Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

No, only if I like the doll. For instance, I like the headsculpt of BBB Sprite and if I had a character for that doll I would have bought her, espécially if I can get her in the marketplace for less. All the other BBB dolls, however, I don't care about. To me these would be a very expensive 'bargain' to buy, because I'm wasting money on something I don't even want.

 

Just to add to that other demension, I wouldn't jump to buy a doll that's 'on sale' unless I really like the sculpt and face. I'm not the kind to buy something for the sake of turning a profit on resale either, since I'd hate to be the one ripped off.

Nefla; I understand now. You're exprerienced with doll making and modding, and wanted to mod a particular doll into one that fits the aesthestic you love, and it unfortunately didn't work out. Whether it's a large BBB or another brand, I'm sorry it didn't work out, but those mods sound really cool.

 

Nefla, wow! That's an impressive list!

I was in a similar situation; I bought a sculpt (relatively inexpensive), that I mildly liked - and ended up trying to mod it, since I found I intensely disliked the nose. It ended up being too much trouble for what it was worth, and I sold it.

However, I also bought a sculpt from a more "expensive" company, and I detested it. It made me question the whole hobby, and only when I had sold it, did I remember how much I actually loved my other dolls.

So, for me, price really had nothing to do with it. It was simply the mold and sculpting.

I'm also pretty picky about bodies. Trying to save money, I bought an Fdoll body (which is actually incredibly nice, if you'd like a Luts-type body), but which was wrong for the character. I tried a Minimee body, but I hated the back - how it would curve and pop the head to stare at the ceiling. Finally, I invested in a Senior Delf body (with those odd ripples sanded off), and I love it. (On a side note, I hate Volks SD13 bodies - they're ungainly, not detailed, and I detest the hands. I have one since it fits more clothing, and I can only stand it because I changed the hands.)

I'm pretty picky about these things, too. I tend to be stingy, so if I could find a body I liked for a better price, I'd be all over it!

My dollzone girl was my first, and I would never be able to part with her. I bought her initially because of the price, but I grew to love her, not as just a doll, but as a sort of physical manifestation of the doll hobby for me. Perhaps she has little to no monetary value (due to her age, and my horrible newbie mistakes), but sentimentally, she's priceless.

I am at fault for falling for limiteds, but there is nothing more satisfying than bringing home a doll you've lusted after for years. In the end, though, I would have bought them if they were standard and only $200 - simply because I genuinely love their sculpts.

 

I probably spend more time and attention on my BBB and RS MSDs than I do my two limited Elfdoll SDs. I've had to work more with them to make them what I want them to be and consequently I'm more attached. And because the SDs are limiteds, I feel that I need to preserve their limited face-ups for as long as I can and I don't feel really comfortable switching out their eyes. Silly of me perhaps, but I had to replace the eyelashes on one of them the other day and it was a little traumatic. When the day comes that I have to re-do their faces because the old face-ups are showing wear, they'll probably, finally feel like my own dolls. And I'm hard on face-ups, so that day will probably come sooner rather than later.

They're more expensive dolls by far than my MSDs, but they have their own issues and shortcomings as well. I was surprised to find that they didn't pose appreciably better than my cheaper dolls, and I actually like the feel and texture of the resin on the BBB and RS better. So I don't tend to equate price with quality so much. It's more the sculpt for me.

 

My first (and currently only) doll is an AoD Wang Zi. I'm not the type to spend a lot of money on anything I'm not sure of, so I knew I wanted a doll that was on the "cheaper" end of the spectrum (as AoD is). My first real Dollie love was an DoD DoI Luke, but I did not want to spend so much on something I wasn't sure I'd love. AoD turned out to be the perfect choice and I came to absolutely love him anyway. Now I know that when I can get that Luke someday, I'll be completely smitten with him and the fact that he's an expensive piece of plastic. :P

I guess what I'm getting at is that I can understand people who limit themselves to "cheaper" dolls and I can relate with them. The price doesn't really matter as long as you love them properly.

 

Wow. I feel the same way. I don't think I would enjoy going through the whole overseas ordeal. It makes me nervous, even though I know it shouldn't.

I hate waiting in line, too.

 

I have only a "human" bjd, but looking around I see that there are quite a few cats. Those of you who like the animals, can you give me your view on the cats that are available? I am feeling the need...

Thanks!

 

I don't really care if the bjd is cheap or not...If they look pretty and the quality is great then who cares!

 

I know I started with my Obitsu first. I think it's hard because you love some of the more expensive ones but you know are aren't able to afford them right then, so i think going for something cheaper that you like is okay, as long as you maybe give yourself some satisfaction by at least saving for the more expensive one.

 

I would choose the doll I think that I could bond with better. Also pick the one with more customization options.

 

I think there is this sort of stigma with SOME people in the hobby about buying "cheaper" dolls. As an owner of both a AoD (which is on the cheaper end of the spectrum) and a MNF (which was considerably more expensive) I can say that despite the price, my AoD was an excellent buy. He has no seams, he was strung beautifully, and his resin is gorgeous.

That's not to say my MNF isn't wonderful, but I was shocked that she still had her seams when I received her. As silly as it might sound, I kind of expected her not to for her being more expensive!

As many others have said in this thread, it should be about what you like. If you like that doll from Company A which is ten times less expensive than a doll from Company C, then get the one from Company A. The whole point of this hobby (in my opinion) is to have a doll that suits you and makes you happy. Who cares if it's not Super Limited Doll of Amazing and Awesome and Expense! (TM)? To you, it would still be valuable and worth it.

