Not bonding with a doll. :(

Maybe ask them what they want to be named?
If you really can't bond with them, its okay to sell them.
I would definitely try to restyle them and see if they have a different character before I sold them though. The most important thing about your doll is that you have a relationship with them.

 

As others have said, create a new character for him or styling him will help a lot. It is amazing how different wigs and clothes can change a doll! Try sewing some clothes or make some accessories, if you are into face ups you can try to do a face up for him and see how it turns out.

If after doing this you still don't feel a bond with him, then you should try selling him. Not a good idea to keep him in the closet, personally I don't see the point in keeping with you something that makes you feel uncomfortable and that can bring you some money if you get rid of it.

Some tips that I have read from other doll collectors are: before buying a doll make sure that you like the nude sculpt not only the company pics, search on DOA or Flickr for other owner pics with the doll in different styles, angles and skin tones, wait a few months before buying it (in case it is not limited) and make sure that you -really- like it. If you realize you don't like it anymore and prefer other sculpt, great! Research more about the new doll and wait... This way you will be sure of purchasing something that you really like rather than something out of impulse.

Even if you buy something out of impulse it is always possible to sell it on the second hand market, just have in mind that, in the majority of times, it won't be possible to sell the doll for the same amount of money you got it.

 

I agree with the other posters who mention restyling your doll. I don't see that as a waste of money, because the eyes/clothes/wigs you buy in the process can be reused for a future doll if you decide to sell this one. I had an issue with a doll head that I liked the blank sculpt of, but when I tried adding eyes and a wig to it, nothing worked. I ended up buying half a dozen inexpensive wigs on eBay and finally found one that worked on that head, and am able to use the other wigs on my other dolls. Same for the eyes: I have a sizable collection of doll eyes now, mostly $5 ones from eBay so I can test colors/shapes before deciding to invest in more expensive eyes, and I don't feel like I wasted money because I reuse those items on other dolls.

Sorry for the long post about restyling...I just think it's a really important aspect because your doll can look SO different and more "you" after you find the right combination.

As for the doll itself... Maybe you could find a faceup artist to repaint your doll in a style you like? A high quality faceup makes a world of difference, and doesn't have to be super expensive. Find an artist in your country (or better yet, in your state/province) to save on shipping costs. If you still don't feel like you've bonded with the doll after having a custom faceup, I think it's safe to say you should sell it. But you know you tried! And also having a nice faceup makes for good pictures on the marketplace, so it's not a total financial loss. You could even sell just the head and keep the body for a future doll. Good luck!

 

There are some activities which could help you develop a better relationship with your doll that do not cost any money. Maybe you could take him somewhere for photos or simply to spend time together. Maybe going to a park or cafe would be fun? Some people enjoy the attention of strangers, others do not.
For very little cost you could try making him some new things. Even if you don't feel confident sewing or doing face-ups prop making can be very enjoyable. You can make playing cards or other paper goods for him with a printer.
I also think it's good advice to try to change the doll or character so that you like him. If that didn't work out for me then I would let him go and move on. In the end it should be more fun than work! Sometimes it's easy to forget.

 

If you can, I suggest washing and re-stinging. I think it helps to know the sculpt and have a closer connection with the physical pieces of the doll, and then you can begin to understand what the doll wants to look like and who it wants to be!

 

There are so many great suggestions in this thread that you can consider all of them to see if you can bond with your dolly.

If you would rather not invest too much time or money on your doll, you could try asking yourself:

1. What are my doll's best and worst points/features?

2. What is it that I currently dislike about this doll, and what can I do to change it?

3. Will I be happier keeping the doll, selling the doll, trading the doll, giving it to someone as a gift, or simply storing the doll?

If you are truly worried about bonding with any future dolls you might also consider asking yourself the following questions:

4. Do I have different hobbies that are currently front and center in my life?

And finally,

5. Is the bjd hobby the right hobby for me at this moment?

Know that it is alright to take a break from the hobby. Maybe things will be better with a fresh perspective. Just be honest with yourself and go from there.

Best of luck with everything.

 

I've had 8 dolls to date, of which only one remains. I think I really bonded with 3-4, but at least two I only had for a short time because there was just no click - with one I just knew she wasn't mine the minute I opened the box, I don't think anything would have made me bond with her. The one I have now I can't think of ever selling, and I really miss two others - I probably would not have sold those had it not been for my life situation at that time (two small kids and no time for dolls). I'm now slowly starting to come back to the hobby with a new doll on the way - another Narae to replace a Narae I sold.

I think you should not beat yourself up about it if you two just don't click, take it as more of an experience, at least now you know what you don't like and this will guide you towards something you like more. Selling a doll because of bonding issues is ok, in my opinion. Good advice has also been given on things you could try to change about the doll to bond with it, also worth a try.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it's going to work out for you! Good luck!

 

Thank you so much for your advice!! I think I'm going to attempt to change him up a bit.

Thank you! I think this is what I'm going to do. Everyone on this website is so sweet, it makes me so happy.

I think I'll take him out to a park! Ahh, thank you so much. I'm already feeling so much better about this whole situation.

 

I'd try doing some posing too. By seeing which poses your doll likes, you can begin to work out his personality! I recently meet a very playboy doll who really enjoyed doing handstands