Is it ok to think of BJDs as a form of investment?

it depends how much of a demand there actually is and what company it is from. There is no guarantee that it will double or indeed ever increase- it may be that whist they sell out, they are not that popular and the price may even decrease at re sale value. limited does not necessarily mean desirable.

It is also sad that someone who really wants it, misses out becasue you bought two and they are 'forced' to pay more later on. It seems really sad for them- but then I guess things are only worth what people are willing to pay.

 

I personally wouldn't take the chance. I've bought many limiteds myself - all ones I fell madly in love with - and I've only seen one go up in value. (and a couple didn't even hold their value). Doesn't bother me, since they were all bought because I love them. But if I had bought them as an investment ... And everyone else is right, it's very looked down on by the community. If you bought one and just couldn't bond, well, that's understandable. It's happened to all of us. But if you bought one just to resell, it seems to take the heart out of our hobby. (But that's just my opinion!)

 

I'll use the word 'investment' with my husband (who works in the stock market), so he understands a little better. But otherwise, all my dolls have been bought for love and love alone. The few I've sold were sold sadly after pondering for awhile. Also, I've only sold during financial crisis, or when all attempts at bonding failed. For me, I would hope to be less emotionally involved with a real investment.

 

I can think of several dolls that are 1 of only 20 or 40 in the whole world, and several more that are the only one of their kind--and yet they are so far from having doubled in value that their owners are lucky to (a) find a buyer at all and (b) not to lose most of their money, if they decide to resell.

Case in point: I'm now the (very happy) owner of an early Customhouse unique, a white-skinned Bin that was released in 2003 with a special faceup and costume as part of a K-rock band tie-in. I bought him for $500--just over half of the original ~$900 release price. Second case in point: I bought another Customhouse Unique, the white-skinned Demian, for about $600 a couple of years ago. His original release price, less than two years before I bought him, was $1100.

I have no idea why you assume that the specific limited doll you're interested in will double in value. Maybe there is something particular about this release that justifies the assumption. But there is no general pattern in BJD collecting that would make that a sure bet. And there is no evidence at all to suggest that even an epic level of frenzy over a doll right now will have enough staying power to make "investment" for resale worthwhile.

On the other hand, yes, you might get lucky and find yourself with the next Bermann on your hands.

What worries me about your post, though, is that you seem to think there's a direct correlation between time after release and rising secondary-market value. I'm afraid you'll be setting yourself up for bitter disappointment, if you go on believing that. With the occasional spectacular exception (a pristine, all-original Jumeau Triste, for example), dolls don't work that way, have never worked that way, and are never going to start working that way; BJDs are no different from other dolls, in that regard. Collectibles markets are much too capricious to be sound areas for investment.

Anybody remember Beanie Babies?

Yeah.

 

Wow yeah! I have about 200 and I doubt I could get 200$ for them.

 

That sort of behavior is frowned upon because it is viewed as taking away someone's chance of owning that doll, or forcing them to pay inflated costs to purchase it after market; however, it is not illegal and as has been said, it happens.

Keep in mind that speculation is gambling. Just because a doll is limited, doesn't mean that it will increase in value, much less double. You may make money, or you may be lucky to resell your doll for the price you paid... it depends on how popular the doll is (or becomes).

 

I couldn't agree more. I personally see it as selfish.
I wouldn't buy 2, just to sell one at a later time, to make a quick buck.
It's taking away the chance for others who totally love the doll, but can't buy it before it goes out of stock, because a future scalper wants to make a few extra $ .

Theres always the other thing though, someone buys (x)Doll, not for later resale,but for total adoration&love for the doll.
A few years down the line, they go off that particular doll, and try to sell it, and if someone offers them 2x the normal price, then great!

But for buying 2 just for a later resale, not nice in my book.

 

One more thing to consider, especially if it's a tiny doll, is that cute as it is to some people, it might not pass the "Asian aesthetic" test for DOA. That's no reason not to buy it if you like it, but it might make it harder to double your money, if you intend to re-sell it, if you can't list it here.

 

Thank you so much for everyones reply.
I didnt realize the negative effects it has, i will most definitely just stick to the one

 

I have old dolls. Our oldest girl is older than me, she has been with my mother for nearly 50 years. I strongly agree with Cynthia in FlintHills.

Through observation: You should be the first owner of a highly desirable popular doll made by a reputable doll company known worldwide. The doll must be identifiable to be authentic through its box, wrist tag, or the manufacturer’s inscription on the doll’s body. It should be in good physical condition, its facial colors must be original without blemish, (unless it was originally scarred by the doll maker), it should have its original cloths and hair. It is better if the doll has been featured in doll magazines, catalogues and books.

