Rare or popular: discuss your preference

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Hm... usually, I just like the dolls that I like. I feel like sometimes there's a small part of me that doesn't want my dolls to look like everyone else's dolls, so I usually don't necessarily lean towards the "more popular" dolls. However, whether its popular or not usually doesn't affect my choice in buying it.

- 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?
It's hard for me to imagine myself spending several hundreds of dollars just to get more gallery views. Not ragging on those who may, I just couldn't justify it. But yes, in some cases I feel like I may think more about a doll if it is ragingly popular, simply because while every doll can technically be made by the owner to be different, I wouldn't want to buy the doll simply for the fact that is -is- popular.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
No - though I look at threads if they have a doll I haven't seen before, or an interesting title. :3

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
If it wasn't on the forums, I would probably do a lot of research, or find the doll and see it for myself before I bought it.

 

Honestly, my taste in dolls really goes in the direction of 'If I like the mold, I like the mold' and popularity or lack thereof doesn't even factor in AT ALL.

I actually seldom share my dolls on the board in full gallery posts simply because I am a bit of a private person, but if I weren't, I wouldn't hesitate to share my dolls as I believe that if I managed to find something appealing about them, then others might too. And hey! I'm not ashamed of them, so why hide them, right?

I do, however, admit to feeling a bit disheartened when I think people are avoiding some gallery posts (and this applies to ANY ignored gallery posts posted by anyone) because the mold being featured is 'unpopular'.

Additionally, I admit to having a tendency towards clicking on Gallery posts that feature dolls that my brain is currently occupied with and this could be ANY mold. The doll of choice might be Iplehouse's Soo-Ri (and goodness only knows how long my dumb brain's been obsessed with the boy that I love but don't own for some reason or another) or it might be Dollzone's Yuu or it might be Volks' Yukinojo or it might be Fairyland's Minifee Shiwoo or it might be Elfdoll's Mir or it might be Dream of Doll's DOI Luke or it might be Dollstown's Hue or it might be...

You get the picture.

But, no. Generally speaking, I don't tend to look for threads that feature molds from a particular company. I just have a tendency to look for whomever my brain's been thinking about and yes, this oftentimes has to do with me being interested in making a future purchase.

Would I buy a mold that hasn't been featured on the forums? Sure! Provided that the company or individual provided adequate reference pictures for me to base my decision off of.

 

If I like a doll, I'll get it (or put it on my "wanna have"-list). Doesn't matter if it's rare or popular. It's gonna be OOAK anyway as I'm gonna customise it to my personal preferences and it's highly unlikely anyone else will buy the exact same doll and make the exact same customisations.

 

I agree with you, having a doll that you don't see every other topic is awesome. I can't really explain it, but it makes the doll feel more like it's yours.

Even though I do prefer less common dolls, I won't choose one just because it isn't popular. I create the characters before choosing a doll for them, so then I have to find a doll that matches their personality perfectly. So sometimes it means that I have to buy a super popular doll in order to have it perfect in my eyes.

 

Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Rare. Nowadays I am very fond of hunting around and "discovering" obscure, discontinued, or small production artist molds. It definitely adds to the specialness of a doll, or any object, to know that it is very rare or hard to obtain; in fact, often the thrill of the chase is part of the pride and joy of ownership.

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 care very little about the views of the fandom or community. Bjds are not a social hobby for me, so I really don't care whether I show my doll to anyone at all, or what they think. If someone comments because of my doll's mold, I'm glad we like the same mold. If someone doesn't comment because of the mold, that's fine too. I also skip over threads with molds that I dislike or that I'm bored with; there's nothing wrong with that.

Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Not CP, no. But I click on threads because 1) I know the doll/owner has beautiful images, or 2) I'm a fan of the mold. Sometimes if the title really stands out.

Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I did, actually.



I might add that it helps to choose if a doll is very popular. For example, El and F-16 are both extremely common molds. I loved El in the beginning, three or four years ago, but after seeing a billion Els I got tired of him. I was lukewarm toward F-16 in the beginning, and at one point even disliked him, but after seeing a billion F-16s it has become my number one sculpt and I am certain to purchase him later this year. So, I am very glad that these two molds are so popular because seeing them so often allowed me to figure out my true feelings about them.

 

I prefer unpopular dolls, I find my tastes just don't run mainstream. More often than not, they also end up being rare. I think that buying a more popular doll just to get attention is extreme, you get the doll you like, not a doll that someone else likes. If it ends up being a coincidence that the doll you love is popular, then there's nothing wrong with that.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
While the rarity of a sculpt may play a factor into choosing a doll for me it's more the uniqueness than rareity and the simple fact whether I might like the mold in the first place. Although I suppose rareity and uniqueness go hand in hand~

- Would you ever buy a more popular doll knowing that it could get you more gallery views?
Noooot really :/ I don't get many gallery views in general haha~

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? If it's a mold I know then of course~ haha,especially for threads that have dolls I may already own for example CP's I'm just curious to see what other people's are like |D

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yes of course~ Beryll is a very good example~ I only had dollsoom pictures to go on and from that I was sold.

