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

Ah yes, the price question....haha...I get this one as well. I'm usually very reluctant to answer because I know that non-BJD owners and those who this is their first time even seeing one flip out at even the idea of it being the price it is. I don't try to lie, but I do inform them in a professional manner that for one those dolls that don't move and are made of porcelain are close to the same price and they aren't even good for taking pictures in different positions but people collect and buy them because for some reason those things make them happy. Another aspect I give these people is that most all hobbies are expensive and though this price on my doll may seem outrageous just think about those costly hang bags people lug around that cost hundreds of dollars...lol really...they can't get on me about a doll that will have more meaning to me then that stupid hand bag and those designer jeans that someone won't care for when the "style" dies out. Or what about all those hobbies people put them selves in, it's really not much different in the amount of money spend just the amount of money spent at one time. but ok I'm getting into more of the class of people that have money for that...so for the one's that give me the face about my doll's price because they don't have a lot of money and if it were them they would spend it on more useful things blah blah blah...my answer to them is that these doll give me something to do and make me happy and sain. Another answer is that it's not a factory doll you buy off the market at your local walmart, this BJD is a work of art. Lol I got so many ways to tell people so they can put their noses down, it just depends on the type of vibe I get from a person.

 

I usually say "alot". This is very safe since every one of us has a different understanding of this term.

But when it comes to details, I usually try to be, well, not too specific. I give a price range and explain there is a variety of brands where some dolls are cheap and some are very expensive. When someone's too stubborn in asking I tell them my dolls were 'somewhere between, but since it's been long ago I can't remember exactly". XD Usually people finally get the feeling I don't want to give them the actual number. If they are curious enough they can always find out for themselves without making me look into their eyes, right? Lol!

 

With my coworkers at first, I'd just say my dolls were expensive. But if someone asks me flat out how much one costs, I'll usually tell them while I'm wincing and waiting for the disbelieving looks. They've all had the chance to see my dolls in person, which really helps them understand the cost. Plus I like to explain the different aspects of collecting, heh.

The time I told a lady that I spend about as much for my doll's pants as I do my own pants was the best though. She was dumbfounded, lol.

 

For people that are judgmental and narrow minded to begin with, I just don't discuss things like that.
Even my friends opinion on whether or not to buy a doll doesn't matter to me- they aren't doll people, so they don't get it anyway.

"Those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind. " - Dr. Suess

 

All the above and:

Husband's inquiry: half the actual cost

 

If someone just asks without really wanting to know I usually just say: They are expensive.
If someone genuinly want to know I give a rough estimate. I don't remember exactly what I payed. But I always point out that things like shipping, face-ups, wigs etc. costs a lot too. I don't want to risk anyone curious to get into the hobby think they are not that expensive and get a shock when they discover the truth.
If they are really interested in dolls or any of the related hobbys like sewing, mentioning that gives a nice opening for further conversation too.

If it's someone I fear might ridicule me for paying so much for a doll I usually avoid to give them an excuse. And make a mental note to avoid that person altogether in the future. I have better things to do and very little patience for narrow minded people.

Sometimes it helps to put it into perspective. Like talking about it in i a way that makes it clear that there is a very high entertainment value in the dolls for me. So if you compare it to the hours vs. money spent on a movie, or a night out etc. the cost really isn't that high. It is all a matter of perspective.

 

I introduce these dolls as 'art dolls', so people usually just nod at the price. Art costs, there are worse things you could spend money on, etc. Some are even impressed that I'm about to start such a luxurious collection.

It's just that anyone that was potentially interested in the hobby is instantly turned off by the price.

 

This is a really hard question, because so few people understand! I've only met one person (an artist, incidentally) who understood right away that BJDs are art, and he wanted to buy one himself, so I told him how much they were. He hasn't been able to get over it yet, haha. Thankfully, I haven't run into any super rude people, but I need to have some good answers ready. Usually I'll just confess it when people ask, and then they make really painful faces for a minute before saying, "well, they are really beautiful though!"

