Doll research *or* Buying too soon?

BJDs have a major want factor, when I saw one for the first time I was instantly going WANT WANT WANT then I looked at the price and had to back up. Back then I didn't even know it was a hobby I just thought they were really beautiful and I wanted to use them in an art portfolio.

I went back to it when I found the time (high school was so tiring) and now I've been doing a huge amount of research since the end of last year. I look at dolls and compare them, if I don't know something I find out. As the OP says, it's such an expensive hobby that I feel I have to do my research first. Especially with the extra handicap of living in NZ a country where I've never met anyone who knows what they are and where I've heard of no doll meets or anything ever happening. It's probably easier when your in Japan or the UK or America where there are some people in your timezone to talk to about it and ask questions. But I'm committed to it now, I will get one home

Plus buyers remorse is a big deal for me, I don't ever want to regret a doll purchase, I'm totally unwilling and unable to give a doll away or sell a doll so I have to be 2000% sure that I'll always love the doll before I buy it or I'll feel guilty.

 

I wanted a BJD for my art as I am a figure painter. I started a project on broken dolls (self portraits as I am a bit broken in the spine) and thought they'd be perfect.
I saw a swap for a 5stardoll Emma for a custom Blythe on Blythe Kingdom and was very tempted, but I asked around some of my Blythe friends that had BJDs if this would be the right kind of doll for me.
I was advised to go for an MSD to start with and was given a list of types that were good posers and was advised against certain resins that are extra prone to yellowing.

So the main research I did into BJDs was poseability and body/face type to find the doll I wanted. I didn't really worry about maintenance stuff as I knew after I joined here that I could find out most of the info I needed. My first BJD is a Minifee DES but she had been badly sanded in the bust area and had damage to her face up. I really loved minifee hands and legs, and their posing ability, so I went for this doll as she was a bit more affordable than a non-modded doll.

I have now recarved the torso to have a better small bust, but now I need info on dealing with yellowing and sanding, which I am gradually finding out. Once I have her pink skinned again, I will deal with her stringing, which may be overtight.

I know all about what not to use for face-ups etc as I already customise Blythe dolls (although I need to learn how to paint great eyebrows). I am not afraid to carve as I have carved Blythes, Pullips, mini pullips and a hestia (which is my cheap experiment with resin). With each doll, I have always been drawn to the rescue dolls, as I love to make an unloved doll, desireable again. That's why I bought my minifee...even though sometimes I think I've bitten off more than I can chew!

I guess I just wish it was a little easier to navigate the wealth of information available on the forum. It's just so big!
Maybe I did buy too soon, but then again, you have to jump in some time.

 

This is a big pet peeve of mine right now, actually. Seeing people "impulse buy" a BJD just because they're pretty or because other people they associate with have BJDs... that bugs me.

I was aware of BJDs for about three years, and started doing research about two years before I actually bought Paul Sebastian, my first SD boy. When I started doing research, I realized pretty quickly how involved this hobby can be and realized that I needed to do a lot more research before I would finally be ready to own a BJD. When I finally felt like I was ready to buy one, I started looking for a "starter doll" and ended up falling in love with Paul when I saw his previous owner selling him on eBay. Obviously I didn't know everything (I don't think anyone ever knows everything) but I had the basics of how to take care of him and maintain him. He was made in 2007 and is still beautiful in 2012.

This ^^ You've summed up my current pet peeve about people "impulse buying" their first doll. The importance of reasearch in my opinion really is to help you learn what the hobby is about and whether you really want to get into it or not. If you still really want the doll(s) after a month, a couple of months, or even a year of research, then it probably isn't just a phase. Currently, I'm seeing a phenomenon where a bunch of people are buying BJDs because other people they know have them and "omggg I want one toooo!" I mean, people are free to do what they want, and if these people just want a BJD because other people they know have one, that's their business. I just think it's kind of silly to get something simply because all their cool friends have it, without really knowing what they may be getting into. Some of them may get hooked and stay in the hobby for a long time, and that's great! Others will probably sell the doll as soon as the novelty wears off, which is fine too. What makes me sad is the ones who, when the novelty wears off, will just pack up the doll and forget about it.

 

Personally, I didn't do any research before I bought my first doll, except to find out that people pay for clothing for them and as I like to sew this could be a good thing to get into. My first two were just models, I really came to love the hobby after I got my third.

