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

I told them the real cost of my doll. It's my money anyway. It's none of their business if I want to spend $800 on a doll.

You know its like setting up a fish tank that ocst $500 or setting up a remote controlled race car, Why do they buy that because they want to and its none of our business. Same us our dolls we buy these dolls because we want to and it's none of their business right?

 

I usually don't get asked. If someone sees her, as I often carry her with me to places, and if they are interested in her I firstly tell them about the concept, the quality, the art. If by then they are not completely overwhelmed and remember to ask about the cost, I tell them the truth.
If someone asks just for fun I prefer to avoid the answer, as here it is a legitimate reason to get robbed.

 

I usually carry my doll to conventions and to anime club meetings. I do tell them that the doll is $600 or $700 dollars because it is an SD size doll. Then I tell them about much clothing, eyes, shoes and wigs cost. Usually if people ask me how much my doll is so I ask my question before I answer theirs. May I know why you are interested in my doll? Then I answer their question.

 

There are only a few people who know what I pay for my dolls but then you also have the monies dished out for all their goodies so now I just say...."A few bucks" and leave it at that. If by chance they ask how much is a few bucks, then I tell them when they are ready to buy one I can hook them up with a good price so they still don't know how much I spend! When they blow money at the casino I don't stand there shaking my finger telling them what a waste...whatever!

 

"The GDP of a small Pacific Island" is my stock standard reply.

 

I think that asking how much a possession is is really rude if you don't know that person too well. You wouldn't go up to someone and ask them how much their haircut or their shoes cost after all. I'm usually really vague in my reply - 'oh, you know, a bit.'

 

I've only had one person really quiz me about the price of my dolls, the person doesn't like them and didn't understand my collecting them. (She collects vintage dolls and bears so I thought she might be more sympathetic, but no!)
First I said "They're expensive." and laughed, but they really wanted to know (and not in a "where can I get one" way) so I just said, "My happiness has no price!"

 

I tell them point blank. People spend their money every day. I really love my doll, and it made me feel good to save up for her. I paid a lot less then most people do for their BJDs, but people still cringe at the price. But, it's my money, not theirs.

 

Right on, Opal Dragon! We earn and save for this, while other people spend on clothes and Gucci bags. And while a love a good bag, I would always firstly spend on my doll. People just have different priorities, it doesn't make them bad people.
Agreed, there are those that say "There is hunger in the world" etc, but I help out others, so I think it is completely justified that I also spoil myself once in a while.

 

I wouldn't tell people the cost of my dolls because then I'd be afraid the person would steal it to re-sell it.
but that is from random people on the street who ask about them.
I don't hide the price from my friends and familly :3

 

I normally just go "its probably better not to know" to non bjd people especially if its street people. Although most of my friends and family are pretty understanding with the price of Art/hobby, with the exception of my dad.

^^ people spend a lot on their hobbies anyway, having bjds is no different on having other hobbies. Unless the person is a miser lives without doing anything fun of course...

 

Agreed! It's like asking some guy how much he paid for the engagement ring he gave to his fiance.

 

I tell them the real cost.
I have no trouble with my hobby and I never got bad reactions, sometimes they say it's expensive but when you tell them that their hobbies are expensive too, they understand, ^^
My father likes watches, some are really expensive and actually he can wear only one, so got 10 watches or dolls, it's same.
He can't say anything, XD

 

well, to be honest, i try to avoid the topic. in fact, most times when people ask me how much it costs, i simply respond with "it would probably scare you, so let's just say a lot."
often times people respond negatively when i DO tell them.
"you could make a downpayment on a car with that!" i'm not joking. i can dance around the subject fairly well, going in depth the way a car enthusiast might go into detail, trying to confuse the curious person.
it works sometimes, but other times i get the "you're creepy, aren't you?" face. :/

 

I also tell them approximately how much I spend and I would give them reasons such as 'limited edition', currency exchange, over all popularity. Doesn't bother me really. Though I have rarely been asked that question though.

 

I'll usually go with "several hundred dollars". My colleagues who're interested in my dolls know the exact price, as does my family and friends. Everyone else, who's not family, friends or really interested in getting a doll - none of their business.

 

Almost every person who has ever asked about my dolls is not a 'doll person'.....I am very reluctant to tell them the truth, as they just don't 'get it'....It makes me feel really negative about my own dolls when I feel I need to justify their costs....I've learnt the hard way that to avoid upset to myself I avoid telling them and just brush it off with 'expensive'....(which I believe is a pretty vague response...like 'how long is a piece of string')...I don't mean to go off topic here, but I've spent A LOT more on my OOAK dolls (which causes even more problems with my 'non-doll friends'...so unfortunately for me and my wallet, almost all BJDs are OK-priced)..! What about the OOAK ABJD's that sell in Japan for $60,000..?!! THAT'S EXPENSIVE....!!! ;-) ......
Bottom line in my mind is: People who are not doll collectors themselves cannot EVER truly appreciate or understand the cost of these dolls, as I think we collectors gradually develop a tolerance to the prices and our own brains (and hearts) de-sensitize & justify the prices and the extremes some of us go in order to afford them....Family and friends who appreciate our dolls might give the impression they see the cost and can rationalize it, but I reckon they're trying to make us feel more comfortable or they're avoiding a clash in most cases....It's a choice and I'm OK to accept that it'll probably always be a 'them & us' (doll collectors & non-collectors) type situation with prices of dolls and even why we collect them at all...;-) (Just my honest opinion and sorry if i've offended anybody with these comments)....

 

I like all the different responses! Really good feedback.

For me I think it really depends on the situation and the person.
- If it is someone who is truly interested and can appreciate the artistry and why BJDs cost so much then I would be more candid. I'd still want to make sure to be "isolated" when dropping the number. Eaves-droppers are annoying! Even then I probably wouldn't tell them the amount to the last penny. I'd probably say something like, "It cost around $550 with shipping and faceup."
- Someone who is earnestly asking questions but is sort of just dabbling I'd give a round estimate for the different sizes but not for my dolls in specific. Show how as the doll gets bigger it gets more expensive. I would say, "For tinies it can range from $50 to $200, 40cm from $200 to $500..." Somethign like that.
- People who are just poking around, making fun, etc... I'd tell them to Google it when they got home. Someone who isn't serious doesn't need to make that face while I'm there.

 

Marinadreams, try to imagine how much some people spend on brand clothing, or perfumes, or Laboutin shoes, or cosmetic surgery, or as Megu-chan said, watches, or gold jewellery, or cars, or dvds, or hair and nail extentions, or tonns of make-up etc etc.
In a perspective, our hobby is not so bad.

 

"This doll?".... Price??// Oh, I got her in a Cracker Jack Box. Didn't you get one????