Rare or popular: discuss your preference

I personally would prefer to have a rare doll instead of a popular one. Sure, all the popular ones are probably really cute and all, but you don't want to see too much of the same thing. I would rather for my doll to be unique. On the other hand, if I'm totally in LOVE with a popular doll, then I wouldn't care that it was popular, because all that really matters is what the buyer wants/likes the most. I do admit, I like the smaller dolls, usually fantasy types, (with elf ears, horns, hooves, etc.), and I'm particularly fond of Lati dolls at the moment, however, I do look at other forum topics, because there are many, many other dolls that are NOT Lati OR fantasy types, and they're still just as lovely/cute. I think the main thing I look for in a doll is for it to fit me and what I like.

 

I prefer rare dolls. I love a lot of the popular sculpts and I think that they're pretty, but I never feel the need to own them, because there are so many of them around, I can just see them whenever. The one (mildly) popular sculpt I have is currently the unfavourite whom I've tried to sell several times over the past 2 years. (He's only still here because he's no longer worth selling... and he's developed into a rather interesting character.) I was also a little irritated when I found out that DIM had changed their minimee rules so that certain character dolls would end up less and less rare over time. D<

I have another (relatively) popular sculpt coming, but it's still not entirely common on DoA (trust me, I've searched). I also have a limited doll...'s body coming, who doesn't seem too popular for the moment, for which I am grateful. The head I intend to put on it, though, is pretty popular, though I don't mind too much because it has limited ordering periods and every one I've seen so far has looked different.

In the end, I feel, if I'm going to spend so much money on them, it's better if they're not common.

 

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

I don't buy based on popularity. I get interested in the doll by seeing some pics, or a news post, and *then* I search the gallery threads for it, then I find out if it's rare or popular. Though if it's a Soom MD, it's gonna be popular, if it's an older sculpt, lots of people are likely to have it, but relative to other MDs, or ones that have been around as long, I may not know relative popularity until I do a search. One or two people posting their dolls a lot can make it look more popular, for example.

- 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 buy my dolls thinking about gallery views - I buy them for me, not you. You can buy your own dolls. Though part of the reason I jumped in and bought Caroline was so *someone* would have one of the poor things up here!

I may be slightly more likely to avoid a hugely popular doll, or have a higher standard of absolutely falling head over heels for than I would a less popular one. I have a ResinSoul Mei, though, and she's pretty up there in the popularity list!

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

CP dolls are *nice* dolls, popularity aside. But even for them, I don't really browse the galleries, I search for sculpts if I'm interested in them, or I search for specific people's posts that have awesome pics. And if I'm looking for a person, I'm probably going to look at six threads of their less popular doll to one or two of their more popular doll, because it's just something I've seen less of.

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

Would and have. The aforementioned Caroline, a Leon head from Doll-Love, but on their female body. http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325266
I really need to get better pics, in case anyone *is* looking for owner pics, as her box opening ones are utter garbage, but at least there's proof that someone owns one.

 

i'm usually drawn to unpopular dolls, don't know why
i don't like luts, but i will probably buy a minifee in the future...
i don't really like that its popular but if i like the doll it doesn't matter in the end

i had bought a doll i haven't seen owner pictures of
my hyo shin, and she is very unpopular i haven't seen another one here... that's probably because her promotional pictures sucks, everyone prefer gloria over elizabeth
my serendipity doll is also out of production

i'll admit that i like it but it wasn't intentional

 

Personally i would love to have a rare doll, it would be nice to own a doll that few people have, and i think that in and of it's self would make the doll more appealing rather then popular, unless it had a jaw-dropping sculpt along with and amazing face-up then you would have an appealing/popular doll.

But personally, no matter how 'rare' or 'popular' the doll is, if the doll dosen't capture my eye or connect with me, then the issue of rarity or popularity becomes a moot point.

 

I feel like my Ankh-chan is extra special to me partly because there's only forty of her in the world. but at the same time, my DoC Petsha Eitka is a very popular mold and I adore her to bits.

