How did you know you were ready to buy your first doll?

I knew I was ready the second I found out such dolls existed!

 

lol i wasn't ready at all. My first resin baby was an impulse buy lol as soon as I clicked confirm I freaked out haha

 

I first saw bjds back when I was in high school. A girl on DA had a couple and I thought they were so cool looking, but didn't realize that they were actually buy-able within the USA, until I met a few girls at the yearly Japanese Festival meetup around here that had them. It was at that point that I realized how expensive they were and went about trying to get one, continuously lying to myself (and just about everyone else) that it would only be one.

I did a LOT of shopping around, but eventually fell in love with Luts El and purchased him straight from the company. He was (and still is) the only one that I've owned directly from the company. I didn't realize second-hand was a thing until much later. I still own him, though he's worn a lot of hats. At the moment I'm mad at him, because I think he wants to be somebody new and he's aggravating me.

 

My decision was based in an emotional reaction. I have been wanting a BJD since I was like 14-15 and I been drooling over them for YEARS but I just never dared to buy one because I couldn't justify spending so much money on a doll, since I come from a VERY self-conscious family when it comes to money, so for me to spend that much money on a doll just felt stupid as hell.

But then I ended a relationship of 10 years with my BF, in which case I was depressed and sad, so I was going through my tumblr and saw some bjd from blogs I followed and I was like, you know what, screw it, I WANT ONE, I deserve to get something nice right now. And so I bought my first bjd, I loved her and I really liked her but accidentally got her in the wrong skins so I couldn't really bond with her as much but that pretty much open the pandora box and I haven't stop ever since.

I guess I was never really ready or mentally prepared myself, I just needed something GOOD in my life and I decided this is what I needed and it has helped me out a LOT. I work a lot and long hours from very early in the morning with over time every single week, I had no way of relaxing or feeling like my money was going anywhere I actually wanted it to go, but now I do and it makes work better for me. It has also given me a way to destress myself and feel like I'm part of something again. I know buying out of emotions is not a good idea, but I think it worked perfectly for me and it solved a lot of issues I had when it came to money and what I do to treat myself and reward myself.

 

I'd had a job for a year and thought, hey, I've been wanting a doll for years and I have money to spare, why not?

 

After I started buying MH and EAH fashion dolls, I remembered the BJDs I saw on deviantart and started to seriously look into them again. I did months of research started saving my money. I narrowed down which size I wanted to start with, what accessories and extras it would need, and what sculpts and bodies I liked, and how much I wanted to spend. At first I thought my first doll would be an MSD Doll in Mind Flowne. However I chickened out of buying her, because my credit card got denied international sales. Then I started looking through eBay and painstakingly waited for the perfect doll to come my way. Then a Pukifee Cony fullset came into my searched and that was it. The seller was dropping her prices and eliminating items in the sale, like her fullset outfit. I contacted her and told her I would buy the whole set in one lump sum if she put it back at the regular price. She did and I bought the doll, I had a mini heart attack, but it was worth it.

 

I've actually be in a position for well over a year where I could comfortable save for a doll or pay for layaway, so for me it was a need to be emotionally ready. I've been interested in BJD's for years but I was only recently that reached a point where I wanted to do a thing I enjoyed more then I was worried about how my roommates would react.

It was a silly concern for me since my roommates are widely supportive of the things I enjoy, at least mildly interested in BJD's themselves, and I even have a friend who already has a few dolls.

I recently went to a meet where I got to speak with other people in the hobby and see a wide variety of dolls in person and that really helped as well. The group was super friendly and everyone I spoke with seemed like they were just about as excited to introduce me to everything as I was.

 

I spent months, maybe even over a year?, stalking bjd collectors/owners and companies and such before I finally became an owner. It was when Doll-Chateau officially launched their dolls. When I first saw them, something clicked inside me and I knew I had to have her because she was simply perfect. I thought she was the right one because, at the time, even after lurking and looking at all the dolls from various companies I had never seen a doll as perfect and I fell in love. I had also saved up at the time so that I could get her.

