girl running the panel ran out of SD's, but I was more than happy.
We got things under way, and her little lilac head was coming along beautifully. I wasn't even really sure if I was doing it right. But when I was done, I had fallen for the little head, and asked if I could buy the head. A sweet nod and $30 later, and I had my little lavender sweetie.

Though, almost every single doll thereafter has been a slew of researching, saving, and pondering.

 

I bought my doll on impulse, but I have a general idea of how to handle and protect her. I'm not planning on giving her a custom face-up because I'm too afraid I'd screw it up, or make it look bad, so other than that I don't think there's really much else I should know... right? :P

 

I've made a research before buying a doll, I talked a lot with my friend who was more experienced at that time.
What I see now: many people buy dolls and have no idea how to maintain them. To make a small research is much easier now, there is really a lot of information online. I'm not talking about how to face up, modify, etc. Just simple things like magic sponge and face mask - even these things are suprising for people who come to me for doll services. O_o
Curiosity is important for every hobby if you really like it. =)

 

This is exactly how I am doing it. There is always DoA, Youtube, books, groups to get information. I ordered a blank Mei to practise face ups before I start wiping and repainting something more expensive. For me too, learning is by doing that which I have read. I just think you can read all you want, until you actually do it, it is just in your head, and what fun is that?

 

I did a lot a research before I bought my first doll. Things like pose ability were important to me so i ended up on doa forums reading what others thought and looking up pictures on flickr. Of course I wasn't a member back then and I didn't have access to the marketplace. Even though I did research I think for my first doll I would have waited if I had known how big the marketplace is because there are a lot of dolls available second hand that are a lot cheaper and at that time I didn't know if I would continue the hobby.