It is not unnatural that the online sellers repent for not saving their Barbie Dolls when they come to know the big bucks behind pretty doll business.
Barbie, the doll which has been attracting the worldwide kids and elders since 1959, is available for wide range of prices from $5 to $5,000.
One has to know the nuances of doll business to buy or sell Barbies online. For example, just handful of profit you can see if you put up a classic Bubble-cut Barbie for sale at low opening bid with no reserve.
Web reference
Thanks to Internet, one can get lot of information, pictures, quotes and suggestions on doll collection through browsing hundreds of websites. However, three websites are worth watching for latest updates and vast information of Barbie dolls.
Doll Reference (http://www.dollreference.com/) is the best place to start off. This is a large, doll-collecting site, and the Barbie Menu is provided separately to find vintage Barbie & Friends of 1959 – 1976. There are more than 156 pages and nearly 2 thousand pictures in this section.
Official site for Mattel’s Barbie Dolls, Barbie Collectibles, (http://www.barbiecollectibles.com) cannot be ignored for your comprehensive information on Barbie Dolls business. From 1959 till today, it presents both classic and modern collection of Barbie Dolls and friends. Barbie fashions, newsletter to the members and space for showcasing member’s collection are the additional advantages of this website.
To get acquainted with the business lingo of Barbie Dolls, “Barbie Collecting Terminology” (http://www.dollectibles.com/terminology.htm) is a must watch. The website rolls out all kinds of letters/characters, abbreviations related to the title and their detailed information.
Tips to identify your Barbie
Markings encrypted on backside and back of the neck indicate the product details, in the absence of pictures. The condition of doll affects the cost like all other collectibles. Clothing, paint, torso, face and the condition of hair help you in determining the price. For a seller, it is important to know the advantages and disadvantage of these features. It is advisable that a buyer should ascertain the above, by sending an email or calling the seller if they are not found in the specifications.

It is a sad fact of life that some people are dishonest, others forgetful, and others misinformed about dolls. Just like in a real life transaction at a doll show or shop, you need to protect yourself from being “taken” by the less-than scrupulous when you buy or sell dolls on the Internet at such online auction houses like eBay or Amazon.com, or in person-to-person direct sales from web sites. Unlike real life, when you purchase a doll online, you can’t inspect it yourself. As a seller, your biggest fears are someone not paying you after the doll is sent, or someone returning a doll to you that is in worse condition than when you sent it. As a buyer, your biggest fear is getting NO doll at all after you have paid for it, or a doll that is in much worse condition than described. Here are some things you can do to help protect yourself in online transactions, as both a buyer and a seller:

