Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

You're assuming it's about quantity. And... it isn't, at all. In my mode of thinking, WHY would I want twenty dolls to begin with? But some people have that many on here, and love every single one.

It's not somewhat of a collector's hobby, it's absolutely a collector's hobby. But dolls don't have pedigrees. They have price tags.

Hiyas!

Dude, say what you want, but that sock into a hoodie tutorial on here was awesome, and I know at least two little ones of mine who will be rocking them.

Which brings up the eternal question of what IS beauty? It's a sticky situation to say that because maybe to someone a cheap wig on a face without eyes and a nose wearing a Hello! Kitty sock is better to that person than Marie Antoinette.

The main aspect of these dolls is to be creative, and above all, to have fun.

 

Hmmm, this is an interesting topic.

I would love to be that passionate person that says "Buy the doll you love the most, even if it is an expensive limited edition!!", but I can't realistically say that. As much as love has to do with the hobby, money also does too. Others have pointed out that even a "cheap" doll is still not really cheap, being that it is still a couple hundred dollars spent on a doll of all things, and I have to agree.

Purposely sitting down and saying "No, I am going to get only cheap dolls and nothing else" may not be the way to go, but if you are younger or are just not in a situation where you make enough money, then considering a cheaper doll is a good option I think, but only if you actually like the doll of course. If you are one of those people that falls in love with a Volks doll and you know that if you buy a cheaper doll you will always end up comparing them to the Volks doll, then maybe you should consider saving. But if you look at two dolls, love them both, but say to yourself "Oh, I only have enough money for this one over here", then get the cheaper one if it makes you happy! You have to admit, there is nothing economical about these dolls, "cheap" or not.

 

I think it's a bit of an idea hang-over. Dollzone, when it first came out, was the cheapest company going by a long-shot. Since then companies like Bobobie have come out with a much lower price-tag.

 

I'm just going by what I see people do and say. I don't assume that price is the one and only reason for people to buy these dolls, but it is a major reason. You know, if someone has a smattering of dolls from all price ranges, I wouldn't think twice about their motives for buying a cheaper doll. However, it's the ones that only buy cheap cheap cheap that annoy me. That tells me that they are too lazy to save for anything more expensive at any time, and I HATE laziness more than anything. (like obese people who use those motorized carts in the store because they are too lazy to walk, meanwhile a90 year old woman hobbles her way through the aisles because they are all taken)

I never said people should buy a doll because it's expensive either, that makes no sense. I'm just sick of the influx of newbies who just want to be part of the 'new fad', and will probably phase out of it within a few years.

I realize there are more expensive dolls that have been given the sock and sharpie treatment, but there are more high quality dolls in that range. If the owner is going to spend a lot on it, they are more likely to finish the job and get it a good faceup, wig, clothes, etc...I will give credit where credit is due, as I mentioned, I have seen a few examples of cheaper dolls being done up really well. I was impressed with what the owners had done with them. However, the majority of the ones I have seen have been the sock dolls done by newbies. If a cheaper doll is done well by the owner, that makes me respect the owner even more. I mean, I WANT people to put an effort into whatever dolls they get.

 

Wow! Just... wow!

You know what? There are no words. And words are my life, but this pretty much left me speechless. ^^

Well, if they do phase out of it in a few years, who does it hurt? If anything, I'd think someone like you would be glad for it. I know I'm new to this hobby, and I absolutely will not phase out of it in a few years, but hey, to each their own.

And more than likely, they will. Keep in mind, some people, though they try, aren't talented with sewing and face ups, but they try their hardest anyway. If there's an honest effort made, really, does it matter what the price of the doll is, and if they only buy cheap, cheap, cheap?

 

Everyone has their own opinion, and their own view, of every hobby and collection. There is always going to be the group that looks down on those who show up in cheaper, name-brand look-a-likes. You're not really in the group unless your whole wardrobe is Tommy Hilfiger. That's pretty much, clearly, the way it is everywhere.

