The Doll Hobby: Is "Conspicuous Consumption" the Main Event?

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?

I do not get "fatigued" by my own expenditure. I do not feel the pressure to buy every shiny new doll, or every shiny new outfit. For the most part I ignore the new releases and announcements on doll websites, only browsing them at most, about once a month. The part I am more fed up/annoyed by is people who buy the shiny new doll, shiny new outfits, fairly consistantly and then complain about having no money. It seems to be happening more and more, and I think the pressure (mostly by people all riling each other up in discussion threads etc) to buy things is increasing greatly.

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?

No - I do feel the need to improve my dolls with face ups and more suitable clothing, but thats because I want my dolls to look exactly as I want them. This however is a long, on going process. I have a doll I have been, gradually, getting commisioned together (face ups, mods) slowly over about two years.


3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?

Nope, my enjoyment actually comes from setting them up in little "scenes" and from photographing them.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?

Yes. It seems more and more people are getting 6/7 dolls in their first year, but I think part of this is to do with the increasing "affordability" of dolls so they indulge more as they were less of a huge commitment. I also think people with more disposable income and in higher wages are joining too. People seem to be spending more time talking about the dolls their "waiting on" rather than their plans for dolls they have.

I am less irritated by people selling stuff - it's their preogitave after all. I am finding all the 2nd marketplaces a little stagnated though, which is slightly more frustrating. It was nice to browse, particularly the clothing marketplace, and finding clothes and items people had made themselves. Now it just seems to be mostly clothes from companies being sold on.

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?

I do know a few people who have had buyers' remorse, and I have exprienced this. I bought a doll on a whim, at a stage when I was fairly frustrated with the look of my collection, my photography and the doll hobby as a whole. She was cute, and while she let me realise where I wanted to take my collection, she wasn't up to the standard I wanted. I sold her within about six months of getting her.

Most of the people I know get the dolls for keeps, although you do see more clothing/wigs/eyes flying through people's hands.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?
I wouldn't say that I get fatigued over the nature of this hobby. I get a little annoyed though that it seems like companies are making more and more limited and not as many standard editions as they used to.


2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?
When I first got into hobby I did, because wanted to keep up with everyone else. But I've been in the hobby for three years now and I don't pine after every doll that comes out even if I do think it's pretty.

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?
I rarely buy new things for my dolls or buy new dolls. I do have a list of dolls that I want, but I usually search a long time until I can find the best deal. I usually find dolls for a lot less than they should be shopping that way.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?
I wish I had the time during the day to even worry about that. If I get tired of something or it's not getting a lot of use I sell it, but if it doesn't sell I don't worry about it.

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?
Eveyone I know pretty much keeps all their dolls when they get them. I know I have gone through three dolls for one chracter that I have because I just haven't found the right one yet. I've never regreted buying something though.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?

I do actually. I'm addicted to the marketplace and often feel bad about my lack of funds.

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?

No. They can suffer with their default outfits for as long as it takes me to buy them something else. As for the latest doll, only if it's awesome. There aren't so many coming out that I really like that I'm dying to get evrything.

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?

No. My enjoyment stays about the same. I like to take pictures of them and there is one I tinker with constantly. I wish I had more time for them.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?

Some may. I don't. Sometimes I agonize over a doll but not for that long.

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?

I'll admit that I like acquiring almost more then I like having. But I TRY to buy thoughtfully. I'm not made of money so I consider carefully. I have sold dolls but not necessarily because I wanted to. I guess, I'd keep them all if I could! If I had the room and didn't need money for other things. But they are a commodity so they are the first to go when cash is tight.

 

That is sort of news to me: people feeling they have to explain selling in a way not to offend those who think dolls should not be treated as any other hobby object. I am aware of the emotional investment as I am one of those types of owners; however, I didn't realize some might feel rel pressure to explain a sale in ways which would satisfy the "wet crowd."
In my trips to the market place I always thought the "I'm not bonding" explanation sounded quite phony(it just struck me how insane you would sound if you told a person outside the hobby that you were selling a doll because you didn't bond with it).
Honestly, I would rather hear no excuse or the truth than "not bonding" because I wonder if something is being concealed after seeing this reason used so many times.
I am not one of those whose goal is the perfect doll-I don't have a particular well defined vision in mind for my dolls but they each do start to settle out into a definite sort of personality over time. In my mind it is more like discovering the doll rather than moving the doll toward a specific character.
Toward that end I do enjoy the treasure hunt aspect of acquiring wigs , eyes and clothing and other objects which I think might work out well with one of my dolls.
Maybe this is why I am not a collector when it comes to dolls, since I see my few dolls as always evolving and trying new looks while maintaining their core personality.
There are other things I do collect but they are not the sort of thing one would customize or modify as a rule.

