What do you think of "starter dolls?"

There is no such thing as "starter dolls", at least not in the sense that the OP is trying to imply (ie cheap dolls=starter dolls= not a good doll). I started with a doll I absolutely fell in love with and that's what I would tell to the new people, get the doll you absolutely love. Having said that, my first doll is one of my cheapest doll and he is my FAVORITE doll until now. I've had very expensive dolls, popular ones too and sold them. The price tag is the least thing you should worry about when it comes to getting the doll that calls out to you.

 

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think inexpensive starter dolls are AWESOME and I'd recommend them to anyone who was interested in the hobby. I often hear people say you might get disappointed and scared out of the hobby if you buy a cheap doll that isn't your heart's desire first, but for me it was the opposite. I never would have gotten into the hobby if I didn't have my cheap starter doll, I'd have been too skeptical to spend big bucks on a new hobby that I had no idea if I'd like as much in practice as I did in my head.

When I bought my starter doll, I got her knowing that she wasn't the one I really wanted. I went into things knowing full well that she was a practice piece, a test run if you will, and kept my expectations in line with that. She was also NOT a BJD, she was an off-topic customizable asian doll that cost me less than $40. I made clothes, took photos, changed out her eyes, and even made her a wig, and after a few months I felt confident that yes, this was something I enjoyed doing and wanted to do more of. That gave me the resolve to start saving up for my first resin doll, whose $700 price tag (with tax, shipping, etc) I never would have considered without my starter doll experience.

Whenever I see someone considering the BJD hobby, but uncertain if they're going to like it as much as they think they might, I always recommend testing the waters with a cheap starter doll. That might be an inexpensive BJD if you're set on resin (some cheaper companies have dolls under $100) but could just as easily be a Pullip, a small Obitsu, or even a western fashion doll and repainting supplies. There are lots of cheap doll options around, so pick something that appeals to you in looks and budget without the stress of insuring it's your "zomg favourite ever" because of its huge price tag. Play around, mess it up, try out all the things you'd do with a BJD if you had one and see if it's as fun as you'd imagined... or if you're as good at it as you'd thought you'd be. Go online, join doll forums, find out what things make your starter doll different from your dream doll, then consider if those differences are good or bad. Don't try and make it a substitute for the toy you REALLY want, but instead treat it for what it is: a stepping stone.

My starter doll is not the type of doll I usually fall for: my first BJD is a tall and elegant male SD, and she's a cheeky bobble-headed Pullip lady. I quite like her, even if I don't love her as much as I adore Expensive MrResinFace. Plus, I learned a lot from her, and she holds a special place in my heart for that. Of course not everyone thinks the same, maybe what was best for me wouldn't work for someone else, but I think starting small and not breaking the bank on a test drive is an option people should have available to consider.

And, of course, one person's starter doll is another person's dream doll, and that's okay too. There's no rule saying you can't love something cheaper just as much or more than something more expensive

 

I think it all really depends on your financial situation. These dolls can be pretty pricey, so if there's one sculpt you absolutely love and can't live without then I say go for it! Odds are you won't be buying tons of bjds just due to their price so it's best to love the one you choose. Yes you can always sell off dolls that don't really click with you and everything but some people find that to be a huge hassle. So all in all I say whatever makes you happy, go for it!

On the flip side, I'm still terrified to do anything to my first bjd because he's a bit...odd (extra joints and partially jointed hands) and I think I'd be more comfortable learning to restring a normal doll first, just in case I have issues with a more involved sculpt. I have inexpensive dolls on my "grail" list so I don't really think there is such a thing as a 'starter doll' in terms of price, but maybe a size that you are more comfortable with? So I'm waiting for another of my dolls to arrive so I can get used to handling and posing them and stuff. This probably doesn't really answer the question huh? LOL ^_^

It's all a matter of preference and what you're comfortable with. That's my opinion anyway.

Well said! ^_^ I agree 100%! Just curious, what sculpt is your first doll?

 

I like the idea of starter dolls but at the end of the day; you can lead a horse to water but that won't make it drink. People will do whatever they please with their own money. Some may need that security blanket of having a doll that they know won't hurt their pockets (but they will soon find out how bad the spending will get if they're that invested) and can do whatever with, but some may want what they just find appealing (this being expensive, popular, well-known/liked). The option will be there if they ever want to choose it but it's up to them to take it.