Also not everyone intends to do their own faceups/mods, so knowing how to do those isn't a requirement or a priority for them, and their lack of knowledge in that area is totally excusable, imho.

If your standards are extensive knowledge of how to mod and do faceups and a huge passion for the hobby, I bought "prematurely"---but for my enjoyment of the hobby and the business I set out to get into, I bought at more or less the right time. I've since sold my first two, so do I wish I'd researched and gotten two "keepers" right off the bat instead? Maybe a little. But they've been successfully re-homed and my friend who bought them loves them, so <i>somebody</i> benefited from my inexperience.

Learning as you go is totally fine. As long as you <i>do</i> learn and don't haul off and put oil paint on your doll without asking anyone, or do anything else to harm the doll, you're not hurting yourself, the hobby or anybody else.

 

I think carefully before buying any doll. I feel sorry for those that seriously would use a $4 bottle of X on their doll because they can't afford paying a couple bucks more.

 

I'm curious, if you don't mind, why does that bug you?

When I started with BJDs in 2003, for all intents and purposes, I "impulse" bought my first doll. The reasons for the purchase are practically the same as the ones you listed above - I thought she was pretty, and a few people on the (fashion) doll forum I frequented had one. As you can see, I'm still in the hobby and I don't see myself losing interest anytime soon.

While purchasing expensive items left and right without much thought may not be the best idea for strictly financial reasons, I don't see why impulsively purchasing a pretty BJD is such a bad thing, if finances allow. Worst thing that will happen is that the doll is not liked and is resold. No harm, no foul.

 

It is confusing to pick out a doll , there are so many!!!! Once you narrow it down , there are more questions about the size, sex of the doll and accessories. The more you research , the more confused i got . After buying the first doll , things get easier.. just do it!!!

And no , i wouldnt touch a $500 dollar doll.. even if my life depended on it. No risks whatsoever!

 

I did research on the types of dolls I wanted to so I wouldn't end up poor and clueless. If you learn these basics like sealants and proper paint brands, you'll be so glad you did!

 

It all comes down to what's going on....I know that even despite the fact certain dolls are not limited edition, some companies will let their basic dolls sell out, and then it's awhile before they become available again. In cases like that, if said person has the money and willing to spend it, is aware their doll is from such a company, and they just hurry up to get it before it disappears, then I can understand that. If say this person has a doll friend in person that they can use help from, but then, for whatever reason that friend is unavailable, that's also understandable.

But all the same, yes, knowledge and preparation is key! I impulse buy about as much as the next person, but not over a $500 doll. I'm in the midst of buying my first doll, and it took me over a year to decide what I want, get everything I would need for him, and research. I'd rather wait a year and have a complete doll that I'm content with, than have a naked, bald, blank doll in a month, and I can't even decide how I want it to look. That's just me though!

 

Heh yea idk atm I'm liking how I'm learning. Yes I jumped into buying one without knowing how to customize or care for her at all. But I'm taking my time before doing those things. I'm not putting a thing on her until I'm with a friend of mine who has long owned BJD. Shes precious and now that shes here I learn all about her. Oh yea I was raring to jump outta the gate but I'll take my time before shes personalized. I'm learning everything slowly. I get to craft her lots of clothes before shes customized a herself too! But you never know after I know everything and decide to get my next doll I might prefer that way of doing it.
I think everyones different. For my having the doll in front of me facilitates my learning but I'm not rushing by any means. If I had tried to learn first I woulda gotten so frustrated and full of wanting.
I should mention I only bought a 26cm first. Maybe thats why I feel this way.

 

I first saw theses dolls in about 2002 and they were very expensive and all the rage over in China, Japan etc, I loved them so much as they were like physical representations of my manga characters.

I have read about them for years on and off, but it was only this year when I took the plunge and bought my first BJD dolls, so six months later and I have 18 dolls it would seem I do nothing by halves lol

I'm still not to sure about doing my own face-ups and the thought of restringing a doll gives me nightmare's, but I love my dolls and they are proudly displayed at my house [out of sunlight] I really don't see me stopping collecting these dolls but hopefully I will slow down.

 

I did a little research before buying my first doll but there is much that doen't make sense until you actually have a doll in your hands. I do not think buying on impulse is necessarily a bad thing but I think sometimes you end up with a doll that is wrong for you that way. I got the wrong doll for me the first time and resold her at a loss to someone who does like her. It was a lesson that cost me a little money but not the end of the world.

