Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

No, I totally agree with you, I think there is a gap between certain kinds of owners. It's almost like a bizarre BJD class system or hierarchy! I am very shy of posting in the gallery or even contemplating going to meets for fear I will incur scorn. How daft is that?! I really do hope it is me being daft. I share your sentiment Raouken 'lets all be friends'

 

Very well said BlueSand

 

No, I'm agreeing, Raouken. We are all too much afraid of what other people might think and we are to easily offended. And I think this is the reason there's a gap between owners of each side.
It's not about how much the doll costs, as I stated before, to me there are no cheap dolls. And it's not about if you are part of the clique or not. If you loved the way your 250 dollar doll looks like, then you should buy him. And if you like the one that's over a 1000 dollars, by all means, start saving! In the end it's what you like, what yóu want. Because you're the one who has to live with the doll at home, and if you do not like it, but everyone else does, it's a waste of money for you.

So, I'm joining the 'accept each others choices' group.

 

Sounds like a good group to me. I'm tired of having to feel like I need to justify my choices in dolls, or try to explain how I spent as much on my Volks doll as my Korean doll to somehow make it seem more acceptable.

I have no problem with anyone else's dolls. Sure, if someone damages a doll, expensive or cheap, or treats the doll carelessly then I'll probably wince but how much someone spends on their doll? Definitely not my business.

 

...I think the value is the same for everyone. We all spent a lot of money in the end didn't we? There is no set number to what "a lot" is, because we're all different and don't have the same amount of money. No one slapped down a dollar bill and got themselves a doll, and I'm sure many worked hard for the money to get their doll. Dedication to the hobby is what's the most valueable to me, and we all have that right? It worries me sometimes to think it's becoming more about the money than the dolls themselves.

*Flees from scary debate now* >.<;

 

The DZ aesthetic is different from the "traditional" ABJD aesthetic. I would say that there are few other dolls that have that particular look to them. In general, the Chinese dolls have a different look from the Korean dolls, which have a different look than the Japanese dolls. Each country has a different flavor to their sculpts.

Until recently, most of the Chinese-made dolls tended to be characterized by pointed noises, very defined beaky lips, and unusual eye placement. They're sometimes less 'finished' looking and have issues of symmetry and stiffer body posing. This is a look that doesn't appeal to everyone... I would think of it as an acquired taste, even. It seems downright alien to some of the people who have had years of Volks or CP proportioning.

I see Kim's wondering how people can honestly find this attractive being kinda like wondering how someone can honestly say "Man! I love the taste of cough syrup!" It's not impossible, it's maybe just not what the average person would expect.

It's sort of like how people can bash Volks sculpts because they're 'ugly' or 'blank' or 'elitist' or 'too expensive for no reason.' Those people just don't see the appeal at all either. However, since they're bashing the golden child of the hobby, everyone just lets it go. Whereas cheaper doll lovers tend to take it personally when someone doesn't like their doll or thinks it looks cheap. A lot of people make judgmental off-handed comments about a lot of companies and price ranges. It seems like disliking "cheap dolls" is mainly an issue because people are taking it as classism.

 

I can perfectly understand not liking cheap dolls, hell, there are some of them that have made me wince.

There are also some more "expensive" ones that have caused that reaction in me -- Leekeworld's Mihael, for one. Compared to the dolls I'm used to, he has tiny little piggy eyes and a mouth that looks like he's about to start dribbling all over himself.

Now, personally, I don't see how *anyone* could want a face like that in their house...but I assume that there must be SOMEONE out there who does.

I guess the root of what I'm saying is (and Kim, this is in no way directed at you, as I respect your opinion entirely, especially after all the time I spent staring at Mihael in absolute horror last night...xD), if you don't like a doll/type of doll, why do you have to make it into an issue?

I mean, giving someone grief over their doll reminds me of middleschool -- getting teased because your clothes aren't brand-name. But as long as they do what they're meant to -- cover you (or in the case of dolls, it's a bit more varied than that...xD) -- then really what is the POINT of pitching a fit?

Honestly, it serves no purpose other than to make the other person feel badly about their doll, and make you look like a total a$$.

Complaining isn't going to change anything for the better!

Once again, you're welcome to your opinions, but this is really a case where a bit of tact would go a long way.

Besides, in the end, I'm sure that deep down, almost everyone feels that THEIR doll is the best, no matter what they paid for it. XD

 

The point of the thread was to have a discussion based on opinion. Not give an emotional hug or a reassurances. Outside of this thread, I don't think that any of the people who have expressed dislike for the cheaper dolls say or do anything to make owners of these dolls feel bad.

I don't think anyone here is complaining or "giving others grief." There is nothing personal in any of the opinions given, no one has targeted specific members or even specific sculpts (until yours, I believe). People who have expressed "negative" opinions have done so in generic terms, answering the question that was asked in the opening post - which was "How do you feel about people who restrict themselves to only buying "cheap" dolls" and other tangental stuff along the way.

If someone is the type who needs other people to like and approve every choice that they make, perhaps they should stay out of any situation where someone may not give them exactly the response that they want to hear?

