When is the price just too much?

Now I wouldn't splash more than $1000 for a doll, easily because I have much more important stuff to spend my money on e.g. studies or car. If I could spend more I probably would but only for a doll that I really love *thinking about Lusion Doll* ^^

 

I'm the unlucky girl who while newish to the hobby saw a picture of Volks SD17 Williams and fell in love with him at first glance. When I learned how much he actually cost I lost all hope.

Then I got engaged and my lovely in-laws who are far better off than I am purchased him for me as an engagement present. So I now own him. He sells $2k+.

 

I know these dolls are amazing, and beautiful, but is paying over $1000 for a bjd too much in your opinion?

"Too much" is very relative. For example, I think $1000 is too much to pay for a stamp, but my uncle would think otherwise . I don't really have a set limit when it comes to doll purchases, but that's mostly because nothing over $1000 appeals to me. If I was drawn to limiteds or fantasy dolls, I'd definitely have to budget and set some sort of limits, but thankfully, I find plenty of regular edition dolls out there that appeal to me. Having said that, if I do fall in love with a doll that's over $1000, I'd probably get her, but that's yet to happen in my 7 years in this hobby.


Or do you feel this is a reasonable cost?

$1000 for a bjd could be both reasonable or unreasonable, it all depends on the quality, craftsmanship, design, etc. There are dolls out there that are way overpriced for the quality you get. On the other hand, there are some amazing dolls that are definitely worth the hefty price tag.


Does it depend on how much you truly love the doll? (that saying, the more the love, the more money you are willing to pay?)

For me it does, but that's because I don't necessarily fall in love with a doll at first sight. The way it usually works for me is that a sculpt catches my interest, which makes me look through all the company photos of the face and the body. Then, I do *a lot* of research into resin quality, joint construction and overall craftsmanship of the doll - if all this meets my standards, then I began to covet the doll. So, yes, if the doll's overall construction meets my standards, I know that I am getting a quality item, and as such, I'd be willing to pay more for her.

 

If layaways were longer on certain dolls (limiteds) then id probably be willing to pay the prices. But its difficult to save such large amounts as a student. I just land up watching them disappear from the shelves. 4 months is not enough time to save 800, its just not.

 

i have a hard time buying a doll over $300...

 

• I know these dolls are amazing, and beautiful, but is paying over $1000 for a bjd too much in your opinion? I would not personally spend 1,000 on a doll. My highest amount ever is around 300 on my Dollzone tan 1/4th scale. The only 1/3rd scale I have ever bought was a few Bobobies. I would say maybe 500 or less? My main issue with spending huge amounts is will I bond with the doll? What if I don't like it after a while and you can rarely get back the amount you put into it if you decide to re-sell it.

• Or do you feel this is a reasonable cost? 500 or less, probably unless he was really special.

• Does it depend on how much you truly love the doll? I normally have no trouble bonding to a cheaper doll, as long as I enjoy the character. I wouldn't say just settle on any doll when you have your heart set on one but I'd go into it with a price limit.

 

Meh, I think it's all relative, really. Like when I bought my four, I was still in highschool (....Yikes!) and there really wasn't too much else I had to pay for on my own, so purchasing dolls that were more expensive wasn't as much of a big deal. Hobbies are what you make of them; right now I love the four I have and though I'd love to add more, school and going to Disney World every second I get the chance is more important right now. () That said, I think if you have a dream doll and you know it's the one you absolutely, positively need to have, saving for it and eventually buying it is a lovely feeling. I'm thankful enough to have two of mine.

-- Edit

....Ignore what I just said as I just bought a new doll.
​

 

Same here, Catwalk!

When I was in high school expensive dolls were much easier to buy. I was also homeschooled and had almost a full time job, lol! Back then I wouldn’t mind spending $600-$900 on a doll. Now, I’m paying my way through college and new doll purchases have been placed on the backburner. ANY price is too much right now (unless I found a totally amazing deal, I might be able to work something out ). I suppose this is a good chance for me to get working on making things for the dolls I already have, haha.

 

I think it depends a lot on your personal income, and the size of the doll (and what it does/doesn't come with).

That said, personally, the max amount I would spend on a 60cm+ non limited is between $500-700 incl. shipping costs. For a mini/inbetween size, anywhere from $300-500. For either of the sizes, if it were a limited or came with a fair amount of extras, I would pay more. My max would have to be $1000 given my current financial abilities, and even then I would have to want it with every fiber of my being.

Tinies give me a lot of trouble pricing wise. I'm not familiar with the size at all, so paying more than $200 for one just seems so unnecessary in my mind, so I'm having a bit of trouble swallowing the ~$300 price tag of one I'm looking at.

 

I know these dolls are amazing, and beautiful, but is paying over $1000 for a bjd too much in your opinion? Or do you feel this is a reasonable cost?

This mostly depends on a person's financial capabilities. If you asked me 6 years ago when I was still a fresh uni graduate, I would say yes, it's too much. Even if I love the mold, I would never shell that amount of money which would come mainly from my allowance. But now that I have a stable job, I'd say it's pretty normal price for limiteds. Almost 4 years into the hobby and my definition of expensive has changed dramatically. However I don't go about shopping these limiteds on a regular basis.

