Will that "One Detail" Prevent you from Buying?

If it was something intrinsic to the doll, like the shape of his mouth, then yes I would not spend the money.

I am considering a doll right now that has a beautiful face up, but her eyebrows are light and I want her to wear darker wigs. I can change the eyebrow color, so it's not a deal breaker.

 

Lips being sanded down is actually a pretty common mod. Also, things like prominent lips can often be de-emphasized depending on the faceup. There aren't many small details like that that would stop me from buying because many of them can be fixed. And the details I'm not that keen on when the doll arrives often become part of their unique charm later.

For example, one of my most recent arrivals was a Crobidoll Zack. Not only does he have fairly massive and slightly uneven ears, his nose was much longer and sharper than pictures suggested. This took me aback a little. However, his ears are hidden by his wig anyways, and I've come to really like his nose, as I do enjoy distinctive noses on a doll.

If there's a detail that'll prevent me from buying, it's more likely to be something major like skintone.

As for advice, I'm not going to say buy or not buy. That's a really personal decision. However, in my case the details I start out not liking I may end up liking quite a lot, because those are often the details that make the doll distinctive.

 

I have a MNF Shiwoo. I've seen quite a few Shiwoos that are absolutely adorable and made me want one, but at the same time, I can't stand that nose. I ended up getting a head for modding practice because it was cheap and after a little work on the nose I really do love the head. So I guess for me I'd have to decide if its something I can fix or deal with. And in person the nose wasn't as bad so maybe if you see the doll in person you'll find that its not really that bad. Plus if its only certain angles you dislike the lip from, maybe you can take photos from other angles instead.

One other option is finding a doll you know you like and going for that one. Get used to the dolls and comfortable with them. Ease into the hobby and save up for this doll later when you're more experienced. Maybe by then you'll be comfortable with modding or even know how to work with the lip through face ups. I've made massive fish lips look not so puckered with a little make up work.

 

I'm realllllly interested in a Musedoll ReChe right now, but I've read so much about the musedoll bodies coming looking really shiny and buffed and, I think I even read one post in which they were described as looking like they'd been "dipped in oil." x_x I don't know how to sand a doll, and....if I can avoid it, I'd like to. But I REALLY want one. >_< I'm not sure if it'll prevent me from buying one or not.

 

I really liked Dollzone Morphoa, but her faceup makes her look so sad. I wasn't going to not buy her just because of that though. I could always send her head away for a new faceup. However, I also heard that clothing is hard to find for dollzone girls, so I decided against her.

 

I'm a huge sucker for details, so yes, they can ruin a doll for me. I have had a hard time bonding with.. a lot of dolls, so now I've become very picky. I used to ignore details I didn't like, but it caused for me to never bond with dolls, despite how cute they are or how much I love other owner's dolls.

My best advice is to think over how much you dislike it and whether you think it can be changed. Either faceup or sending it to a modder (which I'd suggest for a first doll that isn't a practice doll)
And also, you have a bit of luck on your side if you do not bond with that doll, as he is a popular mold and I can see him selling quickly second hand.

 

Short answer: Yes, sometimes.

I am very picky about the dolls I get. I'm not experienced in modding, and I don't really want to pay money for modding. So generally I put dolls that have a detail on them I don't like on my 'Love, but don't want to own' list.
If there's a doll I like I extensively research images of it, and read the threads for it before I decide. 'Structural' issues like joints I never compromise on. I can handle single jointed dolls to a certain extent, but if the joints look awkward on any doll, or if I love the face but dislike the body and hybriding isn't an option then it's a no-go.
Sometimes the detail I dislike I can overlook, sometimes not. So far the dolls I've bought I love, no modding or anything I love every detail of their sculpt and body.

 

If it is something I cannot change without spending extensive time or money, then yes, it will result in me not buying the doll. There are so many out there that I don't have time or money to waste on the maybes.

 

This is a good topic!
And yes, I have SEVERAL dolls that have little ticks and oddities that make
me feel like 'bleh'.

When I first saw the Official pics of Ringdoll Pan, I hated the way his nose looked from the side. I decided to buy him because I loved him to bits, and found that it was just the pics. His nose looks nothing like that in person.

I hope that keeps happening.

DOD Luke looks like a parrot from the side to me, but I still really want him. (no offense)
DOD Sha seems to look like he lacks a persona in some pics, and it truly worries me.

But I'm willing to take a gamble since he was the first doll I EVER loved and I was actually supposed to get him first instead.

But some others...You simply cannot stand that little flaw. It must not be that little right?

I tend to trust my gut alot when buying, and there are some dolls where there flaws seem more acceptable than others. I hope you find some comfort in giving it a try and it working out for you!