 

I made the mistake when I first started in the hobby of quoting the cost of a doll full set, around $700.

My family has never forgotten this, or let it go!

Now my answer to everyone for every doll is $350 and that I made payments in layaway form.

I never tell them anymore cuz I don't want to listen to it. The doll could of cost me $600 on layaway but they dont need to know.

Same when they ask me how much I paid for a face up ($50), how much did I pay for clothes ($25) all standard answers.

Unless I'm at a con or doll meet. I tell them the truth! :rolleyes:

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I really hate this kind of question. First of all, most of people can't understand my hobby.
They think $500 costs of bag is normal and same costs of doll is too expensive. When I tell them the true costs, they are looking me odd.
So I don't tell them the truth. I just tell them "not too much"...

 

I tell them they're custom-made, intricately engineered artist dolls and their cost ranges from $100 to $1000 and up for limited edition fullsets by certain companies. Mine aren't the cheapest, nor the most expensive ... usually that settles the matter.

 

I usually don't mind saying straight out. I mean people spend their money on all kinds of "luxury" type items. I would never buy a 500 dollar purse, but people do. I would never judge them for that, just like they shouldn't judge me for buying a 500 dollar doll. I mean really.. when you think about it people drop there extra money on what is worth the most to them right then. Whether it be pet items, purses, designer shoes, car detailing..whatever... I don't think buying dolls is "not worth it" when they drop the same money on something I wouldn't in my mind consider "worth it". I just try to look it like that. And if said person spends no extra money on anything fun well.. that's just not how I choose to live my life.

 

More than your whole life! D:<

Kidding aside, it depends on who's inquiring. If the person's a friend from my hobby groups, I'll say the exact amount. If the person is from another group of my life, just the word "expensive."

 

Usually I say the exact amount but if the person is someone I don't know that well or my mother I say that "quite a lot" and try to drop the subject. I've had people tell me that they could buy a car, cellphone, laptop etc with that money and kind of let me know how stupid it is to use that money on a doll.

And I'm like:

 

I usually put my pinky finger up to the corner of my lip and say "one billion dollars" then I give a mix of an evil, yet crazy laugh. The asker has usually walked away at this point.

 

More than enough or a lot.. followed up by this look ~~>

 

For me, it really depends on who's asking. If it's someone else in the hobby, a friend, or someone I'm close with who is genuinely interested, I'm usually comfortable telling them the actual price.

There's a nice lady in one of my art classes who asked, and I was fine with telling her that the doll I was looking at (second-hand, mind you) was $300 or so. She's always been really nice to me and was genuinely interested. However, a girl in that same exact class was looking at my laptop when I had a picture of my Bobobie Apollo up on the screen, and when she asked about his price, I just told her, "Expensive." I think she was asking just to be nosy, and frankly, I don't care for her attitude and personality, so I felt no need to disclose the price of even my least expensive doll.

So it mostly depends on whether I like a person or not, really xD

 

Haha I first told my mom about BJDs and the price of the doll I wanted. Well... you should of seen her face!

 

I always feel so uncomfortable in these situations. It's like, you kinda want to brag and be like ooh look at all the money I have/ can spend on dolls. But then again, it's like oh.. you spent that much money on a freakin doll. It's a little awkward and ah I don't like when people ask me. I feel as thought if you're not interested in buying one, you don't need to know. You know what I mean?

 

Diana I totally relate to you on that! I think one of the worst things is when you do give in and confess your purchase and there is an awkward pause along with a VERY awkward side smile. You know what they are thinking and it is embarrassing. I have a a few friends that like to hang out around my local park. It just so happens to be one of my favorite places to take pictures. By now, they have seen my doll so sometimes I want to go over and be like hey yeah I am taking pictures. But before I can even choose to do that, they spot me, call me over and say "Are you taking pictures of your doll AGAIN? Haha, you and you're dolls..." They mean it in alight joking manner. But they call it "Cute" and it makes it so much worse for me.