From your point of view, is any BJD worth thousands of dollars?

I don't have that sort of money, but I suppose a true craftsman item (absolutely glorious) could be acceptable at that price.

 

From my point of view, no doll is worth thousands of dollars. Hundreds, absolutely. Thousands? Not likely. Now, if we're talking about a prized doll that's so limited and then you buy a lot of clothing/accessories/furniture for this doll that you love and have to have, and you wind up spending a thousand dollars on it, that's different.

If it's thousands of dollars for just the doll, then I'm going to have to say no. People spend thousands of dollars on one room in their house to decorate it and outfit it for their tastes, but if they're going to spend thousands of dollars on just a floor and four walls, it's not worth it to me.

That being said, I also wouldn't spend thousands of dollars on a piece of artwork to hang on my wall either. Or a sofa, a blender, or an entertainment set. That's just not how I am; even if I become incredibly rich, there's no way I would spend thousands of dollars on one BJD. Maybe it's my economic stand point (being raised on food stamps and charity can do that to a person), but I just wouldn't do it.

That's not to say that I would look down on anyone who would, or could do that. More power to you! I'll ooh and ahh over the doll, but I wouldn't buy him/her for myself.

 

They're really only worth it to those that can and will pay that price. To me, if I want it and it's reasonable, I'll get it somehow.

I don't think any BJD except for perhaps the abosolute first doll to be considered an ABJD and/or a Bermann and a select few others that can be seen on the MP already going for 2k USD or higher will ever reach the status of going for thousands.

Most barely move above 1.5k USD So I'm thinking that not many are worth thousands, per se. Just a funky passing thought.

 

-Is any doll worth that amount from your point of view?
Yes of course it is, as long as I want that doll enough The amount a doll is worth depends on how much you want it and are willing to pay.
Is a big TV worth 2k? Both entertain and give people enjoyment, arguably dolls at a higher level. People place a lot of value on things special to them such as their dream doll, especially if it is rare and sought after

-If you have ever bought a limited doll from a second hand market for a minimum of a few thousand dollars, what are the pros and cons of this? And do you worry that it may lose value due to popularity (or lack of) or from typical wear over time? What makes that doll worth it to you?
I will soon be buying a doll just shy of $2k And this is only because it is a mint version of my absolute dream doll. This is the pinnacle of my doll collecting, my GRAIL. He won't be going anywhere as he is already more to me than just a doll
Still, I believe the price does depend on the quality of the doll. If it is yellowed, busted, missing parts...I would not pay 2k for it.

 

They are worth whatever someone is willing to shell out to secure one. And yes at times that is thousands.

 

To the person yes, but if you're wanting the doll to retain value, be a limited, probably not. The Bermann is a case in point. I liked the sculpt, but the intense competition around it was off-putting. I always figured that due to their popularity, sooner or later Dollshe would re-release the sculpt. Low and behold, there's now a Bernard sculpt available for sale that's not limited. Admittedly, there are probably some differences and the Bernard fans can probably point them out, but to the majority that liked the look, the new version will do as well. Volks are the only company I know that tend to keep limiteds rare. Breakaway was re-released at both Luts and Fairyland and the only thing that stopped him becoming a Feeple basic was all the people squealing to Fairyland over him being re-released and destroying the value of their rare doll. The Soom MDs are popular but already soom are having a raffle to sell some of them possibly to get rid of unpaid layaways but they are still being re-released. Basically, if you're buying a doll because it is rare and hard to obtain, the reality is that if you stay in this hobby long enough, you're likely to pick it up eventually at a reasonable price. I know I wanted an Olivia for years but figured I was never likely to get her. Then Volks issued a second version and the price of the first dropped, I picked up a nude Olivia without face-up for less than the original dressed version. Paying 000's of $$$ for a BJD doesn't make sense to me. It doesn't just apply to sculpts either. When I started in this hobby, Evenstar was the most popular artist. Some of her auctions went for $6000 and more. Yet 2 years later when people sold her dolls, they were struggling to get $1000 for them. Popularity of sculpts change constantly and todays favourites can be tomorrow's who cares.

 

Yeah, there probably are dolls with a market worth of thousands of dollars. But I leave them to those who can afford them.

The only case that I would buy a 1K+ doll is if the doll was a sculpt I liked and came as a complete full set: UV-protect resin with sanded seams, high-quality wig, glass/urethane eyes, faceup by a talented artist, well-crafted clothes and shoes set and really nice accessories. I'm sure there are a few dolls or even a few heads valued at 1K+ without any of the fullset stuff, but it's not worth it to me if you don't get the goodies along with the doll. I'm probably spoiled on Barbies, which all come as "fullsets"!

 

While i can understand 1K+ for certain molds/fullsets/OOAKs/etc. i couldnt afford something like that. Granted my first doll was LE and cost almost 1K but i had been saving for months and months for him.

