> How much time does it takes to find a dress in average?
Non dream dress: 1-8 months with low/medium searching.
Dream dress (usually more rare): about a year with medium/high searching
> How often do you check second hand sales?
When I was actively looking, one to three times a day depending on how I felt. Now I own all of my dream dresses, so I look once a day to window shop or find a few non dream dresses I would like to buy.
> The longest search: how much time did it take?
I think about 3 years. It was an AP teaparty exclusive release and I somehow managed to get it for a steal, it was a total fluke. Very rare and limited, hardly ever popped up for sale especially in the colorway I wanted. I was prepared to pay 600,00 - 1000,00 for it and searched every day, but by some stroke of luck bought it for retail in perfect condition.
> How do you keep yourself motivated when looking for something really obscure?
I actually find it kind of fun window shopping for lolita online so motivation isn't really an issue. Sometimes I'd look at photos/coords to inspire me a bit more, but also do not let myself obsess over not having it and just appreciate my wardrobe for what I already have.
If someone listed it and it sold before I saw it, I would be sad at the fact I didn't have a chance, but understand it was just not meant to be yet. One thing I realized after over a decade in this fashion is if you wait long enough, you can get any dream dress.