Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

Long ago I thought BJD very expensive hobby. And I even didn't think I can afford this. But everything changes.
Now I realize that the problem was only in my mind. If you really wish something you'll surely get it.

 

I've probably psted here before as well too, but I have a real mix of dolls and prices, but I have to say I really love my cheaper Frankendolls as much or if not more than some of my more expensive ones. In fact, if I am looking for bodies to go with any floating heads I actually rather go for the less expensive alternatives now, as I've bought many of them, and always considered them great value for the money, and never had any problems with them at all.

 

I don't think there's anything wrong with buying a lower-priced doll if you love the sculpt. I do think it's a little silly to 'settle' for a lower-priced doll because you can't afford something else, and I don't mean putting off saving for your 'dream doll' in order to buy another doll you also want, I mean actually buying a sculpt you didn't fall in love with because you just want a doll of some kind. I don't think it's wise for someone to think they want into the hobby, and decide to just buy whatever they can afford just so they can say they have a doll, or even just to feel they've got a foot in the door of the hobby. On the other hand, if you have a bunch of sculpts you love and they come from a wide range of companies at different price 'tiers', and you choose only to buy the cheaper ones, or if the ones that appeal to you are often cheaper, then that's great.

For me choosing a doll basically takes into account whether I really want it. Then if I have the money I can buy it, and if I don't then I can't. It's never an issue of whether I think a doll is 'worth' the price. If I like it enough (and if the company doesn't have a dodgy reputation for quality) then it's worth it. When I was living off a generous scholarship in Japan, I could afford a few of the more expensive dolls that I really wanted. Now back on my student budget in the UK, and in a time of economic pressure, I can no longer afford the dolls I really want. With a bit of effort I could certainly afford a RS or BBB doll, or something similarly priced, but I'm not going to because their sculpts simply don't appeal to me. In fact, my taste in sculpts often does tend to run to the more expensive end of things. I've looked long and hard at the lower priced companies, but with a few exceptions they're just not for me (which isn't to say I love all expensive dolls, but the ones I do love are more likely to be from expensive companies). That's my loss, and I'll have to wait a while longer until I can buy another doll.

I can understand people being upset at the idea that one person's settling is another person's dream doll, but if you're buying at the lower price end of anything (whether it be dolls, televisions or cars) then it's kind of inevitable. I'm sure to the people who buy or bid on Enchanted Doll pieces even the most expensive Soom, Iplehouse, Volks etc. are pretty cheap. There's always going to be someone who spends more money than you, even within the same hobby.

 

I would love to have Resins Souls Bei, she is a little cutie and she is very cheap ..for a doll. I like her sculpt and RS resins, the colours!! *u* But I would never spent about 100$ on a doll that isn't the one for me, after all it is "a cheap doll" but it is still a huge cost.
Definitely it is better to wait and safe some money for you dream doll then just buy the first doll you can afford.

 

I buy the dolls that I really love. So if it means my nearly 800 dollar SD13 girl, or my 650 dollar SD10 girl, I do it, and I have actually been thinking of buying a Bobobie Sprite for about 150, so it really doesn't matter to me the price, if I love it. I'm going to LA in May to do a FCS for a SD13 boy, which will be I think a little over $1000.... But I know that he's the doll for me, so it doesn't matter if I have to save up a little bit longer. Buy the doll you know you'll love.

 

Heh, I am probably never in my life going to buy my $500 dream doll. I wouldn't even want to play with it for the risk of something happening to him!

 

I own an AOD qian however i did not buy her for the price at all I bought her coz i quite simply ADORED her i thought
she was beautiful I wanted her much more then any other doll i saw. Just so happened that she wasn't as expensive as others
though I only ever buy dolls if I truly do fall for them

x

 

I buy the 'cheaper' dolls cos they're all I can afford, TBH. Sure, getting more expensive dolls would be nice, and I've seen some gorgeous ones I really wish I could get, but I still love the ones I've got.

TL;DR- No, I see nothing wrong with getting cheaper dolls. xD

 

I personally think if the doll catches your eye and you bond with it I think you have to right to buy it no matter how much it cost.

 

So If the only dolls that catch your eye happen to be "cheap" Its your choice to buy them or not.

 

I've been thinking about buying a doll for years, but due to my financial status (with being a student and all) it's just something I've put off. Moreover, I couldn't really get over paying hundreds of dollars. . for a doll. What happened was I ended up finding out about Obitsu - and figured it was something worth the money I'd be spending on it. Nothing too fancy (in fact, I still don't even have a wig for it). . but I had fun posing it. Recently I found another doll l liked - this time costing me something like 300 dollars. It was used, but it was OOAK and it was cheap enough for me to "figure hey, why not. . ?" And I absolutely loved the outfit she was being sent with. When the doll arrived I liked her so much I actually bought another from the same company, still pretty cheap, but - if it's cheap, and you like it, I don't see a problem. For what I spent on the two of them I could have gotten a nicer, more expensive doll - but it just doesn't seem worth it to me. . Not if I'm absolutely content with what I have. The cheaper prices are just a bonus!

It's about finding what works for you, and, more importantly, what you like. If I ever have extra money on hand and find an expensive doll I really love, well, I don't think (after this experience) I'd have much of a trouble splurging on it.

