Rare or popular: discuss your preference

I prefer unseen rare dolls and occasionally popular to look at as for my own like Hypermaniac Gyedo or my Domuya Zen are hardly seen or looked at in the galleries so if people want to see them you may have to request. I don't think anyone owns a Domuya Day in normal skin, well I do and she is wonderful.

 

Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
I prefer the appeal of having a doll no one else has. I've been a little put off the super popular sculpts unless they really appeal to my aesthetic. Saying that if I fell in love with a popular doll its popularity wouldn't stop me from getting it.

In my everyday life it won't matter what doll I have, popular on here or not. I've never seen one in person before and I doubt anyone who sees mine will have come across them either. So just by owning a BJD it'll be unique because of the environment it'll be in.

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 really care about gallery views or anything like that. I don't think that the concept of being seen as a "follower" of a doll would bother me.

On the other side, I was a little worried about getting an unpopular doll, and even wondering if the doll would be any good if no one already had it. I've gotten over that though.


Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
I seem to go through different phases of companies, going through and finding all the CP, Volks, DOD, DM, whatever threads whenever a particular sculpt catches my eyes.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Well, I have, so yes. I really loved the official pics of her. And after looking at some other dolls by the same company I decided that I was making a good choice in getting her. I won't really know until she turns up whether I've made the right decision or not, but that's part of the fun!

 

Well, I'm not one to bash popular dolls for just being popular, but I have to admit the prevalance of some sculpts has kind of turned me off on them - they may be pretty, but I've seen them so much and in so many ways that I just can't see the point of me owning one. (Plus, I'm trying to limit myself to sculpts that match characters of mine, and I don't think any of my lot would really work as Els or Shiwoos. XD) And although I wouldn't spend my precious, precious money on a non-character doll just because it's rare - I have to admit I'm tempted sometimes, if only so I can spam the galleries. CP's Dambi is one of my biggest temptations at the moment... But yeah, I would never buy or not buy a doll based solely on its popularity. I love this year's Na-Nu-Ri and he's been quite popular - I just can't justify getting him when I already have two floating heads to get bodies for and no character he matches. ;o;

I don't have a particularly favorite company - I go by sculpts - but CP does happen to have a lot of sculpts I like. n.n;; And I love to look at the threads of other people who have the same molds I do - I get to see a fair number of Ttoris and Karons nowadays, but so few Angelos, Wings, and Ninodolls! It makes me want to take more pictures of mine.

And - I have bought one doll that I couldn't find pictures of on the forums, my Woo.U from Ninodoll, because I bought him at the first release. XD I couldn't resist! I was quite terrified for a while that I'd end up not liking him, but he had such a sweet face (even unpainted) that I haven't regretted it for an instant. I just wish there were a few more Woo.Us around - I can't take many pictures of him since he doesn't have a body yet, and I think it's a shame there aren't really any in the gallery. CUTEST LITTLE SWEETFACED SCULPT EVER! *totally not biased at all, no*

 

This has been very interesting! I do prefer more light hearted debates focusing on the dolls themsleves rather then social issues. I don't care if a doll is popuar or not to be my little prize. I happen to have always been an El fan. So have alot of people. I get confused when people don't like simply on the merits that everyone has him. He is lovely and that is what matters. I do have a prefernce for CP dolls though. They match up to my expectations of what a SD should be perfectly. I don't care if Luts is a biggie and so many people have their dolls. My dolls are special even if there are hundreds with their facemold all over the world.

 

I really, seriously don't care about my dolls being rare or popular.
But, for some reasons, I only fall for limited/rare dolls... ^^;;;;
I have no clue why. I always have hard time bonding with popular/non-limited dolls [not that I like all the limited/rare ones =_=]

 

Ugh, don't remind me... I was hoping that the doll I discovered online was inexpensive and easily available. But noooo, it had to be a LE Volks. Grrrr.

What's worse is I can't stand 70+% of Volks' normal sculpts....

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
I choose a doll to buy because I like it, not based on its popularity. However, choosing a doll that I've seen very little does add to its appeal. I don't like to be "one of the crowd."

- 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?
God, no. I don't care how many gallery views I have. I wouldn't be afraid of being seen as a "follower," because everyone is entitled to their own dislikes and likes, and if what I like just happens to be something that's popular at that time, then that's how it'll be. I would never like something solely because it's popular.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Not at all. Company isn't a priority for me. I look at gallery threads because I like the mold, the title is catchy, or I know the poster. If I were to look at threads solely based on company, I highly doubt it would be because it's a CP doll.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yes. If I like a mold just from seeing company photos, then chances are I'll like it, and I don't need to see owner photos to confirm it.
In fact, I had never seen a BF Kyle before I got my boy (at the time most of the dolls I had seen were Volks or Dream of Doll). Same with my Louis (I think I was one of the first- if not THE first- to get one).

