Is it too expensive?

I agree with many of the other replies to this thread, it is expensive. It just depends how expensive you make it.
Whether or not you think that doll is cheap because it's only $100-200 doesn't actually make it cheap. Sure it may be easier for some to pay than others but if you think of what you could have purchased with that money on other things instead of that doll you just *had* to have last week, or that outfit or those shoes you bought the other day, it's pretty amazing. However you decide what you spend your money on, and if you decide to spend it on BJDs then that's your choice even if it is expensive. We choose this hobby knowing that it won't be cheap

 

Heck,to someone who is rich, this hobby would probably be expensive.
But to us doll owners we never really see it as an 'expense' so much
as a 'gift'.

I really do think that this hobby is intended to be expensive and it was definitely
made so. And I'm pretty sure you don't make the prices that 'high' by accident
and the same goes for the more 'affordable' dolls. You typically don't see a full SD
sized doll for less than 200+ dollars without that being the point.

So I think that the OP has a very good point in saying that it's only as expensive as
you make it since you really don't HAVE to invest after the initial purchase. Even
a PlayStation 3 or X-box, which costs as much as a SD doll has to have games $60+
for you to even play.

I've been a Video Game player since I was 8 and even I think dolls $600+ dolls are a better deal, lol.

 

I am very new to the hobby. In terms of owning a BJD, that is. I have known about them for years before I bought my first. And well, the reason for not buying one before was the fact that this hobby seemed extremely expensive to me (so I used to stick to cheaper OT dolls). Or at least I thought that - I actually had more money than now back then and used to spend it all on pc games and other non-doll consumer goods Due to some changes in my life last year, many consumer goods are less interesting to me now - and all of a sudden I discovered that I have the "spare change" for a doll or two. So I would say it can be expensive or not, and this is always a matter of setting your priorities(as long as you are safe and wealthy enough to think about having a hobby in the first place, but that is the same for all hobbies, I guess - at least according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs).

 

When I started in the hobby, it all seemed very expensive to me, too expensive. My first doll was a Sprite, the least expensive doll I could afford that I liked. Then, like dipping your body gradually into cold water, I got more used to the expense. Now I regularly spend close to $500.00. I've not gone over that yet, it seems to be my comfort zone at present. I do my own face-ups, make my own clothes (I was already set up for that at least) and yes, even make shoes (though I'm not good at it yet). I'm looking into doing wigs now. I buy dolls on the MP, and a couple of them were fixer-uppers. I buy accessories and wigs and eyes on the MP as well, but I've also shelled out for some really nice wigs and eyes new.

All my hobbies have been expensive to some extent-I keep a lot of fish and you'll shell out serious bucks in that hobby as well. I just usually start small until I decide that it's something I'm truly interested in.

 

I've been having that problem too, lol.

I was a horse person too, until my finances took a nose dive -- I did have to board, and though the place I was at was really quite affordable, it was a really long drive out there. If I ever have the opportunity to do it again, I'm finding a place closer to home. Even if the board is cheap, the money for gas really piles up : P

I was also into model horses heavily prior to dolls. I still sort of am, though I don't do near as much with them and have been considering seriously thinning out the herd for $ and space for dolls (what else?). But that was another hobby that could get expensive -- it didn't have to be, and you could hypothetically do it cheaper than bjds, but if you like artist resins -- well, the cost is about the same as a doll, and depending on the size and artists not necessarily a cheap doll. And live show quality tack costs as much if not more than a lot of the nicer doll clothes on the market. I think that's what kept me from getting sticker shock when I first found this hobby -- I was already used to seeing stuff sell for hundreds of dollars.

 

Is this hobby expensive, or is it as expensive as you make it?
It is an expensive hobby, but I really think it is worth it. As long as one does not over limited him or her self then I think it should be good. Also, if one can limited him or herslef not to buy a lot og things for your doll, then you are pretty much good.

 

I would agree with others that this hobby is as expensive as one makes it.