 

Fufufuf, 'like' and 'love' are such subjective terms, especially for things you've probably never seen in real life before. If someone decides to buy a cheap doll or a few that he/she 'likes' as opposed to an expensive doll he/she 'loves', who is to say that the 'liking' will not turn to 'love' after they get their hands on it? And who is to say that after getting an expensive doll you 'love', you won't find that you actually quite dislike it? There's been more than once when I've seen a doll I 'loved' in real life and realised that it wasn't quite what I was expecting.

Another case for getting cheaper dolls over more expensive ones could be dynamics. You could get more dolls for the price of the one expensive doll, and, even though each one might not quite measure up to THAT ONE DOLL, together, they could make for a very sweet sight? And I personally feel that it's more fun to play with more than one at a time, though others might beg to differ.

In the end, it rather boils down to the balance between cost and utility (economics, anyone?). While I may long/hope/yearn/lust for an SA Bermann, the money value I ascribe to that bit of happiness at gaining him would not be anywhere close to his market rate (if anyone is even remotely willing to sell!), so it would not make sense for me to (try to) get him. On the other hand, while I've never really looked at tinies, the current CH one-for-one offer has put the cost of a Petite Ai firmly in my happiness range, so I'd totally go for the cheaper doll. Besides, she'll look good with the rest of my lovelies...

So I support the buying of cheaper 'good-enough' dolls over the expensive 'perfect' doll, so long as, in the end, the buyer feels cheered by his/her purchases, because, in the end, this is a hobby, and you should totally enjoy it, right~?

 

I'm guilty of choosing "cheaper" dolls for my first.

For me it's very much a beginner's frame of mind. I'm not ready to jump into the pool with a $600 doll. Even though I've been in lovewith BJD for a good 5-6 years, money is still money.

I don't think I judge people on their brand of dolls, more what they choose to do with them. If it makes them happy (and mine do!), then I support their choice with getting one of the "cheaper" brands.

Mind you, next doll I'm saving up is going to be one of SOOMs Monthly's so... it's a good thing I saved a little money going cheap! 8D

 

For me it's about taking time to really figure out who you will not regret. You can only account for so much buying on the internet but looking at what owner pics you can find etc helps. If I cheap out and get something I don't like as much, I find I get alot more remorse. I'd rather wait and save and get what it is I really want. If I like cheap doll though all the better ;3 The extra money can go to wardrobe heehee.

 

That too! I think the amount I spent on my first doll, I spent again just on shoes/wig/clothes for him!

 

I, personally, made the mistake of buying a doll I wasn't completely in love with because it was cheaper. I really really wanted a MNF Shushu, but I also sorta liked the DZ Shoyo 3. I felt pressured to buy the DZ Shoyo because she was limited and I was terrified that if I saved and bought Shushu instead of Shoyo, that I would be upset that I didn't get the LE Shoyo in time and it would then only be obtainable through a second-hand purchase. So I quickly bought the Shoyo and she arrived and I liked her, but not as much as I thought I would. A few months later I ordered my MNF Shushu and when she finally arrived I discovered that I loved her MUCH more than my Shoyo, but I thought I only liked her more because she was new so I held onto my Shoyo until two months ago when I realized I couldn't bond with her because I didn't like her enough in the first place. So here I am, a year later, trying to sell my first dolly. :[

for those who think that was too long: Basically, don't buy a doll based on price, make sure you know you'll love it first. If you can save for a 300$ doll, I'm sure you can save for a 600$ doll. If you love a cheaper doll, that's great, just don't convince yourself that you love a doll that's cheaper if you don't.

 

I chose a second hand doll for my first doll and I still love him . He's a Lati and at the time I was still waiting on my first doll to come. My Hunter was still being made. I saw My Dresden on the TDAF site and I fell in love with him. I chose dolls that weren't the most expense dolls but ones I liked .I loved there features and there looks of the Doll Zone dolls. I don't have alot of money I really can't spend thousands of dollars on a doll so when I saw the Doll Zone dolls I was hooked. They aren't expense and they have the look I was looking for. I'm slowly saving up for my next doll I don't really know who it will be yet too many to list.

My suggestion to anyone is to buy the doll you want and if that means to save up then take the time to save up or see if it will come Used as well later if you miss it new but get the doll you want and the one you will enjoy.

Just my thoughts...

 

No. If you can, you should purchase what you really like.
I purchased tinies that were more expensive and then purchased a Brownie. The Brownie was very low cost compared to the others. I have ended up really liking it. It is very cute. The dolls have differences and are special in their own ways. I suggest trying different kinds out to see what you like. Okay, I did buy my Brownie because it was lower cost, but I did think it was cute. I am glad I did.

 

Sadly, on my budget I can only afford to buy MSD Luts dolls. I got my girl, the Litchi model, for around 330 with shipping but that also included: one full outfit, a wig, and boots. I say that's a pretty good deal. Then again, that was two months pay for me...

 

I feel really put down by some people using the words so called cheap doll for dollzone dolls, yes they are a bit cheaper then most but .... who cares they're beautifull none the less I have two myself I gave Fiebe a feillian some freckles making her a whole new girl and a new custom made wig, Rufus was perfect the way he was a meigi , I just added a felted rat tail to his wig and now he has his own style and personality as well. I used to didn't allow myself to buy the dolls because I always said I needed the money for my healthcare because I'm a chronicly ill student.... but why would I keep myself from buying the things I love okay I could have stuck to just one.... but I have a weak spot for adopting these dolls who are no longer wanted. I don't see the need in saving up for a new one every doll has it's own personality anyways I don't think it's the price that counts but the home really.....