BUYING:
1. Get REFERENCES: If you are dealing with an unknown person or entity, find out the names of other people who have had successful online transactions with the seller, and CONTACT THEM, via e-mail or phone.
2. Send a CHECK, and not a money order, whenever possible (this is the reverse of what you would prefer as a seller). You can stop a check, but there is little you can do about a money order if things go bad in the middle of a deal.
3. Get EXTENSIVE DESCRIPTIONS. Ask questions if the initial description is not detailed enough, and make sure you receive answers. If you sense resistance, or receive evasiveness or vague answers, PASS.
4. Get PICTURES whenever possible. If the seller is not equipped to send them via e-mail, then request them via snail mail (computer-speak for US Postal Service).
5. Get a RETURN PRIVILEGE; You WILL get dolls that are over-optimistically described, and you WILL use this privilege if you buy many dolls online.
6. Use COMMON SENSE: If something feels “off” about the doll, the seller, or the transaction, or you just get a bad feeling, LISTEN to your inner self, and pass on the doll. It isn’t worth taking a chance, and your inner warning system is usually reliable. The few times I have been “burnt” on a doll, if I had paid attention to my misgivings, I wouldn’t have been!
7. Don’t be RUSHED: If the seller is in an undue rush (desperate for money; family emergency, raising cash), your warning system should go off. Another doll will come along; PASS
8. Get a PHONE NUMBER and an ADDRESS. Don’t rely on an e-mail address and a post-office box; both can be ignored or disappear. Call the phone number.
9. KEEP CORRESPONDENCE: Keep all computerized correspondence until the doll is delivered, in case there is a dispute.
10. Do NOT Take Part In A THIRD PARTY Transaction: Don’t buy a doll from x who is either selling or shipping it for y. This is a recipe for disaster; you can get caught in the middle of a dispute between the two parties. This has happened to me; a lady went on a long vacation, left a doll with a friend to ship when my $$ were received. They had a dispute over postage and shipping costs (and, she stiffed her friend on the electricity bill). I had to pay postage and handling on the doll AGAIN (my cheapest option to get out of this), while the two parties continued to argue and I didn’t get my doll for nearly a month!
11. Does The Transaction Sound Too Good To Be True? Is someone offering you a perfect Jumeau for $500? RUN, quickly, in the opposite computerized direction.
12. Don’t Buy Dolls that are TOO EXPENSIVE Online: Set a limit that won’t be TOO painful if all of your precautions are of no use, and you get stuck with the dog doll of the century, or, even worse, no doll at all after payment. Remember, only YOU know what is too big a risk for you to take–for one person, it might be $50. For another, $5,000.
13. SHIPPING INSURANCE: It is a good idea to have this, in case your doll is lost or damaged in transit.
SELLING:
1. Get REFERENCES. Does the buyer pay their bills? Get e-mail and phone references from online transactions to make sure.
2. MONEY ORDERS AND CHECK CLEARANCE: When you sell, money orders are best for YOU. Money Orders are best. If you accept checks, make 100% sure it has cleared your bank before you ship the doll.
.3 Get a PHONE NUMBER and ACTUAL ADDRESS. Don’t rely on an e-mail address and post office box or a PMB. Call the phone number.
4. DISCLOSE ALL FLAWS: As mentioned above. Be 100% honest, or you will end up with unsuccessful transactions and returns!
5. Have POLICIES ON PAYMENT: Also as mentioned above, and stick to them
6. Offer a RETURN POLICY–I offer return for anything that is NOT as described (purchaser finds a flaw I didn’t describe, etc.) and a more liberal policy if asked for it up front.
7. Keep CORRESPONDENCE, DOCUMENTATION AND PICTURES: Since you DO offer a return policy, you need to protect yourself against the unscrupulous buyer who may return to you a DIFFERENT doll of the same type, which is in worse condition than yours (this is not very common, but could happen). I know one lady who sent out a mint #6 vintage Barbie, and what was returned to her was a very played with #6 Barbie. At least until the transaction is successfully completed, keep everything in case of a dispute.
8. Make The Buyer Purchase SHIPPING INSURANCE. It will help you have peace of mind, in case the box doesn’t arrive. Also, it gives you proof of successful delivery.
9. Ship PROMPTLY, and let your customer know when to expect shipment. If you are going on a one week vacation, and can’t ship that week, let your buyers know in ADVANCE so they don’t get nervous when their e-mails to you aren’t answered.
10. UPS VS. US MAIL?: This is a personal choice; I have had good luck with Priority Mail, Insured. My UPS packages are often received more mangled than my post office ones, because UPS ships so many heavy packages. BUT, UPS has a marvelous tracking service; you can track a package with your computer. So, for my very expensive or large dolls, I DO use UPS. Both services offer return receipts for a fee, and for expensive dolls, I would purchase this extra peace of mind.
11. PACK the doll well. You DO NOT want to have an expensive doll ruined in transit. You will have a headache to deal with, a ruined sale, and an unhappy customer.
I hope these tips are helpful; in future articles, we will cover buying and selling dolls via eBay and other online auctons, as well as buying and selling dolls via other methods on the Internet.

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The first Barbie was made by Mattel in 1959 and since then millions have been sold all over the world. Her official birthday is March 9th 1959 when she was exhibited at the New York Toy Fair. She was dressed in a black and white zebra striped one piece swim suit,open toe high heeled shoes,hoop earrings and white sunglasses with blue lenses. She has blonde or brunette hair in a ponytail at the back. She has white irises and very arched eyebrows. The plastic had a tendency to fade and is usually white now. She has holes in her feet for mounting on a pedestal and copper tubing in the legs. She is marked JAPAN on the bottom of her right foot. On the back she is marked Barbie TM Pats. Pend. Copyright MCMVIII. Find one of these in good shape and you have a collectors dream which they will pay quite a bit of money for. The exact value depends very much on condition and completeness. Damage or missing parts will downgrade your doll severely. She is known as the #1 Ponytail Barbie.

The #2 Ponytail Barbie is identical to #1 with the exception that there are no holes in her feet and no copper tubing. The pedestal is made with extensions to hold her up. She is marked the same as #1. Ads by Google

The #3 Ponytail Barbie is identical to #2 except for blue irises and different eyebrows. This Barbie has either blue or brown eyeliner.