There are affordable dolls out there for the money conscious collector and there are some very expensive dolls when money is no object. Those fortunate enough to have artistic skills and/or technical knowhow can save a considerable amount of money when it comes to faceups, body blushing, dressmaking, etc.. Those artistically challenged or simply not brave enough to making an attempt at something they have never done before, can scour the net and shop around to source what they need, which is of course part of the fun of doll collecting.

 

I have to agree with the idea of that it's as expensive as you make it. Yes, the dolls cost a good chunk of money, but you can always find things on the MP to clothe, give hair & eyes, or otherwise bling out your doll with, for a good price. Of course, I fully believe that everything is relative in this hobby. What a lot of people may consider as expensive (say, Bobobie MSD), is really quite cheap in the BJD world.

 

Its expensive, and as expensive as you make it (at the same time) - You can't make a doll cost what you would like it to cost (like from 300 USD to 100 USD) Because you can't! And it can hurt your pockets when you buy the doll, but when it arrives you will instantly forget that it is ''expensive'' and you just think it worths EVERY penny. But at the same time, if you buy a $120 Dress, $50 boots, $50 in two wigs, $30 (or more) for making your own face up and $25 in new eyes, don't blame the hobby that you've just ran out of money! Because stuff is made to be there, and you can decide to buy it (or not). Hope this is comprensible, lol, because I tend to make things confusing...

 

At first I was stunned at the prices and thought people were crazy to buy these dolls.Yet after looking at hundreds of web pages, spending months on DOA, and generally letting it all "sink in" I am now, yes, paying the prices and ordering the dolls!!
And it makes me happy!!

 

I totally agree. The cost keeps it out of the mainstream and personally I'm African American and I will say that I haven't seen more than 5 other African Americans under the age of 40 that are into BJD's, mainly because of the economics and the stability that older life brings. I've watched and wanted a BJD since 1999 when I saw my first one in a Japanese magazine. When I found out the cost of getting one back then I really let the idea go. Now with more and more companies opening up and a few opening locations in the US, the cost will be coming down soon, not all of the dolls are as high quality as others and price and quality will be the deciding factor for the serious. In other words, I want a good doll for a good price. And yes this hobby is expensive, no matter which way you slice it and dice it. Any thing you get into that costs upward of 1000$ for one of anything, that can not in turn bring in or earn an income is expensive. I will quote my mother, "if you don't help put food on this table, you don't live under this roof."

 

We all have different attitudes as to what is or isn’t expensive. Some of us might find a pair of jeans that initially would cost $100 but are on sale for $50 to be a steal where as the rest of us still would find that to be too expensive. It’s all a matter of perceptive. Also, if you only make $500 a month then a $600 doll should be completely out of your budget unless you intend on saving for a long period of time. Several doll hobbyists, in my humble opinion, reach outside of their tangible financial allowances and make purchases that shouldn’t be made so suddenly. But that’s just my observation.

Is this hobby expensive, or is it as expensive as you make it?

I’d say it’s as expensive as you make it. Some hobbyists are just as content owning dolls that cost no more than $100 or prefer owning damaged or heavily used dolls that wouldn’t cost as much. If you are able to make the wigs, eyes, clothes, shoes and faceup then it would be much more affordable. I would say an initial investment of $150 for a doll and $50 to make all the accessories is financially reasonable for most people.

I think we sometimes make things more expensive for ourselves than need be. Such as purchasing a doll secondhand from across the world instead of waiting for the same doll to appear closer to home to save on shipping costs. A lot of this unneeded expense can be attributed to instant gratification. There also seems to be an understated push in the community to spend, and less of an emphasis on saving. But that could be a result of this being a consumerist hobby.

As far as myself, the most I could ever justify spending on just one nude doll would be $1,500. That’s all I could contribute towards a luxury without jeopardizing my responsibilities and still have some to save. You have to understand your limits.

