Is it too expensive?

It's only as expensive as you make it...kinda.

You can buy a BJD for around $100, and make it clothes and do its faceup. A hobby for a little over $100 is a pretty cheap hobby!
Let us be honest, though. Most people are going to spend around 500 for an SD. Most people are going to want an outfit to go with the doll, and shoes for that. It's akin to "If You Give a Moose A Muffin." These are all average bare minimums.1 doll, 1 outfit, 1 pair of shoes, shipping. A hobby for around $600 still is pretty decent compared to, say, car hobbies.
NOW add in the "snowball effect" and what do you have? An expensive hobby, LOL.
In all, it's up to personal tastes and self-control to determine the expense.

In my opinion, Ball Jointed Dolls are too expensive for what they are. Prices aren't disgustingly far off from what would be reasonable to pay in my opinion, and I want them soo badly, that I willingly pay the difference. Now that I have dolly in my hands, I would pay for him all over again. I think they are too expensive, but I still see them as "worth it." That doesn't make much sense, though, does it?

 

Uh, no one is going to argue that this hobby is expensive, I don't think. But it's only 'too expensive' if you either don't have the actual funds to support it, or you cannot justify that kind of spending.

Obviously, it's not too expensive to me, since if I ever get the chance--and I will one day be saving for this chance--I will gladly shell out thousands for a particular doll. It's a matter of what you think is worth it to you. Nothing is really 'too expensive' if you are willing to go through hoops to get it... and I don't have the best paying job... but I can pay my bills, feed myself, and still have enough to save little by little for this hobby.

 

I am going to have to agree with a few people on here and say it is both, it really depends on how much you chose to spend, though if you lack the skills for say making the clothing and such then I imagine it can be a bit pricy. Also the snowball effect can make it much more expensive.

 

I think it really depends on how much someone wants to spend. There is no one telling you that you have to buy the expensive dolls, you can always buy cheaper ones that you love.
But on the other side, every hobby is expensive. I'm also doing cosplay, and thats also not cheap.

 

I think this hobby is as expensive as you make it. If you are very talented and can sew, do face ups and wigs, then it would not be that expensive and you could take advantage of it by selling clothes or offering face up commissions, etc. However, this hobby is all about the money, we need money to get the eyes (unless you can make eyes too~.~) shoes and of course, the doll.

In my case, this hobby is very expensive because I lack those amazing talents and I have to spend money for accessories, wigs/eyes/face ups and especially clothes...even for the camera lol

 

I think this hobby is as expensive as you make it, too.
But - there are too many expensive hobbies in a world to blame someone for having such a 'money wasting hobby'. In photography you buy expensive lenses, filters, lights etc. For rare or retro car - vehicle parts. The same thing in BJD hobby.

 

The BJD hobby is expensive, but there aren't many hobbies that aren't expensive!
Having a hobby, something that is not essential to life, is a luxury. Not everyone can afford to have one.
It also depends on how well off the person is financially, some wouldn't view the hobby as expensive because it's easy for them to afford. Others who aren't as well off would see it as very expensive.

I can understand why someone would leave the hobby. They don't really have the time or cash to dedicate into buying clothes and wigs and all that for their dolls. Maybe they made my mistake with my first doll and saved up for the doll but wasn't financialy able after that to buy clothes for it. Everyone has their reasons I guess.

Do I view the hobby as expensive? Yes and No. It's tough for me right now because I'm looking for work and trying to get into school. But I'm not complaining because like I said, a hobby is a luxury and I need to work my butt off if I wanna do more with it. I actually just sold a doll and I'm selling my xbox to afford my new addition. But really, compared to other hobbies this is nothing. I guess it just gets this bad stigma because outsiders see them as just dolls, who sit there and do nothing. While it's true they don't move on their own, people do a lot with their dolls.

As it being as expensive as you make it, this is true!
Not for the dolls, everyone knows they are gonna cost ya. But for clothing, wigs, props all that good stuff - you can find good deals! As for props people hit up thrift shops and even find cheap items in regular stores. Some people buy small amounts of fabric, or get cheap used clothing to cut up and make their own clothes. Your doll can still look great without putting a ton of cash into pre-made outfits.

