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

I usually just say that it's not anything that's mass-produced or made in a factory. They're all hand-made out of resin, and that's why they're so expensive!

And the fact that they're very heavily customizable is a huge plus.

 

I don't know why, but they always seem to phrase their questions like "oh, then these must be costly, right...?"

I'm not fond of discussing their prices, but at this point even if I don't answer they will just assume that they are hella pricey and I must be a millionaire or something. So I tend to simply answer "Well, that varies a lot, based on their size, and where they come from and whether they are limited or not..."

Not a lie, but not an actual answer either

 

I get asked a lot at conventions if I'm selling my dolls (at my artist table) and they always want to know how much even if I tell them no. Most people look like a punched them in the mouth when I give them numbers. I don't pay them any mind.

The hardest part is when they won't let up but I'm good at shutting people down with some hardcore bluntness. Doesn't take long for them to stop lecturing me on my personal decisions.

Add for the nice, genuinely interested people, I try to be super informative in explaining the cost. Add long as people are arrogant or rude to me, I'm always happy to share.

 

I generally don't tell the people around me about my doll due to the lectures that would be flung my way, however "Quite a bit" seems to work well as an answer and to those I'm more comfortable with/are truly interested I'll give an estimate price.

 

If it's doll friends or people into BJDs, then I don't mind telling them what i paid, but if it's family or someone who isn't into BJDs and has no clue, then "a lot" will do.

 

Since they've come to a meetup, I've kind of had to tell them the truth. They didn't react as badly as I thought.

 

I usally say they cost "enough".
But if they want to hear numbers I will tell them the actual price or some number that is close to that. I won't add all the extra costs for that matter

 

I've not had anyone ask me about the cost of my dolls yet outside of my family. My cousin, mom or mother-in-law usually ask me point blank how much is the doll that I'm looking at getting. I usually tell them the ballpark. If it's under $700 they are usually pretty chill about it. Once it goes over that amount they will ask me why it costs so much (is it special? etc).

 

To avoid the reactions I just hide the dolls. But if did get asked by non-bjd folks, I only say half of the amount lol

 

I tell people their full value because I just love seeing the look of dumbfoundedness on their faces, haha!
I don't care if they think it's a waste of money, because it's not to me so it doesn't matter what they think. = w= I do have a tendency to explain WHY they are so expensive though.
A lot of people who ask me when I"m in public are curious about them to begin with, and realize that they are somewhat exotic.

 

with my friend I will definitely tell the doll cost

BUT? with my parents?

I will tell the.

Mom, dad it's really cheap hahaha

 

One of the gifts of age and being a long-term doll collector is that, 1.) by now it's generally accepted that I have impaired judgment, especially in regard to my personal finances and dolls, and, 2.) no one but a good friend would come right out and ask me.

 

I don't tell people, but when the ask me I will answer. They usually spend their money on things I wouldn't, like cigarettes or something. And I don't judge that (openly ;-)

 

Oh, I don't know, really. After so many years in the hobby I still do no know T__T
It's not like I'm affraid they will think it's expensive. I don't care, it's my money after all.
But some times I tell people the cost and it turnes out with "oh, give me some money to borrow. You do have a lot! You will spend your money on toys, anyway."
And I don't think that I have a lot to give away to everyone. Yes, I spend it on toys, but I keep those toys and some of them are limited in time for purchase, mind you.
So I just do my best to hide their prices from people, because they do not understand(((

 

Yeah I agree with you Anch-Shi. I don't like telling others about how much I spend on hobbies because they feel like they can borrow money from me whenever they want. I try to to avoid the question at all cost especially around strangers. I don't know how they'll react and letting people know about how much something is could get you mugged, especially if it's a high priced item like a doll.

 

It depends. If the person seems genuinely interested or is showing interest in buying their own, I tell them the full price. If its a random person who just wants to take a peek and they ask, I just say "Its a hand-casted imported art doll so its pretty expensive". If they push the issue, I just give a rounded number of the price. If they're rude, I don't love it but its whatever.

When I first started collecting, I took one of my Elfdoll Rainys to work because a coworker asked me to. My boss was a douche about it when he asked the price then started calling people over to sort of mock me. He kept asking "see that doll? Guess how much she paid? Just GUESS!" One of the more quiet guys that worked there who I would have never thought would understand came up, picked her up and inspected her for a moment, sat her carefully back down, and said "$500." I was like O.O

He looked at my boss and said "Its very well made and look at the detailing. Its basically art. Like a collectable." I hugged the crap outta him while my boss just walked away mumbling about wasting money.

 

I am new to the bjd world, but have collected and made dolls for years. I know that people can be insensitive sometimes when it comes to the cost of another person's hobby or interest. It is extremely annoying (not to mention rude) to be told to your face "well, I certainly wouldn't spend that on a doll!" Yeah, well guess what? I wouldn't spend $1000+ on a purse or a pair of shoes but people do it all the time, only to have these items end up at the back of their closets in a year or two. I get enjoyment out of my dolls whenever I look at them and I've had them for several years. You can't put a price on that!

 

I answer: "Don't remember. It costs about..." - and tell the approximate cost.
I don't think my family and friends need to know my dolls' prices.

 

I think its very rude to ask people what their hobbies cost. I wouldn't dream of going into some one's home, pointed at their art collection, shoes, handbags, stereo, whatever, and ask, "How much?" And you know what they say about people who know the price of every thing and the value of nothing. So my answer always would be, "A lot." And no way would I say anything else unless they were serious about getting one themselves. If people pushed me, I ask to see their tax return. See how they like that!

 

I've never had this question. Usually people ask me if I've made the dolls I have with me or where I bought them. I would probably answer vaguely, "They're pretty expensive since they're from overseas," and leave it at that unless it was someone genuinely interested in joining the hobby. Everyone spends a lot on their hobbies, but I find that people are a little too quick to judge when they feel they can.