 

It depends on the person. Some people may like getting a doll that they can learn on first. That's perfectly fine.
I'm not one of those people.
I'm picky and I wanted a doll that I really really really loved as my first doll.
I wasn't going to waste money on anything less.
Just because people may be a "newbie" it does not always mean they are clueless.
I don't worry about messing my doll up because I know myself.
I've done tons of research, am well prepared, and I'm responsible with all of my things.
Especially things that cost me almost $700. I won't do anything dumb and risk messing it up.
Plus I got the chance to play around with my younger sister's doll.
So I can see how "starter dolls" can be helpful, but I don't think anyone should be pressured into getting a cheaper doll that they may not want in place of a more pricey one they love (as long as it's in their budget) just for the sake of having a "starter doll."
It's your money, buy what makes you happy.

 

I don't believe in 'Starter dolls' my first BJD is on his way and I picked him because I adored his sculpt and he is also SD size as well, when most would probably suggest to start off a little smaller at first. I was at first going to get a D.O.C Ivan Homme who is smaller until I saw my beautiful Rinley from Impldoll and was sold.

 

I personally think there is something not quite right with the mind setting term of a "starter doll." It implies that the doll is not on the same level as other dolls in values besides price. It just makes the doll sound disposable. 8/ All dolls are expensive, even the so called cheap dolls. I would think people would want to care for a doll they purchased regardless of price.

My first doll was not cheap, a roughly $700 iplehouse boy. Yes, he endured a bit more inexperienced experimentation (mods and faceups) than the dolls I own now, but I have never thought of him as a starter doll. Research and common sense with care goes a long way, and I don't think anyone should feel like they should buy a practice doll over a doll they truly fell in love with and called them into the hobby. I do believe some dolls are less finicky (good posers) and require less additional work to get them to their full posing potential but I still wouldn't call them a starter. They do however, make owning a first for someone who isn't looking to craft at the beginning less stressful. Some people just want the doll to be perfect from the box opening.

My advice to anyone looking to join the hobby would be to FIRSTLY buy the doll which calls to you and do your research. Know beforehand other owners' praises and complaints about the doll so there are no surprises when you open the box. Your decision to keep the doll then is then up to you. Then after you know "what owning a bjd is like" give yourself some freedom to experiment with mods or faceups on the same or another doll. What seems to be most misleading is that a first needs to be more disposable and I think it is a compromising approach in which to base your opinions and likeness for the dolls and the hobby.

I jump from hobby to hobby quite a bit. If you're fickle like me, I think it is best to not choose less than what you actually want then regret not going straight for that in the end. I've made the mistake many times before. Understand that mistakes or regrettable things do happen but don't be beyond learning from those experiences.

 

I don't really get the whole 'starter doll' concept, but I don't believe they are needed. There are plenty of resources and tutorials online and most people research a hobby before joining so your first doll will never truly undergo blind trial and error, unless you like doing mods. So I just find it a bit strange to spend all that money on a doll that you don't actually like and didn't really need in order to then spend more money on buying the doll that you actually wanted in the first place.

 

I'm kinda of two minds on this one.

On one hand, when I bought my first doll I went for the expensive 70cm one that I really, really wanted, and I love him so much, but...I had some trouble buying groceries for a couple of months after that. If I'd gone ahead and purchased a slightly cheaper doll, it's very possible that I would loved him just as much ,but that I wouldn't have set myself back so much financially.

Honestly, though, I can't imagine spending that kind of money on anything that I didn't absolutely love. I mean, even 200 dollars is a ton of money. I'd never spend that kind of money on anything that I hadn't already decided I really, really wanted.

 

Being new to the hobby, I wouldn't want a starter doll. I just don't have that kind of disposable income. I either buy what I want or I don't buy anything.

 

My first doll was a Bobobie Sprite. I wanted toget my toes wet before swsn diving into such an expensive hobby (I make art and jewelry, which are extremely expensive hobbies inand of themselves). Well..Sanne got me addicted to them and five dolls bought and sold later, Sanne is still with me. I did all my firsts on her as well. ..first stringing, first face up...first wig mod...everything. while she was a impulse buy and probably wouldn't have been the first doll I would have bought because I didn't do any research beforehand, I do not regret it. I learned a lot with her and now feel much more comfortable with buying much more expensive/limited edition BJDs.

 

I don't think there has a starter doll because there has none cheap and needs info/does some research about BJD before making a decision to order/purchase/adopt it. So I would say, choosing the favorite mold as the first doll will be better than finding a "starter doll?".