 

There really aren't many inexpensive hobbies. Cars are the typical example, as a luxury vehicle like a Lexus can easily set you back $50K and way more (whereas you can get a quality, long-lasting car for $17K or less). But sports are also expensive. Take golf, for example. The bag, clubs, and balls are expensive, and golf club membership or paying to use the course weekly really adds up (it costs more if you need to borrow a golf cart). Being a musician is expensive, too. Some instruments cost thousands of dollars, and lessons can cost $1/minute or more. Heck, even drawing can be expensive, if you buy quality supplies! And let's not start on electronics, like computers and video games. Even drinking coffee, smoking, and eating out frequently can cost a fortune.

Unless you want to sit in your parent's house eating instant noodles and wearing the same clothes every day, never going anywhere or doing anything at all, just sitting there, the things you do in life are going to cost money. Dolls get such a bad rap because people see them as superfluous. If you play golf, you're an athlete, and that's cool. If you play a cello and take lessons, you are artistic and musical, and that's admirable. If you buy a doll and paint its face beautifully, make it a lovely outfit, and take a great picture of it, you're wasting your time and money. Most people do not understand our hobby and the extreme talent many of its adherents display through their dolls. Please don't make the same mistake of thinking your own hobby and dolly skills aren't worth the price. So long as you love it and live within your means, you shouldn't worry about it all. (PS: That was a general you throughout).

 

My personal experience thus far has been that this hobby is as expensive as you allow it to be. Yes, the initial investment you're looking at for a doll tends to be more than $100 at the cheapest, but after that there are usually several different options in terms of which eyes, wigs, clothing, etc. you wish to use. I enjoy sewing and designing outfits, so I tend to make my dolls' clothes (or at least attempt it xD) but there are sets of clothing out there that cost more than something I would purchase for myself. I also keep fabric costs down by using recycled fabric, which helps immensely in that department.

 

All of what you said makes a ton of sense! We see dolls as children's toys - things we should be putting away, throwing out, or giving to someone else once we reach a certain age. When we surpass that age, and we are still interested in dolls and other things of that nature, then we're considered immature and naive.

This hobby seems overly expensive because of the value (general)we give dolls in general. I think many people - mostly non-doll people, or beginning hobbyists - might not understand where the cost comes from because they grew up not seeing dolls that way. They see dolls as being less expensive because they're "just dolls." They don't have a grasp of the production costs and the cost of materials that contribute to that high price tag.

And because many people undervalue dolls, they don't see how people can want one. Who wants something that - at its best - can sit there and contribute nothing "worth while" into your life? Who wants to spend upwards of $200 for something so basic, you could probably buy at Toys R Us? I think another reason why people value the items bronzephoenix mentioned is because they're used by people to achieve something. If you have your golf clubs, chances are you will go golfing a few times in your life. If you have your art supplies, chances are you will draw something with them. If you have a computer, chances are you will use it.

What are dolls used for? Nothing, compared to all these things. We're living in an age where we place value on things that will make our lives easier (understandable), but we're also coming to undervalue things that don't do that. People see the iPod worth more than the stamp collection because they don't see why a person would be content with having a bunch of stamps. They see the laptop as more valuable when compared to the Pez dispenser collection because it allows you to keep in touch, do reports, and get things done.

I feel that a lot of people - of course, not all of us - don't see something is worth doing unless something is easily gotten from it. Most people don't see how painting a doll's face, dressing it up, and posing it for pictures is worth anything, but to us, it is. It's fun, and we may not get something out of it, like information, emails, or trips to the mall, but we enjoy it because it's what we like to do.

