More expensive is more appealing?

It seems to me that a lot of the BJD community disdain the cheaper dolls and only respect the more expensive dolls, so I guess more expensive is more appealing. :\ Myself, there are only two companies I like and that has to do with the style of their sculpts and nothing else.

It's kind of funny, because Damien Hirst used this very strategy to become the highest selling living artist ever. A group of art investors (which included Hirst himself) bought that one skull he made (with the platinum and diamonds) for something like 90 million pounds. The reason he did this is to increase the value of his other art. xD

 

I think that, when people see a hefty price tag, people assume certain steps were taken to ensure that this product is of a decent or above quality. This is how I think a lot of people assume that BJDs on the lower end of the price spectrum are lesser quality. People probably assume that with more expensive dolls - or more expensive anything - the product went through more quality control testing to make sure that (in the case of dolls) the joints worked, the resin didn't marble at all, and that the resin was of a certain quality.

People probably (and unconsciously, sometimes) assume that with a doll that costs only around $150 tops doesn't get that same treatment. They might assume that the owners don't put as much care in making sure things look and work right. For companies (that aren't BJD-related) this can be true; however, this isn't the case with most BJD companies.

We all fall into the trap. Maybe not BJDs, but something will do it. I don't think BJDs do that to me, but only time will tell. If one of the inexpensive BJD companies started charging an upwards of $500, it would perk my ears up, though. While it probably wouldn't inspire me to want more of their dolls, it would get me to wonder if they were doing something towards the quality of their dolls that they had not done before.

So, at the very least, a sudden price increase would get me to wonder 'why'.

When I buy anything for my dolls, I tend to be quite frugal (I think I mimic my own shopping habits when doll-clothes shopping). I like to buy things that serve multiple purposes and try to look at the inexpensive clothes and accessories first before the more expensive ones. Depending on what it is, I'll be OK with spending a little more, but I usually try my best to find a pair of pants that cost $10 that sort of looks like the ones that are $15.

 

Personally, it really depends on the product for me-- a BJD is a different doll than a Barbie or Brats or Pullip. I absolutely love the aesthetic of a BJD vs. any others-- the fact that you can practically build one from the ground up and make or buy just about anything for them. That's what gets me. If they were less expensive I'd already have about 4 or 5 of them instead of the 2 I currently have. (One was a gift on top of that!).

However, with most things the economic theories do come into play and actually work. The art aspect is a big thing too--making it seem all that more mystical by upping the price. It really all just depends.

 

on your theory here - the exact opposite is usually true for me.

i had an absolute dream doll of mine on a stressful 5 month layaway, and worked my butt off to pay for him. when he finally came, the amount of work i put into getting him left a bitter taste, and really put a damper on the actual experience of having him. in the end, i realized i couldn't enjoy him because of what it took for me to get him, and i sold him off. the fun factor totally went out of it.

on the other hand, it wasn't because he was so expensive, rather because it was a LOT of money for me to come up with at the time. if i had that money just sitting in my bank account, or better yet, if i had received him as a gift, i wouldn't have had the bad feeling get in the way of me enjoying him. because i have spent the same amount of money on another dream doll of mine, but i bought her head and body separately at different times, so acquiring her wasn't stressful for me.

i wish every day that these dolls were like $20. i would love them just as much, or more for sure. ^__^

 

Price doesn't factor into the dolls I find appealing...it just happens that the dolls I find appealing do tend to have a higher price. If that makes any sense. ^^;
It's just from an aesthetic standpoint. I like Iplehouse and Fairyland, both companies being rather pricey. I didn't go out thinking "Hmmm well if it's expensive it has to be better!"

I've seen cheaper dolls that just wow me with what their owners have done.

 

I don't think the price dictates the appeal of the doll; mind you I sound like I am going backwards here since my favorite doll is my most expensive one. I think it's about personal taste in style, size etc. that makes one doll more appealing than another. I don't think about the price I paid for between dolls when I pick a favorite.

 

This might be true to certain extend, however, I only buy the dolls that appeal to me. It's never the price that attract me to a doll but more like the face of the doll. Most of the dolls I purchased are because I think they're pretty, and I want to have them. A lot of times, I even keep wishing my dolls wouldn't be so expensive.

