Selling a doll to buy a doll or not connecting with the one you bought

I can't imagine ever selling any of my dolls. Not even my little OT-Dollfies. I'm not one of those owners who get so attached to their dolls that they see them as their kids or think they got a soul or feel their dolls are basically an extension of themselves. I still like every single one of my dolls too much to even consider selling them. That's probably because I consider very carefully (usuall) whether to buy a certain doll or not.

I guess I just don't see the point in buying a doll on an "omygosh, PRETTY!!! MUST HAVE!!!" kind of whim. Or buying one just because it's a Soom or Iplehouse or some other Limited. When I buy a doll, I usually buy it to keep it (there was one exception, so far, where I thought "oh well, if I don't like it, I can always sell it again" but now, I really love that doll).

 

Well, you're definitely not the only person who has this problem, as the replies here have shown. I don't even have my first doll yet so it'll probably be a while before I can relate.

And like a few other people said, that is kind of an odd reason not to sell someone a doll. What business is it of theirs whether or not you change dolls frequently or not? She obviously doesn't want the money that badly.

 

I believe that the seller has the right to decline the offer. We don't know her reasons, and it is not our business either.

 

I only sell dolls if I'm not bonding, which has only happened twice (I have 6 full dolls and 2 floating heads atm). The first was a tiny, I really loved him but the size just wasn't for me. The other I just decided to sell the head because he didn't carry the expression I was expecting when I opened him. I've never sold a doll that I've bought on the DoA MP, the doll and head I sold were bought directly from the company. So I can't really relate to having dolls come and go all the time, since I become attached to them. Both times I was a little sad they had to go, because I feel like I failed at making them work for me. But even if my buyer sold the doll again, I wouldn't be upset. The doll didn't work for me, so maybe it didn't work for them either.

 

I went through 20 dolls (that includes full and floating heads) before finding one that was "right" for me. So yes, I am one of those people who will buy a doll and if it doesn't work out, I will sell it. If I'm not enjoying a doll, why keep it when someone else may enjoy it more? I purchased my doll's parts second-hand, and I am completely thankful that the former owners parted with them. I wouldn't have my dream doll otherwise!

In my experience, I can say that I totally agree with this.

Remember, this hobby is for YOUR enjoyment, not to please someone else. If someone tells you that you can't buy their doll, just move on. There will probably be a better option in the future, anyway.

 

I generally don't sell dolls. At least not BJDs. I did sell other doll collections to fund the BJDs. And I did sell a Domuya to buy the Domuya that was a grail doll. Do I miss the one I sold? A little. But I really wanted the limited doll and there was no other way. I didn't need two. As to what the buyer will do with the one I sold? I had some contact and some great pictures. If she's still there, fine. If not, well, I sold her and I really have to say anymore. I can see both points, and I think I respect both sides. I am very fortunate that there is a huge doll community where I live and we have had upwards of 150 dolls at meets. I have been able to see a lot of the dolls I have before I buy them. It does make it easier - and it really helps to be able to say - love the doll, but not for me.

 

I haven't bonded with my new doll, and so I sell him to buy another doll from my wishlist. And I am really strict with myself this time D:

 

I find the fact that you wern't allowed to buy a doll just because you sell alot. Ive sold almost 20 dolls... either because. A) I didnt bond. B) There was another doll i wanted more/my tastes changed. C) an emergency popped up and i needed extra money to pay.

I really think that once someone sells a doll, they relinquish any right to have a say in what the new owner does with it.

And the fact that the seller was already selling the doll in the first place.
I dont think they had the right to judge, how often is too often.
Especially if they didnt even bother to ask the reasons why you've sold past dolls you owned. (dont know if they did or not, just saying)

 

I'm sorry that your excitement and hopes of owning this new doll were dashed like that. I agree that the seller should have stated in the listing that she has emotional attachment to this doll and would like to sell it to someone who would consider keeping it for a long time. However, I do occasionally see marketplace threads that ask for prospective buyers only if they're certain they want the doll and intend to keep it. Even some doll companies ask that their dolls not be resold, Hypermaniac asking buyers to sign a letter promising not to resell their dolls being the one I remember best. Though, I suppose, as the creator of their dolls, and not just an owner, one might argue they had more right to direct who they sell their dolls to.

Seeing as most of us can't inspect a doll in person before making a purchase, I think not liking a doll you purchased is fairly common. It's certainly happened to me. Sometimes I'll sell it fairly quickly, but most of the time I'll keep it for a while and see if there are great things I missed at first unveiling. I'm fairly lazy and slow in my actions, so this way suits me best. However, other people have their own methods, so I wish that seller hadn't turned you down in a way that made you feel bad about yours, but I don't think it's necessary to judge the seller for how she decides to sell a doll that is still technically hers, since no money had been exchanged.

