I think compared to many, I probably do operate on a relatively low-buy basis at all times. I really would not want to go beyond 1 doll a year. I've been in the hobby forever so there may be long periods (years) where I'm less involved and don't buy anything doll related, and then some periods where I buy a bit more, but it averages out. Doll-wise, I only really have a couple dolls I've been searching for, after which I do want to pause for awhile despite all the constant temptations out there. I want to replace eyes and maybe acquire some nicer outfits/accessories, but don't feel any urgency to do so soon. With the tariff situation in the USA, I will likely wait
I’ve been on the no buy plan for the past 18 months. Been in the hobby since 2009 and have the dolls on my wish list. I lean into the old school amine style dolls and that’s not in vogue right now, which is great news for my wallet. I’m focusing on developing my OCs, outfits, accessories, dabbling in temporary mods and just playing with my dolls
For me, no-buy is not buying any doll items. I have learned that it is a more realistic goal for me to be low buy because I do like those little shoes okay I normally only buy what I can't make but of course there have been times when small packages have been arriving very often, to the point where it feels a bit ridiculous, so I've definitely had to have a hard look on my habits and cut back - the no-buy buddies thread in Brigadoon has been a great support for keeping myself accountable! I've never had a quite similar collecting hobby before and find how focused on buying this one can become quite overwhelming at times. I'm pretty minimalistic with my belongings in general so having "too many" doll things can sometimes drive me a bit anxious, following some kind of no/low-buy goals definitely helps with this. First and foremost I enjoy crafting the most in this hobby anyway, but temptations are uhhh abundant nevertheless
This resonates so much. Back when I first got into this hobby, I didn’t have as much time to dedicate or focus on the more creative aspects and buying everything became overwhelming at some point. None of my other hobbies centered so much on just buying stuff, there was always something more to do than that. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with just buying stuff either, it’s just not something that makes a hobby feel fulfilling for me personally. Sure it's fun to get things in the mail for dollies, but the enjoyment is too ephemeral much of the time for it to feel like a hobby unless there's a constant influx of stuff. Since getting back into BJDs, I have been weaving more of the creative aspects into it, like making clothing. I want to learn to make shoes soon too. Anyway, to answer the questions for this topic... Most of the time I've been truly no-buy in this hobby, it means I am not active in it at all. There have been some points where I was active in a sense that I kept in touch with doll friends and have mini-meetups. However, I feel like it's not possible for me to be in this hobby without buying at least something with some kind of regularity. Even though I just mentioned that the creative aspects of this hobby are more fulfilling to me, that still comes with some necessary purchases -- fabric, notions, etc. supplies for face-ups, and so on. I might have "no-buy" periods of time for certain things within the hobby though, like not buying within a certain category for a time.
I’m normally on a Low-Buy basis due to circumstance (or should I say Slow-Buy?) but recently a No-Buy because I am making myself complete my latest doll which has turned into 3 dolls of the same character?! Hopefully this will make me a tad more diligent in my projects! I don’t want to end up with a million WIP dolls at the same time haha
This is me, so much. Generally, I don't like owning a lot of stuff, but the doll hobby triggers something that makes me want to shop constantly! They have more clothes and accessories than I do for myself! If I weren't in the hobby, everything I own (besides furniture) would likely fit in the back of my Jeep. Yet the dolls have their own room... I went from "buy everything I can!" last year to relatively low-buy this year. Mostly due to not knowing if I'd be charged tariffs or how much. But I've also been greatly downsizing my collection and focusing more on sewing for my main dolls. I used to buy dolls or accessories weekly, and now aside from sewing supplies (does that count?), I'm buying maybe once a month or less. I'd like to cut back even more, ideally. It's just hard for me because I've made such a habit of doll shopping...
I always make sure to finish one first project before the next, so unless i fall completely in love with a limited doll, I'm always on a low buy
It's so reassuring that a lot of us seem to be on the same track about this ^w^ I've always made sure to complete the dolls I have at home before even considering buying a new one (I've never come across a limited-time release or any other doll with a time-constraint to ruin this) so I've been mostly low-buy since the very beginning with the exception of some clothes, make-up refreshments and such. Some years have been absolute no-buys if I didn't have a good bunch of things that I liked in my to-buy-in-Christmas' list to justify the shipping and customs. That said, I also took a voluntary no-buy period (no dolls, no dolly-related stuff) of a few years when I felt like I had fallen out of love with the hobby and my dolls and needed to take a good look at my collection. Luckily, I was able to find my way back to connect with them and here we are. For me, I think a no-buy period can be great to make sure you are enjoying the hobby healthily and not stuck in a sort of novelty shopping frenzy.
It took me the better part of three years to work out exactly what I like in dolls. Unfortunately, that was an expensive lesson as I now have unwanted dolls and parts sitting around (at least they're all listed for sale). I'm in low-buy: I feel no-buy would be unrealistic, but making calculated purchasing decisions is better instead of being tempted by shiny new releases. I know what my make-or-break criteria are for dolls, and I stick to them. At the moment I'm more interested in working on my existing dolls than acquiring new ones: I have plenty of dolls that need new outfits, faceups or wiring and sueding. I'm quite happy to buy things that are beyond my skill level to make, or that I don't enjoy the thought of making, like shoes, wigs and eyes, but that's part of calculated buying: it's better for me to spend $100 on a high-quality wig than spend time and money on wigmaking supplies when I'm not interested in wigmaking. I have a rule that 2 dolls must be made "meet ready"/"photo ready" (have a suitable wig, outfit, eyes and faceup) before I buy any new dolls. The only resin purchases I've made recently have been option parts or parts to turn floating heads/bodies into full dolls. Getting into BJDs is like walking into a confectionary store, and it's very tempting to try everything. Unfortunately, there's a tendency in the hobby for people to overcommit themselves financially, and impulsive purchases are sometimes encouraged. I think carefully considering any potential BJD purchase is better for hobby enjoyment in the long run.
I'm trying to begin this hobby as low buy as possible. Obviously not THAT low buy since I didn't have any supplies to craft with to start, but I'm trying to teach myself to sew and use unused fabric in my house. Based on how I have experienced other interests, I think focusing on creating and de-emphasizing spending will help to preserve the longevity of my interest in the hobby.
