Rare or popular: discuss your preference

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
I would like to say rare but I don't buy dolls based on rarity or popularity. Honestly it's all about if the doll grabs my attention. I look for dolls that fit the idea that is in my head at the time.

- 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?
Neither. I'm glad people enjoy my dolls that are more popular but I'm also glad to help give more info about dolls that aren't common.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
I like to look at all dolls cause I'm always searching for a new addition >.<, but there are certain companies that I'm not fond of the way their sculpts look.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I would be hesitant because I always like to research before I invest. But if the company has good reviews I would buy the doll.

 

I dislike people who imitate ideas or even steal the whole concept of someone else. The variety and chance to express yourself in such a creative way is what attracts me to dolls. This is why I would never buy fullsets and generally do not like the very popular dolls

 

I only buy what I like. Period.

My doll - a hybrid - is not too popular. But he is just what I wanted.

My future girl will be more popular, I guess. But every time I see a pic of her, even if do not know that it's her sculpt, I think: "Wow, gorgeous doll, very versatile."

Anything else does not count IMO.

 

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

These days, neither. The most appealing doll is the one that I like - it doesn't matter whether it is popular or not. When I just started with BJDs in 2003 I did buy the more popular dolls, but that was mostly due to lack of variety and information. I did (and still do) love the dolls I bought, but their popularity definitely helped me make the decision to dive into the BJD world and purchase them. Once I figured out what BJDs are all about, a doll's popularity no longer played a role. My doll family consists of both extremely popular and very obscure dolls - I love them all equally!


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?

Well, let's start with the fact that I rarely post in the gallery section. In fact, there's one or two dolls that I never shared with DoA through pictures, even though they are well known in the community. I do want to post more in the gallery once my photography skills improve. When I do post more often, it won't matter to me if I get pages worth of responses or none at all. For me, the fun is in actually having the photo session - posing the doll(s), playing with camera settings, trying out various angles, etc. If someone likes my dolls - that's great! If no one likes them, that's fine as well - it won't make me enjoy them any less.

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

Absolutely. CP is one of my absolute favorite companies, and I love admiring their dolls. Not all of their sculpts appeal to me, but a very good deal of them do, so checking out how people have interpreted the sculpts is a lot of fun! But, this also applies to my other favorite companies - Dear Mine, Soom, Custom House and Volks. So, yes, I do love to look at gallery posts featuring these companies. However, I also like to look at lesser known dolls from newer companies - sometimes I like what I see and actually end up buying the dolls myself (this happened with Dear Mine, actually!), and sometimes I don't. Either way, I enjoy the gallery section of DoA tremendously

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

Yes, I would and have done this. However, if there are no owner pictures available, I'm much more cautious about my purchase - I usually request a photo of the blank sculpt, inquire about poseability, etc.

 

Very interesting and relevant question!
I am equally positive attitude to both positions!
On the one hand I was attracted by the opportunity to acquire the popular doll and make it truly personal.
But on the other hand, I am pleased to have around quite rare dolls, because I know that Neh no prototypes, as well as I am pleased to recognize their uniqueness)

 

Maybe it's cause I'm new, but generally I don't C A R E if it's rare or popular. It needs to fit my preferences in visuals and quality, and be MSD sized. If I get the 'I WANT IT' feeling then, I'm going for it, without giving a single care of 1,000,000 other people want the same doll :3

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

- 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 see above.

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

I'm guessing CP is company? Well, if the company has brought out dolls I like or appealed to me in a visual sense, of course I'm going to click it. Also, often it is highly amazing how different a doll can look after it's owner has customized it.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yes. I did. *luvs her Shukaku*
Thought I did feel a bit queasy about ordering a doll that hasn't owner pics so far, I loved the mold and it was as good as EXACTLY what I was looking for, so I decided to give it a try. Without any regrets so far. Generally I prefer having some owner pics to check out.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Neither, really. I buy a doll I like. However, in the sense of rare being a limited edition, then yes, I do generally go for those even though there are plenty of basic sculpts I adore. But that's not a final decision. My F-20 is not limited, and she is my favorite of my dolls!


- 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?
Nope. I do share pictures in the gallery because part of the fun for me is improving my photography (which, I can't say I'm really skilled at) and sharing my dolls aesthetics with others. But I don't do it to please other people. I could just as easily keep the doll home with me and still be happy. I just like the social aspects of the hobby!


- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
I don't like CP sculpts. ._. I'm not a huge Luts or Fairyland follower. So, no. But I am more likely to click on dolls I recognize or am a fan of when I see them. I like to click on ones I don't know about, too because it introduces me to new sculpts. That's how I've came across most of my current collection.


- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yes. I took a chance on Shale & Adamelli when Soom released them. They didn't make it past day 1. I wasn't inlove with them when I got them, so I rehomed them. Did the same with Borol, and he's probably getting rehomed, too. But, I hadn't been able to see much of Volks Hansel around the forums save for one or two pictures- both by the same owner. I took a chance on him and he worked out just fine. So, yes, I would buy a doll I hadn't seen around the forum, but I'd try to find owner pictures first if they existed.

 

I am not too bothered if they are rare or not. I think it is more important to have a beautiful doll that poses well, is well finished, moves easily and softly. I have seen many dolls and own a couple which have cost a bomb, are limited editions, but aren't very good quality in terms of their movement and poseability. They may have beautiful faces, but their body movement is so important. Likewise, I am not too keen on fantastic posers with not so pretty faces- I like an unusual face, but not into these exaggerated overartistic expressions. But that's just me. I would like to make my own doll one day though. Still very far from being a reality but it seems like much fun- I am always so impressed with the dolls people create and sometimes wish I had enough money to buy them when I see them. In a way these are the rarer types, but then again the purchase would not be for their rarity but their appeal and stance..

 

I go for a doll that catches my interest. The dolls I have my eyes on all caught my eye, and refuse to be forgotten, which is reason enough for me to consider getting them. It just so happens that the first two... don't really seem too "popular."

 

Rarity or popularity don't come in to it for me. The only problem with buying very scarce sculpts is that you can't read reviews and see owner photos so that might put me off a bit being here in the UK where you can't get to see dolls in person. I just fall in love with a dolls face usually. Peakswoods is a case in point, I adore those funny little faces and have 4 heads but only one full doll because I find the bodies are very limited when it comes to posing. I'd say that PW are quite a popular company, not on the level of maybe CP but still hardly rare dolls. I love Dollstown too, another stalwart of the DOA gallery.

I have a CP Lishe and adored her, they have such beautifully sculpted hands and bodies and would buy again if they made some less... CP-looking... heads. I bought Souldoll Madalyn when she seemed quite a rare doll but now everyone seems to have her so there really is no point in going for "the doll less seen" if you only want them for that reason. I still love Madalyn for her quirky face and amazing figure/hands, so she is staying. If I'd bought her just because there were so few on flickr/DOA at the time I would have had quite a short term love affair with her, don't you think?

I can understand that desire to have something unique, probably why I like buying second hand/vintage furniture and doing it up, but when it comes to something as expensive as these dolls, it has to be love that drives my purchase, and my fickle little heart doesn't care if everyone on DOA has the same doll. As long as I love mine when she get here.

 

Personally, when I go looking for a doll I already have a character pictured in my mind and I pick the doll soley on how close they get to that mental image I have. I don't care one way or another for popularity. I couldn't even tell you what IS popular, honestly.

 

I like what I like and I don't care what anyone else thinks of a particular doll or style of doll. I'm happy when people view or comment on my dolls but that has absolutely no bearing on whether or what doll I buy.

 

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

Neither. I LIKE to think that I'm not influenced by other people's likes and dislikes.

Although... I have to admit... it's kinda fun when others are also really into the dolls you like...

- 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?

Gah. I'd also like to think I don't care about gallery views! And that having a doll or being on the forum isn't at all about popularity...

I'd like to think I don't give a ...thought... about what other people think of me... like being a follower or not.

I do not think stuff like that is important at all.

I guess I might have cared when I was in middle school or something like that, but really, I could care less.

I buy dolls that I like and other people can all take a flying leap as far as what they think goes.

Srsly...

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

Uh. Yes. 'Cause I have CP dolls and I like them.

I have dolls from other companies, though. And I like dolls that I don't have from all kinds of companies--and I'll click on those threads if I'm interested in seeing them...

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

Yes. I have Off-topic dolls, for instance.

But I do get most of my news from DoA, so I might not have a chance to buy dolls that aren't on the forum... which is too bad, I think... (or rather, not too bad, because I buy enough dolls already).

Basically, I don't judge dolls by how rare or rarely seen they may be, or visa versa. All that crap doesn't matter to me. I like dolls because I like them. It's really that simple.

 

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

If I was made to pick between those two, I would say rare. But really, I just pick dolls that I like. A good number of the ones on my wishlist happen to be very scarce on the forums, and I'd barely seen Angelheim Zion out of default anywhere before I bought him.

- 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. Frankly, I barely take pictures of my dolls as it is (my photography skills are sadly lacking and I have notoriously shaky hands), so the only place most people will see them is in person or in my signature. Therefore, the first question doesn't really apply. The second one--hell no. If I like it I'll get it. Heck, I'm planning a Homme Ducan, one of the most popular molds. I'm not afraid to be seen as a sheep, because I'm not. I just like him.