 

I don't like much the starter atitude either... My first doll was kinda expensive, was a limited fullset. And I don't regret it. I loved her and she was from my favorite company at that time...
And I know that if I bought one only for the price or fear to ruin it, I could love her, but I wouldn't be THAT satisfieded, because she wouldn't be the one that I really wanted.
If the person is starting the collection and wants to make some experiments it may be risky, but if he/she can get enough information, she/he can take really good care of the doll.
For me is always better to buy the doll I'm really wishing at the time (and think about it, so is not an impulsive buy), if it's cheap, is better, if not, oh well, let's save money! XD
^^

 

I'm trying to get my first doll, and I can't really justify a couple hundred dollars for a "starter" which I maybe don't like as much, if I get one I really love, I'm more likely to be content with just the one, and I guess that means better for money and happiness overall...

 

My first doll wasn't intended to be a starter doll, but I'm glad I got him. He's an AOD MSD so he's a bit on the cheaper side, but he does have some small damage here and there because of my own errors. I'm also not afraid to experiment and do repairs on him as I would be with a $500+ doll. So I guess my answer is this:

Find a cheap doll that you like. That way, you get A doll at all. This way you can test the waters and see if the hobby is for you and love your cheap doll. THEN, if later you decide that "yes! I do like dolls, I can invest in a more expensive one!" you know how to take care of it and you always have your "first" doll if the nicer one for any reason doesn't work out.

I am SO much more excited about owning my dream doll (a Crobidoll Yeonho) than I would have been now that I know how to properly care for him.

 

The only way I see "Starter dolls" working is that if it's size of a MSD the price would be about 100$ for a blank kit. (or a SD sized for 150$) No sanding, no face-up, shipped dismantled. ect.

Perhaps with those prices, people who complain about BJD being too expensive won't have the excuse to buy recasts.

 

My starter doll was Jodie from DC 2nd hand. I am super glad I bought him first. The crud I put that doll through! I still don't know how I didn't poison myself to death or break him. I tried to make him blue so I tried boiling him in coloring. Didn't work. I completely took him apart and he has a terrible string job with strings too big for him. I still need to re-string him. I painted his whole body blue with acrylic and then blushed him. I painted tribal tattoos on his arms and face (I think they came out okay). I put some SD "horns" on him so he would look like a Twi'lek. I am so glad I didn't buy a $600 doll and try my hand at the modding game with it.

 

Personally I think starter dolis are a great idea. I started with a company regarded as starter dolls to some and It really helped me get a feel and love for this hobby.

I think they are a great idea because it really helps you get a feel for the work and mechanics of this hobby without breaking the bank. If I had gotten a much more expensive doll and didn't like it, I would have probably been turned off the hobby entirely. Now to say, If I did much more research I probably would have gotten a more expensive doll or started with a company like fairyland, but back then I wouldn't have been willing to shell out the money for it.
For me, starting with bjds was super quick and I did little to no research. (aside from finding out which ones are cheapest, I was much more broke at the time.). If I was watching the hobby for a while I would have done more research and probably gone with something else.

 

I go back and forth... I personally, didn't pick a doll just to be a "starter". I just jumped in and saved up for the one one that I was drawn to the most.

For me, it depends on the person. I've always loved dolls and knew I'd be IN LOVE with BJDs before I got my hands on one. I wasn't hesitant about spending the kind of money required, neither was I concerned that they may not be for me.

Now, for alot of people thinking about purchasing, there is a good deal of doubt. Will I like the doll when it arrives? Is this really for me? Do I really want to spend this much money? Are the larger sized dolls too big for my taste? Etc.
I feel like people with these sorts of questions buzzing around in their head should ease in with some sort of less expensive choice. Something smaller and more basic perhaps. Not with the mindset of "Oh, I'm going to wreck the first one anyway", but instead letting this first doll give them more of a feel for the hobby so they can decide if it's for them without dropping a huge wad of cash.

I was very careful with my first doll and never caused any damage with my inexperience. And I don't consider any specific sculpts or companies to be "starters" in general. I think the person should figure out a comfortable starting point, research the dolls in that range, and choose the one that they like best. I would never recommend someone buy one they don't really care for just because they need a starter doll.

 

It probably depends on the owning style...if you lean towards displaying dolls and not playing or modding them much, and if your tastes are not fickle, I would say go full on. Thinking back to my first doll, he went through a whole lot of stuff -- I gave him so many faceups that the resin turned color. I played with him the most, out of all the dolls I've owned. If he were limited or very expensive, I think I would have been more upset about the stuff happening to him. Also I am a fickle hobbyist and I wasn't sure if I would stop liking that particular doll or if I would like the hobby at first. I think if your ownership style is more like mine, a starter doll could be a good idea.