Implying that someone looks like an ass for expressing an unpopular opinion isn't cool either.

 

I'm going to say this then I'm bowing out of the discussion since I've said all I need to say on the subject.

The issue for me, and for many others in this particular debate, is that this isn't what was said. We all have preferences and we all have the right to have an opinion - I do, you do, we all do. Kim's opinion isn't what I was questioning as much as her belief that anyone who claims to like a Dollzone (AoD, Bobobie, etc.) sculpt is lying. She believes that and that's great...that's her right and I'm not debating that. Personally, I just find it a little insulting that if I say AoD Rao or Dollzone Feilian are beautiful dolls, I'm lying (for what reason?).

That said, I hope no one thinks I'm shitstirring, because I'm not. I enjoy serious debate and discussion about subjects I find interesting and it's great to have like-minded people to debate with. And if we all agreed on everything, we wouldn't have anything to debate!

 

*puts hands up*

I restrict myself to only buying cheaper dolls. More than an unwillingness to spend 500USD on a doll, I am unwilling to spend RM2000+ on one. For scaling purposes, RM7 can get you a McDonald meal set.

I have 4 now (wait. one is bodiless), and my most expensive so far is still my first (and my love) No-MakeUp Kit Angel Region Little Fair Jade, who was 299USD INCLUDING shipping.

My Tender Bee-A is 60+180 (head+ shipping ~ 80. body bought locally) = 260 ish

My girl Angell Studio Vera was 250USD including shipping.

my dream dolls are... well... now that I have my Jade, its just the SDs that I really want and I wish they come in mini size. Well anyway they are El, Bernard, Anais and Migidoll Ryu.

I'll never even try to save for Anais because she's way too expensive. I'm trying to get at least an El, Ryu and Bernard heads because that's what's important to me, their heads. That way, I'll have the satisfaction of looking at them without having to fork out another 2 grands.

I feel if someone doesn't keep whining will doing it, it's justified and alright for them to keep to cheaper dolls. Cos if they're whining, then they aren't really as happy as they think they are >_>;

*whines sometimes, but not too seriously* XD;;;

 

I'm a bit unsure of how to comment to this. In general, I understand what you mean, and I kind of agree, but not to the extent that you mean them.

My first dollzone was a Xi head. I bought him for his quiet pensive look. He was faceless for the longest time, i couldn't do his faceup right due to the angularness of the face and lips. I seriously thought about selling him off thrice. I scoured the whole internet for a mini that has his looks and lo and behold : there was none. Until now, even though i manage to give him the look he's meant for, he's still the easiest for me to let go off. Even easier than my practice tender bee-a head. But... there's still no one who can replace him.... My point is, I can see how people would have trouble with their dollzones and such, but still I'd never doubt someone else for saying that they love theirs, find them beautiful, or see that they fit a specific character.

Dollzone dolls are very specific and unique looking. It's possible they look right for someone since no other dolls look like they do.

I do agree on your point about inexpensive vs cheap looking dolls. I restrict myself to cheaper dolls, but god knows I won't be able to live with them if they look nothing but cheap. I too am often sad to see the cheaper dolls looking so cheap that I feel like helping the owners or help them dress up and look better (because they CAN! Although I'm not good enough to help others as it is ).

but.

This, I once again disagree with. Some cheap acrylic eyes have a real depth to them. A lot of Artistique eyes are as good as 9 dollar glips in my opinion. It's just the look that you want to find for them (have you SEEN the acrylics that helene has in her migi ryu?). What you'd like to mean is probably "poor quality" acryllics. Cheap isnt always poor quality. I can make something poor quality and sell it expensive and no one will ever know until I've shipped it to their door, if photographed right.

And all three of my bodied dolls are wearing sock clothings right now (and acrylic eyes)
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Socks can make for some very varied clothings, with just a little bit of imagination and a lot of fray stoppers. The good thing with socks is mostly that you have to sew less and you don't need patterns.

As for the faceups, as you can see on my boys, I have poor faceup skills (the girl in pic 1 and 2 werent done by me). But I am constantly redoing their faces (especially my dearest boy in the last two pics) to get what I like the most. Why did I stick to my personal faceup skills and not get someone who can do the job to do it for me?

The first is of course, money. And the time the doll will be away for me. Second of all is, I have very itchy hands that just NEEDS to correct any little imperfection that I see in the faceups. I really NEED the reassurance that I can erase the faceup anytime I like so I can redo it after, say, three days? (i did 4 faceups on the same head in a week before >_>; ) which would really not help at all if I paid 60 bucks on it.

I think for cheap, sock and acrylic wearing dolls, mine looks pretty good and not that cheap. A little low quality in some aspects, yeah, but not cheap. Which is good because otherwise I'd have to cry on spending money on baby the stars shine brightly and its sibling lines.

 

I usually try and get the cheap dolls when I can, but it's kinda hard with some companies like Luts and Dream of Doll, whom put out new dolls almost every month. So if one truly irresistible doll comes around that I can not be without, I find some way to save for it or get it on layaway if possible.