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

Hahaha! Okay, well, sometimes I do have a propensity towards looking at threads with dolls on my wishlist or that I own, just to see what others do with them. I also love looking at Dollzone threads! But it doesn't stop me from peeking into others. I love learning about dolls I would never have considered before.

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

Eyep. Planning a few I've never seen owner photos of, and I'd not seen photos of the 3rd version of Feilian before I bought her. Same with any out-of-default photos of Zion. And you know what? I'm perfectly happy with both of them.

 

I have always been the kind of person who likes things more when theyre uncommon, out of place, or even unpopular. I guess I might have a little bit of hipster in me? If some thing isnt seen as much, its much more attractive to me. If it means I get to stand out a little, then I am all about it! And the same applies to dolls to a certain extent. Though, if a doll that I like is off-topic on the forums, I have to say I am much less likely to ever buy it, even if I really like it. I like sharing photos here, and talking about dolls, and if I cant do that, then it feels less worth it to me. So its a yes, if the doll is on-topic, and a no, if its not =3

But when it comes to some of the really, REALLy popular/common dolls, even if theyre really beautiful. I find myself turned off by them. it some times gets to the point where you see the sculpt SO MUCH, that they all look the same to you, even if every owner tries to do some thing different -- I can still see the same doll, and it drives me a little bonkers.

 

There has been some really popular dolls I didn't like, For example I hate IH Dexter. But lots of people just love him. Do I hate him because he's popular? Nope, I hate him cause he looks pissed off and kinda scary.

Popularity, or lackthereof, has no hold on the dolls I like and don't like. It's all about sculpt for me. My all time favorite doll is Luts SD Azure. I wanted him back in 2007 when I first started getting into the hobby and didn't realize that he was Limited. THerefore, I was heartbroken when I couln't just buy him. So I bought a KD Cherry instead. I still have my Cherry and love him to bits and pieces. And always will no matter how popular or unpopular he gets.

I do have to admit that I like non-limited dolls just cause I don't have to worry about missing out if I don't have the cash or can't get him/her for whatever reason. But LE's are nice too, I just kinda glance them over and move on though. I finally put my Azure on Layaway. It is cool he's limited, Yeah, I guess. but if he wasn't I could have had him years ago.

I hate to speak for the majority but with this hobby you drop alot of money and fast. We buy thinking we'll have this doll forever. We want dolls we find beautiful that fit what we bought them to do or be in somecases. I don't think anyone would buy a 500 dollar doll they'll have to look at for a very long time just because it was popular or not popular, espically if they didn't care too much for the sculpt.

Vampire dolls are very in right now. But I don't like vampires so I will never own one. it's all about what we fall in love with. I don't think this hobby is about keeping up with the Joneses.

 

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

Doesn't matter. If the doll is pretty and I like it I buy it. I don't even know about rare or popular dolls so I don't really even care. Plus I feel little bit awkward

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?

Gallery views mean nothing to me since I don't take pics of my dolls. Also, I don't care how I'm seen as long as I'm reliable to do business with xD

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

No. I wathc gelleries if the dolls have the style I like or the doll is pretty. BJD's are easy to customize so same doll can look very different with different owners

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

Maybe not. I like to see owner pictures and pic's of nude doll before buying. I don't trust company pictures :C
But this has nothing to do with doll's popularity

 

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

Neither. I would only buy a doll if I like it, regardless of whether it is popular or 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.

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

I don't even know what CP stands for.

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

Of course, if it was one I wanted.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Neither,as long as i like the doll I wouldn't mind buying a rare one or a popular one.

- 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?
To be honest I don't know which dolls are popular and which are not.I don't think I would care either way.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
(What's CP?)Since I'm new to the hobby I like to see all kinds of dolls without worrying about the company.
- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I would search for owners pics and opinions outside of DoA, but I would think it twice before buying if I didn't find anything.

 

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

I do not care about how popular the doll is that I buy. Of course, and if it's possible, I search for some owner pics to see how the doll really looks. Depending on that, I get to know if it's popular or not. But in the end, it really doesn't matter.

- 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?

Well, I do not need gallery views. I even never created a gallery on DoA. xD
I thought sometimes if I am just a follower if I buy that popular mold - buy why not? I love the doll, and I will make my own character out of it.

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

I don't now the term "CP doll".

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

If I can get somehow owner pictures, or real pictures from the company then yes. Otherwise. I really must be hardcore in love to buy the doll with only default pictures.