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

i usually give the 'USD' price... which is not as shocking as the triple price in my country's currency... ^^;;;

guess i don't like it when they ask me y would i spend so much just on a doll...

 

My boy hasn't even arrived yet and I've already faced awkward questions about his cost! I don't know why it bothers me, I saved my own money for a long time to be able to buy him, but I don't want to have to justify that to anyone. And I don't know why some people behave like I should justify what I spend my own money on, but they do!
Now if someone asks me what I spent on him, I just smile and say 'a lot ...'

 

I answer honestly. Most of the time, people ask me the cost of the doll because they may want one just like her/him and wish to see if it's in their price range. My doctor is so tickled by my dolls; he would love to get one for his daughter, who loves to collect dolls, so he asked me everything he could--price included.

 

"Expensive" - I say - "Very expensive. But come with me if you want and I will show you magic beautifull world "

 

Serious inquiry, interested in purchasing one/joining hobby: the truth
Serious inquiry, not interested in hobby: "more than I am comfortable disclosing"
Casual inquiry: "expensive"

 

'well they're made to order and have to be specially imported from Asia. Also they're designed by artists and take months to make, so they're not cheap!'

 

I told only to my daughter that they are very expensive dolls because I want that she'll be careful with handling them, and don't told anything to the rest of my family ,husband and friends includes because they will not understand, even if I saved my own money for my passion...

That's why I love joining the forum to speak about these hobby whit other people, because I don't have a lot of bjd fans around me !

 

Perfect answer ! I will do the same, because it's always a problem to tell the truth to someone who is mainly broke...

 

I just tell them? Honestly I don't see what the big deal is if they ask specifically how much a doll costs. I'm confident in my dolly purchases and am entitled to spend money in any way I wish, and don't really mind/care if the person listening is in any way judgmental toward my honest answer.

 

I always answer truthfully, since it's not something I'm ashamed off. After all, almost everyone has an expensive hobby or something they enjoy spending money on. A little while ago while I was shopping around for a new couch I spotted a gorgeous one, only to realize it was as expensive as my entire doll collection, limiteds and all! Still the lady at the store told me that couch was sold pretty often. I couldn't even fanthom spending that much money on a couch, but I have no problem with 500 dollar for a doll, haha! Different folks, different strokes. Generally, when I explain it like that, most people can imagine something they have spend a lot of money on and that might seem silly to me, and they let their amazement go a bit. If not..well, I don't really mind. It's my money, I work hard for it and as long as I pay all my bills, I can spend it however I wish : )

 

Heh. I will usually ask back the question, "Do you really want to know?"
And if they are adamant about it, I'll give a ballpark figure. Love their reactions when they found out how much the darlings are.

 

"My soul."

 

My friends have different kind of interest, some spend much on collect brand name stuff like LV, Balenciaga, Chanel or other shoes and bag. Some love to spend on cosmetic, some on wig (==*), some on manga, some on cactus (=='')

so when people ask me how much it cost for my doll, I just tell them the real price in my country currency. And then look at their facial reaction ^0^ they are like "Are you crazy?!!!!!!" And I'm like "you spend on your shoes, I spend on my dolls"

 

It depends on who it is and why they are asking. Like if it is a family member (like my mom) and she is asking because she wants know because she is planning something for Christmas. Then I would tell her. If it is someone on the streets asking because they want one I would say they are not cheap and give them some sites to check them out.

 

THIS. This is *such* the perfect way to respond in all situations

 

It depends on the person. If it's a random person, I try to 'read' a person based on their reaction to my dolls and how they asked the question. If I think they my think little of my dolls, I lie. If they seem really interested then I tell them the price of my lowest costing doll regardless of which one I'm presenting. If it's someone who understands hobbies or art, then I'll either tell them the real price. It's not like I care what they think, I just don't want to deal with rude people who know nothing about what they're looking at. My boyfriend always gets the full price... my mom, not so much.

 

I understand the issue. I experienced some myself.
I kept lying about the cost all the time. So they just stop asking in the end.

 

that's actually quite tactful! I think I'll borrow that system to reply from now on~

 

I tell people that it takes a lot of money to produce BJDs. And it actually does, I looked at the cost of producing my own line and YIKES. The materials alone are quite expensive. SO I explain to them everything that goes into making a high quality, art doll like BJDs. And that they aren't toys, they're collectible art projects.

To the people who compare the price of your doll to the price of their kid's toys and their laptops, just say that BJDs aren't mean for kids. It's like... you don't buy a 30k dollar car for your newly driving teenager. Plus, some people buy their kids iPhones. These dolls are as expensive or cheaper than iPhones. And your doll is your hobby. The amount of money they spend on laptops, going out to eat, drink or party, or going out to see movies, is probably as much as you would spend on your doll.

 

I was chatting with one of my co-workers today about my doll, and she finally asked me how much the doll I ordered was. I was perfectly honest with her. I even explained to her that I ordered a full-set, what came with that, and what the standard cost for the doll without that would be. And that the doll I was getting was on the low end of the cost scale, lol.

I'm not sure if she's interested in joining the hobby, or was simiply curious, but I saw no reason not to explain it.

I did find myself getting rather annoyed with people over on FB. ThinkGeek posted a photo and link to a ball-jointed dragon that I had seen on tumblr, and felt angry by all the comments people were making about it. "The price is too high" "You should mass-produce and sell these on your site" etc. I was hurt that these people didn't understand the time and care that goes into bjd, and that mas-production is highly unlikely.