What doll to get for the money?

[mom2blu]

This year I am planning on spending my portion of our tax refund on a doll. It'll be my first, and possibly my only one ever. We're hoping I'll have between $200-250 so I'm kinda shopping on the lower level here. But there are so many out there. Companies, styles, sizes, colors (!!) how is someone supposed to chose?

So my question is if that was your budget, and this might be the only one you were ever going to get, what one doll and size and style (and color?) would you pick?


I love the blue skin, but does it take away from wardrobe options? So far everytime I see one it is in white, with at most a hint of blue, or just naked. If I get a blue doll will I forever regret it?

Right now I'm mostly debating between a 43cm or 60 cm from Bobobi, mostly because they are much more in my price range, or Moona from The Sleeping Fairy, because I love her and she's in the right price range. Any input on those in particular?

Any and all advice and input is greatly appreciated!

[Rosebud]

First of all buy a doll that you love. Don't think of it as investment. I just fell in love with this one face and have to have it. So save up for something that you don't want to live without. If you can't find something put the money in a savings account and don't touch it till you find the one you love. Especially if you are thinking it will be the "only" one you will buy. It has got to be something extra special. I have regreted some purchases that I didn't make because I was short funds. Always have a kitty somewhere.

[Stella Maris]

I agree with Rosebud, make sure you love the doll. Personally I love blue skin, and I have a blue Moona, she is adorable. However she may not be the right size for you (or she might be perfect). If you can go to a doll meetup you can see the various sizes. It is easier to get clothes for the mini (Bobobie) sized doll. However if you make things you might be fine. Moona is very tiny. My first doll was a tiny, but then I got a mini almost immediately.

[LauraJ]

Set your money aside in an account and research dolls until you find a sculpt you like.
I personally have 3 Bobobies, a charisma demon girl, a Sprite and another 42cm body with a custom head. I really love my Bobobies, and would like to get a blue Sprite with mature body. I love the blue in the ones that I have seen and the Sprite sculpt attracts me. They are also well made for the money.

[lemonsky]

I agree with everyone here about not spending the money right away. Quite a few people buy a doll because they think it's perfect in online photos, only to find out that the size and/or mold is not what they imagined at all and realise that it's not for them. I think going to a doll meetup is a really good idea if you're planning this to be your ONLY doll.

No one can really recommend a company and/or mold because in the end, it's completely dependant on your personal tastes. =]

[ruaki]

I'm gonna agree with everyone above. Put the money aside and get something that really speaks to you. Impulse buys or buys "just to have a doll!!" typically end up being something you may regret. (Although not always! My Seimei is my favorite doll and he was not planned or even desired when I bought him--long story.)

Also, keep in mind that initially buying a doll will often times NOT be the only amount of money you'll spend on it, so that $250 could potentially end up being inadequate for your needs. There's eyes and wigs and clothes and faceups--this hobby typically has a certain amount of monetary upkeep. While it might not be a regular amount of money going down the drain, what you will actually spend on a doll to "get it the way you want" will always be greater than the purchase of the actual doll.

So definitely, definitely, I'd recommend waiting for the doll that you really like (especially if you say it's going to be the only one... if you can stick to that, you've got tons more willpower than I do cause I said something similar hahahaha) and start planning the 'extras' too, if you're budget conscious. If you make clothes or do your own faceups, then you can offset some costs there, but wigs and eyes can get a bit pricey depending...

Personally, I think the coloured/tanned dolls are pretty neat, but I've heard mixed reviews on the different problems that can be associated with them. If you want to do mod work though, they might not be the thing for you. =(

As for clothes, I imagine just by being coloured, you might find yourself hampered by certain colours or whatever, but I think that's applicable to nearly any doll, so I wouldn't let that worry you unless you want to give your doll a large wardrobe. (ie: My Seimei just doesn't look good in black and my El only looks good in black.)

Again, the sage advice offered to see if you can look at these dolls in person is the best bet, as taste varies by mileage.

However, whatever choice you make, good luck on it. =D And welcome to the hobby!

[Luckyl]

I think you can get a really nice doll for 200-250.00-either a new one or a used one. Sure, there are lots of really great dolls for 1,000 + too. But, I actually think if you find one that moves you for a decent price for your first one, then you can see how much you love BJD's and if it is a hobby that is a good fit for you.

I started off my collection with a lightly used doll I won off Ebay for much less than your starting price range and I could'nt be more pleased with her-even after finding out she is not one of the "hot" highly coveted dolls out there. She suits me perfectly, and I love that I did'nt have to spend a small fortune for her.

[Pixie Thief]

Hold out for one that you know you want. Really, really know it.

That's what I've been doing, anyhow. I've been waiting for well past a year for a good solid decision...and the right financial situation, but that's beside the point. (College loan bills hurt)

[Rosebud]

Actually I think a doll meet is probably a excellent way to go. I went to the one in Kansas City after Thanksgiving. The people there were great and showed off their dolls. The crowd wasn't very big because some of the people who were comming couldn't at the last minute. But if you go to a meet ask before hand if someone owns a doll you are interested in. I'm sure they would be glad to bring it so that you can see it in person. Pictures are great but see is believing. I really apreciated seeing their dolls.

