So... what do they do?

Ohh, good exercise for when I get my Iplehouse girl! Let's see...

What did you buy that for?
For me!

How much was it?
Probably too much.

What does it do though?
About as much as your designer jacket / ming vase / Van Gogh.

What are you going to do with it?
Be happy about it.

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
Yes, but I don't want one.

How did I do?

 

What did you buy that for? The aliens told me to.
How much was it? It cost me every single cent I had. I now live in a cardboard box under a bridge, but hey, I have a doll!
What does it do though? Well, while I'm at work they clean up the house for me. I used to let them cook me dinner until the unfortunate mishap with the stove.
What are you going to do with it? The aliens said that they can be used to control other people's minds. Would you like to hold one of them?
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! Yes, I do dream about someday owning a larger cardboard box to live in....but hey, look, another doll!

 

What did you buy that for?
Because I wanted something to get me back to crafting and creating. The last time I was creative was when I was graphic designing but decided to leave it behind. I wanted to also get back to sewing clothes for myself but also dolls.

How much was it?
Around $300? It was a tiny. A basic lati doll miel.

What does it do though?
Nothing really but inspires me to try to go back into sewing and being more creative. They are simply my muse to do whatever I want with them.

What are you going to do with it?
Sew clothes for it. Be inspired by stories I come up with them to write music.

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
Many things but I don't really have many desires for the latest technology or other expensive luxuries that are not particularly necessary to function in my daily life.

 

I never ever lie to my parents, except for when they want to know the price of the dolls I bought. Then I tell them about half the price I paid and they're still slightly shocked. I hate lying, but somehow I'm a little afraid of telling the true price. Often feel rather bad about it =(
I'm glad I'm not the only one who seems a little uncomfortable about talking about doll prices to people outside the hobby.

 

To be honest, I haven't had any of these questions directly asked to me. Most people who know about my collection are supportive or at least polite bahahahaha.

What did you buy that for?
This questions usually isn't asked because when I start telling someone about BJDs I start by telling them about the dolls' customization and how I can paint, design and photograph them. Most people realize right away I buy them for artistic purposes(:

How much was it?
Hahaha this question I like to sidestep and answer with, "well...they're rather expensive." The most specific I get is usually "a couple hundred." My mom and a few of my friends are the only ones who ever get specifics and really know how much I spend becasue they don't care!

What does it do though?
Never had this asked! I'd probably just explain the cusotmization thing again.

What are you going to do with it?
Photograph it paint it, draw it! What aren't I going to do??

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
THIS. This is the question...that I DON'T get asked, but that I ask myself!! Hahahaha I always think, omg I could have bough a camera, or a lens or new shoes! But in the end I love my dolls and it doesn't matter much to me.

 

What did you buy that for?

I didn't have a critter like this yet. I need to collect the whole set, you know.

How much was it?

Oh, would you like to help pay for the next one? So nice!

What does it do though?

My husband thinks it might come alive and kill him in his sleep. Only if we don't feed it enough though.

What are you going to do with it?

Line them up in the front room so they can stare at guests who ask rude questions.

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!

You can buy one of those for me if you're worried that I don't have one. If you do, I might sell it to buy another doll though.

 

My usual responses to questions like this are along the lines of "Because f**k you, I do what I want!" and other variations of the same, modified to fit the question. You'd be surprised how well it works!

What did you buy that for? Because f**k you, I do what I want.
How much was it? F**k you, that's none of your business.
What does it do though? Whatever the f**k I want it to.
What are you going to do with it? Whatever the f**k I want.
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! F**k you, I do what I want.

TL/DR I don't see any reason why I should explain myself to people who simply cannot understand the fact that people do things completely because they want to, without input from other people. Also I'm quite rude.

 

Okay, this thread has me laughing so hard.

I don't really worry about what others think of my doll obsession, purchasing history, prices, ect.. The only person I really discuss these things with is my boyfriend, and that's because we share finances. He supports my hobby and fully understands everything. I'm upfront with the cost of the dolls I want so we can plan accordingly. He has an expensive hobby as well so he can't really say much about the dolls I buy. He often suggests I think about which ones I want and tells me to give it a few weeks before ordering so that I'm 100% sure. He really adores my dolls but won't touch them himself, I think he's getting weak and has been toying with the idea of getting a doll for himself.

 

What did you buy that for?
Because for the past year I've felt like I've been wasting my time doing nothing and I've wanted one for literally years.
How much was it?
A lot more than I wish to admit.
What does it do though?
I stands there and looks pretty. Durh.
What are you going to do with it?
Play with it... paint... draw... all the thigns I like to do!
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
Probably a PS4. Or a new phone. I needed a new phone actually but kinda yolo'd it and got this thing anyway.