 

1) I didn't buy anything for my dolls for over a year even though I was in the "mecca" of Dolldom. Now that I am buying things and going to stores and rummaging around ... yeah, I feel a bit overwhelmed. I also feel that kinda ... itchy trigger finger as I browse the online shops. But I'm pretty good at self-control and can wait until the next paycheck.

2) I don't feel pressure to buy new dolls--I'm only interested in the dolls I'm interested in--and I don't necessarily feel any need to "improve" my dolls, but I do feel that I need to kind of offer them some more variety before they will be "complete." This is part of the whole not buying for a long time. If I'd bought one wig every couple of months for the past two years ...

3) Of course. Not really much to do with dolls when you're not doing stuff for them, which includes shopping. I only feel like I enjoy my dolls when I'm taking pictures of them or posing them in new outfits or with new stuff. Just having them sit on the sofa isn't very fun at all. Sewing for them is pretty fun, but even that has its limits of excitement.

4) Yeah, I do ... I think that a lot of people buy things with no intention of keeping them and just assume, "I'll sell it if I don't like it." When I buy something, I assume that it's "forever." I would never dream of selling my dolls and even if I end up with accessories I don't like or don't use often, I still can find some sort of use for them.

5) I try to NEVER buy on a whim. I'm the sort who picks something up, carries it around the store, and often puts it back rather than buying it because I realized I didn't really want/need it. But I can't say the same for some people I know ... and that's all I'll say about that. :X

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?
A bit. I mean, I love shopping to death, but sometimes I do think there's too much shopping, like how it seems "required" dolls have a kamillion sets of eyes and wigs and stuff like that. Overall though, I don't think the comercialism is too bad.
2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?
...Only by Soom. I finally was Soomed. Their limiteds can be the death of anyone. While there's pressure, I don't think it's too strong, other than the need to have more dolls; you see someone with 20 dolls while you have one and it's natural to desire more.
3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?
Of course not. I'll go long periods shopping online, but then I go back to my room and cuddle my own doll. I feel bad for him when I'm shopping for others instead of playing with him though.
4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?
YES. People seem to constantly be selling this to get that. I can't stand things like that; it's like you're abandoning your old things. Why get them if you want to get rid of them soon after? Especially when I see brand-new things at the Marketplace, it makes me slightly sad.
5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps? Oh, I constantly have buyer's remorse after EVERYTHING I buy, spaz when it comes in, abandon it for a while, then get back to playing at the same amount as everything else. That's not just a doll thing; it's just my nature.

Seems I think of this mostly as like any other hobby...shopping's fun, but I don't think it detracts from my own personal experience. However, money other people spend makes me think sometimes I'm doing it wrong. X3

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?
I find the buying sometimes is more important than the having. I've fallen into the pattern of buying something, bringing it home, living with it for a while, then selling it down the river. I think I like the waiting and aquistion more than the having some days.

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?

There is never a sense of needing to improve the ones that I have. They don't have to have the best of something, but I do want them to have certain things. Like I really wanted a motorcycle jacket for one of my boys. I spent a lot of time looking for it, hunting it out. now I have it, and he's worn it once! The shopping for it, getting the deal, was better than the owning!

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?

I feel I need to be past the shopping phase and get into the enriching phase. Everytime I think I've gotten to that point, something happens and I end up buying again.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?

Yep, please see all above answers~

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them?

I try and keep things here for at least 6 months before moving them on. I try really hard ro bond with them before I decide to sell. I've heard of people selling dolls before they even unwrap them, but not anyone close to me.

