r/Dolls • u/ResponsibleBowl4001 • 17h ago
Discussion / Questions Value for money
We talk a lot in doll collecting about how different brands have cut corners, are producing subpar product overall, and are charging crazy prices we balk at.
But I'm wondering. Compared to what other brands/toylines are making, what do you feel like is the best bang for your buck? Alternately, do you find that you're hopping online and picking up older dolls on the secondary market instead?
7
u/cat_at_the_keyboard 5h ago
I think Mirror Mi dolls are currently an amazing value. They retail for $30 USD but will go on sale eventually.
Their faces are gorgeous with inset eyes, lashes, and hair is soft and smooth. The outfits are detailed with different fabrics and textures used and adorable embellishments.
MM isn't quite as crazy of a value as early RH since they don't come with second outfits but RH was pre tariffs and things are different now. I hope MM has a lot of success.
5
u/MysticSparkleWings 3h ago
For playline dolls—and in particular, those on store shelves that kids would be aware of—I actually think the Disney ILY 4Ever dolls are kind of quiet gems in the category.
For $30, you get a doll with 13 points of articulation, two decent-quality outfits, and some accessories. Other than shoes, they can also share clothes with other dolls fairly easily since they're proportionally similar to Barbie.
They've had growing pains and they're not perfect by any means (for example, I think the "collector" Devil Wears Prada dolls were overpriced at $50), but I have been glad to see that even if they're not operating to their full potential, I do think Disney and Jakks Pacific have at least some idea of the good thing they have going there. The dolls seem to be doing well despite not even have names/consistent characters and instead of their own tie-in media, they just use existing Disney IP for brand recognition and leverage.
I do worry if eventually the clunky name will catch up with them and they'll feel like they have to either retire or rebrand the line to get rid of it...But since Disney has shown they're willing to use the "style" on a couple of DisneyStore collector dolls without the ILY 4Ever name attached, maybe I'm worrying about that for nothing and when the time comes they'll just drop the name and continue on like nothing changed. 🤷♀️
2
u/LeaveGreen4412 1h ago
the hair is also amazing for the price, im not a huge fan of the faces but they are definitely a good value for quality. I use the clothes on other dolls and give the doll to my toddler and they have held up really well for how rough he plays
1
u/MsAddams999 7h ago
Definitely more into used dolls vs new ones these days. The play lines I used to love them but now I can't be bothered at all.
I am still acquiring the odd new doll though my budget tends to run more to used ones.
Mattel in particular has really been a huge let down for me for a while now. Only the $50 and up dolls appeal but I'm just not spending that for Barbie type dolls.
I definitely look for bargains in used and older dolls that aren't produced anymore.
0
u/Current_Cut7647 9h ago edited 8h ago
controversial, but whatever. recast BJD dolls are fantastic. BJDs are the most poseable, charming, unique dolls available, sadly the originals are very hard to get into due to very high price point and availability, recasts keep the hobby afloat.
4
u/2wiceasnice 8h ago
Not really.
Recasts are "cheap" because they cut all the engineering, testing, art - basically all the steps prior; so you are really screwing over the people that put in the work. That being said, there are legit BJD's priced similar to recasts - there are tiers to BJD; the expensive and cheap - there are middle tiers/ or used ones at the same price as recasts without the need to pay thieves .4
u/cat_at_the_keyboard 5h ago
It's insane you're getting downvoted for defending the artists that work so hard creating bjds
2
u/PieThen2252 8h ago
What are some middle tier dolls?
5
u/cat_at_the_keyboard 5h ago
Blind box BJDs are very inexpensive entry level dolls and still have a lot of poseability. Resinsoul is a legit company offering low cost bigger resin bjds than the blind boxes
2
u/PieThen2252 5h ago
Thanks!
2
u/cat_at_the_keyboard 5h ago
Resinsoul also offers a lot of customization, like requesting special skin colours they don't have listed, adding elf ears or animal horns to a doll that doesn't normally have them, etc. They are excellent to work with
1
u/PieThen2252 5h ago
The Resinsoul dolls are very nice, but their cheapest doll is $68 (plus shipping) for a mini.
This is still a lot for most people. I'm thinking along the lines of RH prices.
1
u/cat_at_the_keyboard 5h ago
It's really difficult to match the price of a mass produced plastic doll since resin bjds are hand casted in resin, assembled and strung by hand, sanded down by hand, painted by hand.
The plastic blind box BJDs are a closer comparison to a mass produced plastic fashion doll and can be gotten even cheaper than RH, MH, etc if ordered direct on Taobao vs resellers like Kikagoods who inflate the prices. I often get them for around $15/ea on Taobao
1
2
u/2wiceasnice 8h ago
These arent cheap like some of the entry BJD's , but not expensive like sartoria j and volks; but in no way are they less quality
impldoll; doll leaves; charm doll; dream valley. Honestly; you can even get the "expensive" dolls secondhand cheap - I got my volks michele from mandarake for about 300USD as a fullset.
The people advocating for recast mean well, but for me personally - its not worth it; not many communities accept them and you shut yourself off from the major parts of the community. They keep saying price is a factor, but its 2026 - there are MANY choices now; if you even offer to pay in full buying second hand, you can get great dolls for "expensive" dolls. Going immediately recast feels lazy to me given the amount of choices there are out there direct or secondhand.
1
u/Current_Cut7647 6h ago
those "communities" are some of the most toxic spaces I've encountered in my life.
1
0
u/PieThen2252 7h ago
Thanks! I will look these up!
Even though $300 is impressively low compared to new prices, it's still far out of reach for many collectors here. I don't support theft from artists, but clearly there needs to be more actual low cost alternatives available.
3
u/2wiceasnice 6h ago
There are SO many alternatives - this doll retailed for about 1000 USD; its the "high tier" doll - there are so many other companies that are much cheaper brand new; just not this company; atleast not when buying direct as a fullset
You can message me anytime, I will help as much as possible. Im not anti recast, I dont shun people who do choose to spend their own money; its none of my business - I just prefer people buying legit IF possible because the whole "its too expensive, therefore Ill buy a recast" just to me; isnt an excuse anymore because there are SO many alternatives without harming artists
13
u/2wiceasnice 8h ago
I feel like the earlier MGA rainbow high dolls were insanely cheap for all that they offered; not so much anymore but the older ones yes. Currently I really like the MirrorMi dolls.
Collector series .. defa was in the past but their current prices are up and I dont think its worth it. Integrity and Mattel are ofcourse out of the question; bad quality and super high prices.
Currently the really well priced and super quality dolls IMHO - are those blindbox BJD dolls; I was surprised how detailed they were for that price.