Rare or popular: discuss your preference

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

The only appealing thing in a doll should be the sculpt, but i have to admit that I'm attracted to unknow and unseen sculpt, simply because I like to imagine how much potential could have that doll.

- 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 care about gallery views and yes I sometimes I even don't look at a doll because is too popular; not because I'm afraid to be seen as a follower. I think that if a popular doll has got all that love I could give mine to other unseen dolls! (That's really really weird but Is how my mind works XD) Anyway I'm really random, so if I like a sculpt I'll buy It popular or not.

- 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 a newbie, what's a CP doll?

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

Actually I own a Dikadoll Batian a sculpt that i've only seen customized on chinese forums, and lately by Sadomina. (research for that sculpt was really really hard...) So Yes, I would definitely buy an unseen doll!

 

I buy dolls for me, do not show them, and I'm not a fan of looking at other people's dolls.
So it is not important to me, popular or not, if I like.

 

I could care less whether a doll is popular or rare. I buy a doll because something about it appeals to me, personally. I admit I'm a huge fan of Fairyland and Luts, because they're the first dolls I saw and the first doll I bought was a Delf Moon. I just love the way they look and it doesn't matter to me that they're hugely popular. Most of my collection consists of Luts and Fairyland dolls now. I do have a few others thrown in from other companies. I have a couple of the Soom limited monthlies. Not because they're "status symbols" or "popular", but because they're just absolutely gorgeous dolls. I wasn't even interested in Soom until I saw Zinc and later Bennmore. I just had to have them. And I have a pair of their faery legend dolls, too, because I'm just a sucker for faeries. And I don't know of any other company that makes them, especially the males.

 

All I care about is the sculpt. Lots of times the sculpts I like aren't even that popular,and there are some I have never seen on DOA anywhere.
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 haven't even posted in the gallery yet lol. I wouldn't avoid buying a doll just because it's too popular either. I think if people accuse you of being a follower just because you have a popular doll,it says more about them than it says about you.
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 not sure what a CP doll is,but I am more likely to click on a thread about a doll I have or a company I like.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Sure,as long as I could find an owner pic of it somewhere. The reason for that is because I rely on owner pics instead of company photos before I get a doll.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Well, I choose a doll from the face. But if I have to choose one between Rare and Popular, I'd choose 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. Really I don't care about gallery views. On the other hand, if the doll I want is so popular, I'll still buy it. It doesn't matter if others think i'm another follower. I love so I buy.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Sure! I love to see dolls from my fav companies. Especially ones that I also own. It's really fun looking at many kinds of face-ups. The doll's expression do differs a lot.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
If i love the face then yes! Why not! XD

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Neither, really - I'm looking at the sculpt first and foremost, but I would lie if I said it's not a turn-off to see the doll I like being owned by so many. I like to have rare, uncommon things. My dog is one of simply 300 individuals of that breed in Sweden, for instance, and I love having that "I've never seen any dog like that before! What kind of breed is it?"-question. I sort of felt the same thing about dolls, but has also noticed that it's easier for me to like rare dolls than unpopular, since (at least at the moment) the popular dolls right now have a look that don't appeal to me. With all that said, my first doll is a Souldoll Vito Lester, and even though I found out he's one of Souldoll's more popular sculpts, I really couldn't stop thinking about him x'3

- 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'd buy a popular doll it would be because I saw potential in its looks, and I'd take it as a personal challenge to make that popular doll pop out of the common crowd. Perhaps, when one thinks about it, that's more of a challenge than buying a rare sculpt. To have people say: "What, that's a [insert sculpt's name here]? I'd never have guessed. That's really well done!"

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Yes. Even though I haven't recieved my first doll yet, I have favourite companies with dolls of favourite looks. Granted I click on gallery threads of different company dolls as well, but overall I'm more interested in dolls from companies, of which sculpts I like.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I'm not entierly sure about this question. I'm very much dependent on owner's photos of dolls, since the companies' photos are rarely sufficient for me. I want to see the doll from all kinds of perspectives, in different sort of outfits, eyes, hair, face ups. To see the diversity of the doll, what fits it and what does not. So I'd much rather see the doll on the forums first, before I decide whether I want to buy it or not.

 

-Rare, I think. Makes it feel that much more special. However, I also have a fondness for some very common sculpts, such as Crobidoll Lance and Volks F16.

-I haven't even used the gallery, so that's pretty irrelevant.

