Perception of BJDs in other doll circles

Oh, yes, that is the way to go. I for one have enough trouble seeing the costumes on the humans half the time! That friend of mine is working to get BJD cosplays onto the schedule at the cons she attends. I don't think she limits it to original hand-made costumes only, and I think everyone gets a participation prize--she wants to keep it as open, fun and nonpolitical as possible. Once I have my boy, I'll be able to participate, and I must say I'm looking forward to it.

 

This just came up recently on another doll board I am on. The discussion led to the mention of a few BJDs that would work with this vinyl doll. Most people enjoyed the conversation because they were curious about BJDs and most weren't familiar with them. However, someone spoke up and got really upset because BJDs, that they disliked immensely, were being brought up on that board.

After a few rounds, the person basically stated that BJD owners were elitists and one of the things that made them so was that they could actually afford these dolls. The person left the group before I got a chance to reply, but I wanted to let them know that most people work hard to be able to get their dolls and many people would call doll collectors as a whole elitists, if that were the definition of the word, because most people won't or can't spend more than $5 for a Barbie.

 

I collect all different types of dolls and I have a number of friends who do as well. Some of them specialize, collecting only Barbie or only folk dolls, but they aren't judgemental. In fact, they can be downright supportive (or at least my friends are--maybe I'm just lucky). The one friend I have who collects solely ball-jointed dolls is also supportive. As for me myself, there are certain dolls that I do not like and definately would not have in my collection, but I won't look down on someone else for liking that doll. It's just proof that there truly is something for everyone in the doll world.

 

I sense unhappiness towards resin doll collectors on ebay's trust and safty forum when someone from this forum posted there warning buyers to beware of Volks illegal copies circulating on ebay. A vintage doll collector angrily bashed her by commenting that resin BJD collectors seem to think that every new doll is a copy of Volks. She went on to say that her anitque German doll is a BJD, implying Volks copied from the Germans. Note that the ebay "Trust and Safety" forum is not the same as the ebay doll's forum. I frequent the ebay doll's forum and people there are very receptive, loving and open to BJDs, resin or vinyl. It's a mix of doll collectors in that forum.

Anyway regarding pricing. Heidi Plusczok dolls are priced like Volks LE. Himstedts are not cheap. Antique dolls can sell for tens of thousands. Many years ago, before the US market crash, I've seen some go on ebay for more than US$30,000. I've seen vintage barbie sell above US$500 in good times. Resin dolls are not the most expensive dolls on earth.

Personally, I have a few 1 owner vintage dolls. They are cheap, a dime too many on ebay. I feel pride and joy when I carry one of my own childhood dolls to doll meets (non bjd). Its not the price, not the beauty, not the quality. It's the fact that she's been with my mom and I for 3-5 decades. 1 owner vintage and antique dolls are proud dolls. I can see, hear and sense the pride in antique doll owners who look me in the eye and say that their doll had been in their family for more than 100 years. gracie I agree with the perception that doll collectors are generally elitist everywhere and for every type of doll.

 

I did the Pullip thing and will never get rid of them, they're different but I love them XD and for the most part everyone on the boards was quite positive of other dolls.

However I'll also take my more gothy boy out to flea markets and talk with collectors there, and I will say I get far more good comments then bad. But occasionally I've run into a bad egg and I'm sad to say it's usually a Barbie collector. I think there's a disconnect because the Barbie collectors I run into started when their young and even though they do make a lot for adult collectors now, most are intended for children. I get a lot of awkward silence when I explain that they're cast of a semi-toxic material, anatomically correct, and intended for adults. XD

 

I think BJDs are quite well accepted in other doll circles here since the major local doll forums accept all kinds of dolls and all types of doll collectors are welcome. So there's lots of mingling between different collectors and they share photos of their dolls with each other etc. I personally feel that the atmosphere here between different doll collectors is rather harmonious or maybe they just simply have the decency to refrain from bashing each other in public.

The only negative comments I've come across towards BJDs was actually in a local photography forum that I'd happened to stumble upon while searching for something else... the people there were complaining about people who took photos of their dolls in public places as this apparently blocked their view/prevented them from taking the photos they'd wanted. They made fun of the doll owners and there were lots of negative comments.

 

I think it would be ridiculous to snub someone because they chose to collect a different type of doll. But then I guess collectors do sometimes "specialize".