The #4 Ponytail Barbie is made from a type of plastic which does not fade and retains its original flesh color. She is made up with blue eyeliner.

The #5 Ponytail Barbie has a hollow plastic body rather than the solid body of earlier editions. The markings are similar but she is now marked R Pats. Pend. rather than TM Pats. Pend. A new hair color known as titian was introduced and dolls with this color hair are scarce and more valuable than the blonde or brunette. There was a problem with the plastic in some of these dolls which gives them a greasy appearance. If you find one with the original matte face it is more valuable than a “greasy” faced doll.

The #6 Ponytail Barbie has a different vinyl which does not become greasy with time. Her fingernails and lips are a pinkish red instead of the earlier bright red. She is dressed in a red swimsuit and red open toed shoes.

The #7 Barbie was made in several hair colors including ash blonde,lemon blonde,titian and brunette. Her nails and lips are orange red (coral). This changeover took place in the 1962-1963 period and the mark was changed to Midge TM copyright 1962/Barbie copyright 1958 by Mattel. The dolls with this new mark are referred to as the #7 Barbie usually,but some still call them #6. Dolls produced in 1962 before the changeover are scarce and more valuable than the new edition.

In valuing collectible Barbie dolls condition is the all important factor. A doll which is complete,not damaged and clean will fetch a premium price. If the doll is mint in the original packaging it is extremely desirable to collectors and will be priced accordingly. Dolls which have been restored or repainted are worth less than if left in the original faded condition.

Where can you buy old collectible Barbie dolls? Well just about anywhere if you know what to look for. Most people are totally unaware of what an old Barbie doll looks like or that it could be worth quite a bit of money. You can find them occasionally by searching garage sales,flea markets, and thrift or second hand stores. Take your magnifying glass along when you go treasure hunting so that you can read the markings on the dolls. Good luck.

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Stylish Barbie dolls: Little girls want to imitate their mothers and dress-up like them to fulfill their desire. They also want to fulfill their desires to dress-up someone small as their mom dresses-up them. So they simply buy stylish Barbie dolls to dress them-up like they are done by their mothers.

Doctor Barbie doll: some girls like to have some professional Barbie doll like doctor or fashion designer or any other profession dolls. Girls want to enact the profession along with them and have fun in the process. There are all sorts of Barbie dolls available in the toy store to allure girls and make them buy such gifts.

Accessories: Special Barbie dolls accessories and dresses are also available to dress them up as per the childs desire and spend hours and hours in the session.

Traditional Barbie dolls: Now days, Barbie dolls are available according to different places say an Indian Barbie, a Japanese Barbie, a Malaysian Barbie, etc. Amongst Indian Barbie, some are Punjabi, Malayalam, and many more.

Barbie dolls are available with the desired accessories to dress them up and have loads of fun. Girls love to spend hours and hours with their Barbie dolls. Some girls in fact most girls do not need a company when they are with their Barbie.

Barbie dolls have special doll houses also. There is musical Barbie who can dance and sing also. Such dolls entertain the girls and are a big company to the otherwise boring atmosphere. Little girls are simply crazy about them.

Barbie dolls are a great companion also. Many girls sleep with them to have a company at night.

These are available in the market in toy stores and in the departmental stores also. Many people buy Barbie online through online shopping portals also. They have the facility to buy the doll right from home without any problem. They can buy the choicest doll from the wide range of options available online.

Author: Devika Rajpali is a well known author and has written articles on barbie dolls, baby gifts, soft toys, and many other subjects.

COLLECTING BARBIE

What begins as a mere hobby of collecting Barbie dolls can actually be a great investment if not, a career itself. Being one of the most sought-after products in the world of doll industry, a Barbie doll has definitely a great potential because of its increasing value.

Today, most of Barbie dolls created by Mattel, Inc. are Collector or Limited Editions. So if you’re planning to become a Barbie collector yourself, you must remember these tips:

1. Make sure that you stay informed about the latest in the world of Barbie Collections. You can do this by surfing the Net about the latest items, auctions and price ranges.

2. Take time to read books and magazines. Reading books about doll collecting can give you better ideas what to look for when buying a vintage doll such as Barbie. Collecting and reading magazines that contain articles about Barbie collectors and collecting can also help you find rare and valuable pieces.

