How did you drop the bomb on your parents / loved ones?

I asked my parents first actually. Even though I bought it myself. I told them I saved my money for a specific reason, and it was my choice what I wanted to spend it on. They don't really like me spending money like that on a doll. But I love them, so I buy them anyway lol

 

My mother sort of knows how much they cost, but my father and brother don't. My co-worker does. Mostly I raved about my first doll and all the things I was planning to do with it, how it could be customized, posed, and so forth. Only later did they ask how much it cost. I tried to downplay the cost and explain why it was valuable, but I still got looks. I actually got more admonition about how weird and alien he looked... I probably shouldn't have shown him to them fresh out of the box with no paint, clothes, or hair.

It's not so much that I feel I need to justify spending so much money (my own hard-earned money) on something that brings me such happiness... It's the occassional comments like "well, maybe if you did buy all those thousand-dollar dolls," if ever I complain about being short on money one week. None of my dolls cost that much, BTW.

 

I actually looked at dolls online and did a little bit of research on them before I told my mom about them. I also waited till my dad moved away, because I know he would've given me the big "It's a stupid waste of money." speech. >.> So I showed my mom in early April and told her I would save up my money for one, and I told her about all the customization I could do with one. She thought they were pretty cool so she didn't mind. :3 Even though she ended up buying my first one for me. XD

 

I not only dropped the bomb, I threw it and ducked for cover. I had the Dream of Doll webpage up with the Dream of Idol Luke ver2 up... you know, the 70cm marked about a whopping $500. Yeah, that was an outright no. Of course.

But it was a grudging yes to get the $300 43cm doll. And then it was another grudging yes to get the second $400 45cm doll. And then my $400 60cm, and then a new $300 43cm. And then it was another grudging yes to get the $250 tiny, and I just paid for my next $300 tiny. And if you add that up, it's well over the initial DOI Luke that I initially wanted. Sometimes I wonder if my resin addiction would've been sated with that initial big guy...

Anyway, I find it best to hit with many small bombs that amount to the big bomb. You know. Break it up. Like layaway!

 

It happened something like this.

Me:"Hey mom I ordered a doll and I am expecting her to come in the mall so can you watch for the package."
Mom: "Okay."

The package arrived and I opened her up.

Me: This is the doll I got from someone.
Mom: She is creepy
Me: Is not.

That is pretty much how it happened my mom really didn't say much about it. I bought another doll and she pretty much had the same reaction.

 

I just said "Look I bought a doll." I'm an adult, it isn't an issue. My hubby knew about dolls, and knew I had interest but it sort of shocked him. My mother was more shocked by the fact that her tomboy daughter wanted a doll than anything else. She can appreciate why they are so expensive, even if she would never spend that kind of money on something like this. Really though, BJD's are not my first expensive hobby. I love tattoos and as anyone who is into ink knows, it isn't cheap. I am friends with my tattoo artist and he gives hubby and I amazing deals, but it is still pricey. I have several tattoos that cost more than $300 in a sitting, and that is without tip. I couldn't even tell you how much my sleeve has cost over the 5 sittings I have done thus far but it is a good bit more than any single doll and it isn't even finished yet. My family is well aware of my tattoo hobby (it is pretty obvious after all) and they know it is expensive. Hubby is especially aware because we share the hobby and he has comparable amounts in his own ink. Even my book obsession has cost probably equal to the BJD's, it is just in smaller amounts at each purchase. Honestly I think after the whole tattoo thing everyone didn't even bat an eye at the dolls. After all, it is just a doll, a tattoo is expensive and permanent.

 

I don't remember much, but the conversation ended like,
"What's it made of?"
"Resin..."
"Oh good, it won't break easily then!"
So now I get a dollar each time I unload the dishwasher

 

I really feel that it depends on the family and such whether or not you drop a bomb. While I really believe that some members of my family will ask to be buried with their money, others of us know we can't take it with us when it's time to go to those pearly gates in the sky. We feel that it's better to spend money on things we need and occasional luxuries rather than pinching the penny so hard poor old Honest Abe cries. I relate it to people who go on diets just to go on a diet...unless you're having health issues, you better eat what you want before you die 'cause you can't take it with you (but you'll sure feel better).

