Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

Shadowsnight, you're not settling - you're just building up steam!

 

Yes! Exactly!!

 

Well, I've only ever bought dolls that were "econo-line". I didn't choose them specifically because of the price tag, but it did help me make up my mind. On a personal level, there's never been one specific doll that I found to be so enticing that I'd ignore the cost. I'm pretty indecisive, and easy to please. So far, I've naturally preferred the sculpts of the econo-line better than most of the expensive ones. The less shocking pricetag is just an added little bonus. However, if there is ever a doll that is so devistatingly beautiful, I will save up and get it. If you really want something, you'll work for it! If you wont work hard for it, then you really didn't want it/need it. That's what I was always taught.

 

If they like it, then it doesn't matter if it's cheap. However, if they love an expensive one much more, then that's really up to them, in my case I like a few cheaper ones, but I like an expensive one much more and even though I'm the kind who hates to let go of money I'd prefer saving up for the expensive one instead. They could always just buy the cheaper ones first and eventually save up for a more expensive one, but it's really their choice in the end.

 

If the doll makes you happy, what does it's cost matter, you know?
Totally up to the person who's making the purchase, if you ask me. My Homme Ducan was a gift, but if the doll I wanted was cheap I'd buy it in a heartbeat. If it was expensive, and I had to have it, I'd save up for it.
Now, I admit if someone is just buying the cheap doll for the sake of -having- a doll, that kind of bothers me, because it seems like wasting money for the sake of being a consumer... but that's just me.

 

By the way, I've seen this "doll is like a pet" anology somwhere in this thread. I suppose it's pretty much how it is.
Take cats for example. You can spend a lot of money for a cat of some rare and expensive breed. And of course, that cat will be beatiful (for those who love that breed) and unique. And yes, if you see a dirty cat who isn't taken care of, it is most likely that it will be an ordinary alley cat. And if you own an ordinary alley cat, it won't be as unique as if you spend a lot of money on some rare-breed cat.
But people do keep cats at home. Different cats. And alley cats can be taken care of. And their owners love them. Thay can be prettier and healthier than expensive ones. People take pictures of their cats and nobody says "oh, it's an alley cat on this cat macro, ewww".

I mean, I have a beautiful cat, I didn't pay anything to get her. And it would be just ridiculous if somebody looked down at me because I didn't buy myself a Persian or called me a liar if I said that I don't like how the Persian cats look.

...Er, I juess it went to far... Anyway, I think the situation with dolls is pretty much alike.

 

Wonderful analogy, Desperada. I've had both! Loved them ALL!!

 

I'm still looking for my first bjd, and I've found that I seem to be one of the type of people you mention-rather than going for the doll I love, which is over $700, I will most likely go for a doll I like - a more resonable $150.
I think it's great to have a doll to aim for if you find it hard to just spend close to a thousand dollars on something that isnt a neccesity, and I personally dont see a problem in buying cheaper alternatives until the ideal doll is more in your grasp. After all, you can still buy a range of beautiful acessories, outfits, wigs, eyes, etc, for a cheaper doll, and can get a feel for what aspects of bjd's you really enjoy and that fascinates you, before you spend a significant amount of money.

 

I personally can't settle for a cheaper alternative. If there is something I really want, then I have to save up for that particular thing rather than go for a cheaper alternative. The reason behind this is because in the past, I have settled for a cheaper alternative and ended up hating it and being unhappy, so in the end it just ended up being a total waste of money.

Besides, if I can save up that $150 or $200 for a cheaper doll, why not save up another $150 or so and get the one I really want? It'd only push my getting of a doll back a little longer.

 

I also agree with the "if you love it, price shouldn't matter" crowd. However, just because you've found the doll you want, that doesn't mean you can't find a good deal.

When I first decided that MNF Lishe was the mold I wanted, I didn't just go to the site and hit the buy button. I hunted. I prowled ebay. I scoured the marketplace here on DoA. All that waiting and watching paid off in the end, because I bought a previously-loved Lishe, in perfect shape and with extras, for under the retail price.

I think this hobby is an excellent lesson in patience and vigilance.

 

I agree with you all the way. That $100-$200 spent on a random inexpensive doll is $100-$200 that you no longer have to put toward the doll you really want. I've bought a few inexpensive dolls either on impulse, or as mod practice, and I've had nothing but bad experience. Because they weren't really dolls that I loved, when I looked at them, I saw about as much attachment/potential/whatever as a random pink aisle doll.

 

The day my Sprite and Song from Bobobie arrived, I was beside myself with joy; you would have thought I'd won the lottery. I was just as equally excited when my Mo-2 set from Dollzone came, and when I found my LE Felian for sale on here. Granted, none of these dolls are on the "higher" price end, but to me, they're just as precious as any super limited.

