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

I usually give the huge range of price in this hobby, that some can cost as little as just over $100 to well over $1000 for limiteds, and also give a quick explanation that they can be smaller than Barbies or as big as a small child and every size in between. Usually anyone who has asked on price is actually interested. I don't think I've had a non-interested person ask on price. They usually ask if I made the doll myself or some aspect of its outfit.

As far as family, no one bats an eye at the cost. My mother had a dear friend who was a high-end antique doll collector, and I've collected dolls all my life. Everyone else who might care has their own bunch of dolls on top of other expensive hobbies, so I actually end up looking like the one who puts out the least amount of money on a hobby.

 

I'll probably avoid giving a number and just say it's pretty expensive for a "toy", but that it is a hobby afterall. Main reason for me? I'M AFRAID OF PEOPLE WANTING TO STEAL MY DOLL, SHOULD THEY FIND OUT ABOUT MY DOLL'S WORTH ON THE MARKET ><
Pretty paranoid but yea.

 

I'm usually honest when people ask about price. I then explain that each doll is hand cast and made lovingly by artists.

 

I made the mistake of sharing an exact number with my mom once... It didn't go well.

So most of the time I just hint at it by saying "You don't want to know" and laughing, so that leaves it a little ambiguous. If I know the person really well and know that they'd understand, or if they were like REALLY into the doll and wanted one for themselves, I'd tell them.

 

I'm very vague whenever I'm asked about the price of parts of my collection, particularly because people always expect me to say things are cheaper than they are. I just feel bad owning up to people about just how much money I've dropped on something, even though it really is none of their business how I spend my money. So I tend to give either a price range, or I say the number of digits. You know, oh this was 3 digits or whatever. I half feel like I should be more honest about it, but I also think that if I was I'd have to put up with way too much grief and I'm too lazy to explain why I'm willing to spend so much on what other people perceive as 'toys'.

 

I answer them honestly. and usually they don't care about it..

 

I ask them how much was their bag.

 

If they are the bitter/envious type or pain-in-the-neck/busy-body type: 'I don't want to remember/I cannot remember, expensive' and if they insist, I follow this by: ' Paying for it was bad enough/ just google BJD'.
I DO mention the cost to the ones who are not of the above types, because they are truly interested and mean no harm.
By and large, I avoid the subject and do not mention my dolls.

 

When my mother or best friend ask (which experience has taught them to do very rarely, LOL) I answer honestly. They know I'm crazy about dolls, and I know I'm crazy about dolls, so they know by now that expressing irritation or judging me over a price is not, in fact, going to stop me paying it. I also like to think that they're sweet and tolerant enough people that they've just accepted it by now, the way I've accepted my mother's jewelry making hobby, and how my friend is more interested in marine creatures than human beings xD we all have our eccentricities!

Anyone else...I'm not sure I'd tell them, unless we were like at an anime con and it was someone clearly asking because they were interested in getting into the hobby. It's not that I'd lie...I just don't think it's anyone's business what I spend my money on and how much I'm spending per doll.

It does make me smile that people will throw down hundreds or even thousands on a handbag/shoes/games consoles but when they come across you with your doll they shriek 'HOW much did you pay?' Lol.

 

I wont tell them the real price,and tell them a half price,let them to know the doll is a little expensive but not too much,they will treat the doll carefully and not a bad impression

 

I'd say tell them the truth about how much it cost then explain to them it's a collector's item. If they loved a band they would spend lots of money to see concerts or if they knitted they would spend lots of money on yarns, your hobby involves these dolls. Phrasing it like that would make most people understand. Of course, be mindful of people in hard times who have trouble paying the mortgage. If they ask, just tell them it's something you saved up a long time for and they will think it's cool.

 

Urk. Admitting exactly how much I paid is always tough, namely because my family does not approve. So, yeah, I tend to lie about that. A lot.

 

I'm honest. I tell them exactly how much my dolls cost. I have had co-workers be like, "OMG!!" and I'm sure my mother had a heart attack away from the phone when she first found out, but the bottom line is that I'm an adult. I get to choose how to spend my money. They can say whatever they want and I will be able to retort on any number of things (How much were those shoes? How much did you spend on phone games this month? How much did you spend on drinks at the bar last night? Remember that shack you paid a flat $10K for and then dumped at least that once over for repairs that you don't stay at ever? <-- Special one I hold onto for my mum, although she doesn't say anything about my dolls.), and since people who know how much the dolls cost also know me well enough, they never chastise me for my spending. They know I'll fire back and they know it will be very unpleasant for them.

 

Love This It's so very true. I've seen people drop $400 on a night out drinking and all they get is a hangover lol.

 

I agree that it depends on who is asking & how they ask but I don't have doll friends in the real world and they are always horrified. I can usually stop the discussion by saying they have great resale value but that's so not the point. And doll play should be fun. It's my escape. And sometimes I feel like I'm forced to keep it a dirty little secret just to avoid this kind of negativity.

 

If asked about it, go ahead and just tell them a bit about it before dropping the price. If you feel they might not be so understanding about it, you don't even need to answer them.

 

I usually laugh and then say, "Expensive." Most people who ask get the point pretty quickly.

 

Depends on the doll. I've had some rescues that were under $100. I've also paid upwards of $1000 for one doll. So when I'm asked I usually just tell people it's a hobby. Hobbies can be spendy as well. What about that gaming computer you just built? The new parts for the bike you're working on? How much did you spend at the last Magic pre-release?
Most of the guys I talk to understand once the hobby answer has been given. It's the ladies who I have the most trouble with. They want something that is not as round-about as comparing it to another's hobby I've noticed. Thus the range. I just can't give out just how much I spent for a couple of my dolls, but the rescues I don't mind, but I do mention that they were in terrible condition when recieved and therefore cost a bit to get back into shape.

 

I simply give them the company's website and ask them to check by them selves as its different according to choices you make including skin tone, buying eyes and wigs not to mention clothes and shoes, so not to shock them with the price i ask them to check it by them selves

 

Initially my boyfriend wouldn't tell me how much he had paid for his DC Queena, but that was back when he introduced me to the hobby. It wasn't until a few months later that he told me how much she actually was, after I understood what went into the dollmaking process. I know I wouldn't discuss specifics with my family when I get my first bjd, but I have mentioned to them what the price ranges can be in the hobby and why.