Is it a good idea to get a $450 doll if it's gonna be your first?

Welcome to the hobby that will leave you saying "These dolls are stealing my money!"" ROFL! actually there are cheaper dolls out there, but why settle? if one of those dolls makes your little heart go "pitter pat" and you have the money, I would buy the one you like most and not settle for something cheaper just to "have a doll" besides, saving up will make it more cherished in the end..
my first resin was a modified Soony head,that I bought in late 05, she came with a faceup that I loved..I never touched or changed it..she went through a bunch of bodies..and finally last year I decided she needed a new look and gave her one...then I decided that she no longer fit in..my likes had changed...and I sold off the head....
well guess what..I missed her and figured she would be gone forever..but the person I sold the head to, still had it and had put it up for sale...I bought her head back..and am thrilled...she was still my first love..and none of the other can compare to her...so buy the one you love the most..all the others will come eventually.

 

Well, like some people have said, price shouldn't be a deciding factor, but I do think that it does kind of depend!!!!!!
1. What you're going to do with it, if you're going to do mods and such, I would suggest a cheaper doll
2. If you totally don't know ANYTHING about bjd's.... well then I would wait a little until getting your first doll...
-sharpie... nightmares.... ew- XDDD

I know people whose first dolls were SOOM MD'S D8
So it doesn't really matter! Just make sure you pick the one you love, and that you're going to take really good care of it!! ^^

 

I had the same conundrum early on. I went to the DDE and nearly ended up with a lesser quality doll just because I wanted one in my hands right that second. It was so hard, but I left that one and in a few months, I found Sabine

The money is important, too. You wouldn't want to become enamored of a certain mold only to find that you can't afford it/it's already gone... >>

The best I can salvage from my awkward little speech is: If you love something, let it be until you can keep it forever. Oh, and ignore any naysayers. They're just jealous.

:3

 

I think if its the doll you want better to spend the extra money then getting a cheaper one and regretting it

 

It is always much better to save and spend more on a doll that takes your breath away than buy a cheaper doll just to have a doll. That said, I don't believe anyone should bankrupt themselves for a hobby

If you have the opportunity, try and get to some doll meets and see a BJD in person, get used to the weight and the feel of the resin. Have a look at the different sizes available and see whether SDs are right for you or whether you might prefer smaller dolls.

If you can, why not PM people who already have the type of doll you're interested in and ask them for some pros and cons about the sculpt, about the body and about the company they ordered the doll from? By asking these questions, you might be able to buy the dolls you're interested in by a layaway or through a doll agent in your country which could save you some money on customs fees and import tax.

If you've got your heart set on a certain limited, don't worry so much if you don't have the money right away. If you're determined enough you will be able to find the right doll on the after market, just save up hard and be ready with the money when you see the doll available for sale.

 

I spent over $1000 on my first doll, so I'm probably very biased but I think it's best to just get the doll you want regardless of price. You're shelling out a lot of money whatever you get, so buy something you're happy with. You're not going to break it just because it's your first doll - as long as you do some research and be careful with the doll then chances are you'll be fine.

 

The way I think of it is this: $450 is going to take some time to gather, no matter what. Why not use it to get the one you love? Even if you find one that is half that cost for practice only, it just means you're going to be $225 further behind on achieving the goal of getting the doll you really love that made you want to save up for a doll in the first place.

 

I agree with pretty much everything everybody already said. What' the point in getting a doll you don't love? My first doll was my dream doll, so I think everyone should at least get a doll that they love, if they really can't get their "dream doll" first off.

 

There are a few questions you can ask yourself before taking the plunge. Do you love the doll enough to save for it, no matter how long it takes? Are you willing to spend that amount on a doll? If your answer is yes, then that is the answer of whether you should buy that doll regardless of whether it's your first or your last.

Before I took the plunge, I bascially sat down and figured out how much I was willing to pay for a doll and that influences my choices. I try not to look at any dolls that go above that price because then I would just feel frustrated that current finances don't allow me to buy it. I do have a "dream doll" which I would love to own but it's not essential for me to own that doll right now or ever if I don't have the finances for it.

 

How much you spend depends on a lot of factors. For instance-- $450 is chump change for some people, and for others it can take years to save that much.

You might want to read some of the threads discussing "bonding". This can be a big deal for many people. Many times it does not work out, the reason being, you are buying something you have never seen or possible held in your hands.

