Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

For me, I'm an all-or-nothing person. I'm not going to buy a cheaper doll only to end up buying the one I actually want later. If you're unsure of the hobby, yes, you might want to consider getting a cheaper doll, and that's perfectly okay. For my first, I ordered a Dollshe Saint (which are a 'little' more on expensive side, $650-$750 for a 70cm doll nude, no faceup, nothing). However, I got lucky that Dollshe was having a sale, I got him for half off ($325) directly from the company. Now that's a VERY reasonable price for a DS Saint, considering I got an OE and SA face plate (open and closed eyes). I'm already looking at a $700-$800 doll that I really want now, and I have money saved for him. I was also planning on making a hybrid and am expecting to paying around $350 for him, and this would be my dream doll (one of them anyways XD).

The only reason I don't see a point in only buying cheaper dolls is when someone ends up with four of them (at around $200 per doll) that they only kind of like versus if they had just saved and bought an $800 doll that they'd love

Overall, I understand why people buy cheaper and others more expensive. I enjoy both. I believe everyone should be able to enjoy the hobby in whatever way they can.

 

I would and are only buying cheaper dolls because I can't see spending $300 on a doll... But I only get the ones I like.. However, that's just for the time being. When I have my own job and making my own money, well.... *evil smile* Then I will be getting to know some doll companies very well..

 

I think that, at least for me, price has never been an issue. Every one of my dolls is second-hand...meaning I got them from someone else, who in turn got them from someone else sometimes.

If I like a doll, expensive or not, I will get it. There's nothing wrong with people having inexpensive dolls, of course, and some of the prettiest ones I've seen have been the least expensive.

For me, what matters is who the doll wants to be, or is willing to be. Sometimes it takes a while, but I seem to have a knack for getting second-hand dolls that people don't know what to do with, and turning them into a character that makes them quite happy.

 

I must admit that the price has a lot to say when I buy my dolls - So I've bought most of my dolls in event periods, so I either got an event head or some discount on the dolls.
Luckely I havent seen a really expensive doll that I just couldn't live without.

 

Well, if I fell in love with the doll, I don't think I'd care much about the price. (Although $1000 can be a lil bit ridiculous.) Although I have to say, I always wait for event period. XD But finding the right sculpt for me is hard even though there's a sale going on.

 

My rule of thumb seems to be to be take the height in CM, add another 0 to the end, and that's how much I'm willing to really pay for a doll. This means blank with no clothes or wig.
IE: 70 cm doll = keep it around $700.
58 cm doll = keep it around $580
and so on and so forth.

It might seem like an odd rule, but I think it's generally fair for most companies. if it goes a little over I can't get upset, and if it's under...well then awesome! But I won't be like "This 70cm doll only costs $500, it must be crap."
But honestly, the price isn't my deciding factor for a doll. If I REALLY love one, and can manage to pay the doll off without putting myself in a financially compromising situation then...I'll get it no matter how long it takes me to pay it off.

 

I think people have a right to do whatever they want with their money (as long as it doesn't hurt people), so if they do want to get "cheaper dolls" they should be able to, and nobody should really even care..? If what you want is less, then consider yourself lucky! You shouldn't spend more just to show-off or fit in...? Likewise if your dream doll is more pricey, and you feel it's worth it, then save up..? =O

 

I used to buy cheaper dolls until i realized that you get for what you pay for. These dolls are so expensive, when you reach a certain amount, it just makes sense to get the one you want. That is the most important thing, having a doll you want, and not settling for less. The doll you want could be the cheapest doll in the world, or the most expensive! You learn through trial and error, what you're really looking for in a doll

 

Hummho, I think it's totally ok to limit yourself when purchasing a doll. We all know these babies are expensiiiveee. xD Me personally, I had originally wanted to purchase a "cheaper" doll, but I realized soon after that if I was going to spend so much time, effort, and money (in a sense) into my doll, I might as well buy one I truly like regardless of price. It just so happens that my dream doll was not cheap AT ALL. OTLLL

I think people should just buy a doll that makes them happy. xD

 

That's what I think too ....

 

How do I feel about them? I think that people should do whatever makes them happy, I think the most important thing they should worry about though is whether they will love their doll and be happy with it.

I think if you find a $10 doll that you love more than anything, and spend heaps of time doing it's own face-up and making clothes for it, then thats great.

I think if you want to spend $3000 on a super limited doll because it is the only doll on earth you love, and you always buy the most expensive clothes because you love them, well that's great too. As long as you can afford it of course lol. XD

I think the only mistake would be a. buying a $100 dollar doll that you are trying to convince yourself you like, because the $600 one seems too expensive, or conversely, buying a $1500 doll just because it is expensive/rare without loving it. (But honestly, if your budget is only $100 dollars then I guess you have to make do with what you have, and as long as you love it, the price is really not what makes the doll anyway).

 

People can spend their money however they want, and if it's all they can afford it really isn't anyone's business. As long as they enjoy what they buy, then I guess that's all that matters. Someone shouldn't just settle for something, though. I think that's pointless and a waste of money. And by the same token, if someone can afford to buy all really expensive dolls, good for them as long as they're doing it for the right reasons. I don't think someone should buy all the most expensive, rare dolls they can just because they can.

