Would buying someone with limited funds a BJD be a bad idea?

Well, that all really depends on you. You know your sister better than any of us on the forum ever could, but you make it sound like she'd thoroughly enjoy the present. If you think that it'd make her happy, and she's not the type to get overly impulsive to the point of ignoring responsibilities to buy more for the doll, then it's probably okay! However, if it upsets her that she can't purchase certain things because of her situation (my apologies, and best wishes), then it may not be the best idea. Really, it just comes back to what you believe would be the best choice.

Personally, though, you make it sound like a lovely gesture!

 

It's a kind thought but it might not be the best choice. I'd ask her what she wants first for sure- she might not want a doll that looks like her or she might want a boy or an animal doll or something cheaper to start with. Part of it depends on how strapped for cash she is- giving someone a doll worth hundreds of dollars when they barely have money for rent and food doesn't help them in any way. If she's not making much money she'd be thrilled to get a gift card to an art supply store (artists are really fussy about supplies, even go with her while she picks out stuff if you want it to be more personal) or take her shopping for clothes or something and get her an Obitsu or Hujoo if you want her to start down the path of dolls.

 

I think it's a lovely idea. I have limited funds due to being disabled and still choose to spend money on things that I get enjoyment from and bjds are something that bring me joy.

You don't need to spend a lot of money once you have a doll. I hunt around for sales to get those that I want and make things myself.

When you have limited funds you balance what you can afford and what you'd like to have.

 

I have to second giggleboots on this one.
Maybe you should talk it over with her first, because maybe she 's not really that into bjd's as you might think. Being artistic in other ways does not necessarily mean that having a bjd would be the next best thing. I have experienced that with my own sister. After a lot of contemplating and stuff she finally got herself a doll. That doll is now living with my own crew because she really isn't "in to that" after all. And the money thing...yeah you should keep that in mind as well.
You can get most things for reasonable prices, but they are little money eaters. Fancy stuff tends to be expensive.
You try things out, alter concepts, shipping fees, buy this wig - change it for another (same with eyes) and repeat.
And one doll tends to multiply

tip: maybe you can have a look at additional items such as clothes/wigs/eyes/shoes and all to get a better picture of the actual(total) costs. So that you can determine if buying extra items would be possible with her budget. Making things yourself is a great option, but you have to be willing to do so. And you will need supplies as well, if you don't already have them.
Face-up's are another thing to keep in mind. Are you buying a doll that already has a face up, are you doing it yourself (materials needed) or are you commissioning one?

 

Well, the first doll usually doesn't require much stuff to get after the purchase. If you get a wig, eyes, faceup and outfit - the doll is...complete and will bring a long-lasting enjoy. So, why not trying?
After all, your sister coud always sell the doll in case of discontentment.

 

If there is nothing more pressing that you could help her out with, and she seems to enjoy dolls, I would go for it.
Sooner or later she would find out about yours, and if she really wanted to have one, it could make her sad that you choose not to present her with one out of money concerns.
If she is a crafty person, she can do many things herselve. Even wigs and eyes could be done thus.
If you can, include the basics with the doll, so she is not a blank something sitting in a corner. If/when she decisded to chage the dolls looks, she will be able to, even with little funds, after researching enough (there are many good tutorials for any and everything a doll needs). Creativity is part of this hobby and she may find new things she enjoys doing out of it.
I started with little funds too, and decided to do nearly everything myselve. If you want to buy things for the doll, there is the second hand market, flee markets and yard sales and even if you put 0,5$ away a day, in the end you'll be able to buy that wig, or the pair of boots. It will be slower, but it won't be overly taxing on her economy.
In the end you know her best.

 

Also another thing to keep in mind is...We BJD owners who don't have much funds to spend, find other ways to spoil our lovelies. I don't buy official BJD stuff aside from wigs and usually those wigs are not the super expensive ones either, the shoes I buy for them are all keychain shoes with two exceptions, I make all the clothes myself, aside from things from swaps and a couple of purchases at meetups and you should also ask her what SHE wants in a doll if she wants it, help her find one that's right for her.

 

I think its a beautiful idea! If she doesn't have much extra money, I think she will understand that she has other priorities and she will not make bad decisions and if she does, you will be there to help her. ^.^

 

Hi circoit,

You've received a great deal of opinions here. I personally believe that it would probably be best to either ask or let her find the hobby using her own path; who knows, perhaps later down the road she will know more about these dolls through you, and you wouldn't have thrust anything upon her that she might not have wanted; everyone has their own priorities, especially when funds are tight. Maybe she wouldn't like the sculpt even if she was interested in the hobby.

Entering an entirely new hobby not only requires funds, but it requires a dedication to the niche itself. One that she likely isn't prepared for at this point in time, as she doesn't really know about dolls at all from what I gather.

As this is a very personal situation that doesn't pertain to the general aspects of doll ownership, the thread is being locked. If you'd like to continue discussing this matter, please use a blog, lj, tumblr, or other offsite initiative.

Best,
Laelen