if dolls were less expensive...

I probably wouldn't get more than I was planning, but I'd reach my max number more quickly. With the money saved, I could get them more clothes!

 

If the price is more affordable, definitely I will buy and have more dolls. But I will buy only that I really like. If not, I will running out of space and won't appreciate them anymore!

 

Honestly, I don't think I'd have many more dolls, because I generally only go for ones that I reeaaaally want, even if I can afford them. If the clothes and accessories were less expensive however...I'd go absolutely crazy with those. I've never had a lot of clothes for my boys, so I'd love to be able to spoil them!

 

OMG! I would have every Iplehouse ever made!

 

It may just depend on the person. As a child I played with barbie dolls, but I was always careful with them. I was also very picky on which ones I wanted. I even got three limited edition barbie dolls, the ones from around the world that weren't meant to be played with. I still have them all in a storage box as an adult, protected and neatly put away. I grew up with four other siblings so when we got something, usually it was the cheaper toys/dolls, we learned early to take care of it because it really wasn't something that happened very often. My barbies were very special to me as a child and still do have a special meaning for me as an adult.

As an adult now I am able to afford higher price points then my parents could, however, the price of an object has never really mattered to me. If BJDs were less expensive, yeah I would be able to afford more of them, but I wouldn't go crazy with it and I would still take good care of them.

 

pff i'd have over 100... if only they were cheaper ;_; but then again i dont think i'd like them as much, they would lose thier value :/

 

I would have more. I have always collected dolls of some kind. I prefer BJDs now because of the love and quality that goes into them, but even if the quality was a little less and they were cheaper, I would still get as many as I could reasonably afford.

 

I don't think I will buy more even if they are less expensive...I live in Hong Kong and most of the houses (or 'flat' actually) are super tiny.
Even if someone give me a 100 dolls as gifts I won't be able to house them. I need to throw away quite a lot of books and clothes just to make some space in the bookshelf for my 3 dolls, and I have to keep 4 floating heads in my closet. My maximum is like 8 dolls...(and that's is difficult enough)

 

Sometimes it kills me that outside bjd everything used and for sale are half the price most of the time but in our bjd hobby used are just the same as new even if their over used , but there's also really great deals hehe , you just have to look .. If minifees are cheaper I'd buy them all!

 

I would probably risk a little more, try to learn how to mod or to dye resin...

 

As with many people in this thread, I do feel that the hefty price tags and long waiting periods contribute to a greater appreciation of this hobby! However, it most certainly wouldn't hurt if prices were lowered just a little bit. I personally would still try to control myself even if they were easy to obtain, so I would try to keep it under 10 dolls. I currently only plan to have 2, but I would love to shell more of my OCs if given the chance, time, and money!

 

I'm conflicted. On one hand, yes a lower price would mean more dolls, but I also don't think I'd be as inclined to buy them because they aren't as rare. Sometimes I see Monster High dolls that I think are cute, but I don't end up buying them because everyone can get one and it's not as special. I also think that if they were cheaper they'd be marketed toward children...which is not what a bjd is, in my opinion. They're for adult collectors so I think they come with an "adult" price haha

 

I remember buying the Barbie collectibles, some with porcelain skin, in my early twenties, and thought at the time they were pretty expensive, average $80-$100 USC. I treated them way better than my plastic dolls, not even letting some out of their boxes. So I understand the hefty prices of BJD, but I also like that they are big and sturdy enough to play with. Do I wish they were less expensive, of course, but even though I will get to "play" with mine, they are also beautiful works of art.

 

Though a part of me instantly begins wish-listing at the thought of cheaper dolls, after thinking it through I fall on the side of the spectrum that says that part of what makes the dolls special is their price. Because I have to save up and pare down that wishlist to the ones I really, really want, it makes me far more attached to them than something I could run out and buy at Wal-mart. And because very cheap prices would make them less of a fine art object and more something marketed toward children--yes, that would make it considerably less appealing. (No offense meant to those who collect Barbies or similar dolls, but the idea of being in the same aisle with a child throwing a tantrum for the "it" doll of the moment sort of kills the mood for me.)

The realist in me also acknowledges that there would be no way to keep the same kind of quality, because it would definitely involve a move from small companies to giant, mass-production factories and that would just be...sad. Yes, they're expensive, but as it is now, we're also supporting a small but lively community of sculptors and artists.

 

I have dozens of dolls on my wishlist, Including pet dolls and a Dollmore Trinity or three...and if they cost the same as Barbies, I'd own them all, instead of just gazing at their promo pics and drooling!