But on your comments about "cheap, cheap, cheap" - where are these people finding "cheap, cheap, cheap?" Does Wal-mart now carry BJD's? Because they always have low prices, always. That's honestly my definition of cheap. When I see a 60 cm BJD going for under $150, complete with face-up, clothes, and wig, that's when I'll believe in "cheap" BJD's. So you're willing to save up for that $700 doll. That's fantastic. I'm saving for a $330 doll. I don't care how much I love a doll that may cost more than $400, I don't ever plan on spending more than that on a doll, because that to me equates to a car payment, and getting around is more important to me. Does that make my status as doll collector less justified?

On the flipside, I can understand being annoyed with people who are always crying for a more expensive doll, but always buy a - let's say less expensive - doll because they have to have one NOW. They see these dolls, want to be part of the fad, and want to do it without spending the money. The more collectors of anything, or fans of anything, there are, the more you're going to have people joining that aren't on the "same level" as you. If they buy four of the least expensive BJD's out on the market, doodle on them with Sharpies, and make their wardrobes out of duct tape and dental floss before getting bored and tossing them into the box upstairs with their Barbies and Cabbage Patch Kids ... hey, sad for the dolls, but that doesn't have any impact on those that treat the hobby with respect. On WANTING doll collectors to put a lot of work into their dolls, that's lovely, but not realistic. I would LOVE for all exclusive fans of Naruto and Bleach to branch out and discover some of the non-mainstream titles. I would LOVE for a lot of the Kingdom Hearts fans to quit dressing up as Axel and Roxas as crossdressers and cease slapping each other with yaoi paddles. But not everyone thinks the way I think, and does what I do. That's the nature of a fandom. You're just going to wear yourself out and tire of the hobby faster if you're concerning yourself with something you have no control over.

But as what is being repeated by many collectors here, judging people because they have a bunch of dolls that cost less than others is pretty small-minded. And hey, I'm with the camp that thinks making clothes out of socks is pretty darn cool. It's creative, and isn't the biggest appeal of these dolls is to be creative? I realize that you're problem is with the type I previously mentioned, and that's fine. But hey, if that's what these kids want to do, that's what they want to do. You can feel more proud about your dolly investment and hard work.

 

First thing to note here is that a lot of those people are in PAIN when they walk either due to their weight or due to another problem. Perhaps their obesity is due to a serious joint issue that prevents them from getting the exercise they need to keep their weight within control because of immense pain, not laziness? So your lack of understanding here is key in showing the way you see the rest of this hobby. You automatically assume that people who have not so attractive dolls are lazy or something. They're not always lazy. Maybe they are, but thats their loss of $300-$400 that could have been an investment, but thats that. Or it could be that because they happen to enjoy that aesthetic (emo, goth, normal, whatever) or want their dolls to reflect their tastes. And perhaps that person is young, has limited income, whatever, and all they can afford are the "sock" clothes, but were so excited about getting a doll they opted to wait until later for real clothes. Maybe it took all their brain power and cunning to convince their parents to get this doll for them, and had to order it without face up to save even more. And perhaps that person isn't as skilled artistically and because they've got a "cheap" doll no one seems to want to help them or offer pointers, and instead of working slowly to make this doll more beautiful or up to what they really had in mind for it, they get discouraged because people don't want to help because its just another emo doll or something. And then they feel unwelcome in a community that should be open to new people joining its ranks.

Thats likely to happen in ANY hobby. And a lot of collectors are going to start as "newbies." Perhaps the only dolls they've seen and what attracted them to this hobby are ones that you think are "lazy." Give them some time to either adjust to the hobby a bit more, or drop off like you say. But whether you're tired of them or not, there will always be "newbies." If there weren't, this hobby would be in trouble.

Yeah, and I can WANT Bush to finally make a GOOD decision in office, but not everyone can get what they want. Their dolls are not affecting you or your collection/hobby habits, so I don't see why its a problem to let people enjoy the hobby in the way they like to best? And perhaps if people weren't so condescending about their dolls they would be more likely to listen and learn something from people who put more effort into their dolls. Calling them lazy doesn't make them want to listen to you.

 

Yeah, we're pretty much everywhere. :3 Viva la Revolucion de Newbies! Unless someone is born with BJD in their hands right from the womb, everyone starts out as a newbie.

Oh, amen to that, on many points! By January, our punishment will be over. ...I hope.