 

I don't like most of popular dolls... not because they are popular, just because they are not my type (XD). So I guess I like the rare ones..?

 

I am not swayed by rarity or popularity. If I like a scuplt then I like it and will try to buy it. To be honest, I try to steer clear or ever even learning about with sculpts are best liked on DOA and which aren't (although I gather everyone likes Hounds, even though I don't). I wouldn't buy a Hound just because he is very popular. I could never love him or look at him in anyway over than I sold out just to try and be popular. This isn't secondary school anymore.

I know alot of people don't have Peaks' Woods, i'm not sure whether it's bcause they're not generally liked or just not as popluar, but I love Madeleine, to me she is still the prettiest BJD I own, and I adore her.

I love seeing ALL Bjd's, it matters not a jot what company made them, I just love to see everyones crativity and passion (I even love looking at Hounds) and that's that for me

 

I prefer a doll that makes me happy. I never like things because they are popular or because no one knows what they are. Yes I do take joy in having something or liking something rare, but popularity/rarity will never change my actual likes/dislikes. I know that if I got something popular it would probably eventually not be popular anymore and if I got something rare, there is the possibilty of it not being rare any more one day so I will love something no matter what.

 

Some of my favorite dolls are very popular, and I can see why: they are beautiful molds. Popularity doesn't influence me, except maybe to bring certain dolls to my attention.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
I really don't look if they're popular or not. I just either like the mold a lot and/or it fits the character I want to make into it. If it's a popular mold then okay

- 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?
My brain doesn't usually think that all out. I wouldn't do that. If I like it and it's popular than...whatever! What can I do about it? Though...I'd never get a doll to simply get more gallery views. I have to like it first and if I don't than I won't enjoy them.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
I'd say yes simply because I pretty much know all their molds and I find most (not all) pretty and I like to see the pictures. But I click with what I'm familiar with usually. It's not that I'm like "oh,only CP doll." No,I like seeing other dolls as well and do find other dolls really pretty.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I'll be honest,Yes. Be unique~ xD!!

 

I don't know what I prefer to be honest. If I see a doll I like, and I think it will fit a character I'm searching for, then I'll buy it. However, I do find a doll is more appealing when its rare, because I like the idea of having something that not many other people have. It's just an added bonus to the fact that I love the sculpt, though, not the main factor when it comes to buying.

I wouldn't buy a doll to get gallery views. It's not something I care for. In fact, I tend to shy away from the more 'popular' dolls here on DoA and there are certain moulds which although I do have a vague liking for, I would not consider getting them for any of my own characters because I simply feel there are too many of that doll around already. I like my dolls to be as unique as possible. Perhaps I am one of those people who prefer rare sculpts. xD

CP is not my favourite company, and although I do like their sculpts I find them sometimes to be a little bland. Also, from what I've heard the resin quality isn't always that great. >_<" But that's not to say I would avoid looking at a CP doll in the gallery or even say I would never get a doll from CP in the future, because I haven't really paid them all that much attention.

Finally, if I really loved a doll's sculpt and it was from a company I knew well, then I would go ahead and buy it even if there were no owner pictures up on DoA. Someone has to be the first one, right? But if it was from a less well-known company or one I'm not personally familiar with, then I guess I'd wait. (It's bad, I know . . . ^^

So yeah, that's my view on the thing. =D

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
I really don't care about how popular or rare the doll is, it all depends on how much I like them and if they fit in with the dolls I currently have.

- 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 buy a doll because I like it and the only other person I consult before buying a doll is my partner because I would like them to like the doll I get.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest!
I don't think there is anything wrong in having a favourite company and I do tend to look at post containing dolls I know I like. However, if there is a doll that I have never heard off I will look at that post too.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I personally really like to see owner pictures as they can look so different from the company ones that I don't think I would.

I have no issues with people who buy for the rareness of a doll sculpt, but I prefer to just buy dolls that I like the look of.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Eh...neither? I honestly don't care much about rare or popular.