I don't think popularity/unpopularity really matter in the doll world, personally. Rarity nad LE dolls do matter though: I'd kill for a SOOM MD. XD

 

I would definately buy a rare doll over a popular one. It's a bit of the stubborness in me. I'd rather be different.

I don't really care about gallery views. I'd like to be unique, but if a doll catches my fancy, I might have to get it, popular or not. But not if everyone has one--unless it's a fantastic doll.

I play favorites, I'll admit. XD

I usually do research with the forums, so I'd post about the doll first, and get people's reviews of the company/seller. I'm fairly cautious that way.

 

Hmm...I buy the dolls I like because I like them, not because they're popular or rare. To me that's akin to not liking something just because it's popular, and visa versa. That being said, I've never owned an El, Chiwoo, Volks SD, etc. Not because they had the stigma of being common or popular, but because I wasn't drawn to the molds.

 

Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Um.. well I usually like unique rare things, but when it comes to dolls, definitely popular. This is because it's SUPER fun to see a thousand different variations of one doll in my opinion ^^ There'll be a white skinned goth version, and then you can turn around and find a tan natural version Plus, then you can meet someone and be like "HEy! Omg you're doll is just like mine O.O!!! Yay!" lol!

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?
Um, no. No way. If I really like it, I will have it XD I'm not usually the type who cares what other people think of my hobbies and such XD

Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Yes! All the time. I'll search through gallery threads and click on anyone that has a doll from DZ or CP sometimes XD

Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums
Ooh... probably not. :/ I like the forums because I can get feedback on the quality of the doll and stuff... it often saves me from getting bad-quality dolls!! ^^ Lol

 

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

I'd go with popular. Popular dolls have more pics on DoA, which is a BIG help when making the decision to buy that doll. Rare has a greater chance it will be sold out. And just because a doll is rarely seen on DoA, it doesn't mean it's a limited edition.


- 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?

The reason I'd buy a popular doll is to not be as disappointed in it either being sold out, or not what I expected. Of course, there's the chance it IS sold out (as I have experienced today), but I know for a fact it wouldn't be to get more gallery views. Sure, many people may want to see my doll for their own reasons - and in some way, I'm posting pics to get at least some response, of course. But you wouldn't post a picture of a doll that you had no pride in, right? If I'm posting a picture, I want everyone to see the awesomeness that is MY doll, not 'this doll, who 500 other people also own'.

Plus, as I say a lot, one sculpt does not mean one doll - one sculpt can become hundreds of different dolls, with just as many unique features and personalities as there are different people.
For example, eventually, I see myself getting a Puki. Why? Because I tend to see a lot of them on DoA, and I think they're ridiculously adorable. It's not because lots of people own them.


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

Well, as I still am in looking-to-buy mode, I will click on a Volks, Puki, or Dollmore thread more readily than on a company I've only seen a little bit, or not at all. It's a good way of shopping, too, because you still get to see the doll in a different perspective than what you've seen on the company sites. But I look at as many threads as I can, no matter what doll is featured because this person took time to create this 'art within art', and I know it will be nice.


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

Probably not - only because I'd want to hear of other people's experiences with the doll. Like, I wanted to get a BBB Mei last year, so I started saving up. Then, through the forums, I was told she is a slim mini, and that I'd need to make outfits. Well, I don't know how to sew yet (though I am learning!) and I realized she wasn't the doll for me.

And I'll probably buy her head, but get a different body, since I hear Bobobie bodies are hard to restring.

But if I had not heard about this from the forums, I'd end up with a doll and tons of clothes that didn't fit. A big mistake was averted because she was on DoA.

 

I actually have no idea whether I fancy more popular or rare dolls! I don't quite know! Because I scoured the internet to find the dolls that make me go "doki doki", and I was successful! And I plan to get these dolls! No matter what!

Except, until I did come on these forums and then I found out that one of them that I want is actually quite popular. The Lucifer doll from AS turned out to be pretty popular since he's mentioned quite a few times, rather than many of my dolls who aren't even mentioned at all. (even on a google search!) So it was surprising to find out that one of my dream dolls was actually quite popular.