 

1. All BJDs are relatively expensive.
2. I buy it because it's something I personally love, and at the same time feels like it's safe to buy.
3. "SALE" always makes peoples' eyes light up.
4. Uber expensive dolls seem a lot less popular than cheaper dolls. I think there's a bigger market for the cheaper BJDs (relatively speaking).
5. EDIT: I have seem little direct correlation between price and quality. Some of the worst quality control was Soom. My volks wasn't anything special. Some of my best quality dolls were the cheaper ones. The same concept carries over for my minis (anthros).

I am enticed by a "good deal". I opted not to get certain things simply because they seemed just too expensive for what I was getting, like Iplehouse and Souldoll (and Soom tan skin or outfits). Conversely I purchased dolls on impulse because they had a sale I couldn't pass up, like Dollshe and Dollndoll. I have also been suckered into buying things by the "gifts," like Dollzone and pipos (and Soom's extra parts).

My tastes change and space it limited. The last thing I want is to lose a lot of money. So I try to avoid dolls that appear to be outright bad investments. If I can get it cheaper second-hand, even if it was a cheaper BJD to begin with, then raising the retail price won't help the manufacturer.

 

Price has nothing to do with appeal for me but it is a factor in whether or not I can get a certain doll! I tend to be totally attracted to the doll itself first before I proceed. I am fairly new to BJDs & only have three tinies but price was never the first consideration in getting any of them. I want to invest my money sensibly, not because I plan on selling any of them but because I'm sort of practical. That being said, I would not let price stand in the way of me getting an expensive doll if I loved it!

 

I'm generally not attracted to a doll based on its price, unless it's, like, some amazing deal or something. I actually tend to shy away from some of the more expensive dolls like Soom limiteds and Volks that are over $1000. I just can't justify that at this point in my life.
Now, if BJDs were cheaper overall I do think that they'd lose some of their appeal. Like you said, more people would buy them and their cheaper price tag would result in less work and less satisfaction. At least, that's my take.

 

This is actually a very interesting post. It was not what I thought from the title. My original guess was it being more expensive dolls being just better than lower costing dolls. Anyway I can kind of understand the theory. Lots of people buy things like paintings and cars simply to show it off in their homes and on the streets. "How much did that cost?" is a question a lot of people ask with such things. When the owner spits out a high amount it seems to make them feel better about themselves maybe use it as a status symbol?

While in the BJD hobby when such a question is asked BJD owners tend to shy away from the question in fear of being judged. So with this one difference I am not sure if hiking up the price is really what catches the eyes of BJD owners. Again this is all based on what I read here since I am not BJD owner myself. Although I am uncomfortable talk about the price to people myself.

I think there are pros and cons to the price being higher. With the price being higher it separates the people that really care and are willing to put that much into the hobby versus anyone who sees the dolls and think they are pretty. People care about their dolls and take care of them. If they were more easily replaced it may not be as big of a deal to some?

While on the other hand it would be more accessible to people who may not be able to afford it even if they really want one, and be more cost effective. Of course the more money someone can save general improves ones quality of life can improve. Also perhaps the hobby would be more acceptable in the eyes of those skeptical of the BJD hobby?

In short I find this to be a very interesting topic with very many sides and am not sure which side I am on.

 

I just focus on whether I like the doll or not. Price isnt really a factor personally in whether I like something or not; rather I dislike it when something isn't affordable. ^^;;; The one I bought did not completely kill my wallet, but I love him none the less. It just happened to be that way. I think that my boy is just as good as other dolls on the market, and many people think my boy is cute as well, so. If BJDs costed $50 or something, I'd still like them. *shrugs shoulders*

If something is being way overcharged and sells better than something that is pretty much equal in quality but costs less, I think it's just people being stupid. In complete honesty. This logic does not make any sense to me whatsoever. Perfect example is some clothing I wear; I would often get asked about certain things and they'd think things are really expensive, and then I told them I got it for like $5 or $10 or something, and they look at me dumbfounded. Why in the world does something nice have to be expensive, or cheap things not have any appeal. People just like to be in debt or always want something obtainable . . . ?

I don't get why people need to use BjDs as a status symbol.

 

Unfortunately for me I seem to have very expensive tastes when it comes to dolls. I don't mind some of the sculpts that are less expensive but usually I can't stand the feel of the resin. I think I might be a dolly snob.

 

It's all about the face for me. I've bought cheaper dolls whose faces I like, but the hyper-realism I need seems to only come from one company at the moment and there's a hefty price tag.