...And while that may be going off on another subject, it's easy to say "oh no big deal" if you're like me and my mom and just don't care, but I can also see some people pewping bricks over something like BJDs and their prices. As an example, I once asked my dad if he would buy me a fullset Puki Pipi from Fairyland. When asked the price, he had an honest "no," and so it wasn't purchased at that time. Two years later or so, after STILL wanting her, she was gifted to me by my mom (though she was basic, but that was still fine). In more recent times I have saved up for my own BJDs, and personally I feel so much better about buying them myself. But there is an example where I have both sides of this discussion relating to me...though I think my dad was nicer about it than some others might have been.

The advice you've been given so far is pretty much what I would do. Just be honest and act mature about it. Hopefully it will go over well. If anything, I think I won my mother over because I said, "well...I could be doing what my peers are doing...you know, going out and spending money on drugs." There are so much worse things in the world you could buy and get into than a BJD. Just be happy with your choice, and even then, if you'd end up wanting to sell or trade him/her, there is a market for you to do so. Someone said something about making an investment...and really, you can if you know how to do so with your dolls. I know for a fact it's easier to resell your dollies than video game systems because like most other electronics, they become outdated at some point in time. If anything, our dolls may go up in value as time goes on. I probably could have asked for a lot more for my Mythdoll when I sold her (since the company no longer exists), but I still made a profit without ripping off the buyer. The money also went to buying a newer doll...haha.

I feel that if something makes you happy and you can afford it, why not? Good luck to you; you'll be fine!

 

Hmmm...let me see...where to start?

My father has been unemployed for around 7 years, and the three of us live only with my mom's income. Money is tight. Hopefully, we'll save more this time around. But asking my mom for a $600 doll seemed silly when I first brought it up. I thought 'she'd never do it'. And she didn't. She did buy me another, much less expensive (though OT) doll.

But since then, I've tried saving. I tried last year, only to realize the doll I wanted wasn't going to work out for someone like me (her body was too thin for most MSD-sized outfits, so I'd need to make them). I gave up.

This year, I've noticed another company with less expensive MSDs, and I've looked at photos, reviews, everything, and I'm happy about my decision this time around. I'm only going to get her with one outfit - as I'm learning to use my sewing machine! - and a pair of shoes. $19 away now. Hopefully, there won't be even more costs after I pay the extra $55 for shipping!

But back to the subject at hand:

When I told my parents, they thought it was a dumb idea. I could use the money for all sorts of things. My dad even recently told me I need to stop with 'the anime crap', and grow up. And knowing my parents, I really doubt they'll warm up later like other people's parents do. Of course, I always leave room for hope.

I can't just go order one out of the blue, and present it. I save the money, I give money to parents, and they put in the order. It would be hard to use my parents' card to order something that's so much money, secretly. I have no doubt the bank or credit card company will call right away. I'd get in so much trouble!

And I get that people are saying "It's not cancer, it's not a Maury-situation... It's just a doll!" I know that, you know that, and in an ideal world, we'd all understand each other, totally. But the thing is, just because you don't treat it like a big thing, it doesn't mean someone else won't. You have your choice whether to say you bought a doll or not; but if you tell them, don't expect them to act cool about it. Outsiders will say it's too much, and they'll sort of look at you crazy because, unlike most doll collectors, you're scouting locations for shootings (ok, that phrase sounded kind of treacherous ). If I heard that a friend of mine bought a doll for hundreds of dollars, I admit I'd think her a little nuts (but in a good way). But you have to be ready for people to criticize because sometimes your business becomes their business for no good reason. And you have to be a little understanding with parents: they just want you to make good decisions, but sometimes a price tag is a bit...blinding to all reason.

I told my parents I wanted a doll, and they asked me what I was going to do with it. Play with it? Keep it on a shelf? I really don't think you could call it 'dropping a bomb' because you're not saying 'Mom/Dad, I drove us into debt because I bought this doll.' All you're doing is saying I bought a doll. Don't end up screwing your own living situation up to get it, because a doll's not worth your dinner! But as of now, even I worry my parents are going to 'forbid' me from buying the doll even though I spend almost all summer saving up for it. Can anyone think of that situation! When you save over $300 for a doll, and at the end your parents won't put the order in? I fear that, but I do agree that if it's your own money, and you're not buying drugs or something bad, then it's ok.