3. Try to go to shows. Shows that feature Barbie and Barbie collectors will give better view on the prospective career.

4. Look and join local clubs. Barbie collectors clubs are popular nowadays. If you can join at least one or two, you can get the latest updates in the world of Barbie collectors in your area or around the world.

5. Make sure that you know and you are updated with prices. Being updated with the prices of certain Barbie pieces can help you determine if the item you’ve seen in a flea market or a store is worth your money.

6. Familiarize yourself with the Barbie doll’s qualities, uniqueness, and workmanship. Getting the facts about the Barbie doll’s unique characteristics and workmanship will help you identify its present and future value.

7. Buy those pieces that appeal to you the most. This will develop your keen eye in knowing what is valuable or not.

To help Barbie collectors, Barbie Collector introduced a color-coded “tier structure” in 2004. This system offers tiers that represent an identifiable level of doll collecting and also comes with special retail destinations and elegant packaging designs. The system sets label colors to segment Barbie Collector dolls that include Pink Label, Silver Label, Gold Label and Platinum Label.

Stamps may be the number one collector craze in the world but in a few years, second place Barbie dolls may just take the crown.

Unbeknownst to everyone, her full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts. She was named by her creator Ruth Handler after her daughter Barbara. She purportedly came from Willows, Wisconsin. She has five sisters, Skipper, Tutti, Stacie, Kelly and Krissy. The first Barbie retailed for just three dollars and sold 351,000 in its first year.

With thousands of Barbie doll models, there is a Barbie for everyone. There are even Barbie dolls that depict real life people and movie characters. In fact, the first celebrity that Barbie represented is fashion model Twiggy in 1967. These kinds are collectibles and are pretty expensive compared to the average Barbie doll.

The doll made its debut in the market in 1959. And if she is a real person, she is the most accomplished one, having over 80 careers including an astronaut, a doctor, a paleontologist, a lawyer and even a presidential candidate in 1992 and ran again in 2000.

She even became a medical sergeant and joined the army in 1992. After which she joined the Air Force, the Navy, and the Marine Corps. The uniforms for these series of military Barbies even underwent approvals from the pentagon to ensure that the uniforms are authentic. The first career, however, that she ventured into is, surprise, surprise, a fashion model. Barbie became an Olympic swimmer and competed in swimming in 2000.

Among the really collectible barbies are the models called Summit Barbie, which were introduced in the 1980s to commemorate the end of the US-Soviet Union cold war. The friendship (Freundshcafts) Barbie, on the other hand, was created to commemorate the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.

Another collectible is the Share A Smile Becky which was introduced in the market in 1997. Share a Smile Becky is the first fashion doll that has a wheelchair.
Barbie also came out with a series called Dolls of the World, which featured the dolls in different costumes. Italy was the first country that she represented in the collection. Black and Hispanic Barbies were introduced in 1980.

Other collectibles are the series that featured the collections of premiere Hollywood couturiers, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabana, Gucci, Versace and Vera Wang.

The best-selling Barbie in history is the “Totally-Hair” Barbie, which has hair from the top of ther head to her toes.

By: Low Jeremy

Each year, special outfits and accessories have been made available to little girls and collectors alike. In addition to clothing, shoes, and other fashion accessories, Barbie dolls also come with cars, patio furniture, houses, pool side equipment, and pretty much anything else imaginable, creating a wide range of imaginative play opportunities.

Barbie Toy Reviews

The best way for parents and collectors to discover what is available in the world of Barbie games, toys, and fashions is to make use of online Barbie toy review sites. Barbie toy review sites provide a wealth of information, as well as ordering opportunities. With so many Barbie games to choose from, toy review sites offer shopping by category, customer comment sections, toy ratings, and age recommendations.

The range of information and accessibility made possible through toy review sites makes them the best place to look for Barbie games, toys, fashions, and everything else Barbie. The latest additions, trends, and product reviews give parents and collectors all of the information they need to keep their Barbie game collection up to date and complete.

So Much More Than Fashion

Playing with Barbie games, dolls, and clothing is so much more than fashion. Playing with Barbie games and clothing allows little girls to interact with their friends, to create their own style, and explore the possibilities of color, texture, and form, all while having a great time. Little girls learn how to mix and match a variety of materials, colors, and styles, all while developing the finger and hand dexterity they will need in school to develop their writing skills.