 

Man, having someone refuse to sell to you because you might not keep the doll forever is plain weird. That's like someone not selling you a toaster because you might get rid of it in a garage sale in a year or two.

I've had two dolls that I thought I really wanted and ended up selling because I just didn't have an affinity for them when they arrived. I used some of the sale money to buy one that I've fallen in love with and just adore. You have to do what makes you happy!

 

I'm doing this right now in fact. I think it's what allows me to buy dolls so I don't have a problem with it.

 

I will keep a doll that I'm not sure I like until I'm absolutely certain that I will not regret letting it go.

Yes, if I sell a doll, I will probably use the money for another doll. But I wouldn't sell a doll just because I saw another one that I wanted and needed money for it.

 

I think it is part of the whole collecting! and isn't that what we do with other stuff as well? like if we want a new camera, we sell the old one in order to be able to afford the new one, that suits us better?
The only problem I can think of is that if someone sells a doll to you at a price and you sell it again two weeks later, for a waay higher price. but then again, that's their problem, if they don't sell it at a higher price.
If you don't bond with a doll, you should find someone who can, because every doll deserves to be loved most!

 

As a person who has sold a lot of BJDs, I can very well relate to you. For me it's the same thing, I'm sure I wouldn't have sold so many dolls, if I would have had the chance to see and hold them in RL before buying them. But as things are, I often do have to order a doll to see them personally and only then I can make a decision whether that doll will stay or go. And yes, the money I received from selling those dolls usually went right into the dollie funds for my next purchases.

About that other person who refused to sell you their doll: if they don't want your money just forget about them! Seriously, there's nothing more annoying than sellers who try to impose on you how you have to treat their former possession. Seriously, if they're so attached to their doll, then they better shouldn't be selling that doll at all.

 

I understand how it's feel. I didn't gone through many dolls, but I did sell one that I'm not bonding with for another. I think it's better to let them go, if you don't feel attach to the doll anymore.

 

My dolly family is self funding so if there is someone I can't live without then someone has to move out- bottom line
i know that if someone told me they would t sell a doll to me because in the future I might sell it, I would be cut but while I understand their point- they are selling it in the first place and people in glass houses.....

 

Haha because you sell too often? Geez thats a ridiculous reason to avoid a sale xD

Personally I am a hands -on person too. I can't get a feel for the poseability or scale on the site via measurements, I need to physically see it and hold it. Thats why I love doll meets! I have sold dolls as recently as the next day of receiving them, if you know you don't like it when you get it theres no point to hanging onto it and forcing it to work, I learned that the hard way with my resinsoul mei.
I actually just recently had this problem with a Leekeworld ariana, I got her a week ago and when I held her in my hand I knew she wasn't for me (Also the giant head actually freaked me and my boyfriend out xD)
The sucky part of this hobby is that we really can't know what a doll is like at all unless we see it in person, since so many are vast and different!

As for selling a doll to afford another doll, I've done that too, but only when I was 100% sure I didn't want the other doll anymore, cause when I really want something I tend to put a price tag on everything else. Regretting a sale is HORRIBLE, and I really don't recommend selling if you aren't sure.

Honestly, to sell or keep a doll is your buisness. Who cares if you've had it for 4 minutes or 4 years, its YOUR collection and YOUR decision. If the doll doesn't fit what you wanted for it, its not like you should have it for a determined time. If someone doesn't wanna sell to you because you sell too much, well that sucks for them, they just missed out on a sale. xD

 

While I agree that it was personally within the seller's rights, I see no problem with selling "too much" Sometimes dolls just don't work out. (I usually will give a doll 6 months....sometimes as much as a year)

I don't hold onto that many dolls...it just doesn't seem to be in my nature to attach to more then one doll. I also have limited resources (because I have a family and we are a 1 income household) to support such an expensive hobby. After I sell this bunch, I am going to become a 1 doll owner.

 

I have sold dolls to buy others in the past. I've sold dolls for other reasons, and later bought other dolls. I used to be very romantic about my ideas in this hobby where I thought any doll I brought home would stay here forever, but I've since realized that not every doll is as perfect as it originally seemed. I also have less money that I can throw into the hobby and as such I tend to make money for the BJD from the BJD, so to speak. I've never been refused a sale for my frequency in selling, and I've never denied anyone else for the same reason, but I can see where some people want to send their dolls to good homes. It does feel nice when you're transacting with someone who seems genuinely excited to be bringing your doll home. Everyone is different and approaches the hobby differently. I know folks who've had the same dolls for years, and folks who have a revolving door when it comes to collecting. It just comes down to finding what's right for you.