 

Even if dolls were more affordable, I don't think anything would change about how I collect/interact with them.

I've often had dreams where BJDs are (relatively) cheap and readily available, and every single time I'm just as picky with them as I am now. (I think the only thing that'd really change is with all that money freed up they'd have pretty fantastic wardrobes!) It works for me because the thing that makes them special in my opinion isn't the price or exclusivity, but the range of customization and the time consuming work you have to put in to get them where you want them to be.

 

If the dolls were cheaper, I swear I would own 50 of them now.

 

I don't think it would change much? I enjoy dolls according to their sculpt, their overall quality, the character that can be created, etc... Price usually never comes first ; when it ends up being too high, I just pass on it and tend to have fun browsing owner pictures (*'▽')

Still, I'm always really happy to find a great deal ♥

 

For me currently, I feel that having them be really cheap like a barbie would probably make them less interesting. I have collected barbie like dolls in the past and they lose some of the fun since I can buy a bunch very quickly. I then lose interest in them since they no longer have as much value behind them. I didn't have to work to get them. I feel that that is an important part of the hobby for me.

 

I think I'd definitely have more, but would the quality be the same? The customization? Articulation? I do enjoy smaller, cheaper dolls (like Azones) but everything about SDs creates a great experience for me that is well worth the price. Heh, but my wallet can dream.

 

I would've probably bought a lot a long time ago! Haha.
But I feel like the price makes you more dedicated to this hobby.
And also brings about those close nit communities.
I feel if they were cheaper, we would lose that.
And the dolls wouldn't be treated as well as they are now, with costing so much.
Not only that, but we'd also lose the uniqueness of this hobby!

 

I think if dolls were less costly than the bjd community would grow a lot because I think that the how costly dolls are discourage from new people getting into the hobbies.

 

If the dolls were less expensive, I would buy more of them as long as they were still good quality. Also, I would be less concerned about things like how easy it is to make hybrids, find clothes that fit, or change out the eyes. Since the dolls are expensive and I can't afford a large number of them, I would like as many options as possible when it comes to changing a doll's appearence.

 

I'd buy an army of them!

 

I probably won't buy a lot of them because I carefully choose what I want for my doll family. Regardless of how much was it, as long as it's of good quality and is still made by various artists I think I would still love them. Also if they were less expensive, hopefully their wigs, clothes, shoes and accessories will be too~!

 

Heh, I actually do collect some lower-priced off-topic dolls, and I have fewer of them than I do BJDs, so I don't think the price is usually the deciding factor for me.

Honestly, I have too many dolls as it is, so even if they playline-Barbie-level cheap I doubt I'd buy more.

 

oh man if they were that cheap I would have a huge collection of dolls and I would have a bunch that I didn't quite connect with sitting in the closet and gathering dust or sold, if that was still possible. I am a semi impulsive buyer and it applies to the dolls as well, I'll see something that I sorta like and end up buying it. Right now I can't do that, it's not enough for a doll to just peak my interest, I need to think long and hard about the doll, whether I can afford him/her, do I have a rough idea of how I want to customise him/her, do I have a face with similar atheistic already, if so do I need another one etc But you know, a doll with the same face can end up looking so different depending on the face up, hair & eyes so it's never the same imagining how the doll is like without being able to hold it in your hands and really see & feel them. A picture is worth a thousand words, but that's no where near enough to describe a doll. So if I had the money, I would definitely go and buy every single doll that interests me and then sell them if I didn't bond with the doll. (or if they were as cheap as barbies, just keep them because I don't think I'll ever hate a doll)

 

I feel like I wouldn't have any interest, or maybe only a little, if they were cheaper. There's something about the cost and how they're made that makes them more than just an oversized Barbie. The saving up and constant hunting for dolls is more special to me than like going to a department store and picking one off the shelf. Each is made special for you if you buy from a company, and that makes them more special to me.

 

I think that if costs for material and labor went down, then I would consider picking up more BJDs. However, because of the artist-driven nature of BJDs, they will never be as cheap as regular dolls. Monster High dolls, Obitsus, and other BJD-like dolls fill in the gap pretty well. But even non-resin dolls from BJD companies tend to be at a price level that discourages people who aren't already into BJDs. A 200 dollar doll versus a 500 dollar doll still isn't affordable to many people.

