Hello

Hello and welcome! Do you have a size in mind? The prices go up with scale, so if your idea is a 1/3 doll you are fairly limited, but with 1/4 and 1/6 there are way more options. I recommend to include at least company makeup in your budget, because a blank doll won't paint itself and it can be more expensive to paint it on your own due to materials; sending it to an artist is also more expensive than getting a company faceup.

For reference, a standard Barbie is 1/6 scale. 1/4 dolls are about 45cm and 1/3 is around 57-60cm. From 1/4 upwards they start feeling different in my opinion, because they have way more presence.
The real cost of dolls is clothes! You will want to get outfits, wigs, eyes and whatnot, so mind that.

Also I would suggest to avoid settling, if budget allows. If you are willing to save up for a doll you really love that costs a bit more, it's better to save up and go for that one. Many companies and dealers offer layaway plans and the wait times are quite long on average, so it's possible to spresd your payment over a few months.

Also it's worth considering what you have in mind to do with your dolls. If you want to play with them a lot and pose them around and take pictures, you might want to get a doll who poses well. Some companies prioritize aesthetics and their dolls are more of a display thing. This matters quite a bit in the long term so you might want to do as much research as possible.

There is also the 2nd hand market. Once you are enabled here on DOA it's worth looking that up and see if you find a good deal. One of my favorite dolls is 2nd hand and I paid for her less than half her original price.

 

Hello and welcome! It's a great time for getting into the hobby on a budget these days imo, especially if you are willing to look second hand. I think it's worth thinking what you'd like first because settling for the first affordable doll can end up disappointing (and then you just end up losing money selling it and buying something you'd have liked in the first place), but of course that doesn't mean you can't do it on your budget!

It might not be 100% up to date but there's a "dolls under $300" list in doa wiki which can be a good start. There are so many companies these days, so also browsing dealers like ACBJD and Legend Doll gives a good idea what's available new for what prices, and how much eyes, wigs, and other accessories add to it.

If you are interested in second hand dolls but are worried about legitimacy, Dollyteria is a great shop to look at - they make sure everything they sell is legit and have a lot of choice. DoA marketplace, once you have access, can also be a great source for second hand dolls.

And lastly, if all the new info gets overwhelming, Ara has compiled this great Big BJD FAQ that covers a lot of the hobby basics. It's worth it to take your time, do enough research and pick a doll you love, it'll make the hobby much more enjoyable

 

Welcome! I have been in the hobby for many years, and I tend to prefer cheaper or secondhand dolls. Two makers I can recommend from my experience are Doll Leaves and Angel of Dream, both available from acbjd.

 

Hello!

I absolutely love BJD - Alice's Collections - BJD Dolls, BJD Accessories
alice collections, they are easy to order from, have good communication, and good shipping prices. Some orders have free shipping. It’s a great place for all doll related items. They have discounts a lot.

Happy hunting wherever you look.

 

Welcome to the hobby! What everyone else had said is good advice! Budget is always important but if that’s all you take into consideration then you might not bond or like the doll as much.

My first experience with BJDs was Resinsoul. They tend to have very affordable dolls (though default faceups are a bit lacking) and since they’re affordable I never felt bad for playing and posing them. They resin is great quality and they have a great selection of size and styles.

Other than budget, was there anything else you would like specifically? I collect almost exclusively fantasy dolls, my collection is a lot of Dream Valleys. I love them so much.

 

Welcome in, not sure of affordable, but yes, small dolls are a bit easier to get if you are on a budget. That is how I started and now have two small dolls, a lati yellow Noa and an Alieen Doll Dragon Ash.