The cost is the biggest reason I stayed away from bjds for years. I've taken breaks from the hobby, because it's difficult to justify the price sometimes. Even today, the cost is something that bothers me. If the dolls I like are 150-300, I still consider it very expensive and a luxury item.

I don't doubt that some people are attracted to the status they think comes with expensive items, but I'm not one of them. I really, really wish the dolls I like could be more affordable.

 

I do not even factor price in whether I think a doll is aesthetically pleasing to me. The price may make me closely consider whether I really want them, but I think that is just being rational and wise with your money.

The most expensive doll lines I have seen so far have been Volks and Soom. Volks dolls do not interest me at all... I have not found one that I find aesthetically pleasing to my eyes. Many Soom dolls are the same. If the doll does not even have a face that catches my eye, then let it have that hefty price-tag. Let someone else buy it who actually likes the doll.

Personally, I think if someone buys a doll just because it's expensive, they've missed to point of this hobby.

Now, on the flip side, I also don't find some of the so called "cheap dolls" like Resinsoul all that appealing either. But, again, that's because I do not like their faces. I was looking at a few earlier, and I can admit that people can make them look gorgeous... but I just don't find them all that attractive enough to buy one.

 

I've tended to lean toward cheaper BJDs just because that's how I was raised. I grew up in a house hold where money was extremely important. At the same time however, I will not buy something that is cheap if I do not truly enjoy it. I would rather spend a little more to get something I really love and want.

I'm with Ethra_VII on the topic of faces, faces are extremely important for me as well! I prefer "cuter" childish faces and many companies don't cater to that. I'm not a big fan of Volks (except for some of their character dolls but that's the character not the doll) simply because of their faces. I've found "cheaper" dolls with the qualities that I've really wanted and found them more appealing than the really expensive ones.

I believe if they were cheaper, I could find more people to get into the hobby. The price of these dolls can be terrifying for some. (It took me awhile to build up the courage to get one!) It can really turn people awhile, who want one then see the price mixed with some of the upkeep horror stories ( I have a friend who is absolutely TERRIFIED of yellowing) so they decide they aren't worth it. :C

 

Believe me, the higher a thing costs, the more I despair that I fell in love with it!

I have some expensive dolls in my collection now, but I didn't buy them because they were expensive or because I thought they would give me 'status' as a collector. I bought them because I liked them and in a good few cases, I came across them at the perfect time to get a high-value doll at a good market price.

I don't find a high price prohibitive - if I love something so much, I will find a way of bringing it home, even if I have to live on rice and water to afford it. Then again, I also have my limits. I haven't spent over $1000 for a doll and I can't imagine ever doing that. To me, there isn't a doll worth that much, but I don't look down on or disparage people who believe dolls are worth that much. To them, they probably are worth it and I am just as thrilled for someone who has saved for years for their expensive grail doll as I am for someone who has found their perfect doll at a less expensive price. As long as you're over the moon with your doll, I am over the moon for you. I like to see people having fun and enjoying their dolls - I don't always comment in the box opening threads, but I do enjoy looking at them and seeing how excited people are, whether it's their first doll or thirty-first!

Value is in the eye of the beholder I also believe in enjoying the hobby your way. Don't worry about what other people are doing or what they think. Too many times newcomers have been a little put off the hobby because they think that they have to have certain dolls and brand name clothes and wigs, but this isn't true. You don't have to spend a lot to enjoy your dolls - particularly if spending a lot of money on a doll would make you enjoy the hobby less. There are plenty of thrifty people in the hobby who prefer to make clothes rather than buy, for example, saving money in the long run and perhaps even making money if they go on to sell the clothes and things they make.

Believe it or not, these days there is a BJD for every budget. Saving up to buy something you admire and value isn't a negative thing...it just runs counter to the consumerist 'must have NAO!!' obsession. Anything worth having and anything worth doing takes time to achieve. Spending time working towards your goal is better than having instant gratification. Ultimately you see in the doll the time and effort you put in to get the doll, which makes the doll all the more dearer to you, than if you could pop down to the shops and buy 5 for $100.

The upkeep of dolls isn't something to fear. Yellowing is a natural process of the resin, you can either fear it and dread it or accept it, either way the yellowing will happen. A doll that has given you hours of fun and years of happiness can never be ugly in your eyes...even if it's a little yellow and its wig may have a few flyaways.