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

it's really really about if you want the doll sculpt. if that's not the doll you really want, it probably isn't the best idea to buy it for the sake of buying one. besides, getting a "cheaper" doll won't really make much of a "saving" money-wise, since in the end, the bulk of the money spent will be on the clothes, eyes, wigs shoes etc. many people start out by thinking that maybe getting a cheaper doll is a better choice, but really, if you step back and think, ultimately, you'll want a doll that you'll keep and bond with, not just any doll. and this means that you should not jump the gun and just take what's the easiest or fastest way out.

 

I'd 'cosign' on what a lot of people have said, and reply with a condensed version of the advice I got when I asked a similar question: worry more about how much you like the doll and less about how much it costs. You might have to save a little longer, but having a doll you really adore is much better than having one you kind of like, regardless of the price difference.

Besides, more than likely, you'll get the more expensive sooner or later anyway, and then the cheaper doll is just an added expense that you could have avoided.

 

well, i just recently bought my first BJD, and he's a AOD. i figured, that i should spend so much on something that i am not familiar with first. like, they aren't clothes where you can try at a mall. i did want to get an Iplehouse akando, and even though i had money, i still would like him to be my first bjd (cuz he's just soo handsome). But the money is only HALF the reason why i didn't get Akando and settled for an AOD. I have my dolls modeled after an untold story i have since like 5 years ago. I saw a molds of and AOD that i just love, and he is really fitting for one of my characters. So i got him, an i didn't regret it. becuz i feel if i buy akando just becuz he's damn hot, i wouldn't be able to connect with him...but now i wuld really love to own an Akando, cuz he can the BF of my son. again, he would also be a character in my story bt at least he wont be htat awkward sitting there..ha ha!

 

Definitely go for the doll you want the most! I had a doll, which I simply adored, but because he was so expensive I ended up choosing a cheaper doll. I still somehow regret not buying him right away, because I ended up buying him later anyway. And in the end he wasn't that much more expensive than the doll I ended up buying first. And if I had bought him right away, I would've got him a lot faster than I did now. If the same happened to you, that you simply couldn't give up on the doll you first had in mind - it will get twice the time to save the money, if you've already spent some on the cheaper one. Think carefully what you want, but in the end let the model be your top priority, not the money you need to spend on the doll.

 

I think you might regret not getting the one you love. I decided to get a limited (second hand - as they didn't make them anymore, at the time, my Johnny Depp MNM) head for my first one because I really wanted it and it may not have been available later on. I'm really happy I chose him as my first doll and glad I went with I wanted. There was one other doll I was considering but she isn't limited and some days I regret not buying her, though rarely if ever now. If you are able to save up that much money then I say go for it! This is only if you can't find a smaller/cheaper end doll that you fall in love with. Its your choice and I hope you make the one that makes you and your future dollies happy!

 

I think it depends on what you want to do with your dolls. I ended up choosing MSD sized dolls because I wanted to photograph them and had to consider the amount of space available to create their scenes. Although I still love the Hound sculpt, I don't regret getting the smaller dolls. But you really need to choose a doll you love. Even "cheap" dolls aren't all that cheap by the time you get all the goodies like wigs, shoes, etc. So you might as well save a little bit longer and choose one that you will love.

 

After waiting 5 years to finally make the decision to get my doll, I can say that I'm perfectly satisfied.

He's a Dreaming head version of the LUTS Moon. I still don't have him yet, but he's on his way.
Personally, I think that because it's your first, and you waited for so long, it should be just fine to get the doll you want, not about the price.

 

Some would say I 'setteld' for a cheap first doll, but even though i've had my ups and downs with my first doll I wouldn't sell her. I love her face too much! Honestly even if a bjd was ten dollars I still wouldn't buy it if I didn't like it's sculpt, it would be a waste of ten dollars. also since bjds hold their value pretty well, if you do buy a doll and end up not liking you won't suffer a huge money loss if you do deside to sell>

 

Money wasn't really an issue when I decided on my first doll, and I don't think it should be for yours, either. I chose what I wanted, not what I thought I should want or what I thought would be better for me for whatever reason. It doesn't really matter if the first doll you buy is one hundred or one thousand dollars, what matters is that you love it.

If you're worried about being able to take care of something that costs so much, don't be afraid to ask questions! You're on DoA, so that's an excellent first step. Read all you can about what's good and bad for these dolls, what you should and shouldn't do, and don't be embarassed or shy about asking if there's something you're confused about, or don't understand.

Or, on the topic of size, look up a meet-up in your area; doll meets are an excellent place to see the sorts of things you could be buying, the sizes, the styles; and the people who attend them are usually really good about answering questions about their dolls. Try not to be too shy, if you're a more reserved person, because meets are an excellent place not only to learn about BJDs, but to make friends with people who also collect!​

 

Let me add an option here.

Get your post count up so you can access the marketplace. Then see if someone is selling the same doll you are looking for at a less-than-new price. The economy has impacted so many of us so hard that a lot of people are being forced to sell off or downsize their collections, and it does ease the pain of parting a bit if you know your doll is going to someone who really, really wants it and will cherish it.

