What do you think of "starter dolls?"

I think of my first doll as a starter.

I knew I didn't want to spend over $300 for a doll base for my first, so I shopped around for a year or so in that range for an MSD. I didn't purchase until I found a mold I liked but I knew I wanted to limit myself price wise to see if I enjoyed doing face ups, etc.

I understand the various points made in this thread, but I would recommend a starter doll for those who aren't sure about the hobby. Unless you see the doll of your dreams complete with factory outfit and faceup, then I wouldn't feel bad starting at the lower end of the BJD price scale. Sometimes what you think you want isn't.

I'm a conservative spender anyway, so the starter doll concept made sense for me.

Altogether, I think I spent about $450 for everything for my first doll, including faceup materials, etc.

 

I really dislike the idea of having a 'starter doll'. I just dislike the idea that anyone should start off with a certain, cheaper doll and work their way up to whatever doll they truly want. Like if you're a 'n00b' you can't handle something as precious as a SoomMD, a Volks or Unoa Zero. Bah! I don't have that kind of money to waste on a 'starter' anything.

 

Well anyones first doll is a starter doll to me, no matter the price. Before you own one yourself, you simply cannot understand what's truly involved no matter how much research you've done. My first doll was an MSD Iplehouse Tatiana. She was reasonably priced and gorgeous and I instantly liked her. A year later, I just sold her to afford my dream dolly, a LUTS Delf. Before, I felt like my JID was my first doll, but now I realize she really was my starter doll and my entry and enlightenment into the hobby.

 

Agreed!

Even BJDs that are considered "starter" aren't cheap for most of us. Why would I throw $400 on a random "easy to care for" MSD, when my heart is screaming for Iple's 65cm sexy monster known as Jessica? I love that doll, and she's the one I'm saving up for! And buying that "easy" MSD will push me back halfway on the way to Jessica -- no way that's happening. Why waste time? Pick the one that speaks to you, that you want -- save up for it, and jump right into the water!

I'll say, I'm more of an advocate for educating yourself before jumping into this hobby. Lurk, lurk moar -- read. Most people are even accepting of interested, doll-less newbies hanging out at meet-ups, so, if you can, go to one and check out the dolls in person. Ask someone if you can watch them restring their doll. Google up everything you can about the specific doll you're considering -- owner photos, common defects, fragile points, etc..

If you've researched well and know what you want, you should be able to handle your dream doll, and there should be no need for you to get an "easier" one.

 

guneko, I'm the same
I didn't want to spend a lot on my first doll, in case my interest waned.
But on the same note, I didn't want to get a very cheap/tiny doll that I wouldn't enjoy as much. I spent as much as I was comfortable spending on a doll that I would enjoy for a long time, regardless of the future. I did a lot of research and DoA lurking to figure out what BJD I wanted, and when I saw her I knew immediately!

Don't cheap out and buy a doll you'll regret. It's not much better than spending too much and losing interest later.

 

The ' starter doll' idea is kind of like...I don't know. Not exactly the most welcoming idea to the hobby? I sortta believe in the " love at first sight" thing. If you find a doll and you really want it and set, I think you should strive for it. Striving for something you love. And yet at the same time, don't go so overboard with a first doll. -shrugs-
Still, I don't think you should force upon a 'starter doll'.

 

What is making me laugh is my first BJD will be a Soom Breccia when she decides to ship out. It was given to me as a gift, otherwise I probably would not have her at all. Yes, I am terribly nervous because I got the big super awesome doll. Yes, I am looking and doing a lot of research to learn how to care for her. However, there will be questions. There also is this awesome forum that helps out newbies who are willing to look for help. So far the material that can be found here has been outstanding help and has answered many questions.

Recently I went to Sakura-con in Seattle and ran into a doll meet. It was seriously awesome how many people were willing to answer the extremely silly questions that this doll-less person had. One gal congratulated me on getting a Soom MD for my first doll and that jumping into the hobby is better than getting the doll that could be trashed... to put it roughly.

 

I don't really like the idea of starter doll..if what you mean starter doll equals experimental doll.
Why would anyone spent hundreds of dollars just to make it an experimental thing? There are hujoo, pullip, obitsu out there that can be a "starter" .. Why must a real ABJD?

Actually..it's true..that the best first doll is a fullset... And it's definitely not cheap..so starter is not cheap.

And if starter meant a testing doll..to test if you really want to dive in this hobby..I think you better sit, watch, think. For a day, a month, a year. If you forget about this hobby then don't try.. You'll get tired of your doll..and it is a waste of money..plus time.

This a quote of a quote of a quote that will keep repeated over and over

 

I did get a starter doll...she came with everything I needed from Angel Fantasy...it was awesome!

I picked one I loved...it wasn't expensive so if I didn't like the hobby it wasn't such a big loss to me...my friend did the faceup and I wasn't so protective of her as my friends were with their MNFs mostly because of her price. I dropped her a lot (girl was tough!) because I'm really clumsy so I was able to get used to posing before I moved up so to speak.