It also would be interesting to see the percentage of bjd lovers who have sold their first doll. I would venture to guess it would be fairly high. In addition, this bjd hobby has a definitely learning curve. The more your read, and buy, the more educated you become about what particular size and style that will eventually stick.

 

This is a really common question, as I'm sure someone must have pointed out somewhere in this thread already (I haven't read through it all yet). The common answer to said question is always 'get the one you love.'

Good idea or Bad idea doesn't factor into this decision. I mean, what's bad about it? It's only bad if you're 'settling' on something you're lukewarm about. If you can gather the money or are willing to wait to save up for the more expensive doll, then do it. If not, then this won't be the hobby for you.

 

I had been eying a few dolls for a while before I decided which one would be my first (DoD Ducan or a thrown together Hyde from L'arc en Ciel). When I decided, I had started saving up for Ducan, only to find on DoA a day or so after deciding that someone was selling a Minimee Hyde. I sent the owner a bunch of questions and two weeks (or something like that) later, he arrived at my door. So go with what you want, what you love. Its your first so make it special!

 

I've heard a ton of people say get the doll that you fell in love for but for me, I found a doll at a good price first and once I got her all done I fell in love with her. Different ways work for different people. I'd never even seen a BJD becore I got Nana I jsut though, Oh.... she's so pretty.... I guess I wanted to get one that was cheaper first to makes sure I liked the dolls in general, having never been a fan of dolls I didn't want to spend A LOT of money on something that I wasn't sure of. Now however..... ^_^ :: well lets jsut say I could own a bulldog for the money I've spend on dolls haha.

 

I spent $800.00 on my first doll. An MSD.
And while it was allot, after I got her? It was SO worth it.
Size and price are really what you make of them.
If you don't want to get a smaller doll, then don't.
Get the doll you want to get, even if it takes you a little longer to save.
It will be worth it in the end.

 

I think it's fine so long as you love the doll. My first was over $1000 and I am still paying her back on my credit card, her and the others. I don't have like ANY money ever because of this, but I am fine with it. The dolls make me VERY happy so it was money well spent in my mind.

I imagine you will feel the same. You wil love your doll when she/he comes home and the money spent, even if it was more then you thought you could afford, will be worth the joy the doll brings you.

 

I spent $400 on my first doll and she was only 5 inches tall, so for $450 and much more resin, your getting a great deal! (Yea, just look at it that way!) Oh, and she was a limited as well. And I didn't even know what a bjd was, I just happened to stumble on the site, and had no idea what this cool little doll was. So hey, you know what you are getting, and if you love it, get the one you want. It's way better to spend the extra $$ for what you want then settle and be okay with it, and still get what you want later. Why settle and wait? (The money you would spend for the cheaper doll can go for the wigs/shoes/clothes your new *friend* will demand.)

 

If you love the sculpt you keep getting back at it no matter what. It is a big purchase at first but if you know this is the sculp you love its not a bad thing to go for it.

As my first doll I had a MNF but I really wanted a peakwoods Cue but the price shocked me a little. After I got my MNF I still kept staring at pictures of Cue. So I bought a Cue 6 months later and I was so happy and relieved when she arrived. I was happier with her then my MNF. I still have them both because I really dont want to sell any of my dolls unless I have too ^___^

I am sure you thought this over and over. For me the thing is if I love the sculpt, I want it no matter the price .

 

I agree with everyone else.
If you love those 2 dolls, you should save and get them.
You could settle for something cheaper and you'll probably end up selling them and still wanting the others.

 

My first doll was around $600+shipping. Actually he still happens to be my most expensive BJD... 'Nuff said.

I never understood why people feel the need to get a "practice dolly". Why don't they go for the one they really want? There's less risk of getting disappointed that way (and let's be honest - even the cheapest dolls are pretty darn expensive)

 

My first doll was an Ark by Unidoll, that cost - I think something around 550 USD at that time. I knew nothing about BJDs, then, except that they existed and that I wanted one. *lol* Common sense prevented that I did any damage to him until I'd finally read up on some things. I still got him, he's still in great condition (except for some of the magnets in his ears coming loose and a tiny scratch through one of his eyebrows) and I would never ever sell him again. So I'd say - never mind the price, just go for the dolls you like!