Eye-hand coordination is only one of the useful skills little girls learn as they play with Barbie games, dolls, and clothing. New Barbie games include household items, digital learning tools, musical instruments, hair braiding, dying and styling opportunities, and so much more. This is not merely dressing up a doll and tucking her in bed for a nap. Barbie games provide little girls with a basis for social interactions, artistic development, and self expression.

Collections, Play, And Outdoor Activities

Styling stations, learning games, videos and DVDs, play along guitars, and even a digital fingernail printer are just a few of the Barbie games available through toy review sites today. Little girls can create outdoor play and beauty stations, drive a Barbie car, or simply sit under a shady tree with their friends and compare fashion notes among other topics.

Collectors know all too well how the price of Barbie games, dolls, and fashions continues to rise. Staying abreast of what is available and what is about to be released allows collectors to make the best purchase choices possible. Again, toy review sites provide the information buyers need to get the best deals possible on Barbie games, toys, and fashions.

By: Christine Harrell

Classic Barbies: Like Fine Wine

Vintage Barbie Dolls are those that were produced before 1972, therefore, the date that a Barbie was manufactured is essential to see its value. Before you start wasting a lot of time or energy on any Barbie doll, be sure to check out the date of the copyright. Obviously, the date will indicate the age and value of the doll. Usually, youll see that vintage Barbie dolls which might be valued the most have markings with “1958″ or “Japan” stamped at the rear end or it’s marked at the bottom of one of the feat. Remember that vintage Barbie dolls are like fine wine, they get more precious with age.

Classic Barbie Dolls: Its All About Appearance

By far the most crucial factors in Barbie valuation is the all round condition of the Barbie doll. Traditional Barbie dolls are getting more prized as time go by and dolls in decent condition have grown to be increasingly scarce. Vintage dolls often exhibit discoloration, neck splits, body splits, matted hair, chipping lips, damaged texture and more, so it’s essential to meticulously evaluate the condition of the doll. The components used in the production of the vintage Barbie dolls were not the most suitable, so it’s expected to see some flaws but finding vintage dolls with few issues is prefered. Subsequently, if a vintage doll is in very poor condition you can also consider buying the doll for parts too.

Its Not Simply the Vintage Barbie Doll: Grab the Accessories

When evaluating vintage Barbie dolls it’s not merely the doll, but the supplemental items are also important. Barbie clothing, outfits, shoes and even packaging can make or break the valuation of an item. Because of this, educated collectors recognize that by being attentive to the existence and condition of all of the Barbie doll extras can mean big money. Some homework on the vintage Barbie styles and costumes will put you in a smart position to benefit from uncovering a doll with some uncommon accessories.

Find a Lottery Ticket with Metal Tubes

If youre lucky enough to run across a vintage Barbie doll which has metal tubes embedded in her feet, you may be facing an original Barbie doll. The first Barbies were constructed with very particular facial features, dark eye make-up, hair and metal tubes in their feet. Now the rarest among all of the Barbies, the first doll exhibits stock #850 and the tubes, which were intended to help the doll to stand erect on a stand that accompanied the first doll. The doll and stand are really rare and valued by collectors.

The Vintage Barbie Doll Brand: Mattel

Looking for the Mattel brand is critical, so be certain that any Barbie doll that youre assessing is clearly identified as being crafted by Mattel. This is a crucial guideline; there are many fakes and replicas that unsophisticated collectors can easily mistake as a true Barbie doll, so look for the Mattel, Inc. brand to stay out of trouble.

Collecting the classic Barbie dolls can be quite a fun and lucrative hobby, but its not hard to come across pitfalls. Employing these 5 simple tips can help you avoid blunders and make sensible decisions that will help successfully improve your collection.

By: Emma Wills

For Barbie fans, the state of affairs between Barbie and Ken leaves cause for concern. Together for 43 years, the famous couple called it quits in 2004. Many long-time devotees to Barbie games were shocked when the long-term couple split, but others claim to have seen the end coming well before it arrived. Apart now for four years, there are rumors that Barbie and Ken have been spotted together more frequently. These are lending fuel to gossip that the pair might be seeking reconciliation.

The two plastic celebrities met on the set of a television commercial in 1961, and have been together ever since. Despite many well publicized balls, parties, and special occasions, the pair never married and finally reached a point where they needed a bit of distance from each other. There were rumors at the time of the break-up that both parties were seeking attention from newer dolls, but no new relationships ever came from that gossip.