Personally, I don't usually set limits for myself when looking for a doll (meaning I don't set out simply thinking I can only get a doll under a certain price). The dolls I have are all of different prices and while two of them were on the pricier side, that's just how it happened. I fall in love with a doll regardless of its price (sometimes this is for better but usually it's.. for worse!), it's just a matter of knowing what I can and cannot get.

 

Uhm.. when I add a doll in my wish list (and I have a very long one :P) it is never a question of price...
If I like the doll then I'll add him/her, I won't ever buy a doll because he/she's cheap...
But often I end up buying more of the cheaper dolls in my WL... I mean it's hard to save money for a new doll, so when you have a doll which cost $200 in your list and one at $700 and you saved $200 how can you resist without buying the first and keep saving for the more expensive one? :P

Taty

 

@Taty well put

 

I currently don't have a "dream doll", (Though, I keep finding myself eyeing the KizDoll Sabik elf... hehe ) but I have a doll plan...

My MSD has an older brother, and I thought Leeke World's Min was perfect for him. My MSD is from Dollmore, and I think Leeke world is a considerable amount more expensive, but it didn't stop me from buying the Min head.

I don't have anything against "cheaper dolls", but the body I have in mind for my Min head is from Angel of Dream, which do have dolls that are less expensive than most major companies.

The only reason I'm buying the body from Angel of Dream is because I like the body's shape and joints better than the Leeke World body. So, don't feel bad because you bought a doll or clothes from a "cheaper" company.

I think it's more about how you intend to treat the doll, more than if it's less expensive or not.

 

Can't remember if I've ever replied to this but things have changed a lot since then if I have ...

I don't see anything wrong with just buying dolls on the lower end of the price tag to be honest. I have to be realistic about my hobbies and if that means I can only buy dolls at the lower end of the price tag, then so be it. It doesn't mean the dolls I buy I don't love, it just means, I set a price I'm willing to pay and whilst I might see other dolls that would be nice to have but are beyond that price, then so be it. You make the best of the situation you're in. In fact, my favourite doll in my collection is at the lower end of the price tag. Sure, she's not a perfect poser and it's frustrating sometimes but I wouldn't change it for the world because it's one of her quirks. And buying her was the best thing I ever did, for myself and for my wallet.

 

I started off with a RS Long, he was my first doll and I bought him from a friend, she needed the money for her SOOM doll and i went to go see him before I bought him, i thought ok, i can manage $250 for a doll, i dont care what he looks like, but when i saw him in person i was instantly in love with him!

So yes, I went in with the wrong idea but I LOVE him now that hes mine, he has never once just been my "cheap doll" hes a part of my "family" now, yeah it didnt hurt that i could afford him with my measly high school savings.

Now I've gotten an AOD Zi yuan, she beautiful once again I saw her in person and HAD TO HAVE HER! Yes she is on the cheaper end of the dolls out there but there is no way with my income that I'd jump in and try immediately to purchase my dream doll (a.k.a. SOOM MD Amber) yes someday i will have her but for now my little "cheap" family is perfect, i find that even though they are cheap they are mine, and i love them and i think when people buy a doll they should do it becsuae they want that doll, its their money and their determination, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder and just because its cheap doesnt mean its not pretty.

 

I passively began looking for my first BJD about four years ago, when I fell in love with the DoD Ducan. At the time, I could not for the life of me justify spending 200+ dollars at all on a doll. But I always knew I wanted one 50cm+... When Souldoll came out with Lester, I almost died on the spot. He had the right kind of build and his size was spectacular, if not difficult to dress... Then I moved cities, from landlocked to the coast, met some dollpeople, and then eventually...

My first doll (whom I bought very recently, just last month!) was an impulse buy. I decided I didn't want to wait anymore. But ever the spendthrift, I decided to go the DoA way and buy off of Marketplace. I ended up with a wonderful AngelHeim Ryan that had never even been taken out of the box before for "only" $400. (That's just a little less than my monthly rent, hah.) Originally I was going for an SD; but he is a 70cm... And to be honest I could not be happier.

I feel that by "restricting" myself ALL this time because of price and taking a good hard look at dolls, I ended up with something I really, really love. Honestly, I adore my Aiden like crazy. I still cannot imagine ever having ANOTHER doll, simply because they are such an expensive purchase. (In the relativity of the doll-world, $400 'isn't that much'. But relative to a lot of other things, it's huge. For example, that's more than a whole months' worth of groceries... For me, almost 2 months. Everything in perspective, right?)

I'd love to get Sugarble's "Genie"... but he's simply too expensive. There's other things that I need to be saving up for, and Aiden already takes up most of my expendable income as it is. XD Restricting yourself to "cheaper" dolls, if done for the right reasons, I would say is definitely the way to go. I also think the Marketplace is a great thing to watch/utilize if you're really wanting something that you couldn't get first-hand. Sometimes, patience pays off.

 

I personally am extremely clumsy, and wouldn't feel comfortable with a doll that cost much more than $200. I just wouldn't want to touch it for fear that I'd break something so valuable. And I'm poor, so... haha

 

I have only been able to purchase cheaper dolls. If I had enough money I would get some of the more expensive ones. At this point though I really love the dolls I do have and don't see them as being worth less or loved less because they are cheaper.