 

I actually crashed into this hobby. I really wanted a geisha doll whilst I was in my last 3 days of Japan and after 3 days of running around looking at various BJD's I splurged on a Volks Yori. I was a little in shock at how much I spent but then I really liked how beautiful BJD's are. As time has gone by (being almost 2 years since I entered the hobby) I've come to realise I always liked dolls and would have found my way here eventually.

 

For me it was when I saw a doll that I knew I wanted to work hard enough to raise the money for. Once that motivated me my addiction grew!

 

The feeling of 'I just gotta have that'. I think it has to be a certain doll that grabs you, rather than making the decision to buy one and then trying to choose one. I think that would be really difficult.

In my case, I won the head in a raffle so that kind of sealed my fate. If I end up getting another BJD, I know it will be because I see a sculpt I fall in love with and want/need.

 

It took a loooong time for me. I had been interested in this hobby for almost 10 years before I ordered my first doll and the crazy thing about it was that I made the decision in a split second. I went to Fairyland's page, saw Lacrima and just knew I had to have her. There's no doubt that I fell head over heels for her, but I think it was a change in personal circumstances that finally enabled me to do it. I used to always look ahead and worry about what might happen in the future, but due to certain circumstances I've sort of been forced to live in the moment and focus on what is important right now. So that's what I did. I asked myself: What is it you want right now? What would make you happy? And that was it.

 

Well the time it took me to save up the $600+ dollars let me know my first doll was the right one! Took over half a year, at one point I had the funds but an emergency popped up, and then months after I had the money again! Each time I looked around at other dolls I kept wanting to go stare at my first boy (and usually ended up doing so!). Because it takes so long for me to save up for dolls I know that by the time I have the money, if I'm still viewing my money as doll money, that I want them and won't regret them!

I should mention I'm mostly into SDs that's why it takes so long, each one that I like is usually a $600+ purchase! And that's not including wigs, eyes, clothes. So I know if I still want them after the months of savings I will appreciate them I have had a number of dolls on my wish list that I have removed, because that want faded away. But feelings for all my purchases so far have not faded one bit!

 

Wow, 100% same.

 

Hmm well when I saw my bobobie ariel for the first time I knew it was the for me. Its was just like "this is the doll for me" feeling.

 

I honestly didn't really know what I was getting myself into, I just knew I had to have one of these fantastic creations and as soon as I ordered I couldn't contain my excitement. I dont think I was ever 'ready' exactly, I kinda just threw myself into it and as many others have said before me, "I only need one" was the first thing I thought and boy was I wrong! It took me about a year to save up the money needed since I was in high school and that gave me lots of time to think about what doll would be perfect for me! The wait for my first doll felt like almost an eternity too, always checking the site, counting days down like a mad man... It was a great experience coming home to find this massive box waiting just for me.

 

I just knew when I found the right company, and the sculpt was perfect and something I really liked. The price worked out well at the time too ^^ I guess it's different for everyone!

 

Well, i had wanted one for about maybe 3? 4? Years i believe, and i had collected other dolls before . It wasn't until christmas of last year that i finally got one , and i knew when i saw her stock photo on the website she was the one. Since she is my first doll i get where you are coming from. Ball jointed dolls are an expsensive hobby, but its so rewarding to have a family of resin dolls so i think if you have looked at alot of companies, know the basics and such you are ready. For me when you dive in you end up wanting to swim deeper and deeper into it ! I hope you get the doll you love and have just as fun as i do with mine, happy buying!

 

Did some research, balked at the price.
Did some more research, told myself to figure out whether I really wanted one or not.
Found a cheap used doll, bought it and took note of what I did with it for a month.

After that trial period was over I knew for sure I'd want to go for the big sized SDs and the rest is history.

 

Good for you