 

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

- Would you ever buy a more popular doll knowing that it could get you more gallery views?
No, that is simply ridiculous to buy a $600 doll for page 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?
Not so much. I think it is mostly because it is very hard to make an unique looking doll if everyone has the same one.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Yes, I frequently browse "company" threads to compare...

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
No, I need owner pics. Since most companies made their promotional photos too bright to see any details of the face.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
Rare I don't like having a doll that everyone and their mother has, it'd be boring!! And there are only so many characters that a mold can support, and it's a drag to try to do something new with an overused model :P

- 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 way! I want to get gallery views based on how creative my title is, or how good my pictures. I don't want to get more views simply because of how popular my doll mould is.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
Nope. In fact, it's the opposite. I am sick of all the Els and Lishes I would rather click on a title with a doll mould I've never seen.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
Yeah, I did! Well... There are a couple of other Tony's on the board (2, I think) But one has two gallery posts and 4 pictures alltogether, the other has about 6 pictures scattered through some other threads. I'd say that Bobobie Tony's pretty rare :3 But sure, if the doll is cute, I'd buy it without seeing one on the forums (though owner pics do help!)

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
honestly, i like whatever doll I like and don't bother with who else has that doll or whether the doll is rare. it's my doll and i like it so that's all that matters to me, not if a lot of others have the same 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?
Ah...no. Dolls cost a pretty penny and i'm not about to buy or not buy a certain one just because it'll get more or less views. I don't care if I'm seen as a follower honestly!

- 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 more likely to click on a gallery thread if they feature a sculpt I like, I won't lie. But if it has an interesting title then I'll probably check it out regardless of company.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
that's a hard call. if i had seen other dolls from that company on the boards but not that particular doll then sure i would. if no one had purchased from that company before i would be wary of buying because i don't want to find out it's a scam or whatever. ha ha, i'm not very trusting, no.

 

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

Neither. It doesn't matter to me either way, the only important thing is that I like it, if it's rare, well, I admit that's a plus, if it's popular, it's no biggie, I'll still like 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?

Not at all! I would never buy out a doll just because it would get me more pageviews, again, I would buy it only because I liked it, and not because everyone else did or because it's rare and everyone will want to look at it.
I admit I may be a bit less inclined to buy a doll I'm still not very sure on getting if it was too popular, not for the fact of it being popular, but simply because seeing it so many times it's tiresome sometimes, and not because of the actual popularity.


- 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 more likely, yes, only because my favorite company is that one, and most the dolls I want to buy are from it, so I want to see what can be done with them. Likewise, I will click most gallery threads featuring Hounds, DoD, and Custom House cuties because those are also dolls I want.
Still, even within those companies I mostly check only the sculpts I like, and I also find myself looking at other threads regardless of molds/company.


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

Definitely, if I found the mold to be pretty to me. But surely if there's a doll out thee it will be seen here in the form of news or the like sometime.

 

I actually nearly did this, I bought a Catish Doll Vnu from Dollmore, and as far as I know, I am the only person on DoA to have one. The reason I say "nearly" is that I did find one of the other dolls they sell on DoA, the two dolls are very similar, and seeing that doll made me want to get my Vnu.

On the other hand, I do not really think that it matters much to me how rare or popular a doll is. My other two dolls (one is only a head right now) are both from less common companies, but seem to me to be more popular dolls from that company.

 

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

neither. i will only get a doll if i really, really like the way it looks (and if i have enough money

Would you ever buy a more popular doll knowing that it could get you more gallery views?

nope-the doll would be for me, not the viewers.

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. there are so many options to make my own doll unique, and i really don't care how popular or rare a doll is.

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?

if i really, really, really like the look of the doll(and if i have enough money)


i have my own preferences and popularity have no effect on what i like. I buy clothes because i like the way they look not because of the designer or all the designated 'cool' people are wearing them. I hang out with people who i like and who make me feel happy.
and for the dolls-personal preference should be the first thing you think about rather then popularity or rarity.

of course this is all my personal opinion. and if yours is different or if you think that a rare doll is more appealing, then go ahead. Everybody is different-which is why there is such a wide veriety of dolls

 

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

For me it's a bit of both. I tend to like dolls that happen to not be as common on this forum. But I also won't get a doll because of it's popularity, but that's just my thing. I don't like viewing gallery threads of a well loved sculpt unless I know the owner or the doll. It's gets a little repetitive for me so I practice the "don't like it, don't look" rule.

- Would you ever buy a more popular doll knowing that it could get you more gallery views?
No. Because I think there are others out there that feel the same as me.

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 afraid of being seen as a follower, to me that's just silly. I just don't personally like that sculpt anymore for myself.