 

I'm always of the opinion of research now, buy later. Seriously, even a tiny bit of research can not only entertain your thoughts of 'want' but also help keep you from making 'big' mistakes that could cost you a fairly decent amount of money- like ordering a super pretty, but also limited outfit for a doll in a size you don't own, and can't wear when you get the doll, because you didn't understand the difference between an SD and an MSD, for example.

When I found out about the hobby, I was fascinated. I knew I couldn't afford one right away, so I set out to do as much research as possible in the mean time. This research, particularly when I narrowed down which doll I wanted, actually was the difference between ordering a whole doll or a bunch of useless parts.

I don't just apply this to dolls either. It's always a good idea to gather information first before making a possibly hasty descision- even if it's just a quick google search. The way I see it, having more information can't hurt.

 

My first doll was a MNF Shushu, I sold her the same day I got her. After that I joined DoA in February and didn't purchase my next doll until I had done loads of research. I received my beautiful MNF Chloe in June and she is the love of my doll life. Research is your friend. If you miss out on an event or limited because you need more time so what, they come out with new things everyday just take your time amd really look at the doll you want.

 

I happened to do a lot of research (a year or so worth) but ended up still making a bad choice for me. My problem was, I did research and not saving so I went for a "cheaper" doll that I thought I was in love with. Ended up very much disliking my choice. BUT, now that I have saved for the doll I actually want, I feel good about it and the amount of research I've done has helped me make the best choice for what I can do now.

 

I wish I had done more research and less impulse shopping, I did nothing disastrous but I would have spent my money differently.

 

I am getting ready to purchase my first doll and have done some research. I'm not sure if I would consider it an impulse buy or not since I have known about BJDs for years, just never thought I would own one. Since deciding I actually want to buy one, I have looked at various companies and prices and sculpts while setting aside money.
I'm not interested in doing my own face ups, so I haven't researched that, but I have looked into sewing clothes some and what not to do with my first doll.

I think SOME research should happen so you don't impulse buy a doll without looking around, but some people either can't get on DoA or don't know about DoA (although, google is your friend) and so they don't do any research beforehand.

 

I bought one impulsively this last weekend. Now, i've wanted one for years and years but just never seemed to have the money. I was at Dragon*Con, and there was a booth with about fifteen or twenty of them and I just couldn't help myself. That being said, I don't see why it's a problem to just jump into a hobby. The only way you're going to really know is to do it. You don't just research crochet and then pick up teh hooks and yarn and begin creating masterpieces.

I seem to be the minority who believes it, but ultimately a hobby is something that you decide you want to invest in and spend time on. Every collection starts somewhere. You never treat your first comic books the way you should according to long time hobbyists, and the same seems to be very true with BJD's. Just because a doll isn't researched to death before purchase doesn't mean she/he can't be loved just as much as any other. Personally, i can't wait to sew up the dress I have in mind for my girl. I think she's going to be faerie awesome =) (resin soul mei)


On a side note, i'm very grateful to find out i wasn't extremely overcharged because of 'con pricing'. That made me very happy, though i would have willingly taken that hit for her.

 

I think just a little bit of research on care and a lot of looking around at is the key before coming into the hobby because that way you know what NOT to do and to make sure you love the sculpt you're getting.

It was completely NOT the way I normally do things but for this hobby, I just jumped right in. I did do research...but not about things like face ups or cleaning, staining, yellowing, or anything about resin really. I looked into companies, color matches, compared all the sculpts I was considering, sizes, and so on. And it wasn't because I was impulsive, but because when I wanted to get into the hobby, I was afraid that this site would be too elitist (because of needing invites and I didn't know about the marketplace and how watching who comes in could prevent scams) so I didn't try to come here. But even when you're new you can see just about the same amount of stuff that you could see if you weren't registered so I thought I was on my own and as I hadn't seen anything at the time about care, I didn't think to look that up before buying my first doll. I hadn't made any mistakes because by the time my doll arrived, I had been here long enough to figure out what I could and shouldn't do.

 

I've learnt with my first doll that research is important. I didn't relised luts did 2 different types of bodies for the delf and bought the wrong body for the head I bought eariler of a friend of mine. I solved the problem but it was very frustrating.

Before buying a doll I would like to see and feel like size of it, to make sure it feels right to me, there's nothing worse than buying an impulse buy doll and not being able to bond because it's too big/small.