Rare or popular: discuss your preference

I just like a doll that I like. I have an MSD Ken, which I think a lot of people have, but not so many take pictures of, and I have a DD because it's the one I could afford first off. And now I like her for her better posability.
I want to get an SD Link because I like his face, even thought a lot of people don't seem to. He's also got a kindred look about him when compared to my Nathan (MSD Ken). It's really not got a lot to do with them being rare or popular. I just like 'em .
I'd love to get a Chiwoo too, because their so durn cute. I think that's why they are so popular , not because it's the other way around. Folk just like what they like.

 

I'm much more of a fan of rare dolls. :3
My currently 'only child' is limited to only three. I have a wishlist of DIM Rain, Kawainino UM.PYO, and tan Yan and Yisol. I've rarely rarely seen any of those dolls here, if at all. XD

I wouldn't want my doll to be admired only because of popularity. I'd much rather have a doll of mine known for individuality. I would also not want to get a popular sculpt because they might get passed up in the gallery if there's fifteen other threads on that page with the same sculpt.

I don't pay attention to whether it's a favorite company; I look at the mold instead. While I am a fangirl for Soony, I would pass on a Soo. Oogle a Chiwoo, shrug for a Shiwoo.

If there were a sculpt I reaaally loved, I would definitely buy it even if I hadn't seen owner pics. :3 In my opinion, dolls are always infinitely more beautiful in person. I'm up for the adventure.​

 

This is actually something I try not to think about, and like Elasaid Aiden said, I just like what I like. When I first noticed how popular Kirill was I got a little upset since I didn't want people to think of me as a follower and that I just wanted to fit in. But after alot of thought and continual searching through other sites, I realized I shouldn't care and just go with him because how much I love him, not how much other people do.

When I look through websites I go in with a completely blank mind as far as when it comes to what is or isn't popular. I find it's easier to be more true to my to my tastes that way and that I know I'm going to end up chosing someone I'm going to cherish not biased by other people.

 

In my opinion, I like whatever doll that cathes my attention, but It just so happens I have a LE of 30, the DM White Ipsae, (among other dolls that I have) which I don't see around on this group at all. I would post more pics of her but I'm not not great of a photographer. Anyway, I think either doll whether rare or popular is a matter of taste and I like seeing them both!!

 

I'm another vote for "I like what I like" . If a sculpt speaks to me, then I try to buy it. I don't really pay any mind at all to whether it's popular or rare, etc. In fact, I'd almost rather if a doll I fall in love with isn't "rare", because then it's easier to get. I can't see ever taking gallery popularity into consideration when thinking about a new doll. For one thing, I'm not a photographer, so I rarely post in the gallery. For another, the dolls I like best are almost a polar opposite of what's currently popular (female dolls and anime-proportioned faces, as opposed to boys and the trend towards realism).
It's sort of cool if you get a doll and after the fact find out that it's somewhat rare. So far Vesper is the only Notdoll Miriam on DoA. I didn't think about that when I bought her though.
I'd certainly buy a doll that I didn't see here, but since I tend to hear about things on DoA first, so far that's how I've found all my girls.

 

I don't buy dolls based on how rare or common they are--I just buy the sculpts I like. It can be fun to have dolls that are less common, but there are many common headsculpts that I think are beautiful and I wouldn't mind owning. I have kind of a mix right now.

As for gallery views--I buy the dolls *I* like, and wheather or not anyone else is interested in them doesn't matter.

I like CP dolls, but I like seeing other dolls too. I just click on whatever catches my interest at the moment.

I'd buy a doll that hasn't been seen on the forum--heck, I haven't seen any other Unidoll 06's on the forum so far (there very well might be some lurking around though), and I know there wasn't back when I ordered mine, since the company was brand new. I just fell in love with the sculpt. For me, it all comes down to the sculpt : )

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
If it's rare, it's more appealing than if it's popular, but I really don't mind if it's rare/popular/underrated/overrated, or anything else, so long as I love the sculpt. Obviously, since I own an El (although he is modded) :p I really don't care who has what; I'm not in the hobby to be part of any clique or following, and not to avoid any, either. Just to collect lovely boys . . .

- Would you ever buy a more popular doll knowing that it could get you more gallery views? Conversely, would you ever choose not to buy a doll because you believe it is too popular and you are afraid to be seen as a follower?
I don't post in the gallery very often, so it's not an issue When I do, I do to share out the doll sculpt and reference, not for comments.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Actually, yes ^^ The CP sculpts are so versatile and beautiful, I usually am very interested to see how different people have theirs interpreted! I also have a tendency to click on every SoulDoll Paris, Unoa, and Dollshe boy thread out there And there are some companies/sculpts that I avoid because I don't find them very photogenic or very interesting *shrug*

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Hmm, that's tough. Probably not, because I have to see box opening pictures and different face-up pictures before deciding on a doll. Company pictures can be very misleading, sometimes even bad! So, no, I like to see opinions and natural-lighting photos, different angles of the face, different face-ups, etc. So, just because of lack of reference, no.