I would recommend such a thing to others...but it's gotta be one you love too!

 

I never cared much about the hobby before I saw my guy ^^ So if it wasn't for him, I would have never started. On the other hand, I can easily understand how someone needs to see whether this hobby is for him (her) at all, and so he (she) buys someone he (she) likes enough to see if it works. I guess, it's just different for people who come into the hobby BECAUSE they fell in love with a certain doll (then no starters are needed), and for those who just like the hobby and choose their way to start.

 

I'll agree with BlackRaspberry. I don't have my doll yet, but I know the one I want. Taking time to research its proper care, reviews, pros and cons is just par for the course for me when it comes to more lavish investments. I also don't plan on doing any major customizing to myself. So to that extent, a starter doll just wouldn't be for me. I think I would be one of those people who didn't give as much attention to a starter doll because it wasn't what I really wanted.

 

My "starterdoll" was my Unidoll Ark. I didn't do ANY research at all about how to handle a BJD, the dos and don'ts etc. before getting him. I just got him cos I wanted him and amazingly enough (erm, being ironic here), I've managed not to ruin him, so far. Yes, ok, there's that tiny scratch through his eyebrow but never mind that. It never even occurred to me that, before getting Ark, I could try my hand at a cheaper doll that's easier to handle (and where it's easier to find clothes and shoes). In my opinion, that would have been a waste of money. Why get a doll I don't want? No, thanks.

I think that if you apply a little common sense (e.g. if you don't know how to re-string or do a face-up or change eyes or whatever, look it up), it's actually kinda hard to ruin a BJD. So in any case, I'd say: Forget about "starter dolls". Get the doll you really, really want. Everything's a waste of money and time. After all, if you get the doll you've set your heart on, you're likely to take better care of it than you might take of some random doll you got only to get started.

 

I'm planning on getting a starter doll. A lot of people might not think this is the best road for them, but I think it is for me. I want to customize her and at this point, not having a lot of experience, a $600 resin doll looks almost the same as a $150 resinsoul. (I'm thinking of getting a Lan resinsoul and repainting her, though reading and learning more before I actually buy her.) I've seen some that are cheaper but are poorly designed and I have no interest in those, nor any of the ones with a toxic oder (I'm not sure which ones those are but heard boboboie and resinsoul are safe.) I have a specific character in mind I want to create and if she can come out of a cheaper model I'm fine with that. :3 I don't really care much about limited edition, but that may change the more I get into it.

 

My starter doll was my Megu and she's about 5 yrs with me now. She was a lot of money for me at a time when I didn't have much on hand. Only just gave her my first face-up because it took five years to find out what was a safe face-up remover - one that I was happy to use. Wish I had got a cheaper blank doll first off and experimented with it, though. Modding, tattoos, face-ups and all that. Thinking of getting a cheap MSD and doing some experimenting. Wouldn't do it on an expensive doll. So starter dolls? I'm all for them.

 

I could not imagine getting a doll I did not really want as my first doll. As a fairly new to dolls person, I can say that with a bit of research and a strong person to help, restring the fantasy parts is really not too complicated. I think if you do your research and really learn all about the care before they arrive, you will be fine.

If someone is so worried that they get a cheaper doll they really don't like as much as a starter doll, they probably aren't the kind of person who would leave the doll sitting out or throw them around.

 

I wanted a doll right at THAT specific moment. So I chose one that I liked and that was in stock. Not the one I really really wanted. However, I am planning on getting that dream doll, and immediately getting her a professional face up. Because what I have learned from Lili is that I am NOT good at face ups.

 

I, got a "starter doll" without even knowing it.
I honestly say that for anyone, A doll they love is a great starter doll! :3

 

Hmmm I think I may be going off topic here but, I have not found any bjd dolls to be "cheap" money wise. Even the ones that are less expensive are still expensive for a doll. Especially when you think about how much clothing and shoes etc are for them. I would not buy a dress for myself that cost as much as some of the dresses I have considered buying for my dollies are.

To me my dolls are like collecting art. I would not buy a painting as a starter painting. I buy my girls because I think they are beautiful. I am a sucker for a pretty face.

 

My girlfriend and I are doing lots of research before buying our first doll, and we think we found him. We're going to have to sand down his elf ears to make him human and open his eyes a bit, but we really think he may be the doll for us. Knowing that if we screw up, messing around with apoxie will be able to fix the more likely mistakes we might make, has us feeling a lot more secure. We don't need a starter doll. Some people are different, and I would never, ever condemn someone for playing it safe, but it's not something I personally would do.

 

Heh, the idea of 'starter doll' is kind of a joke to me personally. I think you should get what you want, it'll save a lot of heartache down the line if your beloved doll sells out and you spent your money on a 'starter doll' you may not even really like.

'Course, it's really a personal decision. But I got what I wanted for girl #1, and I am so happy I did, whether or not she is on the cheaper side of a fullset MSD.