Selling Dolls: Why?

I'm planning on selling 2 doll heads and 2 doll bodies (probably separately) right now because I just can't bond with the characters they used to be. I am notorious for buying dolls on a whim and then being "stuck" with them because I can't bond with them anymore. After a year of owning dolls, I'm finally getting to the point where I'm okay with the idea of selling my dolls. I held off for a while because I felt bad for them for not loving them like I loved my other boys. But then I realized "yo these are chunks of carved resin they ahve no emotions" and started to feel better lol but seriously, I decided that selling them would be okay because then someone would love them the way they were supposed to be loved and I would be able to enjoy the rest of my collection because I don't feel bad about them anymore

 

I haven't really sold any dolls, but I have sold other rare things that I once treasured but outgrew for one reason or another (especially in the last year!). For me it's just that I don't want it anymore. Sometimes you just outgrow things and there isn't anything wrong with that. The way I've always looked at it is like "Ok, this is rare, it's worth money, I don't use it or have any interest in it at all anymore. It will literally not impact my life at all if it wasn't here, other than if I sold it I would have money." Logically, it's better to just sell it.

Another reason is, I really don't like a lot of clutter. I have been very devoted this year to sticking to my new years resolution of letting go of stuff that I was keeping "just because". All of my collections and hobbies have felt the impact of this. With my doll collection, All of their props, clothes, and supplies I didn't use in the last two years or care about much anymore got listed during eBay's free listing period. Everything that didn't sell or I didn't think would sell I threw out.
I do still have my first BJD, and I still adore her to this day.

 

When I sell a doll is either because: I don't bond or do anything with them.

There have been times where I have sold dolls because I needed the money to pay bills or help my family, but I only sold the *new* dolls, those dolls I wasn't emotionally attached to... unlike my old dolls, it's impossible for me to sell the old ones because I love them to death and I wouldn't stand the thought of parting with them.

 

Bonding issues and tastes changing are my reasons for selling dolls.

 

I've only sold one - I was never able to figure out a character for her and, cute as she is, I never really bonded with her. But she's going to a friend who's already got plans for her and is looking forward to her arrival. There was no need for this poor doll to be unloved on a shelf when someone else is going to adore her. BJDs are too beautiful for that.

 

I've sold dolls because they were totally wrong for the character I wanted them to be, or because they did not look good with the dolls I already have. I have also sold a LOT of dolls because I seriously disliked something about their bodies.

People talk about "not bonding" a lot. To me, that means I can't empathize with the doll or the character I imagine them to be, and I will sell it. Once I empathize with them, I can't sell them.

Linda S.
galatia9

 

I rarely sell dolls but when I do it's because I don't have a preexisting character that fits them. Half the time I prefer trading to selling, though.

 

I've only been collecting BJDs for about seven months and so far I've never sold a doll. But money is tight right now and I was laid off this summer. I'm considering selling an Asleep Eidolon YoSD doll that I received as a gift several years ago (before I started collecting BJDs). I've never really liked her much, probably because I didn't pick her out myself.

She's not worth much and I honestly don't think I'll really sell her unless my money situation gets really dire. That's about the only reason that would make me sell a doll. I'm a total hoarder of things in general, but I really do have a huge attachment to all of my dolls. I can't say I've ever had regrets about any of the nine that I currently own.

We'll see if that changes when my Dollmore Judith gets here! (Shipping soon, I think.) Since I put her on layaway I've fallen head over heels with Fairyland dolls, and I'm wondering if other dolls will measure up now...

 

I sold my two first dolls, both SD size, for various reasons. I was short of money, unemployed, planning to move to live to another place. Plus a sad thing happened in my personal life which left me feeling that these dolls were not as important to me as they seemed. And I could never shake off the shadow of some sort of ''guilt'' for spending so much money on them. Compared to other SDs, mine were not that expensive and yet it was still a great deal of money. It can put you in a state of mind where spending $500 for a doll is ''normal'' but when you think you could spend this amount on food & accommodation, this is then the shock comes in.

