Only allowing yourself to buy "cheaper" dolls?

There is nothing wrong buying a cheaper or expensive BJD, if you love the face sculpt and could afford them, I say go for it. I agree with other DOA members, don't just get cheaper BJD just because you really want one and can't afford it, save and go for the one you really want and love, in the long run you save money that way! (Speaking from experience)

 

I think it's sensible to have a ceiling price on your purchase, especially if you have not much financial surplus.

For me the process goes something like:
1. Find a sculpt that I love
2. Check the price
3. Can I save enough money to buy this?

If yes, start saving!
If no, look for other less expensive sculpts that I can save enough money for.​

Then, when I find an alternative sculpt:
1. Will I love this as much as the original sculpt I found?

If no, hold off buying and look for others, or go back and save up for the original sculpt.
If yes, ask myself again (just to be sure ^_^) and then start saving.​

This was how I came upon my first doll, LUTS KDF Yuz. I started with an Iplehouse YID Louis, but was uncomfortable about the ~$500 price. I then found Angelheim JH Julian at ~$300, which I found to be much more manageable than $500. But then I still liked Louis better, so I looked around some more. Then I found Yuz, and that's when I was able to tell myself I can love this doll more than Louis. (That's also the time I realize MSD's would suit me far better, financially and logistically.)

This also applies to my wishlist. At the moment my next doll would be Iplehouse JID Joshua/Jerome. I looked around for other alternatives and, finding none, I continue saving up for my original plan (which I think will near ~$400).

TL;DR: Bottomline is, find a happy balance between your wallet and your dream. I commend people who have the patience to save up to the $1000 mark, because that means they really love that doll and would not settle for anything less. But I also commend those who, finding that they cannot afford the upper reaches, search far and wide for something less expensive, but they will love nevertheless. Uncompromising Vision and Sensibility, though opposing, are both good virtues after all.

P.S. And I say ignore those who belittle your "cheap" doll! People who think that way are more concerned about status quo, anyways, than the real pleasure of the hobby. There are other people out there who will appreciate it. ^_^

 

While there are some very expensive dolls on my wishlist (lookintg at you Migma) and I would love to own many of the dolls.from Iplehouse, I am a college student right now so I knk wthat they will have to wait. Instead I have three wishlists, one for when I am in school, one for when I am in grad school and one for after I get my job after graduation. The most expensive doll on the first list is the one I am planning.to get next, a souldoll Hunoi, on the nl body. Even though I will most likely order him from a dealer to save on shipping I know that once I add.on his wigs, eyes, his custom made clothes (might end up making them myself, but the fabric will still cost a lot) and his shoes he will probably end up being about $450. Yay for international edition text books. The doll I have coming in right now was only $132 including shipping and jer clothes. That money I got by selling a doll that didn't fit in and my Hetalia stuff. I think if moneys tight a person should either start at the less pricey end of their wishlist or just be willing to save longer.

 

I don't think it's wrong to restrict oneself to only buy cheaper dolls.
But personally I'd rather buy one doll that I love, instead of two that I like.

But as I said, it's up to every person to buy whichever dolls they want.
If one is only to buy one doll and gets a cheaper one because of the price tag, I don't think that's wrong either. One may grow to love this cheaper doll. And it's sensible to let things like bills, mortgage and food be tended to before dolls.

 

While I personally think you should save for the dolls you love, regardless of price, if someone wants to settle in a "cheaper" price range in this hobby, that's fine too. If they are buying cheaper dolls for reasons other than just because they are cheap, then there's little wrong with them making that decision.

Maybe they keep themselves on a budget to better manage money. Maybe instead of buying that gorgeous expensive doll, they'd rather buy that pretty and less expensive one and have more money to use on buying nicer things to dress it with. A cheaper doll can be made to look just as beautiful as a more expensive doll, after all... IMO.

In the end, a person is in this hobby for their personal enjoyment, and if they can settle on only buying "cheaper dolls" and still get as much enjoyment out of this as I can (I have no dolls yet but... well I'm going for what I live regardless of price), then there is nothing wrong with their decision.

