Is there a unsaid rule about beginners and dolls?

I hope I don't make a fool out of myself because I'm sorta new in this hobby but I've got friends who know WAY more than me. X3 So if I ever have a question, I just run to them for help. ;u; I will do whatever I want with my doll though and I won't let any opinions on her bother me. I just got her recently so I am not focusing on what other people think. o3o too busy trying to figure out what clothes to make for her. I will say though that I'll take care of my doll very well. ^^ I'm always worried about breaking these dolls, and even if I was told that resin can be sturdy, I always want to be careful! o3o;;

 

You're worrying too much, OP.

Seriously, I've been at this for quite awhile now and can honestly say that I've *never* seen anyone raz a newbie because they decided to start out with a Limited, a full-set or even a pair of dolls. In fact, I think you'll find that quite a few of us here have done exactly that... My own first dolls were a pair of Standard and Dreaming CP/Delf Shiwoo twins, and seven years on they're still with me.

As Tez and Jenny (among others-) have already said, there are also absolutely no rules that dictate the things you have to do with your dolls once you have them. While some of the serious hands-on types who can't imagine NOT constantly tinkering with a doll, and the loopier folks who honestly believe that dollies all have souls, may occasionally tut-tut and wring their hands over a collector's "neglected" and "lonely" display-cased "cabinet babies", it's rarely a serious issue. You're allowed to do your own thing in this hobby. I promise.

I feel pretty qualified to say that, actually, since I'm one of those collectors who keeps most of her dolls behind glass, rarely sews for them or photographs them, never goes to meets, doesn't write doll-fic and generally just has the crew here because I like to look at them.

 

I'm in agreement with Brightfires. Members here don't really care, you may get several that say you're lucky for getting an LE as your first doll but I doubt there would be any negative reactions. I bought an LE as my first doll and only recieved positive responses when I posted my box opening. I don't write backstories for my dolls like most, unless I'm feeling inspired. I buy dolls because I think they're pretty, plain and simple. Don't worry about what others think, since it really doesn't matter

 

I don't think so! I was around 14-16 when I got into the hobby. I got my first doll for Christmas as a gift from my mom. (At the time, she was making a lot of money) Given, my family was rather annoyed I got something so "menial" for so much money, but they got over it. Honestly, I actually don't blame my family for thinking that way. My first boy was around $700 and 700 could pay taxes or put food on the table. So there is a certain level of guilt with my doll. I'd say, there is no "rich girl" here. BJD is generally an expensive hobby. If anything, we're technically all "rich".

 

I think it's definitely more of a thing of taste when it comes to your first doll. Some people want Bobobies, and some people want Volks. If anybody is mean about it, it's because they're not nice. Generally people in this hobby are very accepting.
I ordered two dolls essentially at once when I first started. One was what I considered pricey. Nobody judged me and people just took me in. I made friends so quickly and learned so much.

 

Anyway, what would be wrong with being rich? Snobby isn't a good thing to be, but rich??? You can never be too rich! Or have too many dolls, IMO!

Of course, I only joined the hobby about 18 months ago and I already have 8 dolls! Almost every other month I've bought one! And all of them called out to me, I swear! The first one I got, I spent months agonizing before I "pulled the trigger." I was delighted with her, even though she was very inexpensive for a BJD (a BBB sprite). The next two dolls (DZ Mo and FL PongPong) were both wishlist items that I found on the marketplace for excellent prices and in excellent condition so I pounced while they were for sale. Then a BBB green tiny was an impulse buy but I still love her (at $88, Mooney sure doesn't break the bank) and the next, RS Pixiu, was just debuting, and I couldn't resist his cute wings and impish smile. He needs a ton of work (sueding, body and wing paint, wardrobe, etc) and then my 5-star YO TongTong was also a wish list item that I saved up and bought new. The latest family member is my only fullset! A megi from the JS Black Friday sale. I got a great deal on that boy.

So for me, acquiring dolls is about looking for what I want at the best possible price and at the right time in my budget. I space out my purchases so they don't impact my ability to pay my bills. As long as we're responsible, why shouldn't we have some fun with some of the money we work so hard to earn? Life is short. Be happy!

 

Hey, if it makes you happy, who cares!? I'd envy you for jumping right in and getting a few!

 

Falling for lots of dolls is perfectly normal, so welcome to the hobby! The only thing I want you to keep in mind is, like all purchases, to wait a while before thinking about whether or not you really want it. Save you and your wallet a lot of heartache...

There will always be rude people in every group. That doesn't mean they make up the whole group, or that they can ruin your love for anything. Enjoy your dollies!

 

I'm with most of the others---do what makes you happy. The only time I'd ever think somebody shouldn't have started out with a limited or otherwise expensive doll is if they threw a fit and demanded others buy it for them....or didn't budget well and ended up in a financial crisis due to poor planning. If you have the means to pay for your doll without putting yourself in a bad situation, by all means, go for it!

