Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

I don't know, after reading some of the posts in this thread, I'm nervous about the fact I've saved money to buy a more expensive doll! It's not even for me, but for a frend, and for a long time I wouldn't have been in a position to buy a doll at all. I mean really not in a position. Now that I am, with the economy and all being what it is, I don't think it's an awful thing... Hopefully.

Likewise, if someone really likes a doll that's not ultra-expensive, then they should get that doll. But how heartbreaking if you 'just settle'? Isn't that like throwing money away? I know the doll my friend wants so I'm not going to get her a half-measure doll. If she'd wanted a doll half the price (well yay for me) I would get that doll for her instead. :-D

Are people really snobby at doll meets? That would be awful. I mean not everyone's up on all the latest doll techniques either, I know from experience. :-D

 

I appreciate all BJD's, they are all works of art!!! However, I think that it is an added bonus to find an interesting or beautiful doll that, with face-up, eyes, and wig, costs around the $300.00 price range! Especially right now!!! Thank you to you companies that do this-AOD/Bobobie/DollZone!!! You rock!!!

 

I'm a little... ashamed, I suppose? that my first two dolls are/will be (second one is on the way) AoD. But I actually adore the new SD body sculpt for them (I prefer it to a lot of other brands) and while the eyes are a bit on the large size for me, a few of the sculpts, with proper face-ups, can look just as refined (in my opinion) as more expensive dolls.

I found AoD sculpts that suited three of my characters. But two of the others? Will be Iplehouse. I'm buying the AoD darlings first since that's what finances allow AND I can ease myself into the hobby. But seeing as how I'm fairly skilled in costuming and wig-styling, and have a good idea of what makes a doll LOOK cheap (no matter what the price of the actual, physical doll - I've seen Luts and DoDs looking cheaper than some AoDs and Bobobies, mostly because of the wig or care taken in posing), I feel like my AoD dolls will be able to... go beyond the price limitations, I suppose?

We'll see.

 

I only allow myself "cheap" dolls.

And that's easy enough.

I like some more expensive molds and bodies. In fact, some of my dream dolls are some of the most expensive I've seen.

But I have bills to pay, rent to pay, animals to feed,and a fairly low paying job. When I "treat" myself, it can only be but so much money, because any spare has to be divided into savings, emergency money, and elsewise. So I can't really justify spending 500+ on something just because I want it.

However, I AM careful to only get dolls I *want*. I love a lot of bobobie and resinsoul. As well as tinies. So, it's not really a problem for me.

 

I like the more expensive dolls mainly so thats what i buy. I have some lesser expensive ones from companies i like as well such as kid delfs arent as expensive as delfs but are good quality like delfs. As long as i like the company and quality and the mold to im all there for it. Theres some kinds of dolls i refuse to buy because as some people have said earlier I dont want to settle for less then my dream dolls.

 

i agree with this post completely. my dream doll is way to expensive. on ebay it was 1,600. as a university student and a person who already works 2 jobs so they can have pocket change after paying bills i'll stick with cheaper dolls that i like. i wouldn't -settle- though. believe me. dolls are way too big an investment and you have to love them. so i wouldn't buy a doll unless i really loved them. so i won't settle. but i will look at price too

 

Last year I didn't think anything of buying a Pipos Ringo and Rooney, only 200 each, right? Well now, as a senior in high school, having to buy gas for my car, college breathing down my neck, and planing a trip with my friends next summer, I'm starting to realize I can't spend much money of BJD's anymore.

True, I have a SOOM IO on the way, but hes a gift from my parents for my birthday and the holidays that are coming up, and Im still paying 200+ for him since I couldn't let them pay for the whole thing, I would feel to guilty.
I also would LOVE a MNF Shushu, and it is one of the cheaper dolls out there. But I didn't pick her because I need cheap, I actually love the mold and such.

For me it seems to be only allowing myself to buy cheap clothing for my dolls, since clothing adds up too a lot X_X

 

I intend to get 'cheaper' MSD sized versions of the dolls that I want.

Not because I wouldn't drop money on a quality doll in a heartbeat, but I don't like sewing for bigger dolls. I would hate to get another big doll and have her sitting in a closet because I just don't like using that much material when I sew for a doll.

I'm used to sewing for 1/6 and they use a lot less material.

The solution? Instead of U-noss, Unoa. Instead of Luts DES Vampire, MNF Woosoo. I haven't gotten them, yet.

I figure that's a nice compromise and a smaller, more sew-able size for me.

 

So many people talk about "settling for no less than their 'dream doll'", but mine doesn't exist - it's never been made, and I suspect never will be - I gotz me sum pretty big dreams, baby! It is also possible the doll of my dreams needs to be made by me...

So, in the meanwhile, I 'settle' for 'cheaper' dolls -
<tall!Tigerbaby> *ahem* we prefer the term 'affordable', thankyouverymuch :: ponders :: or howzabout 'reasonably-priced'? no! I gotz it: 'easy to love'

er. where was I? oh, yeah! has anyone else notice their personal definition of 'affordable' slowly creeeeping upwards? I sure have!

 

I agree with you. I do have dolls I like but none are really my dream dolls.

 

*blinks*....well BJD-economics is a reality all onto it's own. BJD-people-cheap is still going to be non-bjd-people- nuts, no matter how it's explained ~ and doll owners can and do manage to find a way to justify their purchases, regardless of price tag.

Having said that ~ I only purchase the doll(s) I am attracted to and love for some inexplicable reason, regardless of their cost. According to some BJD measuring stick... it would seem that I love cheap dolls. I for one am not losing any sleep over that fact ~ because they make me happy....which in the end is the point of the exercise.