 

I think its fine. If your ok with it get it!

 

I think it's a very personal decision, every persons priority it's different, and everyone has the idea of "if they will buy only one doll" I think they should save for THE DOLL, but if they are just getting started into the hobby or have to spent their money into more important priorities like health care or education, then I guest going for a cheaper doll in stand it's not bad at all, after all, you will surely end up loving your first doll because it was the first and that's something so special that no other doll can take away...

 

Let's be honest here: NO DOLL in this hobby is actually 'cheap'. Especially in these economic hard-times. Even the 'cheap' companies make excellent and beautiful products. BBB/RS and AoD make, to me, the cheapest 'looking' dolls. They're waifish and thin(and sometimes eerily disproportionate), compared to SOOM and some of the more pricey companies--where the artistry is definitely more refined.

People will buy what they want, when they want it. When I was originally buying for my recent doll-- my first choice was a Dollzone Anne; but was informed of a massive waitlist. Because of that, I chose another company, which happened to be more inexpensive. Sometimes, it's more about instant gratification.

 

I got my dream doll as a gift, and as my first ABJD and it WAS and IS magical and special to have that happen.

There is nothing wrong with getting your dolls however you decide to, it is a very personal thing, as has been said many times in this thread.

I love the excitement shared when someone gets their first, no matter the cost/size/sculpt/brand but I also enjoy seeing someone getting an especially extravagant limited or OOAK doll they can well afford just for the joy of it. I saw my first ABJD photo in a magazine after the Volks 4 sisters release but before any boys so I was a quiet supporter/spectator for 9 years before becoming an owner.

I love both the solitary and cherished doll and the gangs in the pix. The variety of the people and the many different things they share and show adds to my enjoyment of the hobby.

I feel bad sometimes to see someone who seems desperate to get any doll at all and fast...probably because when I could NOT in any way afford one, I turned my energy to what I COULD afford and really was happy with the smaller plastic Volks dolls for customizing, and they taught me a LOT. My secret is the joy these dolls have all brought me, no matter the size or the cost so my best advice is "Love what you buy, whatever it is."

My next is on the way now, almost 2 years after getting the first and 2 face plates that go with it all within about year's time, both dolls are well known and what median opinion seems to consider 'more expensive end of the spectrum'...but again, this one will be special as well, b/c it is a gift, and because when I first learned of and dreamed of resin ABJD bigger than 1:6, I never EVER thought I would be lucky enough to actually HAVE even one so I kind of dreamed pie in the sky, Unoa and a Volks SD Kun or Megu (who was the first ABJD I ever saw). Some may see that as very extravagant, and maybe it is! The surprise, excitement, anticipation and luxury surrounding them is part of the enjoyment. My fiance enjoys it too and would have bought me the Kun long ago, had I asked. He works hard and we will always buy within our budget so why NOT?

It has been a LOT of fun to dream, moon over, research, then see them materialize!! The next one I is a much less expensive one, the Bobobie Mu but he is as lovely in his own fey and feral way as these 2 and will be just as special! I now will probably not think seriously about getting him or a 14cm until 2012, I want to give Kun her due. ATM, all I can think of is 'zomg SD shoes'!

I enjoy all my dolls from the smallest to the biggest, this does not hurt or diminish anything for anyone else, so why not just have 'great good fun'??

Sorry to be so long winded here, but I think this is a very important topic. TY for reading

 

If you love it, its worth it! weather it's cheaper, or outrageously expensive, love is love and heck if you can have your dream doll family without spending a FORTUNE then props to you dear

 

You won't believe, but I thought such way too xDD

Getting to the topic
I think I depends on the doll. If you like the "cheap" doll buy it. But if you liked the so-called expensive one - go and save for him/her. The "replace" will only be a replace for your dream, not your dream. And you will continue to wish for the first one.

 

Angie - same here! The doll I spent the most on because I just had to have him is the one I do the least with! Who knew!

 

Honestly, I limited myself on price for my first dollfie. I wanted to spend no more than $200 on the entire package (doll and clothes) as a "just in case I really don't like this hobby as much as I thought I would" scenario. To that end, I didn't get the exact doll I wanted because the body alone was nearing my spend limit - and that was with no hair or clothes. However, when a friend offered to sell me a dollfie and showed me Lyre (previously named Sodom), my jaw dropped and I fell in love.

For my next doll purchase, I'm going to get the original doll that I wanted because I am loving this hobby a lot. If that means saving up, then I will. And I think that if somebody is fawning over a dollfie that is very high in price, then he or she should start a dollfie fund and slowly build up to getting that dream doll. Saving up for a dream doll is so much more fulfilling than settling with a cheaper one.

 

I have to admit, I love the gorgeous expensive dolls, but really, I bout my first 2 dolls both under 200 bucks, one of them used. And honestly I am more likely to go for used for future dolls, just find used ones I like. I don't have a big budget or expendable income, and also I have plans for some mods that I wouldn't consider on a more expensive doll. I like changing things to suit me and a used doll is fine. Doesn't mean I will love them less, heck it even gives them more character in my opinion... I know I am a newb to owning and buying dolls, and maybe I might change my opinion after having my doll and getting a new one, but I am pretty sure I wont XD.