Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

I agree *completely*. I've just paid for my first doll, a Crobidoll R-Line, and honestly? I don't know where he falls in the pricing scheme of things. Oh, sure, I'm aware that there are bodies that go for $600 and bodies that go for $200, but how *many* of each there are? And what the average price for a body is? I really don't know. I started looking at all sorts of bodies, all sorts of makers, looking for the one that was right for the character who has been growing in my mind ever since I saw the heads that I just *had* to bring home. And when I saw a body that was, say, $100 more expensive than another one, and I liked both, I measured the qualities of each against each other and tried to decide if the $100 extra was worth it to me. In the end, I made my decision for the R-line against another body (DOT) which was comparably priced, and so I didn't have to think about whether I was making the thrifty or the expensive choice.

For my heads, that's a different story. I fell in love with the Yeon-Ho, and though he's gonna run me over $200 once everything's paid, I don't *care*. He's the one I need, and I know that I won't love my dolls even half as much if every time I look at them, I'm thinking, "That's not the doll that I fell in love with." The R-Line body, which I'm getting secondhand, is coming with a head of his own, and as it was in my plans to have two heads and only one body, I'm really happy to have him. I looked him over before I agreed to the sale, and realized that I can easily love him, too (a Nia).

So I guess what I'm saying is that I combined all the factors: love, availability, price, into my decision. And I valued them, and ranked them against each other, based on my own personal judgement of how much this doll would mean to me. Because I do have other priorities in my life, I decided against the Luts Cian that I was thinking about. But I *also* decided against him because in the end, I loved the Nia more. It's a combination of factors.

And to get back to the original point of the post I'm quoting here, it's *so* important to remember the words that we're using here. I'm a prime example of it. I'm only getting my first doll now because for years before now, I always guilted myself out of going for it. "You could be spending that money on bills! On tuition! On savings for a rainy day!"

But I finally realized: It's my CHOICE. Yes. I COULD be spending my money on savings. Instead, because I have enough security that I can make the choice wisely, I'm choosing to spend it on something that will make me very happy. And I'm so at peace with that, now. I feel so free of this heavy guilt that I carried for years, wanting but denying myself the "right" to have a doll.

And you know what? If I end up breaking my next promise to myself: "That I'll stick with having one doll and two heads for a while until I've spent a lot of time and effort on them, before I get more".... Then that's okay, too. That will be a choice that I face at that time, and not before it.

Hearts for everyone on this thread. This is a potentially stressful and intense discussion topic, but the fact that we're all discussing it shows that we're willing to think critically about it, and that's important.

 

I have found this discussion to be very interesting because I am facing this dilemma myself as I contemplate the purchase of my first doll. There are two that have drawn my attention. One is less than $150, I think it is really cute, but there is another for $500 that I just fell in love with. I am 50 years old, have a full time job and my children are all grown so if I really wanted to spend $500 on a doll it is not going to take food off the table or put me in debt. However for some reason I can't bring myself to make that decision. If I purchase the more expensive doll will I feel guilty later that I spend so much money on something just for myself? If I purchase the less expensive doll will I still wish for the doll I fell in love with and purchase it anyway down the road? I know from my research that the less expensive doll is still very good quality and that maybe some corners were cut to keep the cost down but there is nothing at all wrong with it. In fact it is much like the decision I face when buying a new appliance or car. Of course I usually go with the less expensive but good quality there too!

 

Anarwyn, I am 50 and I own 13 bjd's. Hope this helps you out.

As far as "cheap" bjd's why are we calling them "cheap"? Inexpensive, maybe, but not "cheap". I find that a cruel word in relation to these dolls. If you look at each and every one of them, they are like works of art. Starting with faceups, clothing, eyes, we can make them anything we want them to be. But calling some "cheap" is cruel.
As far as elitists go, I haven't met one yet on DOA. I find anyone I chat with to be pleasant. The people who collect the Volks dolls must be drawn to them as we our drawn to the ones we buy. Or why own it?
Telling someone they can't afford this hobby is really none of our business, people know what they can afford. That is really personal. We shouldn't go there.
I have mostly preloved dolls and regardless of the price, each and every one of them drew me to make the purchase.