 

For me this hobby is expensive. I'm a student, my monthly scholarship is 50$ (if I get good marks). Thanks God, I live with parents and don't need to by clothes and food to myself.
I have 4 dolls (SD, MSD, Yo-SD and Tiny) from the most cheap company. Each of them has only one wig and only one pair of eyes. But they really need clothes and shoes =_= Cause I'm not so good at sewing...
If I see doll clothes that cast 10-15$ I think: "Oh my, so cheap! I should buy it!" At the same time, some my human clothes cost 10-15$ =_=

 

You can make all your own stuff for your dolls to cut costs, but then you still have to buy the materials and then there is the base cost itself. While it is kinda expensive, I still don't think its as expensive as some other hobbies. Some people will spend thousands of pounds/dollars on one car for example, either building it from scrap or on a vintage model. Video gaming can also be quite expensive in my opinion, some people will buy one of every new console and then theres the games, controllers, and all the rest. I think BJDs are pretty reasonable =)

writerm I wish I could like the post you made above XD

 

I agree it's expensive if you make it that way. Like me. I have one doll but I have put a lot of money into getting her just the way I want her. I say she's worth it, but it really depends on the person and how they feel or what they want.

 

I can see how it can become very expensive very quickly, but from my perspective (A cheap @#)(^#) It isn't all that much at all. After you're initial investment (Which can range quite a bit) there isn't too much that you need to add. Remnants from the fabric store are fairly inexpensive, and if you are like i am and already horde fabric, free.
Since acquisition of Mr. no name, I have spent 0 dollars on it. I've sewn a couple of outfits, found some scrap craft fur and made a wig, and even rifled through my key-chain collection for accessories, but have not put in a cent into the hobby. One outfit I made was using scraps from the material that I was using for another project.
Now if I wanted a purchased wig, with pre-made clothes and other accessories, I can see how it would become cost prohibitive. I will have to put some money in if I decide to do face-ups for the materials, but that still isn't so exorbitant when compared to many other hobbies.

 

I definitely think that this is an expensive hobby, sure it has its creative sides making your own clothes and wigs, but the doll itself cost quite a bit. Also as for some dolls that are off the market and no longer available, their prices can sometimes go higher than their original selling price But bjds are still a wonderful hobby none the less and I think it is totally worth my money.

 

It's expensive but if your willing to do the leg work to Get the money then why not indulge yourself on a hobby you enjoy? (My mom didn't even want me getting an Obitsu but she was very happy to let me save up for an RS Mei after I told her I wouldn't get a tarantula....Looking back on it a T is more trouble then a doll.) If you start off small to get a feel for it and yes people I mean 1/6th Obitsu's or Hujoo's then going up to resin y'know get your feet wet the semi-cheap way and then comes the 'fun' part.

Wigs, eyes, shoes. If the doll comes with eyes then cross it off, wig yeah it's a must check places for fur swatches to make your own wigs. Clothes for most are pretty easy to make. For me it's gonna be a challenge as to sew for an MSD I'd rather have a decent sewing machine then stitch by hand.

 

it depends from the point of view. For a toy - yes, I think it is a bit expensive. My cheapest doll was $560, it could be not a bad ring or a pair of simple vintage earrings. For an art/collectable object it is cheap - mine, I wish I have enough money to buy Kandinsky art or early Cartier. But at least I can buy BJDs.
It is all in comparison.

 

Something being "expensive" is very relative, one can spend thousand of dollars while others finds $500 so out of there league, I guess whatever floats your boat.

 

I never thought of it this way but I see what you're saying. The problem is, I didn't like this or that particular brand doll because it's more expensive than this other doll. I like that doll because of it's sculpt.

For me this hobby is expensive. If I want a decent clothes, I might have to spend as much as I would for my own clothes! Shipping also influence this hobby. Buying from a company or another member can be painful. Specially for those who commission a service on a doll, shipping back and forth probably will cost more than the actually commission itself

I agree that dolls aren't like kids and it's not asking you to buy anything for it. I mean, yeah I could just get a set of clothes, one wig, one pair of shoe, and a pair of eye for one doll, or just leave them naked, instead of getting them a wardrobe. So, I have to agree that we do have some influence over how expensive this hobby get for us.

 

Like anything else it's relative to you and who/where you are in life. For some people, sure, it's expensive... for others... not really. I suppose it depends on your income and what dolls you enjoy collecting. Everything really is relative~