Is it considered cheap if all someone's dolls are second handed?

An Elitist might say that second hand dolls are "cheap" as in No-good. Pretty much in the same way that people will not buy from secondhand clothing stores. EI: "Eww, wear clothing that some else wore? Gross!" but an "Snobbish" doll collector might say: "Own a doll that was touched by someone else? Eww no!"

Not to say that there are arn't collectors like that out there, people who silently judge others by the dolls they own, how they got them and how limited they are. (also how "perfectly preserved" the dolls are.) It irritates me to no end to see these kind of collectors. They tend to buy dolls more as a status symbol.

 

While my first dolls were bought direct, I actually do prefer second-hand dolls - but maybe ones that aren't that old so haven't yellowed.
It just saves so much waiting time and it's such a waste, in my opinion, for dolls to be made when there are existing ones in great condition that can be re-homed. It saves materials, money and time - shipping costs aside.

So I don't think it's cheap, I think it's smart! :3

 

Getting second hand dolls are perfectly fine but they're not always that much cheaper.

 

I should very much hope there is nothing wrong with adopting second-hand dolls! My goodness.

Seven of my dolls are second-hand. For one thing, I like giving a home to other people's dolls. Second-hand dolls are a bit like stray cats, don't you feel? Secondly, I live in a country 'blessed' with high customs taxes. I have become sick and tired of having to pay up to 1/3 more than what people in the States or in Asia pay for the same doll and of suffering the completely arbitrary customs treatment. So yes, sometimes when I would like to have a doll from a company that has no European dealer, I search the MP and wait until a fellow European has one for sale. So that means double good feelings: I'm adopting someone else's doll, and I don't have to go through the whole customs thing.

I don't consider that 'cheap'. Like others have said, second-hand dolls are not necessarily cheaper than new ones. But even if all your dolls are bargain dolls, why on earth would I judge you? I'd say, "well done!"

 

I don't think that the assumption that just because a doll's second-hand that means it's cheap is right.
After all, the doll you might want to buy might be limited edition, therefore you'd have no choice but to buy it in a second-hand market. That, and I think the prices of some second-hand dolls actually increase, so, in the end, they can even be much more expensive than when they were originally sold? Or something like that.
Anyway, as long as you like a doll [or generally anything,really], it doesn't really matter where you get it.

 

It's cheap in the sense that you save money, and it rehomes dolls that aren't as interesting to their owners. I see it the same way as pet adoption, try to find one at the shelter instead of going to a breeder. It just makes more sense to look for secondhand because you'll probably get it twice to three times as fast as ordering from a company.

 

I love the second hand box openings as much as the new doll arrivals. Plus one benefit of buying second hand is you normally get your doll a lot faster. I've been waiting for months and am keeping my fingers crossed that I'll like my new doll as much as I did when I placed the order. I find that I'm constantly discovering new companies and sculpts that I like so I'm afraid that my tastes will change during the wait time. So for me, the MP is very desirable.

Though it can also be frustrating! I recently sent payment for a doll that I was super excited to have and was totally dismayed when the seller sent me a refund because her friend had talked her into keeping the doll. What a bummer that was.

 

Definitely NOT!!! It would absurd to think otherwise.

 

It's preposterous to think that. There are so many older dolls that one can only get through the MP, eBay or in the case of Volks, by winning an One-Off. I would totally scoff at someone if they were to utter those words.

 

No! That's all I have to say about that

 

All my BJD so far have had prior owners. I like that I was able to see them before a purchase/order and there was not a wait to get them. I did not have to wait and worry about what I would get. I knew what/who they were and could have them much sooner than dolls that are ordered and take months to get. I also think it is fun that they have a history already.

 

Not at all
Second hand is not always equal cheaper

 

Only three of my dolls were bought new from the company. My most popular and expensive doll, my Minifee Woosoo, was bought here in the forum marketplace.
What I like the most of buying second hand is that I get the chance the buy the doll I want without the big shipping costs from Asia and the risk of custom fees.
Also it gave me the opportunity to find my Serendipity Noel, they stopped producing her years ago and it's very rare to see one on sale.

 

If it wasn't thanks to the second hand doll market, I wouldn't have many of my dolls >_< I only buy new when it is limited and I know that if I don't take my chance now they will be too expensive later *coughssoomcoughs* or if I can't find a good price on the second hand market...for example: I search for dolls that can be purchased any time (non limited) I always choose to search the market place first and if the price is more expensive or almost the same, I have to take into consideration the state of the doll, yellowing, damages etc...depending on that, I will either decide to purchase from the company or from the market place. Having said that, I love second hand dolls *looks at her darlings* and would never mind to buy them.... especially if they are limited...if they're limited expect to pay MORE than original price.

 

Nope, it's not cheap at all! In fact, I am often more impressed to learn that a doll was purchased second-hand than brand new from the manufacturer. Most second-hand markets are pretty heavily guarded, like the requirements to access DoA's marketplace, for example. So I tend to think "gosh, that person must be pretty well connected to find that beautiful doll!"

Also, I love secondhand dolls. I love it when they've previously been named and photographed. I love when they come with a "story," and I get to be a part of it. Secondhand dolls definitely are not the "cheaper" option, but they're often the option with character and story.

 

2nd hand bjd are certainly not cheap! Most of the prices of these doll hold value even 3rd hand.

 

I wouldn't think so, it's like adopting a cat that belonged to someone else. Doesn't mean you're cheap for not buying a new baby kitten from straight from a new litter, and it doesn't make the cat any less valuable. I'm sure there are snobs that think it's cheap, but that's in EVERY fandom. Lolita, cosplay, gaming, action figure collecting, designer clothes/shoe enthusiasts, etc.

I just ignore those people most of the time.

 

I bought my Emma directly from Iple and while waiting for her I found out that a friend was selling I doll I was very interested in. And I bought her, brought her home 9 days before Emma arrived. Maggie is as precious as Emma to me, I saved something buying her (at least customs and shipping), but I was just overjoyed to be able to bond with a doll that my friend was sad she couldn't bond with. She can see it in my photos and at our meetings and Maggie now is cuddled ^^... So, yep, it's more or less like when I adopted my Kira (I have two big dogs): I didn't choose her, but I love her just like I love Spettro, and I'm happy that her former owners, who were sad to give her away but really couldn't do otherwise, can see that she's fine and happy now with me ^^.

By the way, I missed the point. Buying second hand CAN be cheaper, if the doll is still produced, if anything because in some cases you at least save the customs and somewhat on the shipping (but as someone has said, if the doll is discontinued or rare, you might pay it more). But it's not cheap ^^.

 

I can't imagine how anyone would know someone's dolls were second hand unless the owner told them, and even then, how would they know how much they paid? Not that it matters, because who gives a flying flip if someone's dolls are cheap or not? People have reasons for choosing dolls that cost what they do, usually personal reasons, so who is anyone to judge? When I search for the remaining dolls on my wishlist they are few and far between, and from what I've found, MORE expensive than if I bought them directly from the company, so I'll be purchasing new to actually save money....I guess that makes me cheap. Who cares? I'm searching for bodies, new or used, that are first and foremost, cheap. I admit it, there's nothing wrong with it, it's where my priorities are right now and I don't see why anyone would care if someone else also buys a doll with the issue of its cost at the top of their mind.