I agree that it's just whatever catches the eye first. In fact, I prefer non-limited dolls, because without the mad rush to find it in time, you can be more careful in considering them, take more time to think on it. I don't think any one doll is "more special" than any other, regardless of monetary worth. Stupid thing to say, yeah, but to me it's like that.

 

Personally I don't really take rareness or popularity into account when I'm choosing a doll - if the face fits my needs and the rest of the doll conforms to my general aesthetic then I'll do my best to get hold of one, poopularity (or lack thereof) be damned.

An example: I know they're currently one of the uber-popular dolls, but back in November/December of 2005 when I ordered Ilú (CP Shiwoo) there were hardly any on the board, and it took dedicated searching and trawling through the galleries and searches to get any owner-pics of him at all. While it was annoying at the time not to be able to see tons of examples of Shiwoos at a click of a button like you can nowadays I didn't choose him just because of his rarity at the time - just like I wouldn't let Shiwoo's current popularity put me off getting another now if I had a character who'd best be portrayed by another one

 

These are good questions!
I had been wondering about this myself.

When considering buying a doll..I'm more worried about how customizable it is.
I usually think:"Will the doll look like the concept I had in mind?" and "If I mod him and I mess up, can I replace him?"

By "rare" do you mean of a limited quantity or difficulty to obtain? :0

If the doll is limited, sometimes it is an interesting challenge to reinterpret the sculpt in your own style (perhaps that can contribute to popularity factor?).

On the other hand, if the sculpt is popular and a standard edition.. there's usually a reason why it's popular- like its basic aesthetic appeal or its flexibility in terms of customization.


Would I buy a doll to be popular...? Hmm.. Well, while it is normal to want acceptance from a group, I think it is better to buy a doll you actually like for yourself.
If the doll mold is already popular, well perhaps it's more like a superficial "bonus", in a way? As long your doll is personalized well, and looks like you put a lot of time into it, it should should be fairly distinctive amongst the majority.

I'll admit, sometimes I click on a gallery if it has a certain company listed in it, but it mainly has to do with familiarity.
Since I'm still a newbie, I gravitate towards the companies I recognize (like CP!). But sometimes, I do get curious about more esoteric brands and browse those too.
I don't really have favorites yet.


If the doll hadn't been featured on the forums..anywhere (as in a totally "new" company)? Probably not, because I like to have a large amount of information before I purchase things (customer service, owner photos, etc).

 

I'd also like to bring up that I doubt very many are going to admit to buying a doll for increase gallery hits; people know that sounds very shallow.

I buy a doll because it fits my characters and I like them. It is nice to get feedback, but that is a nicety and now a necessity.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?

Honestly? It isn't something I think of but definatly something I know factors me into buying dolls. When I make a purchase I need to have something making me go "wow." And, to use an example that I imagine will be mentioned a lot in this thread is El. El's do not make me go wow, simply because there are so many out there - he is a handsome/pretty/versatile doll, but there's just so many out there is doesn't make any real impact on me anymore. I think this can be said for most of CP's dolls for me - and others such as hound, volks f16, etc. The popular molds just get all sameish for me personally and I tune them out.

- Would you ever buy a more popular doll knowing that it could get you more gallery views? Conversely, would you ever choose not to buy a doll because you believe it is too popular and you are afraid to be seen as a follower?

No, i wouldn't buy a doll just for gallery views - I hardly ever bother posting in the galleries any more because of how clogged they are. I prefer sharing my pictures with friends where I can get more indepth feedback. And conversely, like I said I don't buy the popular molds because I see so many of them in galleries. I like to have something different.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.-

Less likely, actually, if they feature a CP doll. More likely for smaller, other companies. I do have a favourite company - Angelregion. I love all their dolls although I only have one mold. But I tend to get drawn to threads with pictures of Angelregion's boys and girls.

- Would you buy a doll you had not seen on forums?

I would, and did. I bought the AR Kai before I had seen any owner pictures, and only after purchase looked for other Kai's on the forums. Owner pictures, for me, really only help me if I'm really umming and aahing about a mold, and I tend not to buy if I'm umming and aahing. ^_^

This is an interesting, fun topic! Gives an insight into how people tick.