-Cerberus Project, you mean? Interesting to see how times have changed, I remember early on Volks and Luts (CP) ruled the roost but now not so much. I definitely am more likely to open a thread if I know and like the sculpt mentioned.

-Yes. I think it is because there are simply so many dolls around, but I find nowadays it is often very hard for me to find owner photos of this or that doll. So I would be willing to, if I felt like the company photos gave me enough to go on. I prefer companies that give multiple angles, show the doll in different clothing, wigs, and faceup styles, so that it is easier to understand what you are getting.

 

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

It's more appealing to think you're buying a doll that only a few other people have. It makes you feel special. However, even though I fall for this sometimes, I think it's a result of cultural pressure to "be unique," as if only people who meet some nebulous definition of "unique" are worth anything. Just like people, any doll can be special. When I'm buying a doll, I try to only consider things like how much I like the sculpt, how well the body poses, the quality of the company, and the cost.


- 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?

Honestly, it doesn't seem likely that someone would buy a popular doll just to get more gallery views... particularly because I've noticed a stigma around dolls that are deemed "too popular". I'd be lying if I said the fear of people commenting "Oh sheesh, not another [NAME]!" hasn't made me hesitate when deciding which doll to buy. It's a shame, but it's true. It's less that I'd be afraid to be seen as a follower and more that I'd be afraid that my dolls and pictures would be dismissed out of hand because the sculpt was a popular one.


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

It depends on the sculpt. There are a lot of CP sculpts that I like, and there are some that I'm not fond of. Either way, I'd be more likely to look at a gallery thread if it featured sculpts I liked (and conversely, I'd be more likely to skip a thread if I knew the sculpt wasn't a favorite of mine).


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

Yes, but I feel better about buying a doll when I can see owner pictures of it, pictures of its whole body, and pictures of its blank sculpt. If all there was to go on were a couple of gorgeously arranged photos on the company site, I'd want to learn a little bit more about what the doll might look like in person.

 

I love the word saying "Limited Edition" but I own standard too, so I like them because they look great on it and I love when I see at first sight and coming back to see her until last day of her pre-order date then I can bring her to my family.

I love the same sculpt of my doll always enter to see other people dolls what they do and what the doll wearing it XD

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Neither, I only care if I personally like the sculpt and could make a character out of 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?
That's essentially asking if I'd spend hundreds of pounds to get strangers on the internet to look at my pictures. Nope! And if I liked a doll enough to buy it I wouldn't care what people assumed my motivations were.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Nope. I click on any gallery thread that strikes my fancy - I don't care what doll sculpt or company it is.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
I don't think I've ever seen a Blossom Doll Hyacinth on here, no matter how much I searched for owner photos.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
If I must choose: rare. I had a hard time getting over the fact that I wanted a LTF Ante, because "everyone" already had one. In the end I buy the dolls I really want though. Wether they are rare or popular.

- Would you ever buy a more popular doll knowing that it could get you more gallery views?
Only if I wanted to buy that doll because I love it for its beauty. I would not buy a doll solely for the hope of getting more 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 really want it, I'll end up buying it. I also wouldn't be afraid to be seen as a follower, but afraid of all the better version of the sculpt out there and knowing my doll cannot measure. However, as long as I love him/her, it doesn't really matter that much. Not enough to NOT get him/her, anyway.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
I am more likely to click on a thread featuring a doll sculpt or company that I know. Mostly because I want to see more pictures of doll x of company y. Other times the title lures me in. It is also fun to see dolls I have not seen before.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yes, If I feel I must have it, I will certainly buy that doll. I do like it when there are owner pictures for reference, but sometimes you just know: this doll is the (...) :p

 

It doesn't matter to me either way? I only buy dolls that appeal to me and fit the intended character. I don't really care who else has the doll, if it's popular or unpopular. Plus, I don't really care who likes my dolls. It's nice to have them complimented, of course, but that's not why I buy a doll. I buy a doll solely for me.

I bought my first doll not long after she was released and finding any sort of pictures for her was really hard. I wanted to see more and more of her from every possible angle and it was pretty hard. I believe only 3 or 4 people actually owned her at the time. The pictures I did find where always from the same people, and the doll was styled pretty much the same. That made it harder for me to see her possibilities but I still knew she was the doll for me.

I have bought a popular doll sculpt before and the fact she was popular never factored into my purchase of her. She fit the character better than any of the other possibilities, plus I was in love with her, so I picked her. However, I bought her in a skin color most others didn't so I guess she's a bit more unique. Although, it was not done purposely for that reason. I chose what suited her character more.

