What to answer when people ask about the cost of your doll...?

The only person so far who has asked me the price was my boyfriend. I sheepishly told him £150, give or take, and his reaction was to say that was really cheap!

And now he's looking at getting two :P

 

With my friends, I answer up front ("Leah was about $150, she's one of the cheapest dolls you can get.") But with a stranger, I'd probably say, "more expensive than I can really afford." If they kept bothering me, I'd just tell them that it's none of their business. The only time I ever talk about the cost of the dolls is when I'm whining about it with other doll people or asking a friend for help with budgeting.

 

As discouraging as it is to hear that people have troubles with this (I know I will..), it's good to read how others handle the situations like these well. Getting my first doll, I'm sure plenty of relatives/friends will ask how much I paid, and while I've discussed it with my guy and he's alright with it because he understands the reasons and knows I will enjoy her.. I know people who are not so invested in my interests and would like to think I don't spend any of the money I earn myself. Hopefully I can employ some of the suggestions given in this thread to stop me from freezing up and feeling awkward at being asked how much something I've bought costs. (And also I might say that I did not spend any money for the month of February haha. )

 

LOL if people ask, I tell them. If they look shocked, I smirk because I can afford it because of how I handle my money.
I think people spend insane amounts of money on stuff I wouldn't buy, so I appreciate that they might think the same about my hobby.
But. Ultimately, it is my money, as long as I have enough to pay the bills and save for a rainy, I do with the rest what I want.

 

Lately I've been starting with "Well, it is hand made..." which usually eases the shock of the price...but out here many people collect porcelain dolls, antiques and hot rods. (Car shows are common here)
The postal lady, for one, has vintage porcelain dolls that she and her mother refurbish and take care of to either collect or sell.

So I showed her Nicky and she was just crazy impressed, and when she asked about the cost, she didn't bat a lash and answered "I'd pay that."

I guess it's more of who you are speaking too, though. Most will understand if I start with "It took me a while to save..." and then say the price. Since they understand the concept up saving up for something, though I never had a negative reaction or was snapped at about it. So I can't really compare situations.

 

I just say 'expensive.' I hedge a lot but man if they get snippy with me when i tell them the price, "What? You could have bought a laptop!" you just say, "But I didn't." And to be polite you could pad that statement with "This doll is customizable resell value blah blah blah) And that neatly wraps that up. I mean, it is a reasonable knee-jerk reaction.

 

Mmm, if it's not someone who is asking seriously about it, as if they might want one, then I would just say something like "oh, they're pretty expensive" and leave it at that. I didn't used to mind telling people how much things cost, but I have learned the hard way that even friends will start to resent you if they think you make/have a lot of money to spend. Money is just a weird, awkward thing, so I'm not going to volunteer anything.

 

I think if anyone ever reacted in a "You could've bought a laptop/smart phone/clothes/etc." with me, I'd respond that I don't NEED new ones of any of those. I'm saving up for a holiday, but my doll hasn't cut into my holiday funds at all as this month I got emergency taxed the amount I was going to put in the bank anyway, so I'll just immediately transfer that amount when I get it back.

I do find it funny though, how so many people react like this about a doll, when plenty of them would drop the same amount or more on handbags, make up, cars, clothes, shoes, video games, etc.

 

I don't like lying, so I tell the truth -- but how depends on who's asking. If it's a stranger, I'd say "hundreds of dollars" and leave it there unless they insist on numbers. If it's closer friends, I'd ask them to guess first. It's interesting what people's perception of value is, and it's a good gauge of what my friends' attitudes will be.

I'm quite open with my family about cost. Thankfully, they're understanding and don't nag me about how I spend my money. On the other hand, they're less approving of how much I spend on their clothing! But whatever.

 

Thankfully no one has asked me yet but I think I will have to be evasive and change the subject because I know the reaction I will get. Its always good to have some secrets.

 

It would depend on the setting. If it was at a con or somewhere else where expensive hobbies are common, I might give a dollar amount. Otherwise I'd find some vague way to dodge the question. I like the suggestion of saying "it was a gift" even if it wasn't. I'll have to remember that one.

Maybe it's my big city upbringing, but I definitely agree with idea that it's not particularly safe to announce such things. If I were carrying around a $500+ doll, the last thing I'd want to do is make a point of saying so out loud, especially in a crowded area. o.O LOL though to be fair, I really shouldn't be carrying around anything of value anyway, I have this awful tendency to put things down "for a minute" and forget to pick them back up.

 

i dont really know how to respond to people's question reg the price of my dolls. i just dont want them to give me a weird look after i reveal the price XD but some of my close friends/family know about the price of my dolls, they will comment a little but they understand my hobby so its okay

 

I usually tell them they don't want to know. I did share with a few friends who are not doll lovers and their first reaction is that I must be crazy.

 

I answer with a jovial "mock shock" exclamation of "you can't ask a doll's cost, that's like asking a woman's age!!!"

 

Hahaha I really like that one, it's a clever way to answer that question! XD

 

Once my girl arrives and once I've mustered up the courage to bring her out, I'll surely look forward to this happening.

 

Hmm... I haven't had too many people ask me this, but I usually just tell the truth. Some are shocked for sure, but I find if you act normally about it like it's not something to be ashamed or amazed at, people will generally be more agreeable. Especially because by this point they've usually already asked me what I do with them, and when I explain how much artistic enjoyment I get out of them, it all makes sense

If they still have a problem with it, I just say it's cheaper than smoking!

 

my most expensive one is 575$
and the never ending buying of bjd clothes and shoes...in this hobby, everything is expensive. but i love this hobby as it makes me really happy.

 

I don't normally bring my dolls anywhere but to meets, although my coworkers have pretty much all been assaulted with pictures of Tandrelim on my phone. Fair's fair, I have to look at their kids they have to look at my dolls. I stay on the cheaper end since I'm broke, and in the few cases where I do discuss the price I still get some raised eyebrows. When having a dilemma about whether or not to try and buy a $769 doll, I never asked "should I buy a damned expensive doll," I phrased it "I found the most awesome piece of equipment for my hobby online and I'd kill to have it, but it's over $700." That got more understanding of the dilemma from the person I was talking to who, while I think he knows I collect dolls, didn't think of it as a toy when I phrased it that way. He actually encouraged me to put it on a credit card just to get it, which I'm almost inclined to do.

 

When someone in my house or at school and they see me looking up BJDs and they ask how much they are my stomach sinks. I hold my breath and I have to give a small explanation first and explain WHY they're expensive. . . then tell them the price. I'm still earning up so . . .I still get teased about how much I have to earn up and I once I was at my 800 or so mark...and I didn't buy the doll. I let them get to me and I regret that choice, this time I'm sticking to it so try not to get embarrassed. Everyone has their hobby.