I was at a different financial status then and right now 1K+ is out of the question, so like it or not, love it or not, turn and look away! lol.

 

i think a doll is worth different to whatever people see in them. i personally think that a doll is worth every penny of the purchase price. people buy dolls because they are lovely and loyal. dolls don't betray people. i know that my other dolls have helped me through hard times and were there when i really needed them although they're not all abjs.
yes, definetly worth every penny.

 

honestly, i would'nt ever, ever, EVER buy a doll for that much money. period. i almost didn't get into bjds because of the price, and im talking the price of a bobobie... i still feel slightly guilty for spending $300 on a doll i bought this week... im fairly pratical and don't just blow money willy-nilly.

but hey, its people's own money they can spend it however they want if it makes them happy...

 

Material and labor-wise, definitely no. Not even close.
We're the ones who give them value really.

 

Me shelling out thousands for a doll? Definitely not. After all, doll's resin degenerates over time.
i'm no fan of LEs either, i'll rather get a doll which i can freely change its image without feeling guilty over wiping off their original identity.

 

Everything degenerates over time. Books, stamps, cars, scuba diving equipment...all of them degenerate. It's simply to what degree.

 

Of course dolls, like anything else, can be worth thousands of USDs. As an artist,the greatest insult is when someone says to me, "Oh, that's not worth that much money, it's just a _Item here_." Yes, it's just an object d' art but after a year or so of work and hundreds of dollars worth of MY very expensive painstaking skilled labor, that's what it's gonna cost, Sir or Ma'am.

Would I personally BUY a doll that expensive? No, I'll leave that to the bigger collectors. I'm a hobbyist.

 

In my opinion, a BJD is worth whatever the market will bear. That could be thousands of dollars in some cases.

Would I buy one for thousands? No. If I was very, very wealthy and had the money would I? Maybe, depending on the doll. It would have to be something very, very special, though.

 

-Is any doll worth that amount from your point of view?
Yes. It's almost like asking how much your happiness is worth. To me? It's priceless. My dolls are my best friends and they bring me joy that I can't get anywhere else. I would gladly pay for a friend that won't judge me or stab me in the back!

-If you have ever bought a limited doll from a second hand market for a minimum of a few thousand dollars, what are the pros and cons of this? And do you worry that it may lose value due to popularity (or lack of) or from typical wear over time? What makes that doll worth it to you?
I bought the Bloody Shu Shu from CH off ebay a few weeks after she was released. No, she wasn't thousands of bucks, but when you can barely pay rent, sometimes it seems like it. XD;; When you want something badly enough, it doesn't matter if it's old or new or has some wear and tear, and if it's limited and out of stock? You're grateful to find it secondhand! I kicked myself hard for not ordering her from CH when she was up for sale, but I was so lucky to find her on ebay later! Helen still happens to be one of my favorite dolls.


I just recently purchased one of Dollmore's infamous Lusions. I paid more for her than I did my own car. To me she's like the daughter that my busy life and plans won't allow me to have. I want a child to cuddle and since I was 15 I've been searching for the perfect doll to be this child. After nearly 100 porcelain dolls and ten BJDs (not including the five or six I've sold), I finally found her. And Ross was totally worth it.

 

These are very interesting questions - given the thought that these dolls are art they aren't that expensive. However, to me - "art" is always something that is on display. If I bought a glass bowl because it was art I would't use it to put salad in. I would put it on display and enjoy watching it becuase it was beautiful.

I know many people treat their dolls that way too - like I would treat a piece of art - but to me, dolls are not art in the same way that a painting is or a glass bowl. Because I "play" with them, take pictures of them, make clothes for them. They are my hobby. And therefore, I could never ever justify paying more than thousand dollars for just one dollie. But I can understand why others would, especially if they consider their dolls as art.

 

Well, the most expensive doll I bought was abit over the 1k mark- full set limited with dark resin. I absolutly adore him, if I felt a doll I could save and spend 2k+ for would be loved as much, then I'd go for it.

As a note since many have stated what they are like with money, I really don't spend much outside of dolls, essentials, travel ect. and don't have a large income.

Then again, it could always end up unplayed with due to cost, or not live up to expectations ect. Who knows? I just think it's up to the individual person to decide the happiness they will receive in coralation to the price.

 

1. I do definatly think a doll is worth any amount of money if you want it bad enough.

2. I have never bought an expensive doll second hand.... yet.

3. I wouldn't have the money to pay for a doll that expensive, (in the thousands or higher), but I DO think that there are some out there that are worth that much, (from being limited and what-not), and if I DID have the money, I probably WOULD get a doll that costed that much IF it was one that I just HAD TO HAVE, and there was no other one like it.

 

A hundred is reasonable, thousands or even one thousand? So not worth the money. Personally if a doll is worth a thousand or more, that doll should not be bought.