- 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?
If I did it for gallery views I'd just buy the most expensive gorgeous doll ever, but what good would that be to me... I buy my dolls because I want them. Luke's sculpt just drew me in, Ying's sculpt I was less fond off but his character was too strong to ignore. Secondly I haven't been into bjds that long yet so my idea of popular and rare are probably a bit off.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest!
No. I don't think they're that much prettier compared to other sculpts. I am more likely to click links involving sculpts I own or am considering buying.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I did. I joined DoA after I bought Luke, I didn't even see Ying's dollzone page untill after buying him and I hadn't even heard of Bobobie Sunny xD

 

I admit that I like a doll that is uncommon. I'm one of those people who value uniqueness and I admit that anything that's too popular turns me off. That's the primary reason I didn't get CP Soony or Lishe because I've seen way too much of her that I saw it a challenge to really make her my own.

To that note, I am not more likely to click on links featuring a CP mold because I feel like I've seen them all (although CP Lu Wen I can't resist). Like Voynich said, I am more likely to click on links of dolls I'm more interested in.

Now, the doll I'm getting isn't rare by any count. She isn't a limited, she's a DOT E-an, but not many people seem to have her yet. I'm proud of that and if she ever did get too popular, I'd have to do something to her to make her stand appart from the crowd (I think I'd dye her tan because I adore tan dolls). Does that mean that I care too much about attention? Maybe. But I think that Dollfies are interently expressive of their owner's personalities.

 

Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
I think, that it's popular. I can see MANY owner pics of the doll, and in many different styles, to see if that's the doll I want.

That said, the most important thing to me is look and gut feeling. And most of the dolls on my list are uncommon. ''XD heheh...

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 think about this stuff. I mean, there's the occasional 'follower' anxiety, but in such a case, if I were really worried about it, I would just not associate myself with the others. I don't care about gallery views, and I would think that the rarer dolls would get more gallery views, as there's less of a selection if you want to see pics of that doll.

Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
No, not really. I'm most likely to click threads that have a doll I want. I go 'thread hunting' for dolls on my list all the time. The second appeal to me, though, is title. If I find the title interesting, I'm going to click.

Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I would be uncomfortable, but then I have DollStol Lucy on my list. =/ I'm a bit iffy about her, because I don't know what she looks like, but I guess I'm okay with it. If it's a bad experience, I can at least post a warning on here. If it's good, well, then good for me, but I can also tell others. I feel somewhat of a duty to tell others about my experiences with less common molds. I feel it's just... something I should do. I don't know.

 

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

"None of the above. I buy dolls because their molds appeal to me."

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 have one popular, one unpopular. I don't let popularity make decisions for me."

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

"I go to many sites, but have a fondness for one company over others because, to me, they make very expressive dolls and are great to deal with."

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

"Sure. But only if it comes from a reputable seller."

 

I fall in love with a sculpt purely for aesthetic reasons. I don't really care about which company/artist(s) the doll is made by, sculpted by or sold by, as long as I like what I see. I love both "rare" and "popular" sculpts - I love Luts' El, who is a fairly easy sculpt to find here in the DoA Gallery, just as much as I love Dollstown's Ariel, who is arguably not as easy to find. I don't love my Ryu boy any more or less since I noticed a Migidoll popularity surge, either. My wishlist is as it is because I like pretty things, not because I'm looking for a specific level of exposure, or because I prefer to have a certain "type" of doll.

To answer your questions specifically...

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

A: Neither. I prefer neither one over the other, and go purely by whether or not I find the sculpt attractive visually.

Q: 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?

A: To both questions, no. I would post pictures because I'm proud of my doll(s) and want to share them, not to see how many people look. I could also care less if some people see me as a follower for owning or prefering certain sculpts - it's love, love!

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

A: Personally, yes! I love many many Luts sculpts and am familiar with them, so I'd be drawn to them. I can also say the same thing for Iplehouse and Elfdoll dolls, because I like a lot of the sculpts produced by said companies. This is not to say that I ONLY look at Gallery threads featuring these companies, though!

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

A: Personally, not if the company itself is not on the forums. As someone new to the BJD community, I'm far more comfortable making a purchase when there is enough information about a company to be confident in purchasing from them. What is the quality of the cast or craftsmanship? Are there any known, consistent flaws I should be aware of before buying, such as the amazing popping Elfdoll girl foot? I'd be far more likely to buy from a company if there were members here on DoA who could vouch for things like this. However, if it was a new doll that I fell in love with from a company I had read about extensively, and I had the money on hand, I wouldn't hesistate to purchase before owner pictures of a particular sculpt are readily available.​

 

Before I start, I would like to point out that generally,I like a doll because I like a doll. Rare or popular, I don't know enough to tell the difference anyway.

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Between the two, rare. I like being different and unique, and a rare doll would reflect that. But I wouldn't buy an ugly doll only because it's rare.

- 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 and no. If I bought a doll I liked, I wouldn't care if she got gallery views (I don't get many as it is now). I wouldn't drop $300+ to gain the approval of other people.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Well, I wouldn't click it because it was CP, but I might click it if it was another company I liked, like Doll-Zone or a Pukipuki.

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