 

What did you buy that for? "To stay alive... My heart was literally going to shrivel up if I didn't get that doll. I was going to die... Probably dehydrated because I would have spent to much time drooling in front of my computer screen. It was a case of emergency."
How much was it? "More than I care to remember... I'm actually trying to block the memory of all those zeros...''
What does it do though? "Makes the world a prutiiiieh-er place.'
What are you going to do with it? "I stare. And love. And squeal. In random order.''
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! "Who needs food and/or shelter anyways? Company X just released a new doll!!''

 

Here's how I'd answer them.

What did you buy that for? For a hobby that I really enjoy. Look at how pretty they are!
How much was it? Enough.
What does it do though? Uhm... You can modify them and change how they look. It's an art piece you can play with.
What are you going to do with it? Play with it, discuss the doll and other types with my friends and others, modify it...
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! So? I can also buy a gold ring for a thousand quid. What are you going to do with THAT?

 

What did you buy that for? For my collection of dolls.
How much was it? A lot.
What does it do though? It's awesome at posing for photos and its looks are fully customisable.
What are you going to do with it? I paint them, write stories about them and do photoshoots with them to illustrate those stories.
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! We all have to make choices.

 

What did you buy that for?
For jollies and to exorcise ghosts.
How much was it?
$100-ish?
What does it do though?
What do you do? Yeah I thought so and I still keep you around.
What are you going to do with it?
I'm going to... use it as a drawing model, photograph it, make miniatures, keep it in my room to scare jerks away, take it to social events, and talk to myself with it there next to me so I don't feel crazy...oh and play with it.
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! Yeah or you could have bought me a (insert thing here) with that amount. Where's my (insert thing here)???

 

As a collector of oddities, I think my friends and family will be interested to see something a little "normal" on the table haha!!!
But, I agree with a lot of you guys, saying that they don't feel comfortable discussing price... the only ones who will understand are my friends who are collectible fanatics!!!

 

Why did you buy that?
I wanted to? I would have regretted it if I didn't?
How much was it?
As BJDs go, it was quite reasonable. A bit more than my Tonners (high end fashion dolls).
What does it do though?
It's very posable and customizable, and also fits into clothes made from Barbie/Ken/Stacie/Kelly patterns!
What are you going to do with it?
Sew it clothes, take pictures of it, and write stories about it!
You could have bought ... for that much money!
But I don't want a.....I like my doll!

 

What did you buy that for?
Because I want it since... ever duh

How much was it?
I'd never said a real price, or I'm avoid the topic (so far no ones dig in deeper).

What does it do though?
Looks lovely and gorgeous obviously

What are you going to do with it?
Photos, mods, maybe make-ups some day. Dollfies are also quite lovely decoration though btw my family knows that I hate trinkets, whitch only destiny is getting dustier, so they know also that the doll will not lie idle

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
I could but I don't. I'm a little rough, but I'm not that type of interfering in other people's affairs, in financial matters bjd initiation only other doll owners.

 

What did you buy that for?
Because I collect dolls and I like it. You have your hobbies, I have mine.

How much was it?
Probably more than you think.

What does it do though?
Gives me enjoyment ... keeps me from getting into trouble during my free time.

What are you going to do with it?
Play with it!!! ... change clothes, eyes, pose, photograph, sew for ..

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
True, but I make my own money, live responsibly, and this is my one vice ... well, save chocolate.

 

I ordered my doll and he hasn't even arrived and people in my family ask me some of these questions.

What did you buy that for?
I want it and he's so pretty.

How much was it?
I usually just say pretty expensive. I've only told my closest friend the price because I know she'll understand. I'm too nervous to tell my mom because she'll try to guilt trip me.

What does it do though?
He looks pretty and I can customize him.

What are you going to do with it?
I'll practice face up, sew clothes, take pictures and draw him.

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
I know, but I can always save up for ..... if I want it later.

 

What did you buy that for?
I like them and think they are beautiful.

How much was it?
Each one is different, but in general they are around $600 (blank/nude). They can be more or less depending on company and parts/options.

What does it do though?
It sits there and looks pretty

What are you going to do with it?
I mainly photograph them, I think it's really neat when a certain level of realism is achieved. I also sew for them, write stories inspired by them, and paint them. It's an incredibly fun and relaxing hobby for me!

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
If I needed or wanted that I would have bought it instead of a doll.
Alt: I'm sure there are fun things/hobbies that you spend your money on that aren't necessities too

 

I haven't gotten these questions yet, thankfully. Most people that I talk to on a regular basis are collectors of various things or are in the art field and understand the artistic side of the BJD community and are rather fascinated by them. But if I was asked, I think these would be my responses:

What did you buy that for?
"For my own happiness and for the customization. I love and make dollhouse miniatures, may as well have some dolls to go with them!"

How much was it?
"A lot. But it's more than just a doll or play thing. It's also an investment."

What does it do though?
"You can pose them, take pictures, customize, create back stories, and take them to meet ups with other BJD owners. There's a real sense of community both online and offline with the BJD crowd. And they can keep you company."

What are you going to do with it?
"Probably everything I listed above. And it's there to look pretty, like a piece of art you hang on the wall, except I get to play with it."

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
"I am very aware of that."