 

Me: -Writes an e-mail with desired doll's link and explanation that this is what I've been saving up for.- (She's been asking me why I've been unusually frugal lately.)

Mom: -Finally looks at e-mail.- Seriously?

Me: Yup. Isn't just fabulously cute~!?

Mom: ....Uhuh. Better keep savin', kiddo.

And that is when it hit me that every time I mention things to my mother in e-mail, I get a good reaction. Probably because she's too preoccupied.

 

My mom is pretty overbearing and looks at the purchases that I make daily, so she always knows when I bought a new doll.
But for my first one I told her months that I was going to buy one but she always said "no way" until I just bought one. I don't understand why she doesn’t like Bjd's she has no problems with other dolls.

 

I just told my mom straightly
"mom I want a doll D:" and there she goes happily net shopping with me -_-;
She thinks that I'm very tomboyish so she's very surprised and been supportive ...
Although the first time she was abit shock by the price,she doesn't seem to mind later-_-;...

 

It wasn't really a bomb to drop when I got my first bjd.
My parents are used to my kookie doll collection, so when I get Meskhenet in the mail they thought she was cool.
My mother likes her the best of all my dolls. Looks like Mom is getting a BBB for xmas!

 

My parents dont care really, as long as I am happy. My dad thinks dolls are sad and my mum doesnt like a lot of them because they look sad in some pics. But the one I am getting and the one that I am saving for she loves. So its all good.

 

I just started by showing my paretns pictures on the internet of dolls I was getting, and asking their opinion. Thankfully they ended up filling in the blanks from that, and since they've always been accepting of my weird hobbies (I cosplay as well) I didn't really have to drop any bombs there!

My step-dad's mom absolutely hates my dolls though She thinks they're creepy.

 

told my mother the news yesyterday because I couldnt handle the gnawing feeling in my stomach :p and she was alright with it. she just asked which one I bought and thought that it was very cute. Then I showed her some other dolls other people made and she was allright with it. She had to ask for the price ofc and I said I had paid it in small portions and that my doll will be worth more should I ever want to sell it. And well :P she is ok with it she was like: huh, did you expect me to become angry then? Then I promised to start to save for my drivers licence next and then everything was ok ^^ phew!

 

I'm not planning on telling my parents at all! I know my mum would completely freak out about. She thinks dolls are for children. Fortunately I don't live with my parents any more.

 

I always leave out the price when telling anyone what i purchased and how many i collect.

 

I don't have a doll yet but when I showed my mother a picture of a doll that I wanted to get. She was just like (WTF) and you can see that in her expression. Then my whole family were all like "I could buy better things with that 500-something dollars.". Though I don't care what they say because it's not like it's their money. Plus I even told my mom I would buy it with my own money and she told me that it's my money and I can do whatever I want. Though she did not understand why I would waste it on dolls. Then my sister's were quite unreasonable and kept calling them barbie dolls, which they aren't. I even told them that but they're just too immature to understand the meaning of great dolls to sucky dolls. xD

 

I got both of my boys while I was staying with my girlfriend on the other side of the country. When I came home, my parents were so put off by my decision to cut off my hair that they never even tried to ask what the heads sticking out of my tote bag were. I've been home for a few days and the boys sit on my dresser or desk or bed when I am out with friends, so I know they have seen them, but the topic has yet to come up. Maybe someday it will, maybe they will just ignore it, but I know I'll lie about the price. They do not need to know how much my boys cost!

My parents like to try to control what I buy, but my dolls were a gift from my girlfriend anyway. They're going to think it's weird because it's something that came from my girlfriend, a concept they are still not used to and very uncomfortable with. Two 60cm dolls along with short hair and a girlfriend is a little too much for my parents at this point! It's all one thing to them, I'm sure.

I don't plan on getting any new dolls for another two years, and by then I will be out of the house, so it's no longer their problem.

I understand why the money is a big deal, but some people need to relax. It's your money, you do what you want with it. Me, I'm not interested in a large tv or a fancy phone. I just have what I have. I don't need the latest stuff, I don't have brand name clothes, and my expenses are light, so I have room in my life for bjds.