There was also a case where a doll's popularity actually turned me onto the sculpt, but I believe it's because so many people were able to customize this doll beyond the default that allowed me to see his potential and make me want one of my own.

 

To be honest, I don't plan on posting a lot of pictures of my dolls since I don't even have a decent camera and have no intentions on buying one. So I really wouldn't care about having gallery views and whatnot. I also think that popular dolls are popular for a reason c: Sure, some people may be attracted to dolls for their popularity, but for the most part, the sculpt may possess features that are simply more attractive to many.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Neither. When looking at dolls I look at the sculpt. If I love it, it doesn't matter whether its 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?
Definitely not. I would never buy a doll just to get gallery views and conversely I would also never let a popular doll deter me if I love the sculpt.

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

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yes! There are many other places to find OP's

 

I'm not attracted particularly to rare or popular dolls. I like what I like. If it happens to be rare or popular, I'm not too concerned. I buy dolls based on their sculpt first, but also based on the customer service from the company. Popular companies don't always have the best customer service. Sometimes unpopular companies have stellar customer service.

I would not avoid buying from a popular company for fear of being labelled a follower. If people want to label me as a follower, that's entirely up to them. I'm just going to buy dolls I like, regardless of somebody else's opinion. I don't buy my dolls for others. I buy them for me. That having been said, I'm not a big fan of many dolls from popular companies. I don't like many of Fairyland's sculpts all that much, and there aren't too many Volks dolls I like. While I do like many Iplehouse sculpts, I am not a fan of their prices. Price does not always equal quality, just as popularity of the company does not always mean you'll get good customer service.

I would never buy a doll based solely on my expectation of more views or comments on my Gallery threads. I love to show off my dolls, and I do hope for lots of views and comments in my Gallery threads, but I want people to like my dolls for who they are. I feel better knowing that someone comments on photos of my dolls because they like my photography and they like my stories, and not because my doll is from "Company X". As for what I like to view in the Gallery, I don't tend to click on threads of more popular dolls just because they are popular dolls. I view Gallery threads of dolls I am personally interested in, or I view threads made by photographers whose work I like, or I just randomly click on something because it has a clever title. If I really like what I see, I leave a comment.


I would buy a doll that I haven't seen on DoA. There are lots of other places online to see dolls, and getting information on a particular doll is often as simple as sending an email to ask some questions.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's 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?
Certainly no for the former question because I pratically don't post pictures on forums XD Too lazy! I don't know for the latter question but probably yes. But if I really really like the doll I wouldn't really care.

- 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 have a preference on companies but rather have preferences on dolls. If the thread says that it includes photos of a doll that I appreaciate then I would more likely to click.
- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yes because I have ordered DWC02 before any photos of her with make up on appeared on the internet...I just liked the mold But sometimes it might seem risky for me because you don't know what to expect when receiving it. Forums give me a point of reference and I think great to somehow see the doll's photos from different collectors before deciding whether to buy it.

 

Both! Popular in the way they are unik, and rare in the way they can express something for me

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
I don't care if it is rare or popular. The only thing that matters is if I like it and appeals to my sense of beauty ... or humor.

- 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 rarely post my dolls so, the whole gallery thing is not something I follow. ... although, I do enjoy seeing other's photos.

- 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 because they feature a particular company, but because they feature a particular doll that I like or have interest in. Having said that, I do tend to like certain companies 'look' more than others, so I guess in that regard, I do have favorites.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yes, I don't always wait to see owner photos.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
I feel like if I like the face of the doll and the size of the doll, then I like the the doll. If a doll was an older LE, then I would definitely want it, though.
- 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 haven't ever posted pictures in the gallery,e so don't know, but I wouldn't buy a doll just because it 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.
I look at Volks in the gallery, yes. But if there is another company or sculpt that I like, then I will most definitely click on it!
- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
If I really was in love with the doll, then I would want it.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Neither, I just like dolls that I think are pretty :3

- 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 would not waste my money on a doll that I did not love. I also don't care if the doll is 'too popular'.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Again, no. I do have a couple favorite companies, but I'm just as likely to click on a company that I'd never heard of too! I love viewing photos of dolls from many, many different companies

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Sure! I like to view owner photos first if possible because I like to do my research, but the last doll I bought was a new limited so there was no way to view it on the forums first. That's okay with me though, since I have a pretty good idea of what aesthetic I like.