What do you think of "starter dolls?"

i think i did get a starter doll, but that doesnt mean she wasnt a doll I wanted. my first choice was aragorn delf in tan but at the time she was about 600 (now shes like 500) and there was no way I was putting that much money into something I wasn't sure if i was going to like. I still found a doll I liked though and im excited for when she gets here

 

Well, yes and no. My first was a poorly dressed, wigged, and made up mei. I was a bit scared that I would not enjoy the hobby! But I had her wiped and done by a lovely lady . I played with seuding and making clothes and wigs. It was then I found out it loved her even more. So in a way, she helped ease me into playing with them. But, it is me soon to be leeke whom I have adored!

 

I'm along those who got a new doll, "a doll that I wanted" for my first doll. But thinking about it now, it might have been a smarter move to get a "starter doll" first. There are quite many kinds of used, fairly cheap and fairly pretty dolls available on the market so I don't think it would've been so difficult for me to find a starter doll that I actually liked. I did have some "noobie failures" in the beginning, and I think they would have been somewhat less nasty if it wasn't an excpensive brand new doll I just bought x'D

 

I'm of the opinion that your first doll is your starter doll, period. Unless you've had the chance to handle dolls in person or you have a friend who has them, what are you going to know just from reading about them and looking at pictures? I didn't know anyone with BJDs when I bought my first at a convention, and owning the doll and making some noobie mistakes has taught me more than this forum. The vender I bought my doll from told me about DoA, so all the newbie advice in the world isn't going to help someone who doesn't know the site exists.

 

I kind of did this. My first two were Bobobies, but I think it was less of the "you're going to ruin it" mentality and more of the "I don't have a lot to spend". However, I would be devastated if I ruined either of the dolls because I tried to practice things on them. I don't even know if a starter doll really exists. Even as Bobobies, I still paid plenty of money for both dolls and for their other parts, like eyes, wigs, and clothing. I think it's important to pick a doll that you really like for a first doll instead of being disappointed. Eventually, you will have to learn things like restringing, so I don't know if it's really worth it to buy a lower-priced doll just to practice when you could have a doll you really, really love. I also don't like the feeling that "oh, this was cheap, so I can wreck it". I feel like I should be super careful and research with all of my dolls, even the cheaper ones.

 

It's been said already, but I think it depends a lot on the person. I think most newbie mistakes can be prevented with adequate research, and if you're really worried, meeting people who know what they're doing and asking for advice isn't too hard in a lot of areas!

If a person knows they're not just going to play with the doll for a little while and then fall out of the hobby, I think they should go for the more expensive doll they really want, instead of getting a "starter doll" because of cost or worry they'll mess it up. Admittedly, I did start with a cheaper doll myself, but I did a lot of research and had no problems due to being new.

But there are people who I understand may want to test the waters before jumping headfirst into a very expensive hobby! And if they need to do that, I think they should.

I don't think the starter doll mentality or recommendation is for everyone, but it's ultimately up to the individual.

 

This is just my opinion.
If you buy a starter doll for the reason only because they are cheap but you do not have much interest on them, you only bought them for the sake of having a Bjd and trying it out, you might not have much of a good experience. You may just end up falling out of the hobby. I think it's best to buy a doll which is something that you would really love even if it is more in the expensive side. Yes, you may need more time to get your doll as you need mor etime to save up but, wont it be worth it? That's much better that buying a cheap doll that you don't like and just feel like you wasted money on something that doesn't interests you. We'll, unless the doll that you love is on the less expensive side ofcourse you should buy that!

 

Buying a cheap doll for a "starter" doll? Why? DOA's a great resource. You can research the pros and cons of the sculpt you're interested in before it even hits your doorstep. If you're lucky enough to have a healthy BJD community in your area, you can even go the meets, see dolls in person and get an idea of your general likes and dislikes. I wish I had done that before I got my first doll. It would have been nice to get an idea what a 70cm doll was like. Though it wouldn't have changed my mind, I still would have ordered the same doll for my first.

My first doll was a Dollshe Hound. Even knowing he was 68 cm, it still was a surprise how huge he was! He was the first BJD I ever saw in person. I wouldn't call him beginner-friendly, but I learned and survived the experience. I don't understand buying something just because it is cheaper. Buy it because you love it. Then it will be more precious to you. If that doll you really want is $200, great! Count yourself lucky. If it is more, then you might need a bit of luck and work, but I say go for it.

As long as you can pay your bills, keep a roof over your head and don't hurt anyone getting the money, it's YOUR money. Spend it as you like.

 

I love my first doll to pieces. He's a Bobobie Apollo and I could not think of getting rid of him. I looovvveee him. He was my starter doll. My practice doll. But I recently sent him off to get properly done up and he's gorgeous. He is no longer my practice doll at all. He is a part of my family and I can't imagine not having Holland around since I've personally invested so much into him. Even though people say that Bobobie is cheap and dumb... I think it's all about preference.

 

I got exactly the doll I wanted after a few months of looking. She actually ended up being on the less expensive end of my dolls, but might not be now after all the time and money I invested into her clothing, face-up, eyes, and wig. She's one spoiled doll.
I think the term is kind of offensive, but then again, I understand some people want to get their feet wet without knowing exactly what they want yet. In that case I sort of understand why the 'starter doll' term could be used. I'd just prefer not to use it at all, unless that's what the person the got the doll is calling it.

