/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>16574997
There is no average price for custom heads on Y!Japan as it has huge fluctuations depending on many factors. There are completely plain looking ones that end up selling for 50-100k Yen and then there are some really pretty ones ending at 7-14k. It depends on who the artist is (if they're popular), if it was listed at an unfortunate time and nobody noticed, if there's a small flaw (it's usually hardly noticeable but will put off Japanese buyers because they're perfectionists) and generally depends on how lucky you are and how set you are on getting THAT particular head. Some even come with eyes and sometimes a wig or other accessories even.
Use a proxy, load up the most you're willing to blow and check listings daily by adding them to watch list.

Tips if you haven't used proxy services yet:
- Most auctions have a time extensions: if somebody bids in the last few minutes the timer extends for another 5-10 minutes, leading to a lot of frustration.
- There's always a better deal just around the corner. So once you win a head, stop looking at more/new listings solely out of curiosity until you're truly ready to get a new doll. Or you risk becoming an idiot like me, with over 10 floating heads. I should actually start selling some because I can't possibly deal with that many.

Personally the most I've spent on one head was 13k and the least was 4k (not counting a more expensive complete custom MDD), solely by being patient. And all of them are really good.

You can wait for the rare occasion a body pops up on Mandarake. Unless it's clearly stated otherwise, they're usually in very good condition and the shipping is cheap.
Depending on the skin tone, you can find relatively affordable normal skin ones at around 20k on Y!J.
Be careful to avoid the old body type and also to match skin tones of body and head.

Regarding wigs. I've got some from Mandarake as well, and while the photos may not be super accurate in representing color, I've only been disappointed with the quality once. Himekazura is nice enough, Volks can be better (look for SD or 8-9 inch).
Clothes are a story for another time. Acquire the head/body/wig/eye combo first, clothes shopping will be a relaxing activity compared to that stressful affair.
If you're careful and patient you should have no trouble assembling one for the 50k at your disposal.