But yes, calling the newbies lazy and not as dedicated as someone else is just a good way to get a lot of people disliking you. Like FallenEverdark said, it doesn't make them want to listen, it make them want to verbally rip the person a new one. Since there is not a BJD Messiah, there are no rules for the right or wrong way to dress or paint or make your BJD.

 

Ok, maybe so. But I work at walmart, and every day I see a ton of obese people hoard those carts. They didn't come in in a wheelchair, they walked. They get up out of the cart to go out the door. I refuse to believe that every one of those people has some kind of crippling joint disorder. And if it hurts to walk because of their weight, well it's only going to hurt more and more each day if they don't even do the most simple of excersizes. (walking)
My grandma is overweight, pushing 80, has had breast cancer, her hip replaced, and needs knee surgery or both knees and she still walks in the store.

There are tons of faceup artists offering their services for free, and there are cheap clothes like f2bm that fit msd. I have no problem if the person is TRYING. If they start sewing and it looks like crap, then whatever. Through practice they will get better. It's the ones that cut a hole in a sock and call it a dress that bug me. But I guess I'm not allowed to feel annoyed?

Ok, I have NEVER seen someone refused help because of the doll they had. If someone posts a question, I think people here go out of their way to give them the answers they need. *I* will go out of my way to help a newbie with questions.

I never said they should listen to me or conform to my way of thinking. It's not like I go into people's threads and say ANYTHING negative about them or their dolls. Heck I wont even post in the critique section because I might come off too harsh and hurt someone's feelings. I've said that certain habits annoy me, and why that is. I never said everyone should change their ways.

 

How well do you know these 'newbies'? Really, how well? Do you know all the thought that went into choosing the doll? Do you know for a fact that price was the only consideration? Maybe they aren't being lazy, after all, you probably know next to nothing about their financial situation. Maybe they like a less expensive company's sculpts and therefore go back for more. Maybe they have different priorities than you do, which is not a crime nor makes them defective in some way.

Do you know if someone was being lazy on a faceup, or if they're just starting out and haven't had enough practice to be really good yet? By the way, what is a good enough effort? Most dolls (of all prices) fall somewhere in between really professional looking and really poorly put together--that's a big grey area there. What about people who aren't great at sewing or faceups, but want to do them themselves anyway because it's fun? Nothing wrong with having some fun once in awhile.

When you write off a bunch of people over something as silly as how much money they spend on a doll, you run the risk of alienating a bunch of potentially great people. Maybe using the cost of a doll isn't an accurate litmus test for 'serious collector', whatever that is.

 

Wow, you really aren't listening to me. You keep insisting that I'm saying "omg u bought cheap doll, so suck, go die!" Where have I EVER said you should spend more money on a doll and who cares if you like it. I 'write people off' based on the effort that looks like it went into the doll. (unless they say they are trying to improve or asking for tips along those lines, etc...) And yeah, I think people can do whatever they want with their doll. It's their doll. Does that mean I have to like it? Praise it? LOOK at it? No. When I see a ton of gallery posts featuring sharpie, sock dress, cell phone pics, am I not allowed to go "What happened to all the good stuff?" Am I not allowed to be annoyed at having to weed through more and more of that every day? I have just as much right to my opinions on those dolls as the owners have to make them that way.

 

I don't really care how much others want to spend on their dolls. I can understand why someone may not want to spend $300+ but I also understand why others others may want to spend thousands.

I've seen some really great looking dolls for lower prices.

 

well to be truthful I am guilty of buying cheaper dolls because I love them and of couse that I could afford now that I have a doll shop in MN, that sell BJD's, that allows layaway, I am now still happily paying off a dept that it feels like will never go away, for cheaper and now expesive dolls that I love.

 

I can really empathise with those people who have no choice but to buy a cheap doll, the New Zealand dollar is pretty crap, so even something as cheap as $250 is going to end up over $300 and something for me. The other problem I have is that a lot of the doll sites don't say what currency they deal in, and it makes it all that much harder to budget and save for.

 

As a relative newbie to BJDs, I'd like to share my point of view.

When I became interested in BJDs, I noticed the vast range of price tags and quality. I must admit, I spent countless hours learning the lingo, figuring out the sizes and drooling over various company's dolls. The articulation and endless customizing options drew me in. But I had only collected fashion dolls before and I wasn't sure if I would love this new type of doll.

