Tips for Buying & Selling Dolls
This page is primarily intended to those new to the world of buying and selling dolls and to those who want to improve their satisfaction with the transaction process.
Buying and selling dolls is all about observations and information. Buying dolls online is always a bit of a gamble because you are limited to whatever information the seller provides. I scan the online offerings fairly regularly to see if there are interesting dolls to restore. Many times there is just too little information given to justify the price (plus shipping) being asked. Doll shows at least allow you access to the potential purchase and lack no shortage of experts to offer advice. Antique stores, rummage sales, and estate sales may provide access to the product but it is really up to the purchaser to know what they are getting into. Purchasing from an original owner often provides the opportunity to learn the entire history of the doll. The history of a doll enhances our fascination with the object itself.
Seeing, Smelling, Listening, and Touching
Seeing
Smelling
Listening
Touching
What is in a name?
Story
Pricing guides
Any repairs or modifications to a doll and its accessories should be described.
The title and description should include the make, model, and year of the doll. Height references are also important.
Buying and selling dolls is all about observations and information. Buying dolls online is always a bit of a gamble because you are limited to whatever information the seller provides. I scan the online offerings fairly regularly to see if there are interesting dolls to restore. Many times there is just too little information given to justify the price (plus shipping) being asked. Doll shows at least allow you access to the potential purchase and lack no shortage of experts to offer advice. Antique stores, rummage sales, and estate sales may provide access to the product but it is really up to the purchaser to know what they are getting into. Purchasing from an original owner often provides the opportunity to learn the entire history of the doll. The history of a doll enhances our fascination with the object itself.
Seeing, Smelling, Listening, and Touching
Seeing
- front, back
- clothes off - to see the condition of the clothing but also see if hidden defects such as HPD or missing digits
- battery covers and innards (look for corrosion)
- chips, cracks, scuffs, melt marks, tape, and stains (and what is missing - rooted hair, cut hair, eye lashes)
- fading and magic skin
- shrinkage
- hang tags and clothing tags
- boxes, accessories and instructions
Smelling
- odors from smoke and animals - often connected with clothing, hair, and any stuffing materials
- smells from the doll itself - HPD and anaerobic bacteria
Listening
- voices and criers
- rattles and grinding sounds
Touching
- actions work correctly (eyes, limbs, etc)
- loose joints
- mechanical buttons and electrical switches
- deteriorating rubber, sticky vinyl
- material: porcelain, composition, celluloid, rubber, hard plastic, wax, leather, wood, vinyl
What is in a name?
- misidentified (or misspelled)
- wrong clothing
- doll marks
- repros
Story
Pricing guides
Any repairs or modifications to a doll and its accessories should be described.
The title and description should include the make, model, and year of the doll. Height references are also important.