They haven't made my dream doll yet ...but should he be made available I'll buy him....cheap or not.

 

I really don't have a problem; I have seen some truly beautiful Bobobies and AODs and am right now trying to decide over saving for a Bobobie Rachael or a Volks I am a collector of all dolls, cheap or expensive!

 

I dont think anything wrong about whether buying a cheaper doll or a expensive doll. If you really like or love the mold of the doll price shouldn't have to matter.

 

I think it's fine that people buy cheaper dolls that they like, as long as they're pleased with the results. I'd understand if people bought an expensive doll that they love so long as they can afford it without any consequences...like shortage of food-money or something, lol.

 

So far I only have Blythe, but yes I've always been turned off from the pricier dolls of any variety. Unless there is a particular doll who I think is the love of my doll-life, I will splurge. But, if there is a cheaper alternative, I will always go for it.

I plan on getting my first BJD (BJA, actually) after we move in two weeks. I have been planning this for months and months now, actually. I've always looked at the Dollfactory cuties, because while they're quite small they're very affordable!

 

I cap myself and don't see anything wrong with the idea. My first BJD was a Bobobie March, which is fairly inexpensive when it comes to BJD pricing. I had been looking specifically into the cheaper companies and am capping myself at $200 (though even that is pushing it to the max) UNLESS I see something that calls out to me really strongly and I'll be coming into extra money. We all have (or will have) rent, car payments, student loans and if you need to or want to buy 'cheaper' dolls b/c of other obligations, I see no problem.

 

Another thread that I find interesting (ie. post at DoA). I believe that the original thought was - get a doll you can afford now or save up for the doll you "love". That's how I read it. Not whether or not "cheap" doll are good or bad. Some people just get too defensive. You should only have dolls you like, right? And it doesn't matter what they are or what others thinks of them, right?

My thought is that you should get the doll you WANT. I'd rather save up for the doll I drool over than waste my time and money by getting any doll that I can afford. I'd feel dis-satisfied everytime I'd look at her/him. I'd just think, "it could have been" or "I could have used the money for ...". And really saving that $200-300 dollars to get the $500 doll isn't wasting it. If that's the dolls I/you want. Let's face it, we probably will end up purchasing another one (eventually).
I have no problem with "expensive" dolls. But when I joined a $400 doll was "WT@$#, Who'd paid that much for plastic?" to me. But I looked and looked and found what I like. And what I like tends to run more - it could be the exact sculpts I like or the design of the body or the overall size. It also means that for my one Lati Red line boy M (whom I just ordered), I also have 3 other heads (Lati red line L and Migi Miho and Ryu) that will share that body. Four dolls without the cost. And in a year or so, after getting face-ups done, I may get another body. Who knows.
I have DollZOne Hid, love him and am sending him out for modifications, DIM Flowne, sending her out for a face-up and mod-ing her body, DollZone Feilian w/o face-up (she's also on layaway). My Ttori is a head as are 3 Gretel heads (one body on order for them to share). And My AOD 1/3 is rather pretty, if I do say so myself.
Not a singe one of them was purchased as a second choice. I have a 30 page want-list word doc to prove it. [snort] Though the price tag has enlarged as time has gone by. I guess that the larger price tag is easier to swallow after a few dolls. But I don't regret any of them. Except the Orientdoll Ji Vamp. He might go, but that's because I like him in picts but I'm not a tiny person... expect for my puki. He's the tiny love of my life. [snort]

 

Erm. Yes I was going a bit mad having to pay $600 for my Souldoll Hye, even then I paid in instalments of $60, so it wasn't too much of a chunk gone in one go. Now I've just dropped the same amount on a SMALLER doll Granted, he is a limited edition and a Volks doll, so I would expect to pay more for an MSD than a readily available SD-size doll...but I didn't blink as much this time. I think it gets easier every time, which is bad news for my bank account.

The next doll I am planning for (and I am going to save up for her, she's not going to be a crazy spontaneous purchase...I promise!) is an A-line MNF Shushu, to be my SDC Kurt's girlfriend. The poor frog prince needs some love. I only buy the dolls I like. The price is but a small factor. I can save up, I'm in a good financial position, things aren't dire economically for me at the moment, so any doll is essentially fair game. I know I'm lucky in that respect and I don't take it for granted. I don't really care whether other people like my dolls or not and I certainly don't turn my nose up at someone else's resin family. I don't care if you have a house full of Volks dolls in sock dresses or one spoiled Bobobie in satin and lace as long as you adore your dolls.

 

My most expensive doll was $600. However, my expensive doll gets almost no love. Maybe I need to photograph him more, or maybe I just don't like guy dolls.

My favorite doll is a Bobobie Ariel head / Angel of Dream body hybrid. I love her face sculpt, I love Angel of Dream's delicate slim body. I love that she doesn't weigh a ton.



I think my hybrid doll is enchanting.

I just ordered my cheapest doll, a Bobobie Isabella. I love Isabella's face, and after I learned her "jazz hands" could be curled into a more subtle position, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I also have a resin soul Bei on the way. They will be well spoiled with Barbie clothing and homemade wigs.

What does this say about me as a collector? I don't know. I think it makes me a lucky collector. But to some who say a cheaper doll can't be beautiful - I dare say you are wrong.

 

I actually have no desire to buy the "expensive" dolls. Volks for example just doesnt' top my list like Dollzone or Leekeworld do for example. However I think Iplehouse and soom are really gorgeous but I just don't see myself getting them and that's ok. I really don't have a huge care for the pricetag. I loved the AOD Mo so that's the first doll I got, price did help get the purchase faster but it's not the reason why I got the sculpt