Common Newbie Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)

Blindly buying dolls on AliExpress

AliExpress is often one of the first places new collectors stumble across BJDs. In my newbie days it was eBay. Prices look appealing, photos look convincing,  the freebies are enticing and listings rarely explain what’s actually being sold. 

The problem is most BJDs sold on AliExpress are recasts. Recasts are unauthorized copies of original artists’ work. Buying one often happens unintentionally especially for beginners who don’t yet know how the market works.

What helps

Research the sculpt and company name before buying, check trusted community resources and databases. If the price seems dramatically lower than expected, pause and investigate. Most beginners who buy recasts didn’t do it maliciously they just didn’t have the information yet.

Buying the wrong size for your doll

 I even tried buying the wrong sized doll for my msd to have as a romantic partner. How awkward it would've been to have a 1/3 with a 1/4 doll. I even bought msd shoes for a SD doll before! OOPS! It's more common than you think! This happens constantly, even to experienced collectors.

BJDs don’t follow standard sizing, and measurements vary widely between different size categories (1/4, MSD, 1/3, etc.) Different body types within the same size and different companies entirely. A listing saying “MSD size” doesn’t guarantee a perfect fit.

Before buying check your doll’s exact measurements, (you can even Google the measurements of your exact sculpt now!) Read the listing carefully for intended body types, look for photos of the item on similar dolls.

Misunderstanding what’s included in an outfit listing

This is a very common beginner mistake and an easy one to make. Sometimes listings may show wigs, shoes, or props in photos that are not included. Use phrasing that’s easy to skim past when you’re excited.

Before purchasing read the description line by line

look for phrases like “outfit only,” “shoes not included,” or “display items not included” don’t rely solely on photos. With secondhand sale make sure to clarify what is included.

Customs, duties, and surprise fees

This one hits Canadians hard. Many beginners don’t realize import duties, taxes, and brokerage fees can be hundreds of dollars. I bought my grail from the EU once and the custom fees alone cost me $150! (This isn't unheard of or uncommon!)

Couriers (especially DHL, FedEx, UPS) often add extra fees. The final cost can be very different from checkout price. "The price you see is rarely the price you pay in Canada.” I recommend budgeting extra for customs $50-$100 (you are often charged extra around the holidays). Sometimes you are lucky and there isn't a custom fee but make sure to have the funds just in case. Learn which carriers tend to charge more and mentally prepare so it doesn’t ruin the excitement when the bill comes.  'Luck favors the prepared'.

Assuming US-based advice always applies

A lot of beginner advice online is US-centric. Some common Canadian surprises are: shops that don’t ship to Canada (like Mercari and other secondhand shops). On social media (i.e instagram), people won't ship to Canada as well. 

Free shipping thresholds that don’t apply to Canadians. (giveaways as well).  Return policies that are unrealistic internationally and payment methods that work differently. This is why Canadian-specific resources matter and gives you valuable knowledge. 

Currency conversion shock

New collectors often forget prices are usually in USD and EUR. PayPal and credit cards add conversion fees
“$300” can quietly become “$420 CAD”. Be very aware of the currency listed and the exchange rate. 

 

Limited local secondhand options

The Canadian secondhand market is small and there are fewer local meetups compared to US/EU. 
 We have higher shipping costs between provinces which can make Canadians feel isolated or cautious early on. There is hope and knowledge is power! 

Using PayPal Friends & Family for purchases

This one is important. Using Friends & Family (F&F) removes buyer protection. While some sellers request it to avoid fees, it means:

you cannot dispute the transaction

you have no recourse if the item never arrives

PayPal may not help if something goes wrong

For beginners especially, this can be risky. Best practice is to use Goods & Services for purchases whenever possible. Factor fees into your budget, be cautious if a seller insists on F&F only.

Protecting yourself financially is part of protecting your enjoyment of the hobby.

A final note

Despite what you may see floating around. Mistakes don’t disqualify you from the hobby. They mean you’re learning. Everyone starts somewhere and learning what to watch out for is a skill, not an instinct.