Our old dolls have not made us rich because they do not meet all of the above criteria. Although they have not made us poor, I don't dare to see any doll as invesment. I bring home the dolls I love, those that make me happy, not the ones that I perceive will make most profit at resale.

"Hey Sarah Sarah, whatever will be will be, the future's not ours to see...."

 

If you do plan to do this just be aware that after asking this in an open form you may get "SCALPER!!!!" thrown at you in a not very nice way. That said what the secondary market for any BJD is a total crap shoot.

 

Well, there's nothing from stopping you doing so, but I personally think it's a bit unfair. If you were buying two to actually own, I think that's a different matter. Just selling one for profit is ... well, it's really not a cool idea. And there's usually no telling how any doll will take to the 2nd hand market.

 

How very true that they grab at us on an emotional level. I also agree that people use the idea of dolls as an investment to justify the $$$ spent.

I also think the word "investment" is being used in many ways. The original question posted was more about the ability to resell something and recoup costs, not whether the dolls will actually make money. Interesting part semantics have to play in this discussion.

For me, I have always thought of collectibles as somewhat of a liquid purchase, buying many second hand myself. Its a great way to start a hobby and trade up to the dream items.

 

We where actually discussing this somehow the other day at a teddy- and doll exhibition here in Denmark.
I think a doll could very well be considered an investment. If you are good enough to mod or do face-up, you can easily sell it at a higher price later on. Or if your doll becomes 'popular' or is a limited, people would pay big money for it. XD
I guess that must be similar to an investment in stocks. ;D

 

I learned a long time ago from Barbie dolls never to buy with the idea of it being a good investment. I loved them at the time that I was collecting them but I was also
somewhat unconsciously buying them with the thought that they would increase in value and I would be able to resell for a profit. I was so wrong. Barbies went crashing down and I would have never believed that I could find some of the most expensive collectible Barbies being dumped online for almost nothing. Although Barbies will always have a special place in my heart as a favorite doll from my childhood I am past collecting them and am now stuck with boxed dolls I couldn't get rid of if I wanted to. Although BJD's are really popular now we don't know what the trend will be. I always hope that I am able to resell a doll for at least what I paid for it but I know now not to count on it. So now I only buy dolls that I love for my own enjoyment not as an investment.

 

I think it's ok to think of them as an investment; although, when I personally decide to buy a doll, it is more a matter that I like the doll and have plans on keeping it. However, if I needed the money because of an emergency, I would not hesitate to sell my dolls. But, I would have a very difficult time deciding which one to sell.

 

O.o wow! Speaking of Beanie babies, I know this one Flea Market down in Kissimmee, FL where I bought like 6 of them for about $.25 each. <.< well, that fad kinda fell on it's face.

 

I think it's both good and bad to think of the dolls as an investment. I personally try to buy sculpts that I think will at the very least, retain their value overtime [This has both worked and failed for me just so you know xD]. However, I don't really buy with the intention 'If I re-sell I need to make a profit'

As many people have said before there is no telling what could happen to the BJD market. As we have seen before with many crazes such as Beanie babies, barbies, and collectible cards [I still have a binder full of pokemon cards xD] popular trends tend to come and go. While I don't believe doll collecting is a trend that will vanish one day, who's to say the BJDs will stick around forever? Or to the same effect...retain value over time? In my personal opinion, and I'm not a psychic, but I think that BJDs will be around for a while. I don't really see them as expendable as beanie babies or collectible cards, but who's to say right?

As a precaution I never buy a doll because I believe "This doll is a good investment, I'm sure it's value will double or triple in a year." [Miomo, this is sort of applied to your question ] That's a bad way of thinking in this hobby. I admit, some of mine have increased in value [at the time I speculated they would], and one of my doll's value [one would believe at the time he would still be increasing] plummeted significantly. He's my CP Breakaway from 'o5. I bought him before the 2008 re-release, and the recent Fairyland re-release. At the time, I spent a good chunk of money on his head. I love the little guy to death though so it really didn't matter when he was re-released. I avoided the chaos if anything. However if I were to try and re-sell him now, I doubt I'd get anything over half of what I paid because the market is now saturated with Breakaways. It was a good lesson overall that just because something as subjective and non-essential is valuable now doesn't mean it will be valuable tomorrow. If you buy a doll because you think it will be a great investment, you may be disappointed with the outcome. For two reasons; one you have a doll you can't sell to make back to make what you spent on it, and two...you didn't even like the doll in the first place so you are stuck with it.

 

seeing them as investment is the only way i can justify buying such expensive dolls.(but deep inside i know im lucky if i get what i payed for