 

I as a buyer (when looking for a doll or completely different things like an antique pince-nez for example) would like to know why something is sold, because I would like to know if something is wrong with it. Something wrong is a good reason for not wanting the item any longer.
If someone didn't bond with their doll, the doll itself is still a good item. If someone is selling a doll, because it doesn't pose well or the seller is faced with certain short comings of the doll and doesn't want to accept them or can't fix them, that's information about the item I'd like to know when deciding whether I want to buy or not.
I feel more comfortable if a seller says he/she has no use for the doll on sale, but the doll itself is fine then when a seller just puts a doll on sale without any explanation. (Unless that person sells dolls professionally with a deal linked to a doll company. Then it's just business.)

Long sob stories aren't needed, but a short explanation like "didn't bond" or "have bills to pay" keeps me from asking "Why is it for sale? Is there something wrong with it?" This from a buyer's perspective. People don't need to justify their sales to me personally. If I'm not interested in buying the doll, I don't need to know why it's for sale.

But this is getting a bit off topic.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?

No, not really. It's all part of the hobby, and doesn't have any importance to me.

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?

I don't feel pressure because I am my own person, although I do find myself buying things for my dolls to get the look I want for them, but that's my choice.


3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?

I don't get bored, but obviously find more enjoyment when I'm buying for them,( the dolls I already have) although not necessarily for new dolls.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?

I'm not concerned with what other people do, it's up to them.

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?

I've known some people who do that or have remorse, but collections and ideas change, and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?

Not really fatigued? But frustrated sometimes. There is always something lovely that you like, and not always any money. I suppose that's the same with everything though.

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?

Yes, in that somethings are limited and you have to get them when they are released or not get them, since with bjds, 'second hand' is usually more expensive rather than less.

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?

Absolutely not; I just love just looking at them! They're so beautiful.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?

Yes. The whole 'OMG! It's my dream doll! *doll arrives, 10 seconds passes* I'm selling, we're not bonding' thing that sometimes you see going on is frustrating to me. Some people seem to have the attention span of a goldfish.

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?

I don't buy on a whim, though I may buy quickly (I may have love at first sight - His Majesty - or someone may grow on me - Morgan). But when I buy, I buy for keeps.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why? i think i find it pretty easy to ignore...i usually buy second hand anyways

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?
yes i think i do...but only because ive had my dolls over a year and they have barely anything. i see other peoples dolls who have many things and are 'complete' and i wish mine were so i could enjoy them more/do photo-stories. i dont feel pressure to buy the latest dolls, only the limiteds/rare ones i want. i guess since 2 of my girls i own are discontinued and i was afraid i wouldnt get them ive been afraid since of never getting the ones i want for a good price

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?
maybe a little...as i mentioned my crew isnt complete so although for the most part i enjoy them, i was getting sad seeing them so unfinished (i finally got them some proper clothes though so its better now) i do wish i had all my planned crew so they could interact and i could photo my story

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?
yes i think some do. but thats their choice, may be indecisive

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?
i tend not to buy on a whim...not in the doll hobby anyway. i buy for keeps. and the one time i did buy a wig on a whim i really liked it for my girl so that wasn't a problem. yes, others buy on a whim and although i wouldn't recommend it its their choice if they have the cash to splash

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?

No, It doesn't really bother me. It's just the nature of any hobby that revolves around collecting.

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?

I don't feel any real pressure to buy new dolls or to get new wigs or eyes for them. When I buy new things for them it's my own choice, not pressure I feel from someone else!

However, sometimes I feel bad when I can't or don't want to participate in a new trend or a long-standing trend.. I don't like Pukis, don't see much appeal in most Volks sculpts, can't afford Soom limiteds... I don't feel any pressure to buy those dolls, but I feel very left out, almost like my dolls are "inferior".

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?

I'm happiest when new stuff for my doll is coming in, when I've made something new, or when I'm making plans for a doll that's on it's way or has just arrived. Putting the puzzle pieces of the doll together is so much fun!! But once they're finished I don't feel bored with them even if they don't get new things every month. I still love them just as much, and taking photos of them is so much fun!

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?

Yes. It doesn't bother me all too much, because its their hobby and their things and I don't care what they want to do with them. But when people buy dolls on impulse over and over and over, and sell those dolls over and over and over.. I start to wonder if the only enjoyment they get out of the hobby is buying the dolls, and not having them home..?

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?