 

I got into this not knowing exactly how expensive all the accessories would be! XD But I am hooked now...

 

I think you should start off with a doll you know you're really going to like; your tastes in BJD's might change, but at least you started off with a doll you were happy with and not one that you just decided to get because it was a cheaper, "starter" doll.

 

I personally think opting for something cheap just to get you into the hobby is sort of a bad way to go. If you happen to like two dolls, and one is less expensive than the other, then by all means pick that one. But don't stop looking outside of what you like just for the sake of getting a cheap starter doll.

 

I agree with the notion that your first doll, regardless of price, IS your starter doll. My first doll was a 60cm DOT E-an. And because I fell in love so hard, getting her launched me into the hobby like nothing else. I'm glad I wasn't given the advice of purchasing a doll that is less expensive or even one of the smaller dolls as a first doll. I probably wouldn't have stayed given it turns out I'm not a fan of the smaller dolls. The best advice to give someone starting into this hobby is to read up all they can on the dolls, look around a lot, take their time, go to meets if they can, and get a doll they love to look at (price and all the aside).

 

I say you have to go with the doll that you really want, whether it's a hundred bucks or a thousand.

I didn't do the starter doll thing but I had a starter body at one point and frankly, it sucked. I was not happy with it. It was pretty much pointless to have because although I guess it was objectively an ok body every time I looked at it I was annoyed because I regretted paying $180 for this instead of $300 for the body I actually wanted. The lower price, to me, did not compensate for the lacking aesthetics.

Some dolls that I love are much cheaper than other dolls that I love. But I have learned my lesson that if I can't afford what I want, fine, I will sit with nothing until such time as I can afford it, or find a totally different doll that costs less AND that I love - I will NOT buy something that in my head I already feel is inferior, just because it is cheaper, because in the end I will regret it and end up selling it and buying the other and costing myself more money and hassle in the long run.

 

I'm saving up and hunting for my first doll. I have had people suggest a cheaper starter doll to me. But honestly, the "cheaper" dolls are still expensive in my mind.

As a newbie to this hobby I am used to $30 for a Monster High doll being "expensive". So $200 for a BJD seems exorbitant. And $800 for a doll is just obscene.

Still, I figure that if I am going to spend a ton of money on a doll, it may as well be the PERFECT doll. I tried to find her in the smaller dolls, but the more I looked, the more I realized that wasn't going to happen.

My perfect doll looks like it will be an Iplehouse SID, but I still have time to change my mind while I save up the money for her. But the more I look at her, the more I want her. I do wish her boobs could be bigger, but I'm willing to forgive her that one imperfection.

Honestly, these dolls are expensive enough that you should just ignore the price. Find the one you love, save up the money, and then buy it. Otherwise you run the risk of regretting spending the money, no matter which doll you get, because even at the cheapest these dolls are still expensive.

 

I recently bought my first doll, and I definitely didn't consider getting a 'starter' doll. As some people have said, even the cheaper BJDs are still expensive... and if you're going to lay down a few hundred dollars for anything, I think it should be something you're really in love with. So I bought one of the bigger, more expensive ones, and I love him; I'm so glad I didn't settle for one of the cheaper dolls. Plus, if you buy a cheap doll just because it's cheap and you... really end up not liking it that much, then you're more likely to fall out of the hobby, and that's just a shame.

Your first doll is something really special; I don't think you should skimp on it just because of the price. Get something you really love. If you get a cheaper doll (but I mean, still lay down one or two hundred bucks) when you really want a different one, you'll just probably start feeling a little inferior, and you'll regret it. And yeah, you can avoid most newbie mistakes by reading up ahead of time; you shouldn't buy a doll and then be okay with damaging it.

 

My first doll was the most expensive one I own, a Ringdoll Andrew Full Set. He set me back, would I do it differently? No, he's gorgeous and I love him! Then came my Impldoll, Linn, next was my Dikadoll Rory, and I'm excited for my 5star doll Chu I bought on the mp to get here!

 

Since I am a newbie, I will answer from a newbie perspective.

I would be slightly offended if I showed a picture of a very expensive doll to someone more experienced and told them "I'm getting this doll!" and they said "Oh, don't get that because you MIGHT ruin it, get a starter doll." Um...no.

I know if I got a "starter doll" I wouldn't like it as much and I would end up spending more money regardless because I would have to eventually get the doll I really want.

It might work for some people but for me, no thank you. I would much rather research my buns off and try to get it right the first time. Also "ruining" a doll can happen at any time, with any doll, with any person (experienced or otherwise).

 

Personally I've never heard of this 'starter doll' topic yet...I'm not really into painting or modding, and my first bjd is a DF-H SD boy, he's not really starter-like I think...well, I don't really know. o.o
But he's perfect! At first I was afraid to remove his head and after I finally removed it, (after watching some tutorials of course) I couldn't put it back! It's so hard, maybe he's strung tightly.

As for trying and experimenting, I bought a practice head, later I will try painting on him. (But he's so cute I decided to actually keep him and give him a body sometime! )