 

I'm selling dolls right now, for the first time after four years in the hobby, because I wanted a new doll and because someone out there is going to give them more love and attention than I will. They have such cute faces and I feel really bad for them.

 

I have only sold a doll in my life. Not that I have been much into this hobby but it was a great step for me.
I sold my first doll, because I had re-shelled her character into a new sculpt, so this doll was only sleeping in her box and I didn't have a character or plans for her. I decided it would be better if someone could love her, so I put her on sale.
And now I know it was for the best because the girl who bought it has made her look all cute and she has given her a new loving home and a new story.

 

Like a lot of people have said here, it's a combination of 'I need the money right now' and 'I just haven't bonded with this one, so that's the one to go'.

I kind of feel like this is a hobby where I can't just like a doll, I have to truly love them or I really can't justify spending £100+ on them. There needs to be that special spark.

 

I made my "initial investment" so to speak, and bought a bunch of BJDs. And now I don't really plan on spending any more money on my dolls. The only way I would spend money to buy a new doll or get new dolly things is by selling or trading what I already have and using the money from that to recharge my doll crew. I have my eyes set on a new limited doll, so I will put up one of my SD girls for sale to get the LE girl. ^^

 

I've sold heads and pieces, and tried to sell a full doll but didn't (didn't advertise it that much because I didn't want to!) when I was unemployed and needed the money to pay rent. Glad I did too. And honestly, what I ended up selling was not complete enough to be special to me anyway, so it wasn't too terrible a goodbye.
I agree with MissyMagoo -- I have to be totally in love with the doll in order to get them in the first place, so why would I want to sell unless I really had to? I've never had a bonding issue. Every time I've gotten a doll, it's always felt "right." Like when you meet someone who is going to be a really good friend or partner, you feel like you've known them forever - that's me and my dolls.

My MNF Karsh is the only one I think I'd be willing to part with, but only because I just grew out of his character, which was sort of arbitrary and not meaningful to me... and after wiping his faceup, I'm having trouble visualizing anything else on him right now. But he was my first MSD, I still really love his sculpt, and I used gift money from my grandfather to buy him. As long as I'm not financially hurting, the doll itself is still a little too special to me to let go for the sake of it. Attachment and sentimentality are interesting beasts.

 

I agree. I fully intend to *keep* every doll I buy. If I end up selling them after they arrive, it's because I don't love them. I can't afford to keep a doll I don't love. And I never buy with the intention to sell later (profit or not!).

Linda S.
galatia9

 

When it comes to aesthetics I can be very...fickle. I do my best to make sure the doll I buy is one I really want but it's not always easy to tell from a photo compared to real life. If the time comes and I order a doll that isn't what I expected (almost happened 3 times now, thank goodness for owner pictures) I'd probably offer it up for sale.

I haven't gotten bored of my doll yet either, but if that ever happens I might sell it for that reason too.

 

My very first bjd I ended up selling after only a few months. I had wondered what "bonding" meant really, then I found out, as I just didn't bond with my first (Soom Rosette). It also took over five months to get her from Soom. I have dolls now I would not part with, but it's hard to tell. I bought a DC Isabel with company face-up and was very disappointed. I had her face-up redone and she could be growing on me- but I know now why some folks buy the same sculpt (I've found myself doing that too).

 

I've sold dolls for a lot of reasons. In the past it was because the character wasn't working out or because I couldn't bond with the doll, and either I needed a new shell for that particular character or was just selling it outright. Occasionally it's been for financial reasons (which is why I'm trying to sell some dolls now). I do still own my first doll, and I would never, ever sell him no matter what financial hardships I came across.

 

I've only sold one doll. I wasn't thrilled with him when I opened the box but I was hopeful that a face-up and some new clothes would change my mind. Nothing got better. He was bitey and kicky (even after a hot glue suede and a restringing). I began to hate him and I think he hated me too. I felt bad because I wanted to love him but he and I just could not click. I ended up selling him within a month to someone who fell in love with him. I'm glad he found a happy new home.

 

I don't usually sell my dolls, only it have happened when I received a doll and it was not I were specting from the promo photos. It was a new mould and I was not be able to find customer pics.