I have buyers remorse every time I buy a doll or something for my dolls. It's just because of the price, it's not the item itself! Once it gets here I don't regret my decision at all. So I guess I'm a mix.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?

It's not something I've ever really paid much attention to or given much thought, to be honest.

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?

Not personally, no. To be honest, I don't really bother keeping up with what all the various doll companies are putting out in the way I did a couple of years ago; possibly because my own personal collection has gotten pretty much to what I think of as complete. Occasionally I'll look over the Gallery or friends' LJs and think "Oh, that's a pretty one; haven't seen that before" but it doesn't really go beyond idle curiosity. My housemate is much more interested in all the new releases, but I'm quite happy with the ones I have. Most of them pretty much have their "default" look now in terms of the right wig and eyes; I make nearly all their clothes myself, so if I feel one of them needs a new look, I make it myself. Likewise face-ups; I do all my own face-ups, so the only pressure I feel is self-imposed - to improve upon and perfect my own work; it's certainly not a financial pressure.

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?

Nope - there's usually at least one sewing project on the go at any one time, often more, and that keeps me happily occupied with my lot.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?

Some people do seem to take it too much to heart; when it gets to the point where it's starting to seriously impact your life (work, friends, family, health) then maybe it's time to step away from the hobby for a bit and get a sense of perspective. Personally, I've never had that problem; I've had a few dolls that didn't work out - several wig and eye changes, change of face-up or clothing, but the dolls still just didn't seem to develop a character or really mesh with the rest of the collection - but there was no agonising over the decision to sell them.

I have seen some people get into the hobby and maybe get carried away, acquiring a lot of dolls in a short space of time on impulse only to sell them shortly afterwards; I think it can be very tempting if a newcomer to the hobby to think "If one BJD is good, think how much cooler 2/3/5/whatever will be!" I think some people do get carried away instead of working slowly and steadily to build up a collection they really love and are comfortable with; but at the end of the day, it's their money and how they go about the hobby is up to them.

Some people keep the same dolls year in, year out; others have collections that are constantly in flux with incoming and outgoing dolls. There is no One True Tao Of BJD Collecting; both are equally valid ways of partaking in the hobby.

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?

I tend to buy for keeps; I don't rush into purchases, and my collection has remained more-or-less static. I know others who operate more of a "revolving door" methodology. As I've stated above, both are equally valid approaches.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?

Nope. I tend to ignore the world in general. I'm too busy feeling fatigued by making it through the work week, only to find out I've got to work yet another Saturday, and squeeze that planned photo shoot into my one Sunday off, along with laundry...

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?

A little, but again, tending to ignore the world in general. Most of that pressure comes from within. Took me about ten tries and two years before Ichigo's faceup finally looks "perfect".

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?

Nope. Only get bored when they stop talking to me.
And then I resort to mentally plopping them into some situation, to see how they'd react, and what fun we could have.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?

Um... still ignoring the world in general here. Don't care.
And hey, sometimes it takes a lot of time to agonize properly over whether or not to sell one of my beloved boys!

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?

Yup. I buy on whim. I buy on love at first sight. I have had "buyer's remorse", but I think that's mostly just guilt from spending money on myself, and I usually get over it rather quickly.
Then there are the times when you buy, then get, open the box and go: oh crap, this just isn't going to work out, is it?
But I always buy thoughtfully. Even the quickest impulse buy, took hours to agonize over, mental self-flagellation time, before finally deciding: dangit! I'm worth it!

 

I've thought about this so much, but it never occured to me that there'd be a discussion about it! Here's my answers... They might not be very refined, as I tend to ramble a bit, but as a teenager without a big income and wary of things like consumerism it's something I've considered on man occasions.

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?
I can ignore it, in answer to the second part - every fandom I've ever been part of there are people who can afford more stuff. It's simple. I think it helps that I've always loved horses but to own a horse is really beyond my family's means. I can just accept that sometimes you can't just have what you want (with a lof of saving, you might scrape towards it). But seeing so much stuff bought and sold, or so little regard for vast amounts of money, can be quite surprising.

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?
Thank god no, but probably only because I just know I couldn't afford it.
I'm way-choosy picking out my dolls (I only own one, and although there are some I would like, I'll have to make sure I 100% want this before I buy it) because of this too.

