Copy Cat
By Toni
@toniganzon (77310)
Philippines
June 13, 2023 4:09am CST
Will you buy a copy of an authentic item when you can't afford the original one?
If you say yes, I won't judge you.
My answer to that question is no. I'd rather buy something that I can afford than buying a counterfeit or a copy of something.
In the case of reborn dolls, china copies of the original sculpt have been proliferating on amazon, shopee and Lazada by Chinese doll companies. One famous artist posted on her website that she doesn't have enough money to run after each and every single one of the companies. It would only bring her too much stress and cost her a lot. So she is pleading for people to stop patronizing those.
However, reborn dolls are quite expensive. Reborn dolls are not toys. It's an art and it's also called therapeutic dolls. They are realistic dolls and they have helped mothers and families heal from the loss of a baby. A lot of people cannot afford to buy from an artist and would get the doll from Amazon for less than a $100. Reborn doll price direct from an artist could range from $600 to more than $1000.
I can understand those people who are badly in need but couldn't afford it.
I am not a collector (yet), I am just someone missing a baby in my arms and having a reborn baby would bring me so much joy. However, I wouldn't buy a copy. I would rather not get one if I couldn't get the authentic reborn baby.
The photo attached is my unfinished Sophie, a Laura kit from The Bonnie Brown Collection, which was sent to me by my artist.
11 people like this
10 responses
@LadyDuck (502812)
• Italy
13 Jun 23
NO, I am against cheap imitations. If I cannot afford an authentic item I do not buy an imitation, I buy something cheaper but original. I know the price of an original reborn doll as I wanted to buy one for my mother. I have found one that looked a lot like my niece and the price quoted here was $ 750.
4 people like this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
14 Jun 23
Yeah I have always been against it too. And most especially with reborn dolls could I would be hurting the artist when I buy a stolen copy of their art work. I felt the pain when Bonnie Brown posted on her page when someone from the US copied her sculpt of a baby's limb. That person even insisted she designed it herself and she sent her sculpt to a factory in China. Bonnie sent her some documents and copies of proof and then after awhile she apologized. But when Bonnie asked her for the company name in China, she never gave it. And I know that Bonnie can never really stop those companies.
All the reborn artists in the Philippines buy a china copy of the reborn kits because most filipinos couldn't afford the original one. So when I told my artist I want a Laura kit, she told me the one she had isn't the original copy. I wasn't aware they were doing that then. But I appreciated her honesty. So I asked where I could get an authentic kit and she gave me the websites of Bonnie Brown's official resellers. She has only two official resellers outside of Australia, Macpherson Crafts and Irresistables. She has her own website but she only sells in Australia and New Zealand.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
14 Jun 23
@LadyDuck I would babe every embarrassed to wear a knock off. I support the artists.
There are a lot of machine made "reborn" dolls actually that is not a copy. I would probably get those instead. However, they don't look as realistic as the ones made by an artist. And I knew what I want in a reborn. So I am ok to save for an authentic one that would make me really happy.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502812)
• Italy
14 Jun 23
@toniganzon It is a shame that the original artwork of so many artists is copied and reproduced in China.
I have always been against this. If people were more responsible this would stop, but most people buy cheap imitation with the only purpose to "show off", women who want to make the others believe that they own a real Louis Vuitton bag and men a real Rolex watch.
Quite honestly, I can guess that it's a fake simply looking and the person who is wearing those things.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
13 Jun 23
I go for quality actually. That's my main reason for getting original items.
3 people like this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
13 Jun 23
@Neil43 That is the only right thing to do. I would rather buy a single piece that could last for many years than 10 pcs that could only last me a month.
1 person likes this
@Neil43 (4521)
•
13 Jun 23
@toniganzon I agree. I also go for quality and assurance that what I am wearing last long.
3 people like this
@PurnaSharma (2562)
• Guwahati, India
13 Jun 23
I completely respect your decision not to buy a copy or counterfeit item, even if you can't afford the original. It's important to prioritize authenticity and support the artists and creators behind the original works, especially when it comes to art forms like reborn dolls that hold significant meaning for individuals and families. Your dedication to obtaining an authentic reborn baby is admirable, and I hope you find the joy and comfort you seek. The photo of your unfinished Sophie is lovely, and I wish you all the best in completing your special doll.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
13 Jun 23
Thank you. I'm not the one who made her though. I bought the kit from Canada, Macpherson Crafts, and had it shipped to an artist that I commissioned to do the work. She is an authentic Bonnie Brown sculpt and she will be reborned by a local artist in this country.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
13 Jun 23
Oh no I will buy the very best if I can.
And the reason is because it will last, top quality.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
14 Jun 23
I have the same belief. I would not settle for less. I would save up for something that I could use for a long time.
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
13 Jun 23
I don't like to buy the imitations. I'd rather buy the competitor like World Balance if I cannot afford the Adi.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222806)
• United States
13 Jun 23
Sophie is looking so good. I wouldn't want a counterfeit item. I'd rather have an original.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
14 Jun 23
It makes me feel better to support an artist than to support a company from China that steals their work.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
13 Jun 23
No it isn't. In that photo she only has done the blushing and creases. No skin tone yet. She sent me a message yesterday that she is now doing the skin tone. It takes awhile to finish actually. She still has to micro root the hair and the eye lashes as well. What you're seeing in the photo is just her head and her hand. She's not fully assembled and weighted yet.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121144)
• United States
13 Jun 23
No, in general I would not buy an inauthentic copy of something I really wanted. It would probably just end up making me feel dissatisfied, and I would have wasted my money.
I really hope your reborn doll brings you the joy you want, and I am happy to hear you are able to afford the real thing. Your excitement is contagious. 
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
14 Jun 23
Yes, if I couldn't afford the authentic doll sculpt and the artist, I would really forego the doll. I can live without it. I'm just glad that I could.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
16 Jun 23
Even more so now with her skin tone. She's no longer pale. She has my color.
@JESSY3236 (22287)
• United States
13 Jun 23
In the tv show The Servant, they give a reborn doll to a mother who lost her baby. I have been watching the show. Some things don't mind having a copy of if I can get a cheaper price for something.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
14 Jun 23
I watched the Servant. I love the series on AppleTv.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77310)
• Philippines
21 Jun 23
@JESSY3236 I finished it when they released the season finale.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22287)
• United States
20 Jun 23
@toniganzon I have been watching it. I'm on season 2.
1 person likes this