Layaway is a beautiful thing if you can find someone willing to work with you in order to get your dream doll.

 

It's the matter of how you look to each doll... For me each doll is an art form. We tend to put to our dolls what we want and we surely put our heart into it. It's like a painting and we create it deep from our inspiration and trasform these dolls into visual expression of our emotions. Then we show that to people and now it's up to the person's perspective how she/he interprets the dolls as an art. Whether you use cheap materials it doesn't say that you're doll is cheap. More important is you make them in the way that you want. Realism or Realistic art is not always look good even Picasso like I'm sure that there's someone who'll appreciate your art.

 

I wouldn't settle for a doll that I wasn't completely in love with. So that just means alot of saving, and having less dolls. I tend to fall for limited and FCS.

Its worth it to me get what I'm happy with.

 

Obviously we don't all live in castles and bath in pools of cash.
Most of us live in small "common" houses and get a weekly pocket money of £10.

but even though Dollfie's are expensive and I only get £10 a week I'de rather save up and but the one I love rather than get the one I like. Say the one you like costs £250 and the one you love cost £400. Wait a couple months, well a couple of stuff on ebay and get your dream doll! ^_^

 

Amen. ^_^ I'm with you on that one. Everyone has different choices, different reasons for buying dolls, and different taste in dolls. That doesn't mean anyone is right or wrong. I find myself defending my viewpoint sometimes, but it doesn't mean I think that anyone else is wrong. It's a wonderful hobby, and we should all be free to admire anyone's dolls regardless of price.

 

Sometimes I feel a bit guilty because of my "expensive" dolls. Luts is pretty much middle-of-the-road on pricing, but most of my friends are poor (by US standards, of course). My dollfan friends own Dollzone and Obitsu because they can't afford/can't justify pricier ones. Not to say that they don't love their dolls--it's obvious they do--but one friend wants a Delf for a character and simply can't afford him. Whereas I was privileged enough to waltz into my bank, pay extra for a wire transfer, and buy my boy without having to worry about whether that meant I'd make rent or have more to eat than beans-n-rice, and my tiny cost as much as their SD-sizes. It sometimes makes me feel like I "bought my way" into the hobby, because I could afford to have him faced-up, and buy clothes instead of having to make them all, and get a funky doll carrier instead of padding out an old suitcase or duffle bag.

Moving on. I would not and could not own a doll I wasn't aesthetically and emotionally attached to regardless of price, whether it be low or high. If Kiyoshi had been $1000 USD, I would have waited a lot longer to buy him, but I probably would have done it eventually. If he'd been $250, I would have been immensely relieved, but I never would have bought him only because he was cheap. I did shell out extra for the limited Baha, but only because the outfit suited her personality; I'd intended to get a Baha eventually, just not quite so soon! I choose dolls like I choose friends: because I am attracted to something about them, not because the doll is a certain price or the person has connections. Snobbishness is as unattractive as defensiveness.

I can sympathize with people who want a doll now, though. Before Kiyoshi came, it was a little sad to read threads about cute/fun/scary/annoying/weird things dolls do, and realize I had nothing at all to contribute. I had clothing patterns, but no doll to help fit them, so I couldn't even sew properly. I learned a lot in that time, and everyone is/was supportive and kind, but I felt just a touch second-class simply because I was doll-less in a doll-owners' community. That might seem foolish, perhaps even co-dependent, but the fact is, every community has its natural heirarchy and markers of membership, and we are social animals who are designed with a desire to fit in. If a $200 doll is someone's ticket into a community they admire, respect and intend contributing to, I will congratulate them and wait to judge them later on behavior, manners and skill, not on the type of doll they own.

Hope that didn't ramble too much. I'm late for lunch

 

*SNORK!* Jesus god... when you put it in those terms... it... it just really... hoo. Really nails it (to use a context-specific metaphor). That should sure make it clear for anyone who was still confused at what you meant. ^^

I think your stance is a little extreme, personally, but I can utterly see how you'd arrive there. No kidding.

Still, I would rather look at a nude DZ Wing than La Jameson. Any day.

This wants-to-be-debate is turning into a tear-soaked slush pile of personal experiences, offtopic essays about what we should be doing with our money, and offtopic essays on clothing, so I'm just going to go over here & stand in line to marry Kim.

 

I tend to go towards the expensive dolls myself- I have three Dollshe and a Model Doll, after all, and I'm pining for an Abadon (let's not even discuss Bermann, I think that goes without saying), but I also love my little DZ Mo. After hauling around some 70cm boys, I decided I wanted a smaller doll, just for the sake of having a smaller doll! After looking around at MSD sizes, the only one I really, really liked was the Mo, so I got him. He's not gorgeous, I know. Sometimes I see one of my other boys and just stop and stare at how amazing they look, but he's cute, and he's a good size, and he's got personality, so I'm very fond of him- even if he is 'cheap'. I can see how some might not like DZ models, I don't like most of them myself, but ... I'm very happy with the one I have. For me, it's about look, not cost. If I want it, I will find a way to make the money. (Even if it takes longer to pay off my bills...)