>>8026663I understand where you're coming from, those are fair points! BJD isn't my priority hobby, so I only usually buy stuff for it every so often. I'll do my best to give you a good answer.
BJDs are not mass-produced, but instead go through a process that involves things like sculpting, sanding, casting, stringing, etc. In a sense you're buying art and a labor of love. Not all bjds have a super expensive starting price point though, there's a LOT of cheaper legit BJDs. A lot of it varies by which company, what size doll you want, if you want to have it have a faceup and/or body blush, things like that. My cheapest (and first bjd) was about $150 for the doll, a couple sets of eyes, and a faceup.
There's also the option of hybriding (which is the head sculpt from one company + doll body of another company put together on one doll, both parts legit). It takes some research to do to see which companies have matching resin colors and good size ratios to each other (so I'm not sure if I'd recommend it to people newer to the hobby), but you can save some money that way as well while still getting a legit doll.
As for your question: By buying legit, you are paying for a product that a lot of time and care went into, as well as good quality materials. These artists care about their craft, otherwise they wouldn't be doing it. You give them the income they need to make more different sculpts in the future, and to expand on the creativity that goes on in this hobby. You get legit art/doll that you can customize however you'd like, and a product that was made from start to finish.
I hope this helps!