 

There are sooo many dolls that I have fallen in love with and I have to think very long and hard before making a choice about which one I want most before making a purchase. If they were less expensive, I am pretty sure that I would buy lots and lots! I would hope that the clothes, wigs and shoes would be cheaper too so that I could do some major shopping sprees!

It's probably a very good thing they are not cheaper as I have limited space and my apartment would soon be over crowded.

 

I think I would feel less guilt!

 

Simplest answer: YES.

I have a love of Monster High fashion dolls, and I own a horde of them. So I think if BJDs were less expensive, I'd still want them. I think it'd make it easier to get into splurging and overbuying but HEY. Don't we all face that problem now?

 

I've wondered about this as well. If the quality was the same then I'm sure I'd still collect them, but I think the charm of the hobby wouldn't be what it is now. Idk it's hard to explain, but I'm sure this won't become a reality anytime soon haha

 

Price is the one of the reasons why I didn't get a whole population of them, but for me lack of space is the reason that stop me from buying more dolls. Dolls need space and their stuffs need even more space...I just can't stop buying stuffs for them. My family start to complaint about my dolls and their stuffs. That's the reason why I can't get more dolls.

 

i feel like, in a world where BJDs were significantly cheaper than they are now, I would probably obtain them a lot faster than I intend to presently. The ultimate size wouldn't really be affected - after all, I feel that would be more affected by the space that I have, which would probably only marginally be affected by the price of my hobbies. (I would hope anyways)
I would be buying up dolls a lot faster than I am though, which has its pros and its cons. One of my biggest goals entering the hobby has been to shell as many of my OCs as possible, while one of my biggest woes has been choosing who to prioritize. Do I get this character's doll because it is cheaper? Or do I shell this character because they are more dear to me? I could never even bear to look at limited sculpts, in fear that that would throw me out of whack much worse than I already am on this matter. I feel that in having cheaper BJDs all of this wouldn't be an issue, at least for me. I'd have basically all the dolls I would need to customize ready to go whenever.
However, it would definitely have its downsides as well. With so many dolls just there, I'd imagine at some point it would be overwhelming to know there are like a million doll projects waiting on me in my closet. My dolls would be pretty neglected, and few would probably even come into fruition for the vision I would have for them. Still, I probably wouldn't even think much about it because they didn't cost me months of saving and planning to obtain them. I'm certain I'd get to it at some point, but just as easily I could just buy a bunch more dolls.
So yeah... tldr, in a world of cheaper BJDs my obtaining dolls would be faster, but my finishing projects would probably be at a sluggish pace, if it even happened at all.

 

I feel like I'd still try to limit myself, but I'd have a ton. Even if the average price were closer to $200-300 (I only collect SD size), I'd have at least twice as many.

 

Lower cost would have its ups and downs. It would be amazing to save money on something I love so much, but even at the high ticket price, they are taking over my house. I have to stop myself.
As it is I don't feel to much of a burn shelling out cash for the dolls, I get my doll money by slowly selling off my massive Barbie collection. It makes me work for it. By the time I was done doing a sale when I wanted Iplehouse Falcon, I ended up paying $6 out of pocket, the rest was profits from dolls I just had laying around anyway.

 

I would buy quite a few of them and do epic photo stories!

 

If dolls were less expensive (say, Barbie priced) but kept their same quality I honestly think more cheaply made plastic dolls would be put out. I'd most definitely have more dolls.

 

If dolls were less expensive, I might(most definitely)would be known as the doll lady. I would have to get one of those storage shelters and make my dolls their own living quarters. Such a lovely thought!

 

If dolls were less expensive I suppose I would have more dolls. And moreover, I think I would be brave enough to mod them and give them endless amounts of tattoos lol

 

If bjd's we're less expensive I would still be hesitant to buy them.

I mean, I'm currently procrastinating on buying a couple of Made-to-Move barbies. And they're under $25!

 

I definitely think that if BJD's were cheaper, then I would have a lot more of them as it wouldn't be such a big deal when it came time to buy them...I also wouldn't be so afraid of buying them to find that I don't like them as much as I thought I would, because the money spend wouldn't have been so significant.

That being said, I think that I would eventually get bored of them if they were very cheap, as I'd be able to buy all the dolls I wanted when I wanted...so maybe the fact that they're expensive isn't such a bad thing!

 

I doubt I'd have more dolls but they'd definitely have WAY more stuff in terms of wigs, eyes, clothes, shoes, etc.

 

I think a big part of the hobby is working hard to earn the money to get a doll. This means since you have to work harder in my mind u think more about what doll u want. And because of this the doll becomes more special to you and reminds u of how hard u worked to get it.