I joined the hobby and got my first doll at 25. He was supposed to be my only. Now, I'm at 32 dolls and I've bought more than 10 in a year. So what? I'm using my spending money after necessities are taken care of and I'm getting the sculpts I like. I'm not rich by any means, I just don't spent much money at all on other stuff, like partying, going out to dinner, coffee, electronics, clothing, shoes, purses, etc. There are plenty of other hobbies that cost as much or more than dolls. It's totally up to you to decide what to do with your money.

 

Psh, the only two dolls I own are LEs, and I don't see any different between them and normal dolls! My first doll, even as an LE, was super cheap compared to my Soom. I seem to get interested in either "sold out"/rare/LE dolls, so... And I'm technically still a beginner, too, I don't think the number of dolls, or their rarity, changes you as a person at all. I certainly don't think girls with more dolls are snobbier than others, in fact, it seems like the more dolls people have here in my state, the nicer they are. xD (Not that any of them aren't nice, they just seem to get progressively nicer.)

 

I am scared to talk about the prices of my dolls with other people. My friends have been rude enough to compare it to a drug habit because of the cost, but dolls are just as expensive as some game systems, fashion, textbooks musical instruments. Ive finished my education, own a gaming computer and cant play an instrument! How I spend my money is my business and technically speaking spend it very efficiently. You will encounter people who abhor the hobby like my mom, who has grounded me in the past for ordering online ( what I bought was less than $30! ) and tells me to grow up and stop buying toys and playing video games. I'm not in a position to pay large taxes or mortgages so why should you do without when you are passionate about something? Never sell yourself short and not pursue a form of self expression. I took voice lessons for ten years and was hired to sing in bands and at bistros and musicals. I could have made a career of it but got discouraged because of others telling me to be realistic. It was the biggest mistake of my life! I could have gone to music school and be acting in professional musicals or have a CD out by now but instead I got an English degree at a college I hated and work at Starbucks. I've lost most of my voice because if you dont use it, you lose it. If I had stopped writing or drawing as well I might have died. Its important to nourish the loves you have that touch your soul. Otherwise you might lose it.

 

Is this too much? Will I be labeled as snobby or rich for doing this?
If you hadn't made this thread, it's doubtful anyone would have paid attention to how many dolls you bought. I'm surprised that you read negative opinions about people starting with limiteds or fullsets. Most people in the hobby advocate buying what you really want for your first doll, rather than a cheap doll that you don't like as well. Also, buying a limited or fullset is generally no more expensive than a standard edition with the clothes/wigs/eyes/shoes purchased separately. In fact, I usually save money by ordering fullsets because I don't have to pay shipping from several different places. I don't think the purchase of anything makes anyone snobby. Some people may assume you're comfortable financially, but not necessarily "rich". If you were buying many Enchanted Dolls at once, people might assume you're rich, but not resin BJDs.

Is falling for dolls like this normal? Especially around the holiday event season?
Yes! Early in the hobby it's very common. Events can also trigger doll buying sprees.

 

Congrats AngelicLies, on getting your first, second, and third dolls! Now here's some of the best advice I ever got...You can only control your actions, not anyone else's reactions. So if you're happy with the dolls you've chosen to spend your money on, don't worry about what anyone else may (or may not) be thinking. True friends are happy for eachother when they are able to achieve something like getting a special item they've been wanting. And experience has taught me that anyone who has a negative reaction to my interests isn't really someone I need in my life because they aren't in my corner, or on my side.

 

I think it is fine to order lots of dolls at first (especially if there was an Christmas event going on). If people call you rich and snobby then they have no idea what they are talking about. It is okay to order lots of dolls right off the bat.

 

The only thing I can ask is how about NOT scaring the newbie's about certain things.

(Lessee what made me wanna just get a vinyl MSD to save myself the worry of breaking a resin doll...Oh yeah wiring/different body with double joints/all other things that honestly made me re-think it all...)

Now I've found resins I've loved again and I don't wanna have them ruined. By anyone verbally or psychically.

 

Why would anyone care about your doll purchasing decisions? But then, of course, I'd also have to ask, why do you care? Who are you in this hobby for? It should be for you!

 

Your right but sometimes peoples opinions come on a little too strongly....I decided to get a Kid Delf doll and nothng I mean NOTHING is gonna deter me either.

 

Definitely not. I ordered two dolls at once because they were fairly cheap, a 68cm girl and an MSD. Not even a month after that, I ended up getting a Yo-SD and a couple of off topic dolls.
In the following month I spent hundreds on clothing, wigs, eyes, etc. I ended up spending more than a thousand in total.
I don't throw my money out, but I do tend to save it until I find something I really love. I love dolls, so why not spend my money on them? As long as you know that you love them, there's no reason to not buy them if you have the means.

 

To AngelicLies....I liked that you said that you start whatever you get into extravagantly. I do that as well....I call it my current obsession. I have had several in my lifetime, but I think BJDs is gonna stick. Glad there are others who get into their passions "extravagantly"...it is nice to know there are others out there more like us than not, HA

 

I think this is just like some people love to play golf... some people love to play poker...
just relax and be happy -w-