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?
Possibly. I've had my boy for about 10 months now, and his "Look" isn't completed yet. To get him how I want him to look he still needs new eyes (he has defaults in), a new wig (he has his default and a second-hand one) and clothes. I really like having something new to play around with. But on the other hand, that isn't such a major part of this for me, because it's rare I'll buy a new thing. I might find or make something or just not at all, and I still get enjoyment from seeing my doll.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?
Ugh, well. I enjoy selling things, which is weird, I guess - it's sort of satisfying. But I am shocked when people say things like, "Bought these to see if they'd suit my girl, they don't," or "Bought several pairs to experiment with," etc and these items cost $50 or something. I'd have to save to afford one of those items! I think the way people don't really consider what they buy can be a little... wanton... but if they have the cash, it's theirs to do as they please with, obviously.

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?
Not in my own experience, but as you might have gathered, I'm often surprised. It's normally when someone goes mad for something, saves, buys it, is overjoyed, then in a few months it's old to them and they sell it. I have no problem with it, or with this: when people constantly change the sculpts of their OCs; but it always surprises me that they're so desperate to change for other items. Maybe they just crave variety more than me - it could actually show me to be more possessive of objects I own - but that always surprises me.

Things in the BJD world are so expensive, it always comes as a shock to me when people can always afford goods like eyes, wigs, clothes and all the postage and fees on top. And so often. It's just comparative, though, and I keep trying to remember not to be too consumerisn or covet things too much.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why?
I get slightly fustrated sometimes, due to new things coming out, espeically limiteds as I don't have the money to get it, but I never think ' buying AGAIN?!?! WHY?!?'

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.?
Once a dolls face up is done and I like it, I don't have any particular desire to change it so no there. Not so much for eyes either, but I do for wigs and clothing- but that is only because I have a distinct lack of those things for my dolls.

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls?
Nope. I can actually just stare at them for ages without getting tired, because I just find them stunning.

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off?
No, not really. People an do whatever they want, and if it the trading aspect of it which they partake in the most thats their decision. I suppose I find it a little strange though seeing people with a couple dozen FS WTB WTS threads and not a single gallery thread though/ picture of any of their many dolls on DoA anywhere.

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps?
I am an impulse buyer. However, everyone else I know is very responsible when it comes to that and are muchmore controlled- something which I think I am very very slowly learning.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why? This is an expensive hobby, there is no denying it. I don't spend money from bills on buying dolls. I used to feel guilty, but now I think of it as therapy. I am bi-polar and used to be addicted to heroin. I sold everything of worth. Now with 2 years clean I think it is amazing I'm waiting for my First Asian BJD, Mei. I look at all my dolls, I collect Pullip , Goodreau, and others, and I'm filled with happiness. Not only do they stare down on me warmly, but I was able to buy all of them and not buy drugs. They are my little victories. I earned them.

 

1) Do you ever feel "fatigued" by the commercial nature of this hobby, regardless of whether or not you spend money regularly on doll stuff? Or is it something you find easy to ignore, and if so, why? One of the reasons I got into the hobby, was the idea of dressing them up and collecting clothes/accessories... and I often browse but rarely purchase... so although I understand it may be fatiguing to some, it is something I can fortunately ignore

2) Do you ever feel pressure to buy the latest new dolls coming out, or to constantly put money into improving/ finishing the dolls you already have with better wigs and eyes, nicer faceups, nicer clothing, etc.? If I see something that I think my dolls character would "like", then that is when I start to *think* about making a purchase. But a lot of the time I tend to ask myself if it is something I could make... so really there is no pressure there..... I do however feel a bit edgy towards a doll until it has the right eyes/wig/faceup but that is personal rather than any external pressures.

3) Do you ever get bored or feel less enjoyment from your dolls when you're not shopping for them, or shopping for new dolls? Not at all

4) Do you ever feel like other people in the hobby spend too much time concentrating on acquiring things or selling things off, or agonizing over what to acquire and/or sell off? Yes, occasionally

5) Do you or other people you know often buy on a whim, have "buyer's remorse" or get tired of things in a really short time after getting them, or do you/ most people you know usually buy things thoughtfully and for keeps? Not anybody I know personally, but I have seen some people who seem to have a MASSIVE turnover of dolls/doll stuff. I always buy for keeps...