 

I must admit that the only reason I first heard about Bobobie was because I was looking for a less expensive doll to be my first. But I wouldn't have bought my Faye if I hadn't fallen in love with the sculpt. I think that if you really have fallen for a more expensive doll, then you shouldn't throw your money at a cheaper one for the sake of owning a doll. Save up for that first doll that you'll really love and treasure ^ ^

 

if you can afford it, why not?

me, i don't have a stable income, and even though bf is extremely doting and indulgent, i feel so bad purchasing a 'luxury' item on his credit.

luckily, i only have a penchant for tinies, more because of the lack of space and the less 'scary' factor..so even though i haven't purchased a doll -yet- (my paypal funds are sorely lacking atm), i know that once i start i probably won't stop, so i have to keep myself busy to save up for them!

that said, i think since this is a 'younger person's hobby' (mostly anyway from what i've gathered, i'm an 'older person' myself hahaha), it might be a good learning lesson on saving and perhaps even earning your own pocket money for your hobbies.

hrm. i wonder how many spoilt brats there are who throw tantrums at their parents if they don't buy them the dolls LOL *waits for flames*

 

I don't think you're being fair to yourself if you go with the "good enough" doll. My husband will only let me get a doll if I'm head over heels in love with it.
Either way you think about it the "cheaper" doll is still expensive. So if you don't really really love it then why are you spending the money on it? For the price of 2-3 of those ok cheap dolls you can get one "doll of my dreams."

So I guess if you're going for quantity over quality then it's your own business, ya know?

 

I agree. I am a newby here. I have been thinking about getting a BJD for months, looking at different choices. I got my first dolls within the price range I could afford. I found cheaper ones, but I didn't like the mold. I prefered to wait until I had more money to spend on a doll I really liked. Buying for the sake of it... I don't think it's worth it.

 

I think one should save up to buy what they really want and not settle for the second best.
You're already saving for one, why not go all the way and save a little more to buy the one you really want(unless it's no longer available except for second-hand)?
Personally there's a doll I want that's somewhat expensive(for me at least) that I really want and another that I want but not as much as the other - I want to get the more expensive one I really want because it's somewhat of a full accomplishment and not just a stepping stone.

 

I'm atracted to a lot more cheaper dolls then I am to some of the more expsenisive dolls. Now that's not to say I don't see the beauty in other dolls I just don't want to adopt them and take them home with me. I adore tinies. And most of them would be on the cheaper scale, but I just think they are so adorable!
I think as long as you're buying beacuse you want the doll not just to have them, that's fine.

 

This is so similar to a question I had! I wrestle with this because I don't feel like I have a REAL bdj beause 1.) I got it off Ebay 2.) someone owned it first 3.) she was all put together 4.) she wasn't really really expensive (altho more than anything I've ever paid for a doll!)
And I look at everybody's wish lists and I think I should go with a Volks cause they are "higher end" and so cool, and I think I should get the kit because the "real" bjd lovers do their own dolls, and I should get a 60 or 70 cm doll and not the 43 cm doll, and I should get limited edition dolls and know all the best dolls...

notice all the "shoulds"????

So your question sure triggered a bunch of questions for me!
I love my doll! and I think that's the most important thing...to pick the doll you love for whatever reason you've selected it.

 

-don't have a doll yet-

I'm getting my first bjd, and she's definitly cheap. But she's also adorable. I know I would never pay for the full price on the normal brownie fullsets. I get a sinking feeling just for $88. (shipping sucks too, btw) So I don't think I would ever cough up enough for volks or soom monthly or some other super expensive dolls. Just isn't justifiable for me :
Of course I agree that getting the doll you like is the best way to go, I can think of so many ways that thousand dollars and go into that will benefit so much more, for me and my family. or even charity. (mind you, I'm the type to fight a homeless person for 10 bucks if it's found on the ground.)
I guess get a reasonable doll that you think you will love is the best. Mod, face-ups, and things are better for personalising your doll too.....
Or just wait for times like now where some unlucky people are scrambling for money. two birds in one strike. Quality, yes. Cheap, yes. Reasonable, yes. Helpful, yes. (please though, I'm not trying to wish for times like these, depressions everywhere is really bad for everyone and though you may get your dream dollfie through this cheap route, it is unlikly. And it's bad on your health. spending too much in times like these.)