But I'm not worried about being lumped in with all the others who want the Lucifer doll. In fact, I feel that I'll be able to stand out anyway, since I want plenty of unmentioned dolls. I've never let it influence me before, and I don't think it will in the future--If I like a certain mold, then I like that mold... REGARDLESS of whether it's popular or not.

Also, I'll click on a gallery if I know the name of the doll, like something from DoD that I like, or one of the dolls that I want. I don't make an effort to follow trends in anything I do, so if I happen to be in one of them, then it's more likely that I won't know.

 

If I had a choice, all of my dolls would would be rare.
I like having things that a lot of people don't have, although that may sound a little odd.
However, I just choose according to how attractive and appealing I find them.

 

I honestly don't care as far as choosing goes. In fact I'm happy if I like a common doll because they are usually cheaper and easier to find!

That does not mean I do not get a kick from owning a rare doll, it is very nice to have something special.

 

I vote for : I get what I like ^_^
If I'm said as a follower-_-; then anyone in this world can be a follower....Since I'm not the only one getting the doll.

 

I prefer rarer dolls because their individual beauty is often under or overlooked. I find that the underlooked dolls are more beautiful simply because they have so much hidden, untapped potential to become extremely perfect to the character you have in your head. I tend to look around DOA and search the BJD database for the more "popular" sculpts and some of them I find boring and hideous because they are everywhere!! Some are too much of a good thing, you know?

 

For me, I prefer a rare doll not only limited doll but also some kind of doll that are so unique that I feel they are more like art doll than cute doll.

But about clothings are in my concern when buying dolls as I can't sew and if your doll is way too rare then no one gonna make an outfit that size.

 

I don't mind if it is rare or popular, what matter is I like and love the doll I would buy
I buy dolls not only that they are expensive or limited edition
a doll being unique isn't determined by how many are there around, it is in the way you invibe to them a character
that you want, how happy and free you are with your doll, that's what matters for me
Doll being rare and popular had both advantages and disadadvantages...
but based on my dolls they are mostly popular rather than rare, because their beautiful sculpt made them popular and which I too fall in love with, and one good thing is that when there are a lot of the same type of doll, the more people whom you can ask for help...sweet deal, isn't it?

 

I don't honestly think that it matters- I love the Lati Red line, and I think they're pretty common (lovely though.). I just buy whatever captures my fancy.
That said: I find that I'm just not interested in many of the sculpts that get the most attention around here- anything Volks (with the possible exception of the School C head) for example, doesn't interest me. I'm just not a fan of that aesthetic. Nor do I fancy the look of just about everything by Luts, with the exception of the Summer 2008 Event head, and Shiwoos. I think shiwoo's are adorable, but they just don't fit in with my collection so I wouldn't buy one.

Doing the opposite of everyone else doesn't make you 'unique'- it's just being yourself. We're all different no matter how much the same you think others are, or try to be. I buy what I like because anything I own will be unique and rare.

 

I tend to gravitate to rare (limited production or just plain unpopular) dolls. it tends not to be concious decision but it is fun to pull something out and have everyone ask "now who is that?!?"

 

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

we can more easily see popular dolls on forum, flickr.... so dolls became more familiar with us (like a song you never stopped to heard on the radio) so it's became like something we already know and we are more confident with it.
For rare dolls it's always a surprise when you discovered a new doll : it's more easy to fall in love with it

I will say that both rare and popular dolls could be my choice

- 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'm not interested in "more gallery views"
The challenge is to do with a popular doll ... a rare doll !
some of DoA members could do that, I'm not sure that I can
but for me the most important is to have a doll I love : no matter she is popular or not
because she will be mine and she will be unique for me
Sometimes people could have the same idea as far as popular doll general appearance is concerned : but this cannot be avoid because we are so many
on rare doll : this will be more visible that you could be a "follower"


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

I will click on thread of doll I'm interested in (for future purchase or because I have one, or because I need to have more information on it) per company name
but I will also check on thread of company name I don't know or of people whose I know the work

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

Probably not
because a doll is a lot of money : I will need to have informations about size, etc...
somethings you had from the company , but it's better to have people feedback : it's more real

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