[Stella Maris]

Yeah, I agree 100% with the meetup idea, but for me it is too see the actual doll sizes. That is the thing, some people are just attracted to certain sizes, and it is totally a personal affect.

[PawPaw]

Well, B&G dolls have MSDs for $170. They're really cute sculpts. But like others have said -- make SURE you absolutely LOVE the doll you're buying. It's absolutely not worth the money if it isn't your dream doll.

http://puddingdreams.livejournal.com/1327.html Here's B&G. ^^

[Janne]

I agree with the posters above - who have said it better than I could! Don't buy a doll only because you can afford it, wait for true love.

Go through the Gallery, go to doll meetups, look for the face you can't say no to, and be prepared to spoil them rotten with make-up, great eyes, a wig, shoes and clothing!

The meet-ups can really help you decide which size is right for you. A lot of people think they'll be fine with mini's or tinies, and then realize the larger dolls are really more suitable to be a presence in their life. (And it goes the other way, for some people. ^_^ )

Because there's so many dolls now, the resale market isn't great and if you buy the wrong doll you can't even count on getting your money back when you spot the one you love! So with the others here, I recommend waiting, research, and then maybe saving whatever it takes to get that one special face. (Or looking for a bargain in the marketplace, among the newly orphaned!)

[MosaicWolf]

Here are some important questions to ask yourself. Is your doll meant to be a specific character? If not, do you have a basic type of character in mind? You like the blue, so is this supposed to be a faerie of some sort, etc?

The reason those are important questions is because it determines how the doll will be dressed. The more specific their style, the harder it will be to find the sorts of clothes you want for them. If you have a very broad sense of style, then it doesn't matter as much what size you go for. However, if you want something more specific then you're either going to need to tailor for them yourself, or you would be wiser to choose a popular size that will be easier to find premade clothing for, as well as there being a large number of seamstresses you can commission from.

For the amount you mentioned, you can pretty easily obtain a mini-size doll, with several companies to choose from. I would also recommend a mini because they are a good size, as both tinies and 60cm-size dolls can be intimidating at first. While I respect the opinions of people that are encouraging you to find the One Mold, there's nothing wrong with wanting to dip your toe in, so to speak, and make a safe choice for your first outing. 'First outing', you ask?

This is your final warning, these things BREED like BUNNIES. XD

[javasoy]

Do you have a specific doll that you fell in love with already? If so, you probably should start saving if you don't have enough money. Never go for a doll because it's affordable.

If you don't have one in mind, here are some ideas $200 is about the range of a mini. If you are interested in a tiny they should be in the 150 range. What a lot of people do is get a nice head like Volks or Luts then get an affordable body from another maker and put them together. One popular match I have seen is matching a Luts doll head with Fantasy Doll body. Or you can just go for a Fantasy Doll altogether. I have found people buying a Fantasy Doll boy with the intension of matching the body to their floating heads and use the Fdoll head for face-up practice; only found themselves fall in love with the head so scratch the plan :) Fantasy Doll's site is www.fdoll.com (http://www.fdoll.com). They have a distributor in the US mint on card (http://www.mintoncardinc.com)

[tiggywinkletoo]

I love my Bobobie dolls. I have Rachael, Eric, and Erin. Mine are all ns but, if you like blue, go for it. if you sew, you can try the fabric against the skin color before you make the clothing,
If not, buy white clothes. That should work. :)

[javasoy]

One thing you can do actually is go to a BJD convention. A lot of vendors show up in those events to sell and display their products. There is one in TX every year (Ball jointed Doll convention) and one in Kentucky (ResinCon). There is also one in San Francisco every July though I forgot the name of the convention. There are other conventions you can go to too. Grant-A-Wish convention that takes place every spring in Michigan is a general doll convention with a charity benefit cause. There are quite a few BJD vendors starting to show up in that convention. There is a talk of another BJD convention being organized in Ohio by a group of collector on DoA, but probably won't happen until next year.

[justkatie179]

I agree with everyone - going to a meetup, big or small, is the best way to decide which doll you want. I have a Moona, who is adorable, but VERY tiny. She might be too small for you. Also, browse the galleries, both here and on DOA. It will give you great ideas on different faceup possibilities. Finally, and most important, be patient. Please don't go buy the first doll in your price range that you like. You might see one a few months later that you fall madly in love with, and could have gotten if you saved a little longer. Good luck!

[lin]

There's lots of good advice in this thread. I have so-called "cheap" dolls and also outrageously expensive dolls and the one thing I can tell you is that it isn't about the money. Wait until you find the doll that makes you gasp, then save for it if you must. I feel that way about all of my dolls. I'm delighted if the one I fall for is on the lower end of the price scale, but if it's not, I save until I can afford it, or put it on layaway (some companies and dealers/sellers will do this) and pay for it a little at a time. Even the less expensive ones cost too much to settle for something you like but don't love.

[april]

Blue skin can look better in some colors than others--but unless you are set on a color of clothing that won't look good, I'm sure you can just be choosy about the clothes and be quite happy. If you don't have the money to spend right and left, you should take your time and choose carefully anyway!