 

I suppose I could be one of those people who "settle" for "cheaper" dolls. My first doll that I ordered(whom isn't here yet, sad face) is a Resinsoul Ju, whom I bought because she simply stuck in my mind and ended up being the most reasonable alternative.
To me, this hobby in immensely appealing in the sense of potential - the customization potential makes me all giddy inside. Of course I won't get a doll "just because" it's cheaper than the average doll, but I wouldn't shy away from getting, say, a restoration project of a doll if I liked it. If I could get it cheap, and I liked it, regardless of its price and how beat up it was, if there was any potential for it, I would almost certainly love it.
Just as I would a new doll, really.

 

I "settle" for cheaper dolls. I just can't find myself justifying paying 400+ dollars for an MSD (which is the only size I want). Though, I'd have to say, if I have truely fallen in love with a sculpt (which takes a lot), I will buy it. I may downsize my doll family and sell things to get it.

 

Hmmm, I don't know really... I mean if I can afford to spend the extra on a doll & I know I am going to love it, I will buy it. However, I would prefer to but costs down as much as possible, as I don't own a money tree, you know?

 

i do like most of the "cheaper" doll-or Boboie's. I like those dolls and most people that i've meet have thought that those were cheaper dolls. but they are a nice price range and i can make mine look like they are the 400$ one with just a few outfits, and a "make over" i think if your happy with it then that's all that matters ^^
(sometimes i do spend the 400$ for a doll^^; )

 

I think it's up to the person, whether or not to buy only 'cheaper dolls'.
I, personally, wouldn't allow myself to only buy cheaper dolls. Since I usually buy dolls that I fall in love with, or fit a character that I have in mind.

I have 1 doll that is on the cheaper side, yet I also have a doll that's all the way up to the more expensive (not the most expensive mind you).
My Bobobie Li cost me around $125, and my Ringdoll Sol cost me around $500 (take into account that one is 45cm and that other is 72cm).

I think it's a combination of things that makes you decide whether or not to only buy 'cheaper dolls', like your budget and tastes; like some people love Bobobies, some people love Volks.

 

Like a lot of people here, I also don't think there's anything wrong with buying cheap dolls. As long as it's the doll you love and want to have, why should price matter. A lot of times I wish the dolls that I love (and end up owning) would be cheaper. >.<
It's a different story though if you only buy the doll because you want to own one, and it's cheap. Or you only like it a bit. It would be too bad if you end up not liking it as much as you thought you would, and there's a doll that you really love to have. If that's the case, it's better to just save money and wait until you can afford one you know you'll truly love.

 

A lot of people can't afford the more expensive dolls, so I can understand keeping a realistic dream.

 

Make sure you know why you're buying your doll - whatever the price. Are you buying a BJD because you want it, or do you want something more from it? Don't feel pressure whenever you buy a doll.

Secondly, the right person can do wonders with a "cheap" BJD. People still get surprised when they see a beautifully-done, well-dressed doll, only to find out it's from BBB or RS. There are some beautifully customized "cheap" dolls out there.

I'm sure there's also a bunch of doll owners who have more expensive dolls - Soom, Volks, etc, - who look "bad", or there are a few owners who have a feeling of 'obligation' to keep these dolls looking a certain way.

If I hear of a new (or new to me) BJD company with legit, reasonably-priced dolls, then I'll look at it and see if there's something I like enough to want to buy at some point; but if there's nothing there that interests me, I'm not going to buy it. If BBB or RS had nothing to offer me, I would have to just keep looking.

 

It really hurts my feelings when people judge my doll, Faolin, whom I love very much, just because he's a Bobobie. He may not have cost a small fortune, but I bought him because when I saw him I fell in love. Its really not about how much your doll costs, its about how much you love the doll. Isn't that what this is supposed to be about?

 

How do you feel about people who restrict themselves to only buying "cheap" dolls. I'm not talking about getting a doll just because it's cheaper, but getting a cheaper one you like, as opposed to an expensive one that you love.

I think it is understandable. I have got some dolls that are on the "cheaper" end - and to be honest, they are just as gorgeous as my "more expensive" ones are. If we think of it more thoroughly, all the dolls in our hobby are not cheap anyway. So for someone who decides to restrict themselves, it is perfectly all right to do so.