As for me, although my first was an Obitsu, I quickly managed to sell off my Barbie collection to afford the one I really, really wanted, a Dollzone LinLan, which was, yes, about $450. I adore her, she is the doll in my sig, and if I am ever forced to sell, she will be the last to go.

 

Ok hun here's my opinion I bought my first doll for 580 a DZ X, he is gorgeous and is the one in my sig too. U get the doll u want not something that will satsify the craving of the moment. Its all a matter if the mold u want is going to be around for a while to get the doll u want or like someone else said u could search MP to find the mold there.

 

Price definitely limited my selection for my first doll.Luckly for me, the mold I wanted was in my price range. If the perfect mold for your first doll is the more expensive one, I would get the one thats perfect. You shouldn't really try to compensate for the one you really want because if you don't you'll have that mold constantly on your mind and the doll you would have proably wouldn't be as loved as it should be. Besides, if you have to work harder to get that one doll, then having in in your posession will make it that more special.

 

When I finally settled on the doll that I am certain that I want, when I finally order him, he alone is going to put me out 600$ and some change. And that's just the doll. If you're going into a clearly expensive hobby, it's better to spend more on something you know you'll love. Also, if it's your first, decide as if you are deciding on the only doll you can ever have.
I, personally, had to do this because I'm in college, so my boy will be the only doll I will own for quite a while (at least until I'm through with Veterinary School).

Basically, if you love the doll, then go for it! In a hobby like this, it seems like deciding on a doll based only on its price can wind up being a bigger waste.

 

Not knowing you, I can't give advice. I did recently give advice to my sister, though, and I'll share that with you. Having spent some time with my dolls and my Other Mother's dolls, she /knew/ she wanted to join this hobby. She /knew/ what size she liked, having played with my MSDs and SDs and OM's super-duper-75cm-ers. I told her to save up for THE doll, and not get a cheaper doll. She did that, and I know that she will be totally satisfied with her new girl when she arrives.

For me, however, it was better to go the other route. My first real BJD was comparatively cheap: a BBB Sprite, bought second-hand on the marketplace here. OM wasn't into BJDs yet, and her Tonners & Barbies never really appealed to me, so I wasn't positive that I was going to really love BJDs. Not having sewn for an MSD or SD, and not having seen them side-by-side, I wasn't positive what size I was going to like. Not having played with a doll to experience the joint systems, I didn't know how many and what kind joints I was going to want. By getting the Sprite, I was able to confirm that YES, I did love BJDs, but no, MSD wasn't the size for me. If I'd just spent $450 on her, I'd be mighty disappointed--and I almost did that, having seriously considered a Unoa. I'm glad now that I saved my Big Money Spend for my next doll. (Though, I must say, even that was not really a Big Money Spend, since I bought her in many small steps... first the body, then the head, then eyes and wig, then a different head, then her hands, then a new wig... etc!)

So.... are you more like my sister--have you played with several different brands and sizes yet? Or are you more like me--you've seen lotsa pictures on websites, admired dolls from across the room at an anime con, but never actually played with one?

 

price was not an issue at all for me. This is NOT a hobby for cheap people...if you want a cheap hobby then maybe collecting barbies would be better.

For my first doll I got the doll I wanted and thought about price after.

 

I currently saving for a $660 doll and I think you should be try a little a bit harder to get your desire doll.Sometimes the journey to get a doll is hard and bitter,but don't you think it's a challenge for you to get the things that you love the most by you own hands?To be frankly,this is the first time that I do something independently without someone help me to get the things I desire(usually I ask them to buy the things I like for me)..So,even if the doll is expensive than other dolls,just try your best and you will succeed.^_^

 

U know I was thinking after I posted once that my new doll that I am getting is 599 from B and G and I just believe that one should get the doll that u want regardless u can figure out the other stuff later.

 

This exactly. I had to save up for 5 months saving $20 a month to get a doll I settled for because it was cheaper. I would gladly have waited longer to have gotten my dream doll. And in the end I did end up waiting as long and still I am so much happier with it. Go with the one you love, even if it takes you longer to save. If you dont it's just all that much longer you have to wait to get it.

well maybe not barbies *shudder* but more like Volks Neos. they are closer to BJD than barbies ^_^ J/K(not really) running off now

 

As many have previously said: get the doll you really want!! If you spend even $150
on a smaller doll and you end up not being happy then you wasted money that could
have been for the one you really wanted.....that's awful right?? As far as a doll to
practice face ups on, the supplies cost a lot (at least good quality ones) and I personally
wouldn't choose for my first doll to be a face up guinea pig, unless you are very confident
with your ability/talents of course.
Size to me depends on what you want your doll to be, age wise, or what clothes you
want to buy and if you want to take it places with you will a larger doll make that
harder or less likely, if you want a more substantial in presence doll then you likely
won't be as happy with a yo-sd (or smaller) doll. It's a lot to take into consideration
and it actually makes me glad that when I wanted my first doll I had none of those
thoughts or questions to worry about!! I don't think there are any "rules" in this hobby
when it comes to deciding on a doll....just choose your doll and enjoy him/her XD