 

I to am in the I like what I like crowd. If the doll is more rare its kind of a little thrill but otherwise, yeah. I would rather the doll look like the character I want it to rather than be popular in the gallery for either reason.

Clicking in the gallery is fairly random for me. I'm just as likely to click on a CP as a Volks as a DZ.

As for buying a doll I haven't seen on the forums... I've already done that. When I first saw the prettywork Bredi I fell in love the sculpt, even knowing that she might be nothing like the pictures showed her. As far as I know I'm the only person on the forum to have one... if anyone else does they haven't psoted her at all. But I am quite happy with how she turned and that is all that really matters.

 

For me, if the doll is very popular and widely available, it takes me longer to get around to buying it because I know the doll will pop up again and again and there is no problem to get one. Rarer dolls, I feel more urgency to get it. Thats why it took me forever to get an El, even though I've always admired it.

 

When I chose MNF Lishe for my first doll, it never occured to me that she might be too popular. I chose her because I loved her beautiful face and I felt drawn to her. Now, that isn't to say that I'm not desperately craving a Unoa Sist, because I am, but even then I can't say that that it is because she's relatively hard to get. She's just a beautiful doll that I would like to have sometime.

I'm thrilled with the doll I chose because I've grown very attached to her and couldn't care less if she's common.

 

I'm the same way (replying to OP) to some extent, I tend like "different" things, but ultimately if I like a popular doll enough to buy it, that it's popular wouldn't stop me!!

Raven

 

I pick a sculpt for one reason and one reason only... Because I like it. It doesn't matter at all to me if the sculpt is as rare as hens' teeth or a dime-a-dozen. If the doll appeals to me, then I'll eventually add one to the crew even if it's "Just another El" or "Just another Shiwoo".

I'm buying them to please myself, not to win status points by having the most unique snowflake in all of dolldom... So, if what I want is rare, so be it. If not, no worries there either.

As for buying a doll not common on the forums... Just like Xi said, when I ordered Harumatsu and Tien Jen, it was tough to find pictures of Shiwoos. They just weren't out there... There aren't many Harangs to look at either...

 

I pick a doll because I find it beautiful. But for some reason whenever I find a doll that I like it ends up being a limited like the Dollish U-me.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?

None of the above? As many have said already, I pick the face that's right for the doll. (un)Common, (un)popular really doesn't come into play at all since I don't really care what the rest of the forum/community thinks.

- Would you ever buy a more popular doll knowing that it could get you more gallery views? Conversely, would you ever choose not to buy a doll because you believe it is too popular and you are afraid to be seen as a follower?

Again, I just don't care what anyone thinks and I hardly post in the gallery as is and prefer to keep my photos amongst friends.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.

Nope, not even a fan of CP dolls actually unless I know the owner or someone shows me a doll that they find particularly stunning.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?

Already have. I ordered my first doll before I'd really been a member of DoA and I only use the forum in terms of searching for a mold once I've picked a possible mold and I know other people have shown it's variety. I generally just do my own research from a combination of sources and whether or not a doll is on DoA doesn't matter except to aid with adding information.

 

I like a doll because I like it. I DO enjoy the fact that Baron is one of a kind and always will be--the artist will never make another. I enjoy the attention he gets whenever we go to meetups...people are instantly attracted. There is a reason I asked angel-13 to make me a badge that said "Baron's Owner", lol. I dare say he's a celeb among the Florida Resin Army...I'm just the meatsack that totes him about, and I don't mind *grin* because he's a stunning doll.

I have an LE50 (Dollmore Asha Rosee) and an older doll (oldskin Volks MSD Maggie), but my Dream of Dolls are not limited and never will be. I didn't choose ANY of my girls for their rareness or anything like that...I chose them because they appeal to me. My Yen girl gets a bit of notice because a) she has the new super-awesome body and b) Yen is a boy sculpt and apparently people don't turn him into a girl very much. My Volks gets notice simply because people get suckered in by her purple Dollmore acrylics and her pink eyelashes (I get more comments about the lashes than anything, I adore them!) and how pretty her faceup is. I chose all my girls because they were pretty and I wanted them. I had Baron made because I WANTED HIM WITH EVERY FIBRE OF MY BEING, lol.

I don't think I would choose a doll simply based on its rarity, unless I was in the resale market. I don't think I'd like a doll like an El or a Shiwoo or Chiwoo simply because everyone has them, but I wouldn't rule it out, if that's what I was in the market for.

*shrug* I don't care either way. All my girls have either captured my eye on aesthetics alone, or in the case of my Yen girl, were designed to fit an existing character.