It's daunting to invest a huge amount of hard-earned cash in something you have limited experience with. I was lucky enough to meet a few doll owners who were willing to show me their dolls and answer my newbie questions. To be honest, the dolls frightened me a little - I was afraid of breaking them, or not loving them enough. It seemed that the owners had a curiously strong bond to them that I didn't quite understand.

When I finally decided that I wanted to try this new type of doll, I saw some that were quite expensive, but also so very beautiful. But it was hard to get over the prices - what if I decided that BJDs weren't for me? I'd be out big bucks.

I looked and looked and finally bought a Pipos Baha. Though he's not the most expensive, I love him! He's worth every penny. But I also wanted a non anthro doll, so I kept looking. Next, I fell for a sweet little elf - a Bobobie Sprite. I'd be lying if I said that price wasn't a factor. But I was also drawn in by her serene, curious face and coltish, long legs.

When she arrived, I knew I had made the right decision. I was immediately smitten.

Now my li'l elf needed clothes, another expensive venture. So, I learned on the threads here how to sew for her. I practiced and got better and better. I also watched for sales and found wigs and eyes for her rather inexpensively.

I love my Sprite so much, I've since purchased another in the green skin tone. And for my birthday, I received a Ringo Baha from my husband.

While I haven't busted my budget, I don't think my dolls look cheap. I also think that making my own clothes and finding good prices remove any guilt I would feel for spending more than I am comfortable with on my hobby.

That's not to say that someday some crazy expensive BJD won't steal my heart and find it's way into my home...but it hasn't happened yet.

 

When I first got into the hobby, my dream doll was MNF El, I thought he was absolutely gorgeous, I didn't even consider getting him though, he was out of the question because of his price. I kept searching for a doll that I liked but that was less, I ended up getting my DS Feilian, Pip. I regret not getting him but I still love Pip to bits. XD I may someday get him seeing as my second doll was an Elf Chiwoo I'm not so obsessive and limiting by looking only at their prices. (Though there is probably a limit on how much I'd be willing to spend for my dream doll)

 

This is actually what I did at first, I looked all around for the cheapest dolls... but I just didn't fall in love with any of them. They were nicely priced, yes, they werent ugly, sure... but I didn't LOVE any of them. So I looked around more expensive company's websites and found the ones I loved.

I just don't like the incredibly cheap company's sculpts... I guess it doesnt help that the first BJD I ever saw was a DOT Camine.

 

I'll be honest, when I see first time doll owners buying the "cheaper" dolls regardless of whether or not they actually like the doll, I get a bit haughty. I've never said anything to any of these people or even hinted that I feel that way though. I wouldn't say I'm an elitist, but as a general rule, I'm not fond of any of the "cheaper" dolls. The weird expection was B&G's Sky and Sapphira. But when it comes to Bobobie, DZ, and Orientdoll, I'm not a fan. But it goes both ways because there are more expensive doll companies like Notdoll and Volks whose dolls I don't like either. *shrugs*

One thing I've stressed to people who express interest in getting their first doll is this: this is an expensive hobby, suck it up or don't get into it.

 

my only opinion on this is that if people really like the doll then if it's cheap or not shouldn't matter. the only thing that bothers me would be people who don't really like the cheap dolls but owns several of them because they are cheaper, instead of getting the one expensive doll they love.
i only own one doll DOT camine, it's one of the more expensive ones since totally cost about 700 + 200 for cloth. i won't been getting anymore dolls anytimes soon since that was my one expensive gift for my self, but i love sho and is very happy to have just one child XDDD. so i think if you are buying a bunch of cheaper dolls that you only kinda like, why not just save up the money and get the one you really love?

 

Hi. I haven't read all the replies to this, but this is my opinion. As long as you stick to your budget and still have enough money left to take care of your everyday expenses, and save some, you have every right to spend your money on whatever doll makes you happy. You should first sit down and figure out what you can afford. If an expensive doll is calling your name more than a cheaper one, why not save up for a few months and go for it? On the other hand, cheaper dolls can be just as cute and appealing, and I certainly have some cheaper tinies that I love (they are not BJD's, but Marie Osmond Tiny Tots). I say, go for dolls that tug at your heart the most, just be sure to stick to a budget.