Most hobbies are, in essense, money pits. Collecting BJDs might seem expensive to some but it has nothing on the vintage car restoration or serious DSLR hobbyists. :3

 

For me, this hobby is only as expensive as you make it. I'm a college student, without a job at the moment (which means broke by default right?) but I've got 9 dolls and five floating heads. I didn't earn all of that money myself, but I did earn some of it, and I think that's the key thing here. If you want anything bad enough, you'll find a way to get it. Whether you have a family, or still live with your family- if you want it enough, you'll figure it out. And if you can't then you can't- this hobby is very much determinate on the individual. You could buy a doll for $80, and never purchase anything else for it if you chose. You could leave it blank or naked or in defaults- it really is up to each person how they want to enjoy their personal doll. I don't like it when people go on and on about how expensive all this must be when it's no more expensive than the American Girl Doll enthusiasts, or the car collectors, or those people who take a big long vacation every single holiday. People spend money on a lot of things in this world- it's about getting what you want out of life in the end.

 

By my standards, anything that requires saving up for is expensive. And just like everyone else, i have to save months and months to afford a doll or doll related stuff.While everyone else in my life can't understand how i could buy nothing for months and splurge it all at one go at something so impractical, i never once saw it as that much of a chore.
Well its just a matter of perspective.
The people i know of spend their money bits at a time spending or tech peripherals, latest upgrades, exotic food, hanging etc, those spending amount come out of their pockets easily, and they hardly ever turn back to count those lost dollars. I can't exactly prove if they do actually spend more than i do.

But the point is that they are doing what they feel is most gratifying for them. And i don't find a need to judge them, or take in their criticism.

I know myself the best, and i have never been happier spending a quiet weekend with my dolls, recharging from the hectic days at work.
Loving a hobby gives therapeutic effect to my spirit, and i find that it worth the cost.

 

I have to agree that it's both. I don't mind laying down a chunk of money for a mold that I love and know that I will have for a long while. Trouble is, they're like lays potato chips, it's hard to just have one, or two, or three lol.

I find my biggest expense is nice clothing and shoes. I have seen a lot of beautiful costumes for the dolls that I would love to own but just don't have the money to spend $80 to $200. I have gotten lucky in that there is now a booth at the doll show here in WA that sells clothes for different size BJD's at pretty decent prices. However, it's become the same thing over and over and wish for more than just tops and pants. But at least they all finally have one out fit and a pair of shoes.

 

I also agree that it's both expensive and as expensive as you make it. At first, I couldn't believe how much the dolls themselves cost, but once I got one home, I thought it was worth it because of how much I loved it! The clothes, eyes, wigs, etc...once you start buying the money adds up! So, it all depends on how much you spend on accessories!

 

Well, I think it's as expensive as you make it.

It really depends on the dolls you buy, the amount of dolls, the amount of clothes & accessories, well, but we use all this, we enjoy it, we customise, we play, we meet others, we're on forums...

I think that having dolls and never doing anything with them would be expensive, as for instance paying for a fitness studio and never going to work out...

And then, there are different ways to spend one's money: someone prefers to pimp up his/her car, well, I prefer to buy dolly stuff and dollies (and my car is not in best shape, but I don't care)

 

I have to agree this is an expensive hobby and one that I literally took a few years to decide that I will start but ohh it hurts so good... love BJD's....!

 

While it is an expensive hobby, I think its as expensive as you make it. When you go into a hobby you have a vague idea as to the costs involved. It's not a requirement to purchase the most expensive doll, or buy them an extensive wardrobe, wigs, shoes and accessories. Its not a requirement to have more than one doll either, and it most certainly not a requirement to buy everything at once.

 

It's both depending on the person themselves. I admit the dolls are on the pricey side. I think what gets us the most is the high shipping prices from companies, and that adds up if you look at it. I try to save little as I can since I make all my clothes, but there is times I might splurge and buy an outfit. Some people have higher tastes the others, and buy the expensive shoes or clothing, while others bargain shop and look for ones in their budget range.

One thing about DoA, you can save by participating in GOs or the second hand market to save on shipping or slightly cheaper items.

Limit yourself and don't go over board by buying every new doll that comes out. Sometimes a little sacrifice can help ones wallet.

So far I think, both of my dolls cost me almost 1000$ in wigs, eyes, shoes, few outfits that I got with the doll, and faceup supplies.