 

If price wasn't an issue-- I'm pretty sure my dolly family would look a lot different. More of the ones I haven't bonded with would be in new homes& I would probably have twins/triplets/etc of the ones I do love-- but with different face ups haha.

I would definitely have more doll accessories and clothing though. Lots and lots of clothing and shoes

 

I don't think my population would get too huge, though I'd probably be more impulsive. I'd be more willing to experiment, for sure.

 

I just collect them if I do like them! It isn't how much they cost, is how nice they are to be your favorite! If they are not expensive and adorable? I will keep on buying those bjd which wins my heart until the ends. I would ready to get a room of bjd,hahaha ~

 

even if the doll is less expensive, I still think quality over quantity XD I will buy the one that I really2 love rather than just buy as many as I want :') because I really want to save the excitement when I receive the doll though XD

 

If they were cheaper I would have more and be more okay with doing mods. I'd probably still be in the hobby because the art and customization is what i love!

 

If dolls were less expensive, I think we'd have more of a community, which I would love. There'd be more people from more socioeconomic backgrounds enjoying dolls, and people would be able to spend more money on doll accessories, so we'd have more complete dolls! There would be more experimentation in styles for dolls, too. It's not that I'd want doll artists to be payed less, but if the price of resin lowered due to becoming more accessible and less hazardous as a material, I think both artists and customers could enjoy the hobby more! Casting would be much less risky and with less junk casts, and preorders wouldn't need as much money for up-and-coming artists, or a high preorder minimum.

I think overall we'd have less people pining over dolls and more people enjoying their collection of dolls :3 especially with limiteds...
I would have a few more dolls in my collection, as well as having more money to spend on photography equipment and sewing tools, as well as doll customisation supplies, so there would be a lot more to enjoy with them, and I would have more of a community presence and content to enjoy with other people.
I can see where to price being part of the appeal is from, though - dolls are very luxurious. It's a really nice feeling, depending on just how relatively expensive the luxury is! It'd be a slightly different hobby though, maybe more akin to silkstones or monster highs.

 

I would still want them and enjoy customising them (although I'd have to be careful not to buy too many, as I get overwhelmed easily; the actual price of them helps with that). However, I have to admit the cost/status of them is somewhat of a draw to me. Not in a materialistic or elitist way I don't think, more so that having to work to save for and be selective about choosing a doll makes them feel that bit more special.

I can see a lot of positives if they were cheaper from a community point of view though, as the poster above me has touched upon.

 

If dolls were cheaper I'd not waffle so much over it. Over company prices vs dealer prices, vs second hand market, "shit is that a recast?" worries ect.

 

id love them the same really. i just feel like more people would be into this hobby if it was less expensive. one of the things i hear from people outside of the hobby is ‘wow, expensive hobby’ lol. theyre not wronggg.

but i dont think id have more dolls, maybe a few more. i think id just have more money to spend on stuff for them and in general. i also wouldnt have to wait as long saving up for them, which would be nice.

but maybe the expensiveness is a good way to make people stay committed to the hobby? every cloud has a silver lining i guess lool.

 

well... if bjds are cheap, the everyone can buy them and buy a lot of them, then this hobby would be something that everyone can get into... in a way that makes for a bigger audiences & communities...

but then... as a hobbyist i would probably find it less fun.

it's like when a manga that i was following, that's famous among certain circles of people, suddenly exploded & became known by everyone even non-manga fans... i'd be like... dang now i don't like it as much anymore... that kind of feeling...

 

If our dolls were less expensive, like barbies, I probably wouldn't like them as much, because they'd probably be of a similar quality to a barbie, and I... don't like barbies. Resin is not cheap, the skill that goes into making the sculpts is not cheap, and I am very happy paying for quality.

 

I think if bjds were chesper my house would be overrun by dolls completly as i already collect other dolls to

 

I think they would lose a big part of their meaning. To me they are more as collections than toys. So their value play such a big part. Also I would have a house full if they were less expensive XD

 

If companies sold B-grade products (which some already kinda do) then I wouldn't mind if they were also priced cheaper. I'd buy a lot but issokkkk

 

If my OT 1/6 dolls are an indication. There's a population limit after a few got culled (15-18 now Obitsu and action figures mixture).
I would have to stick to specific characters or risk another population explosion since there's quite a number of sculpts out there that i'm fond of and most of them are either men in the 65-70cm range or a herd of varying 1/6 anthros. I'm rather limited where space in concern.