The New Ken
In 2004, Ken left Barbie amicably seeking a new single life. In 2006, he returned more muscular and attractive than ever. While nothing is sure regarding the two years he was out of the spotlight, its obvious at least some of his time was used to develop a new physique and a new style.

When Ken came back into Barbies social arena, he was immediately in competition with other fit, attractive types, and Barbie stayed cool. Or at least she appeared to at the time. She complimented his new look through her publicist, but didnt seem to return his renewed affections. In 2007, however, Barbie made a few changes in her life. She developed a fitter, more natural look and took on some of the latest styles. She changed careers (again) and made new friends. And most importantly, the small changes shes made seem to have brought Barbie back into the dating game.

The New Barbie
When a woman feels good about herself, her self esteem ratchets up and so does her general state of productivity and happiness. Barbie looks good and feels great, and the men in her life including Ken are definitely taking notice.

Over the last year, Barbie and Ken have been seen leaving stores together and appearing together in television spots. The pair was thought to have reconciled in 2006, but all evidence now shows that the two might indeed be reaching a new level of commitment in their relationship in 2008.

The New Relationship
Barbie is a new woman, proud of her figure and her accomplishments. On her own for the first time in four decades, she showed the world that a woman can survive and most definitely thrive on her own. Being apart gave both Barbie and Ken a golden opportunity to redefine themselves and seek new beginnings. And now that they have new outlooks on life, they also seem to have a very positive outlook on their future together. We wish them the best of luck.

Author: Lea Smith

Who wouldnt know Barbie? The most popular doll in the world, Barbie has been a fashion icon for fifty years. Barbie or Barbara Millicent Roberts was first introduced in the market in the year 1959. Over the years Barbie has appeared as a businesswoman, doctor, flight stewardess, athlete and many others. There was even a Filipina Barbie who has a very tan skin and was portraying a role of a Filipina bride. She has even starred in the movie like Barbie of Swan Lake, Barbie in the Nutcracker, Barbie as Rapunzel, and Barbie and The Diamond Castle.

When I was a little girl I used to play Barbie games with my friends. We dress up our Barbie dolls with different kinds of cute outfits. I remember having my Barbie doll dressed as a rock star! For me that was indeed the best dress I have for my precious doll. Aside from dressing her up we also do her hair. I personally like my Barbies hair tied up in a bun.

Nowadays, Barbie games are perfect bonding time for mothers and daughters. It is one way to reach out, to make their relationship stronger and let their little princess feel how special they are.

Below are some practical suggestions that you can apply in your playtime. All you need are funky wardrobes, fabulous accessories like bracelets, necklaces, earrings and much more. Add up make up, glitters, lip gloss and your ready.

This is called the Dress me up like Barbie Game. This is a very imaginative Barbie game which can let your daughter enjoy and be creative at the same time. To dress up your daughter like Barbie, first you must picture out an image of Barbie you would like to imitate. Think pink the color of Barbie. Think fashion and glamour.

A perfect Barbie get up I would like to suggest is Barbie as the Swan princess. Pick out your daughters old gown and jazz it up to make it look like Barbie in the Swan Princess. Put make up on her to make her look like a real Swan Princess. After that, make her trot like a real fashion model around the house. Capture her perfect model moments using your digital camera to preserve your sweet memories together.

Another adorable suggestion for a Dress me up Like Barbie Game is Barbie as Thumbelina. To make it more meaningful you could first watch the movie together. After that ask her to pick out dresses from her closet that would make her look like a Thumbelina Barbie. Be creative and make her a cute pair of wings to perfect her Thumbelina look.

Dress me up like Barbie games are perfect bonding time for mother and daughter. It creates a fun and exciting experience and makes the bond stronger and lets them enjoy each others company. Togetherness is the key to a happier relationship. Just be imaginative and creative to make your playtime your ultimate bonding time.

Author: Alexa Swan

1. Currently available consumers goods. This is a price- driven model, and although smart sellers can earn above- average prices, buyers are there looking for a bargain and price is the #1 consideration.

2. Other buyers are collectors, looking for one-of-a-kind unique items that they can’t locate elsewhere. Here, price isn’t as important as it is with consumer goods. The power of this market is obvious because, before eBay and the Internet, most collectors were confined to a local market.