 

I know what you mean with Nia. He's absolutely adorable on the company promo photos. But his upper lip drives me crazy in owner pictures! It's like it's non existent, far too thin. I suppose a face up to emphasise that it's there could help, but...
If it really bugs you, then I wouldn't advise getting him. It's better to find a doll that you love completely, in all it's aspects. If you feel iffy about the whole thing, then it's better to go with your realistic instinct than get a doll that pisses you off.

Because I'm planning to base my really important dolls around established ocs, I am SUPER picky about their sculpts. I was searching two years for my main character, and I only think I just found a possible perfect sculpt for him. But I already have a floating head for him! As much as I love his current head, as much as I adore the company that made it, there are, as you say, "details" that don't fit in with the character (that damn Miho cheek/mouth problem!) that are driving me insane enough to consider replacing him with this new sculpt. I was planning my Miho, plus his hybrid body, for a good year and a half. Suddenly I realise I like this sculpt better.
And it's a 70cm sculpt.
All plans smashed. .__.
So it's a very common thing for a lot of people, to suddenly realise that they don't feel they need that particular one any more. Don't think it's petty! For so much money, I'd be scared if someone didn't consider flaws!

I would advise definitely to settle on a doll you adore. I'm going to wait until I've fully made up my mind about what to do with this character, and instead I'm going to get a Luts KDF Bory while I wait, because I know that there's nothing about Bory I dislike and I love every single each of his adorable little face. I won't ever regret getting him because he's that one sculpt that I absolutely love.

 

Has one detail prevented you from buying/bonding with your otherwise perfect doll?
Most definitely. I actually do not like my dolls to have visible teeth and I'm not comfortable modding my dolls (ah, how it all boils down to personal preference) so I will most definitely pass up on the doll if I see teeth.

Should you avoid buying if you feel this way?
I don't think the word is 'avoid', perhaps, think twice about it, so you know you won't regret the purchase, but as it's been mentioned so many times, it's really down to yourself and what you want. If you're alright with perhaps, sending it to a modder, why not?

 

I did used to be interested in a doll back when I was first getting into the hobby. I think it was a Luts doll (don't remember which model) but after a while I decided that I didn't like his nose at all. It was a bit pointy if I recall...

Anyway, I didn't end up with that doll and I don't regret it. I've found other dolls that fit my tastes (or the character I'm going for) much better. So yea, it can stop me from buying a doll. Unless I can maybe mod it to suit what I want.

 

Oh, definitely. I'm very picky about which sculpts I like, let alone want to buy. If any one detail truly bothers me, I won't consider buying it. On most dolls I've found that it's either the nose (too high up, too thin and/or small, or a shape that doesn't appeal to me) or the lower lip (I hate it when the bottom of it is flat). I also tend not to even look at dolls that seem angry. ^^;;

I do believe my pickyness has served me quite well, though. I have just one doll, but I feel that's enough and I love him to bits.

 

Has one detail prevented you from buying/bonding with your otherwise perfect doll?

Yup, absolutely. Things like single-jointed elbows, funny-looking knee joints or an unattractive hand mold have kept me from buying a doll I otherwise liked.

Should you avoid buying if you feel this way?

IMHO, it's a great way to whittle down your wishlist. If I bought every doll that was perfect except for one little thing, I'd have far too many dolls! I would say wait and keep looking, there are SO many companies these days that your perfect doll must be out there somewhere. Or maybe it will be unveiled tomorrow!

 

Absolutely, yes. Noses are a dealbreaker for me.

I've never been a fan of pointy noses on my own dolls. I even know why: while I worked Rennaisance Faires there was a guy with a codpiece (google it) that was in the shape of a clown face. Directly over the groin was the clown's nose, which a very long and stuck straight out about eight inches to a pointed tip. Funny for Faire, but I think of it every time I see a doll with a long pointy nose!

There have been many scults that I love from the front and 3/4 view and thought: that scult is perfect for me! Look how awesome it is!! Then I'll do a search and find owner pictures from a side view (seldom seen on company sites!) and, low and behold, he has a long pointy nose. Not the kind you can sand down, but with a narrow inward sweep that for some reason looks wide from the front. AngelHeim's Ryan is a perfect example of a doll that looks like it has square features from the front, but not from the side. I love the face, but the side view of the nose makes me giggle and I know I could never own him.

 

I think one detail can throw me off of a doll if it's something that is too much work for me to change. I know there are lots of lovely modders out there, but I'm a bit iffy on sending my dolls faraway. Face-up things I can deal with and clothes not fitting I can deal with since I could just sew clothes myself.

Since the number of dolls on the market isn't all that is and all that will ever be, might as well keep looking than have a doll with a feature that drives me batty.

 

This is my philosophy as well. There are plenty of dolls I like...
But if I owned everyone just because I liked them, the list would be a
bit ridiculous. I prefer to find those dolls that just GRAB at your being.

Or the ones you can't really get out of your head or forget. In a
good way of course.

 

Its always the mowth with me if its a little to open or the eye holes bing two small or the nows bing not to my likeing it would make me fall out of buying it.