I have a Misty Blue Bambicrony--it's a light blue-green. I've seen them wear all kinds of colors. There are certain colors that I personally don't care for on them--but other people will happily put on their dolls--so I think it's just a personal thing!

I have a Bracken (boy doll to Moona). They are VERY tiny. But come with faceup, eyes and wigs--everything except clothes--and price includes the shipping--so you've got a doll ready to go for a good base price. Clothes can probably be pretty easily made... or some can be bought. Less expensive in the long run than the bigger dolls! But make sure the doll and the small size and the style is truly what you want first! (I love them, personally!--but I also do have larger dolls, and I really love having those, too.)

Follow the advise given above... Think about it carefully and you need to decide yourself what you really love. Having others recommend things really can't work since we all love and want different things! But try to budget your money--as someone said--taking into consideration the prices of eyes and wigs and shoes and clothes for the larger-sized dolls. And try not to rush into buying something. You've got your tax refund--you can hold onto it and maybe save up some more if you need to. If you really are thinking of only getting ONE doll--it's SO important that it's the right one! Do not just buy the cheapest because that's what you can afford now. Remember that you'll be needing more money eventually for eyes/clothes/wigs/shoes... and remember that it's your only one--so you must be happy with it! If you can save up another hundred or so and get the one you LOVE--it's worth it! You are already going to have a couple hundred invested in even a less-expensive doll--and that's nothing to sneeze at! So make it count. Good luck! :)

[Kokoryta]

If it was myself, for 250$ I'd buy a Puki fullset. Located here: http://efdoll.dreamweb.co.kr/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20071101105202
They are (very) tiny dolls, but a neat introduction to ball jointed dolls. The only problem with them is that they are -so- tiny you loose a lot of the greatness that the big dolls give (I particularly like lugging Dorian around in public and taking pictures of him in precarious situations :p ).

My first doll was a DOT Ducan (1/3 sized), I'd never been to a meetup, never seen a doll in person and never saw any owner pics. But, it was love at first sight and I don't regret it at all.

I do strongly suggest that you go to a meetup though, try to see as many dolls as you can so you can find the size you like and the style you like. Also do your research about the pros and cons of each mould you like- ie. DOT dolls tend to be really pink when they arrive, Luts dolls have really kicky legs and currently have the shittiest customer service known to the doll world, Bambicrony had lots of problems with their coloured resin, Dollzone used to copy moulds... etc etc

I was lucky with my Ducan, because I absolutely loved him the moment his naked skinny pink ass came out of the box. But, with the second doll I ordered (DIM Love Achernar) I was SO dissapointed in how the body, especially the wrists posed. I decided to sell the boy a week later. :doh

[Carolyn.S]

In mini size, here is a list of most of the least expensive companies:
http://www.abjds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2666

Also, the pairs of DOC dolls work out to under $250 each (except the dressed versions):
http://dreamofdoll.com/

In tinies, I think Fairyland Puki Puki and Felixdoll Momo (sold by Ajumapama) have amazing joints. I also think the little 12mm girls from Doll Factory are adorable but I know nothing about their posing (I would bet their bodies look and pose like the little animal dolls there). I don't know why the Felixdolls say bisque - looks like resin to me - ask to be sure.
http://efdoll.dreamweb.co.kr/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20071101105202
http://www.ajumapamausa.com/FELIX/FelixDolls2.html
http://edollfactory.com/

And I don't think there is anything wrong with buying a less expensive doll unless you buy it only because of its price.

Carolyn

[jinjur]

Look at lots of pictures. Size may be an issue, my girlfriend love a doll
but he is 60cm and is just to big for her to ever consider. The sad thing is
she loves everything about him but his size rules him out. I agree meets are a must to see dolls in person. Take lots of photos too so you can
go back later and look at them. Some sculpts will just call to you. I happen to like Luts. My friend would show me pictures and not knowing
who they were I would pic Luts dolls sculpts. Last save for the doll you
truly love or you'll buy one doll and THEN the doll you should have
bought first. I did that :( and I learned my lesson. Talk to people at
the meets too they will help as well.
Congrats on the new incoming doll whom ever it may be :)

[Sameyu]

Rather than looking at the price range, first try to find "the one" for you and try to save up more. The doll's needs are going to cost more than a bundle.

[kathrynmary]

i dont buy a doll thinking of cost. i have dolls that range from under $200 to a little over $500. some are limited some arent. i think buying a doll you love should be your first choice. i would rather put a deposit on a doll and wait to get one i love than settle and get a less expensive doll. that being said some dolls that i love in your price range are all tinies: puki (this doll is cute and poses really cool), all of carrie (tinybear on DOA) dolls but i especially love my blue resin bracken.

the first doll i wanted was that bambicrony colored resin elves but now im kinda glad i didnt get one because of the resin color problems. the next doll i wanted was pipos baha and i got a pink and then a black one. i still love this sculpt. i also love the dollstown soph- i have a thing for fantasy and she is such a pretty elf. i have never been to a meet up and just buy what i love.