 

But you have a real bjd. Just because it is a second hand or less expensive, doesn't mean it is a lesser doll. Don't look at what other people want, but stick to what you love. If you like a 43 cm, secondhand doll from AOD, than who cares that someone else has a 60 cm Soom? By the way: All of my dolls - except Luther - are secondhand and there are many more people on this forum who have pre-loved dolls .

Exactly. This is really all that matters. Congratulations with yours!

 

Okay I am a mother of two with no job like alot of the world these days, my thing is I have 2 bjd's right now and two on the way....all are second hand and bobobies! I don't get them for the sAke of cheap I really like bobobie!their dolls are awesome and well helps that they are lower priced but then again I am laywaying a souldoll which second but great shape and nothing wrong with her and she was also cheaper! I am a mother as I said so not alot to spare all the time! I love my dolls, and if you love your dolls it doesn't matter the price tag!

 

Hey Silk thanks so much! and I am now saying "pre-loved" which someone else on this thread said too. I like that phrase.
I think this is a really good discussion topic!
my neighbor (soon to be 13) was over taking pictures of my doll with her camera (I don't have one...yet!) lol
this is the first time I've been able to get her interested in dolls!!!!

 

I originally got my very first doll, an AOD Mimi, because her price was fabulous, and yes, I was intentionally looking for the cheapest tiny I could find. But after getting her, dressing her, building her personality, I absolutely adore her and I wouldn't trade her for any other tiny no matter how expensive it was!

 

Usually (Mainly with the cheap tinies) They are the cutest ones I mean look at the Brownie dolls by Felix. Dyawwwww

 

I didn't say I earn only 3-400$ in a month...What do you think, I buy bjds of that money??? It was just an example. (Yes, people with this little money don't buy bjds but only food.) I just said that someone can be happy with a cheaper doll too.
It makes me so sad when I hear people like you. It's so easy to say: this is not the right hobby for poor people etc..."Go and buy an antfarm, that is your level." Or what? Funny...I needed to wait p.ex. 2-3 months to buy dresses for my dolls, so this is not the right hobby for me? I think it is.

 

No one is saying "omg, you're poor and therefore you suck, you don't deserve the same things as me, haha." People can spend their money on whatever they want, and I really don't think Silk was trying to be a snob or something.

It seems to me like her point was if a doll cost twice as much as someone's monthly salary, and 1 set of clothes cost about half as much, etc...this very expensive hobby would be detrimental to their lifestyle. It would be very hard to live if you spent all this money on non-essential collectibles.

For my country, I make a medium-low wage. I wouldn't take up yachting, collecting ancient artworks and paintings, or something. Not because I'm not good enough, or it's 'not my level' but because it would take all of my money and it's not essential.

 

Okay so I haven't been on this thread in a while but reading the last few posts about what people make and if they should be in this hobby or not or ect is kinda... Odd to me.

If a doll costs more then what you make in a month then you wont buy the doll you're saving for in a month. Isn't that the point of... Saving? If you're saving for the cheapest doll on the market or the most expensive it doesn't matter just what you make it matters if you can save for it. If you wanna buy a boat or a house or doll save your money and you can afford it. There's also layaway for such things!
I was making less the minium wage, hell I think it was probably illigal to pay someone as little as I was making at my last job but with that cool thing called saving I could afford my most recent doll!

Sorry for the mini rant but that just kind made my logic center confused so I figured I'd comment. Done now. XD

 

I'm the type of person that, if it's not essential for living, I have to fall in love with it to buy it. And if I actually fall in love with it, price isn't an issue. I will wait until I have the money if I need to.

So I would never restrict myself to a certain price range. If I fall in love with a cheap doll, I'll buy that. If I fall in love with an expensive doll, I'll buy that.