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll?
No, because most of the time it's an EL post. Now, if it's a new sculpt or one that isn't as popular then yes. Or if I like a owner's doll the yes but other wise, nope I skip it.
- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
If I like the sculpt enough yes. My first doll was P'rinka my Leaf and you don't see much of her kind on here. But I fell in love with her face and that caused me to get her. The fact that she wasn't that popular was just an added bonus.

 

I prefer rare over popular, but often money is a issue. The reason I find the rare more appealing is that they tend to have more detail put in them. But a popular doll can always be transformed and made into a one-of-a-kind.
I own a Kirill, which seems to be fairly popular, but when I first saw him I had no idea that he was popular. I don't care about being seen as a follower, because I know I bought my dolls because I love them and not to fit in.

 

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

Neither would really be a factor in me liking a doll; I wouldn't buy one just because it's rare, or not buy one because a lot of people have it. When I first started collecting, I had pathetic/nonexistent knowledge of all the different doll companies and moulds, so my choice in dolls were highly influenced by the photos I saw on the forum. That in itself, is so subjective, because bjds are so customisable that even a plain mould can be made to look stunning with the right faceup and outfit, and an exquisite mould can look rubbish sometimes.

I've got a Bluefairy LE Jerome coming home soon; he's rare in that he's limited, but the Jerome mould is one of the most popular TF boy mould on the forums. Jerome is my favourite TF mould, but as I don't fancy the normal skin as much as the beauty white skin (which BF only uses for their limited dolls), I was thrilled when they released him as BW. So my decision for buying him wasn't due to him being rare, or popular, just that I liked the mould, faceup and the fact I can get him in the resin tone I love.

- 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, I don't post enough in the gallery to be worried about how many views I get on my photos; I do take tons of photos of my dolls, but they're mainly on my Flickr for archival purposes, and for general viewing. If I get nice comments, I'm appreciative that people like the photo/doll/outfit, if there aren't comments, I'm not about to lose sleep over it.

About being seen as a follower if I buy a popular doll - definitely not! If someone is worried about a thing like that, that truly undermines the joy of doll collecting in the first place. I will get a doll if he/she calls out to me. I have two Lati Yellows, and they're always a big hit with a lot of Blythe collectors I know, but I don't think any of us sees each other as being unoriginal or a follower. We just appreciate (and squeeeel with cute) each other's Lati bebes.

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

Erm, no? I WILL click on threads that feature my preferred moulds though. I haven't come across a company where I've liked every single one of their dolls.

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

Definitely, if I like the doll enough and have the dosh! Although, I'll have to do some research first about the posebility, resin quality, etc if there aren't any other owners of the doll.

 

Of course no one will admit they like a doll because it's popular. Nobody wants to look like a sheep! Rare dolls have the label of "buy me now or you'll never have the chance to get me again sparkle sparkle" so I can understand if people scramble to get it (perfect example: Dollshe Bermann).

As for me, I picked my dolls based on both company photos and owner photos. Doesn't matter if "everyone else" has them or not. I have a SooRi, which is popular, and a Zi Yuan from Angel of Dream that isn't so popular. But I chose them based on whether or not they fit the looks of my characters.

 

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

I'd find a rarer doll more appealing than a popular doll, but the main thig is whether I like the sculpt.

- 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 wouldn't buy a popular doll for that reason >_> that's a waste of money if you ask me. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a popular doll if I wanted it, but I'd be more tempted to do some heavy customization to make them `mine`.

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

No. while they are very pretty, I'm still in the doll market at the moment and I'm very particular about dolls none of them (that I've seen- such a noob) appeal to me to the extent that I'd go through the gallery looking specifically for pictures of them. DoD, on the other hand...

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

If I liked it, then yes.

 

Interesting question. I'm looking for my first doll and my problem seems to be all of them are beautiful, not which ones are commonly seen or not. It really doesn't matter to me, I'm just particular about lips.

 

- Which is more appealing when buying a doll: that it's rare or that it's popular?
when i choose a doll it allways seems to be a doll the minority likes. i dont mean to do it they just appeal to me. But i dont choose a doll just because they are funny looking and make me laugh/smile, i own a hound... i think he is the most "popular" doll i own.
simply.. if i like a doll, i need it
if it happens to be a rare doll that im wanting to buy and it shows up on the market, then that would influence which doll i would buy next/or how fast i scrape the cash together because i may never see it again up for sale.

- 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?
noway. i rarely post in the gallery and my threads rarely/never get commented on anyway

- Are you more likely to click gallery threads because they feature a CP doll? Be honest! Nothing wrong with having a favourite company.
yes. not because it is cp, but usually if i own it allready or if it is one i want to own. i love seeing what other people do with them and how face-up's change the total appearance of a mold.

- Would you buy a doll that you had not seen on the forums?
yes. i have bought 2 allready, like i said before.. if i like it, i need it