Now mind, I think the Soom monthly dolls are works of art; they are just gorgeous. But liking a 655 dollar doll doesn't mean I love my 148 dollar doll any less. If I wanted a Soom, I'd save for one.

 

I just purchased two Brownies (tinies) as my first BJD's. I did get them because they're less expensive than my dream doll (an IpleHouse Mars), but I definately do love them.
Atleast this way I can work myself into BJD ownership with tinies, and also have a better appreciation for the posability of ball-jointed dolls before I go large-scale. ^^

If I were ever to buy a large doll before Mars, it would be because I like it, not because I just want a big doll.

So I think it's okay for people to restrict themselves as long as they've thought it through and like the cheaper doll that they're getting as well.

 

My first bjd was a 58cm Limhwa female........gorgeous. I fell in love and had to have her. She was very expensive but I didn't care. When I got her, I was so in awe of her that she kind of intimidated me....still does actually. I am now having more enjoyment from my Bobobie Song, who I am modding and turning into "my character". I don't feel like I should do that to my expensive Limhwa! If I had known more in the beginning, I would probably not gotten my Limhwa (I found that I don't really like the larger size). So...I totally agree with doing your homework before deciding!

 

I agee with ladyshi. I live in Argentina and our currency it's worthless, if I want to buy something that it's in dollars I have to multiply it with 3,7, and you can imagine how expensive everything ends up being. I want to buy my first bjdoll and since I don't know if this hobby will grow on me are not, I can't afford to buy a $600 doll, that's why I'm looking for other alternatives. It's not that I will end up buying a doll I don't like, I saw really cheap ones for $150 but they were not to my liking. It has to be a balance between price and quality. And maybe, later on I will make the great leap and buy one that's expensive.
I don't think anyone buys stuff that they don't like, and if that's the case, well it's their problem, but I don't think is fair to look down on people who buy cheaper dolls.

 

What ever floats your boat.

 

I'm very glad to see people saying "price shouldn't/doesn't matter, as long as you like the doll". I'm in some other communities where DoA gets sort of a bad rap for being a "snobby" place, but that's really not the case 95% of the time. There are some less expensive companies out there, like Bobobie/Resinsoul (most prominently), who have always offered high quality dolls at an affordable price. There's nothing wrong with that. Though I can understand why one would be skeptical, it's always kind of frustrating for me when I see someone saying "Well, they're so inexpensive, they must be bootlegs/cheaply made/etc". An affordable price doesn't always mean low quality or ripoff/pirate-casted dolls.

For some people, buying and investing in a very expensive doll is just not an option. Maybe they're struggling to make a living and pay for simple everyday expenses and utilities, which is common in the US currently with the downtrodden economy. Maybe they have small children living with them and don't want to risk harm coming to a really expensive doll. Maybe they just want to set a reasonable price boundary to keep themselves from speding recklessly or putting themselves in debt. Or maybe they just have tastes that, coincidentally, cause them to fall in love with dolls at the lower end of the price scale!

I strongly believe that as long as you like the doll, you shouldn't let a price dissuade you OR, on the flip side, lure you into buying a doll. If you really like the doll and know you will enjoy it, there's no reason you should feel bad for buying it if it's from a more affordable company. However, I don't think anyone should "settle for" a doll just because it's "cheap". That's fueling the stereotypical fire surrounding a lot of less expensive dolls and their owners - that people only buy the dolls because they're new to the hobby and/or want a quick fix.

The "higher-end" companies like Volks, Soom, Luts and Elfdoll certainly make gorgeous dolls that carry their hefty pricetags with little difficulty. But that's no reason for anyone to scoff at a cute Bobobie Sprite or a Dollzone Mo, who have just as much personality and potential as those more expensive dolls. A doll is a doll is a doll. I don't think price should be a factor in determining the true "worth" of a doll. If you love the doll... if you enjoy the doll, and let it grow into a reflection of yourself or your ideas and imagination, that's really all that matters. If your dolls bring a smile to your face and can make you happy, you aren't thinking of the monetary value. You're thinking of all you've put into that doll emotionally and mentally, to make it your own, something you cherish and love.

 

I think that you should buy the doll you love - if you want to spend such huge amount money you should spend it on something what you love and so you will hopefuly never regret buing it. But of course it depends only on you. If someone wants two or more dolls and one is cheaper - why not to buy the cheaper one. It is up to everybody's decision.

 

Be careful with tinies...they're often more addictive than the big ones

 

Tinies: the 'gateway drug' to hard-core resin addiction!