Do you feel people should look for their dream doll, regardless of price?

Well, I think "regardless of price" is not possible for most people. We all have other things to spend our money on too.

Saving up works well for many people, but I am not too good in it - I wouldn't have enough patience to save $4000, for example, because it would need more time than a couple of months, and during this time, I would see at least one or two other dolls (on some company website, on ebay or the MP of a doll forum) that I want or are on my wishlist too, and then - bam! - the money is spent on them instead. I think the saving for the dream doll regardless of price works only if you have only a few dolls on your wishlist, or just the one dream doll. Otherwise it is really hard.

Of course, if you have unlimited ressources, then it is easier to buy any dream doll you want - but there are rather few people with unlimited ressources in this world

So, yes - people should look for their dream doll. And no - not regardless of price. Sometimes the saving lasts just too long and takes away the fun of the hobby.


Or is it "okay" for people to restrict themselves to only buying cheaper dolls?

Yes, of course! It is their choice ^^

 

both string bjd i have (well, one on the way, one here) are below the 300$ range. i dont think they are cheap at all, i loved the sculpts on both and picked them for it. i am not picky on the type of resin or how fast it might yellow since i play heavily with my dolls and damage is inevitable. (the chips just get painted into new battlewounds heh)
i also do not feel bad paying for lesser cost dolls when it's a luxury to afford any hobbies in what my local economy is. (not to make this about economics, just a fact). 300 dollars i can pay off in 4ish months. 1000? or higher? forget it!

 

I'm always on a budget, it also depends on the size and brand of the doll. My average budget is pretty cheap though, roughly 500$ for a doll since my incomings are low.

 

Well, if you decide to only buy the least expensive dolls even though you love one that costs a lot more than you're willing to spend... I would think you'd end up being sorely disappointed in the end...

I don't see any sense in deciding you could never afford the one you really want and settling for less expensive ones instead...

However, if you honestly like the less expensive dolls because you just like them better than the expensive ones, there's nothing wrong with that.

 

For me the Doll i fell in love with (Kaye Wiggs Nyssa) was too expensive for me to justify - currently selling for around $1000 on ebay. I eventually ordered an OT Kaye Wiggs yosd for $400 and shipping, but Nyssa is still my dream doll, I know I cant afford her now, but I will get her one day when my finances improve. Yes I can save up, but that money is better spent on other priorities
I recently purchased a "cheap doll" Doll Love Alice SD for just over $300 and love her to bits even though at first i was wary about the negative publicity "cheap dolls" have gotten. I think as long as you love the doll sculpt, buy it, I love my Doll Love dolls just as much as my more expensive KW so there are lower priced dolls that are affordable as well as pleasing to the owner. I think everybody should research and have a good look around before they click the buy button as what you want to buy now can quickly change when you load the next page or manufactures website! (Unless its true love at first sight - Yes Petsha this means you! An

 

I think my main problem isn't being able to save for a more expensive doll, but being able to justify paying too much when I have bills to pay and should be saving money for future needs. I have two Illusion spirit dolls that cost about 300, which is high to me, and my mom gave me that "you must be crazy look," when she saw them.

Still there are a few ring doll, 70 cm, that I do like very much. I keep thinking I will do some kind of layaway or save for them but then there are so many *affordable* dolls that I also want, that I end up getting those in the end. and not saving still. Mainly I get those not allowed here in discussion but that fit on my desk and are cute and fit my own needs.

My daughter wants to get a ring doll Norman doll, the light one. now that she has a job, she may save for one so, we'll see. She says we should split the cost. Maybe that is what we'll do..if I can get myself to not feel too guilty for spending that much on a doll...no matter how much I think I will enjoy him. *torn feelings here. Pretty things...nice to look at, makes me happy. Still, a doll that is taking space and not adding to house hold money in any way, so yes, that makes me torn* I'm just happy I'm working more now and will soon have all bills paid off so maybe it won't be such a hard thing to decide to save for something more. *sleepy, hopefully didn't say anything offensive or annoying*