Dolls have always been big sellers as eBay collectibles and eight of them are especially strong sellers:

1. The Cabbage Patch Kids began in 1978 and are never “sold”. They are ‘born’ at Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia and proud parents pay an ‘adoption fee’. The Cabbage Patch Kids were one of the greatest toy phenomenons of the later 20th century. At one time, it was a common sight to see grown women shopping and lunching with their babies in hand. In restaurants, the Kids had their own chairs and were always appropriately dressed for the weather.

2. Precious Moments began in the early 1970s when creator Sam Butcher began drawing the endearing teardrop-eye children as gifts for family and friends. Today Sam’s Precious Moments artwork is among the most recognized in the world, and eBay prices reflect this popularity.

3. Madame Alexander dolls were created in 1923. These beloved dolls range from Charlie Brown to babies and children to elegant dressed women to glamorous and famous women like Greta Garbo and Judy Garland. With all the varieties of costumes, a single doll can be a 1920s flapper as easily as a member of the court of Louis XIV.

4. Lee Middleton dolls, according to legend, are so real in appearance that grown men sent for a rescue squad to save “the baby” from a locked car! Mistaken identity is supposedly a frequent occurrence and the dolls have been counted as “passengers” on airplanes and rescued from store countertops to prevent the ‘baby’ from falling. As one happy owner says, “These dolls are so lifelike it’s uncanny.”

5. American Girl dolls are loved by millions of little girls (and grown ups, too!) They are not only from different times and places, but are ethnically diverse: Felicity from colonial Virginia; Josephina from the 1830′s in New Mexico; Kirsten is “a pioneer girl of strength and spirit growing up in Minnesota in 1854″; Addy is alive in the 186o’s, having escaped from slavery with her mother; Samantha is “a bright Victorian girl living with her wealthy grandmother in 1904″; Kit is growing up in 193os, during America’s Great Depression; Molly lives in the 1940′s while her dad is away at war; Kaya is a Nez Perce Indian living in the northwest.

6. Hasbro dolls are one of the products of the gigantic Hasbro company, who claim to have been making toys for eight generations, including famous games like Monopoly, Scrabble and Clue.

7. Bratz dolls, unlike older dolls like Madame Alexander and Cabbage Patch Kids, have no long history as favorite toys or collectibles. Nevertheless, their price has astonished eBay sellers and the Bratz collection was one of the ‘super hits’ of the 2003 holiday season and sales have been strong ever since.

8. And, no surprise, Barbie is the best-selling doll on eBay. Since Mattel has recently announced that Ken and Barbie will no longer be an “item”, dolls from the ‘good old days’ when the name “Barbie” was rarely heard without ‘Ken’, will inevitably become more valuable.

Anyone who loves and understands the doll market, can do very well selling dolls on eBay. They’ve been strong sellers for the 10 years eBay has been in existence and are almost certain to remain popular for years to come.

Author: Sydney Johnston

Today we find a whole range of new and more expensive dolls on the market with price tags that make them out of reach for most children. In addition to Mattel’s Barbie Silkstone, a heavy vinyl collectable, many other chic and curvaceous models have appeared on the scene such as Tyler Wentworth, Cissy and Fashion Royalty. Dollfie, who is more of a young teenager, is also in big demand in spite of having a starting price of five hundred dollars and going up to well over a thousand.

Passionate collectors from all over the world, both men and women, often spend as much on new outfits for their dolls as they spend on their own clothes. At any one time you can see over 6000 items listed under doll’s fashions on eBay where prices range from a few dollars to hundreds. On the Internet you will also find those who specialize in repainting them, some of who have become artists in their own right.

I would venture to say that Fashion Royalty by designer Jason Wu is one of the most popular fashion dolls at this time. You’ll find enthusiasts for this glamorous 12″ icon every-where. There are forums, message boards, photo galleries and news groups dedicated to her. People travel across the world to attend conventions held specifically to show off her many forms, her moods, outfits and accessories.

To gain possession of certain limited editions devotees have to enter a lottery and the winner then willingly coughs up several hundred dollars for the privilege of ownership. Many of these sought after special releases will then appear on eBay at several times the amount the seller originally paid.

Whether dolls can be a sound investment is questionable as collectors frequently switch their loyalties as new designs appear on the market. However, many have no intention of parting with their precious collections or the haute couture they have assembled on their behalf.

This is not so much of a hobby as a sub culture with owners speaking of their dolls in the most endearing terms. And there seems to be no end in sight as more and more people discover the joy of owning something beautiful that doesn’t answer you back or wet on the carpet.

Author: Darwin C Vickers