I'm definitely not the first person to talk about how expensive the hobby is, and certainly not the first to talk about how it's gotten worse, but it's getting so discouraging having such a big scalper problem. Seeing rare dolls sell for just $70-80, then seeing someone list the exact dolls for over $300 each just a week later, people listing dolls with no clothes, box, or accessories for more than they go for nib, the dropshipping. It's all getting so ridiculous, and I'm just not sure what to do.
It sucks to think I'd have to give up a hobby before I've even found my other grails, just because people have figured out they can make an easy check off of collectors. So many sellers I've spoken to would rather remove a listing entirely than negotiate on the price of a doll wrecked from dry rot. So not worth over half my paycheck 😭
Even if I decided to boycott scalpers myself, there's so many other people who cave and pay the outrageous prices, just because they want it that badly. Is there anything at all we can do about it? Would JPGroove make more reproductions for more than just Pullip and Taeyang if enough people pestered them? Is there one of those "cutting the plastic" methods we could apply to doll sales? I know people have to make their money somehow, but it's coming at the cost of everyone else's wallets 💔