Does it depend on how much you truly love the doll? (that saying, the more the love, the more money you are willing to pay?)
I'd say it's a no for me. Back then I almost paid $1500 for a head only and the max I've paid for a doll is close to $2000. But after taking some time to analyze how I've managed my money, I realized that I'm going out of control and should've used the money to buy something more practical or save it in case of emergencies. I sold around 10 of them and kept only 2. From my experience, once I bought something on the $800-ish side, I get turned off and will eventually sell him/her.

 

Depends on how good your economy is, If your rich and it doesn't do anything to buy a doll for 1000+$ then it's ok
But if you have more important stuff to think about like bills and such, then it's just stupid to even buy a cheep one for 100$ ( if there are such cheep BJDs )

 

I never go over $400 not including clothes, eyes, wigs, or shipping. Anything more just seems too extravagant to me when some companies like Resin Soul or Impldoll make such beautiful dolls for cheap. If I were to say, build a complete custom, I'd be more prone to spend more on parts because the resulting doll would be one-of-a-kind.

 

It depends. If I fell in love with a doll I just HAD to have, I would pay more than $1000, certainly, but I would probably have to have a good layaway option on it. That said, I will spend what I need to in order to get a doll 'tailored' to me. But I have yet to spend over $1000 on any one doll. So, I think I'm doing pretty well.

 

Alright yes yes another thread begun by me. I didn't see that it existed but if it does go ahead and link it mods!

Inspiration:

I'm currently looking at Elfdoll's Oasis doll Natalie which (it looks like Natalie Portman and besides dolls Natlalie Portman is one of my favorite things) But she's $530 (this would be the most I've ever spent on a doll not including accessories/clothing/hair etc.) And I'm torn!!! (I have the money) But I'm going insane here debating!

My Questions:

Do you have a place where you "cap" your price on how much you'll spend for just the doll?

Do you have a place where you "cap" your price on how much you'll spend for the stuff to go with your doll?

Will you spend ANY amount to get the doll you desire (mold+hair+eyes+clothes etc. even if it means all custom etc.)?

 

I don't set firm budgets. What happens if I spend all I designate for that doll, and then something new comes out? That sort of rule is meant to be broken. I'm all about paying more for the perfect faceup, clothes, eyes, etc. As long as service and quality make the money worthwhile, I've got no problem with spending large amounts - even when I know the resale value isn't necessarily going to increase.

 

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?411293-When-is-the-price-just-too-much is likely a good place to start.

My answers, in brief:

1. Not formally, no. I will not spend what I don't reasonably expect to be able to afford, however. That is not a static number. My income fluctuates, and thus so does my ability to spend along with the amounts I'm able to spend.

2. No. I expect this to be a drawn-out process over time anyway, so capping it seems futile.

3. Possibly. The above continue to apply. I don't set a deadline on these things, however -- I expect it to be a long process, and not one that must be done now now now or accomplished over night. With this approach, it is considerably easier to save up more and thus be able to spend more in a comfortable manner -- and also jump on chances for slots with artists for custom work or commissions when they arise, which is not always often.

 

I know these dolls are amazing, and beautiful, but is paying over $1000 for a bjd too much in your opinion?

It's a bit much for me but I know I've invested probably a bit more than that into this hobby. Compared to a lot of hobbies it's not that much money (especially people who like antique/historical things) but to others it's A LOT


Or do you feel this is a reasonable cost?

For me, it's too much but if it's how you wanna spend your money that's fine. I can't say I'll NEVER do that because two years ago I'd NEVER be considering spending over 300+ on a doll and now I have a 70cm and am getting a $530 lady. But over 800 seems too much to me.


Does it depend on how much you truly love the doll? (that saying, the more the love, the more money you are willing to pay?)

Highly! If the sculpt is gorgeous ( I care about body and face a lot, I'm a little hard to please actually). So when I find one I want all up on it

 

Well, I can understand spending $1000+ on a doll, it's not like people don't blow that much/more on TVs or new couches, or even shoes. But personally I wouldn't $350 is well out of the range I can realistically save for, and if I was really determined I'd maybe be willing to spend $500 tops. I'm a broke 15 year old with no source of income and fairly poor family though xD and dolls, while they're pretty high on the 'saving up' priority list, just aren't something I need that badly. If I had $500 and was given the option of a $250 doll that I love and a $500 that I absolutely adore, I would probably go with the cheaper one and let it grow on me, and then spend the rest of the money on other things that make me happy that's just me though

 

• I know these dolls are amazing, and beautiful, but is paying over $1000 for a bjd too much in your opinion?

If its one that I really really want, I don't think its too much.I'd rather have one doll that I absolutely love, than a few that I just like.

• Or do you feel this is a reasonable cost?

Not sure the cost is reasonable, but I'd pay it. ^^;;

• Does it depend on how much you truly love the doll? (that saying, the more the love, the more money you are willing to pay?)

Yep. If it was just an impulse buy, I wouldn't pay that much, but if it was something that I would get up at night to just look at again and again(cause I do that when trying to decide), I think its worth it.

 

For a limited, it would have to be really special to be actually be worth $1000+ *coughcoughsoom*
For a non limited, naked, bald, eyeless, faceupless doll, $500 is my limit.

Being a rather poor student, I'm lucky to get a doll that costs $400. School bills, food, etc, come first, and then whatever is left over gets to go to dolls. I probably don't even make $1000 in six months.