Barbie and eBay Part 3: Random Tips, Advice, and Opinions
Jun 30 '03
The Bottom Line In no particular order, some more advice on bidding for Barbie and friends on eBay--keep your wits about you!
(This review primarily concerns advice for acquiring Barbie dolls produced over the last 5 to 8 years, as those dolls are the main focus of my own collecting activities. However, I include below some advice that may be useful for those interested in bidding for older Barbies as well. Also, unless otherwise specified, I am using the name "Barbie" to refer to Barbie herself, her friends, Ken, her siblings, etc.)
I've already written two reviews dealing with bidding for Barbie dolls on eBay. I invite you to read those earlier pieces (see my list of reviews, thanks!), but for your convenience, I'll summarize what I've already discussed.
In my first review, "Barbie and eBay--Caveat Emptor!", I stressed the importance of educating yourself about Barbie before rushing headfirst into a bidding situation. You should research the history of the particular doll on which you're bidding, but you should also have at least a general knowledge of the history of the Barbie line. I also advised you to check local and (inter-)national retail sources--chain stores, collectible doll dealers, online shops, etc--in order to determine a particular Barbie's price and availability. This step will let you know whether you're getting a true bargain for the same doll that's being offered on eBay.
My second review, "Barbie and eBay Part 2--A Fool and his Money..,", warned would-be bidders to resist giving into the euphoria concerning Barbies that meet with public controversy or popularity. Unscrupulous sellers have taken advantage of bidders' need to get the latest "scandalous" or "hot" doll by raising the toys' (yeah, they're just toys) prices to ridiculously high levels. But the transaction can't occur without a bidder who acts on impulse instead of facts. Those dolls may not be as "rare" as the seller claims. By the way, the review's title refers to the saying, "A fool and his money are soon parted."
Between those two topics, I thought I said everything that needed to be said about bidding for Barbie on eBay. Then a few other issues began floating in my head. The following, random points serve to emphasize what I've already discussed in the previous two reviews, and I would love to share them with you:
AUCTION PHOTOGRAPHS: Ninety-nine percent of the time, the seller will provide a photo of the doll being offered for bidding. Make sure the photo is of the seller's own doll, and not a copy of a Mattel ad or promotional picture featuring the doll. Mattel's pictures are often of the prototype of the Barbie in question.
The prototype Barbie almost always differs from the final, mass-produced version that is eventually sold in stores; cheaper workmanship in the doll's face paint, costume, and hairstyle distinguish the actual doll from that featured in the promotional pictures. I won't mention that this discrepancy has long been a sore spot for die-hard Barbie affectionadoes!
Keeping up with Mattel's Barbie websites, barbie.com and barbiecollectibles.com is perfect for perusing prototype photos of upcoming products. For older Barbies, look at books aimed at collectors, which feature pictures of the dolls as they were actually produced. For example, Margo Rama's books typically feature pictures of the dolls inside and out of their boxes.
Of course, when looking at an auction photo, take care to check that the image is sufficiently clear to inspect the doll in detail. Does the item match the seller's description?
THE DOLL JUST CAME OUT--HOW CAN IT BE RARE? Now, there have been a few instances in which a newly-released Barbie meets with unanticipated popular demand, and disappears from the store in a rather short time. These typically include such limited editions as the so-called "Aqua Blue" 2001 Barbie. But in some instances, a particular doll is just being released nationwide, and it reaches some regions sooner than others. I've witnessed a few occasions in which a seller will declare such dolls "rare!" Please don't fall for that trick!!! Be patient!
ON NAKED BARBIES: No, this isn't a new toy concocted by Mattel--I'm referring to those Barbies that have been stripped of their original outfits, and are usually offered to be made into OOAK (Original One of a Kind) dolls. Artists specializing in OOAKs often remove Barbie's original "makeup" and hair, in order to create a new character with a custom-made costume, new hairstyle and re-painted facial design.
I suspect the veteran artists are aware with which set the naked dolls were originally offered. But for the rest of you, I think Barbie naked is essentially a lump of Polyvinyl Chloride, regardless of whether she was originally a collector-grade doll, or just a Playline offering for young children. Is it really worth paying more than two bucks for a stripped doll, especially when you consider shipping costs? The ethical seller--if he or she is familiar with Barbies--should inform you about the orgin of the naked doll; if the info isn't on the auction listing, request it via e-mail. It makes no sense to me why someone would want to pay $5 or more for a naked Barbie if a fully clothed one of the same type can be found at, say KB, for the same price.
ACCESSORIES: Now, about those clothes and accessories that were stripped from the now-naked Barbies. Many sellers are now offering clothing and shoes that originally were sold on a doll. Again, make sure you know the origin of those pieces as well. If the seller tries to offer the removed clothes for the same price as the the original fully-clothed doll, I hope you know what to do.
However, the situation becomes more ambiguous if, for example, the seller has assembled a dozen pairs of platform sandals from different dolls. In this instance, it may make sense to buy the assortment, as opposed to buying several dolls for the sole purpose of obtaining the shoes.
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT OOAK DOLLS: I will admit here that I haven't purchased OOAKs over eBay. The really well-crafted dolls tend to be very expensive, and in many cases, priced higher than even some of Mattel's Barbie Collectibles dolls!
EBay is a seller's democracy, so there are many OOAK Barbies of good, bad or average quality. Keep in mind that OOAK Barbies aren't official Mattel products (the ethical sellers will remind you of this also), but the product's of the artists' skill and imagination. The sellers should also inform you about the doll's origin, and precisely what alterations and modifications have been made to the doll.
It goes without saying that you need to check the artist's feedback--you want to know what past buyers have to say about the quality of previous dolls.
Once the above details have been resolved to your satisfaction, the choice of OOAK depends on your tastes and inclination toward particular subjects (I suspect S&M Barbies aren't for everyone!). I suggest you "patronize" the truly diligent and thoughtful artists, and ignore shoddy and hastily designed dolls. Check out Jim Faraone's series of books on "Fashion Doll Makeovers" for more info on OOAKs.
As I said in the first review, check that the artist hasn't simply taken a garment from a Mattel Barbie doll and attempted to pass it off as his or her own. If the artist has a good reason to use an "off the shelf" garment, he or she should be willing to explain it.
THE "1966" PROBLEM: The "Twist 'N' Turn Barbie was introduced that year. Nearly every (female) Barbie doll made between then through 1999 (when the most recent body type was introduced) has a marking on her back that bears the following notice: "Copyright 1966, Mattel Inc."
However, many of those unfamiliar with or new to Barbie collecting aren't aware of that notice's ubiquitousness. To put it in other words, A Barbie doll with that 1966 notice could've been made in 1968 or 1998! If a seller mentions the notice as supposed proof of its age or worth, be very skeptical.
ANOTHER WORD ON CONTROVERSY: I've discussed the Pregnant Happy Family Midge deal (the scandal, anyway--I hope to talk about the doll itself soon...)elsewhere. As of this writing, she's even back at Walmart, where the whole ruckus began (but in this new exclusive version, the detachable belly isn't included). I'm wondering what those poor souls who bought her for a hundred bucks or more on eBay are thinking now...
In parting, my advice to you while bidding for Barbie on eBay is, use common sense, don't go into a transaction blindly, and put things in perspective. Go to your nearest Toys 'R' Us, and find your way to the Cabbage Patch Kids section. Now remember that infamous Christmas so many years ago when parents were running each other over in the aisles just to get one of those things! Something to consider.
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Epinions.com ID:
indigospot
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Location: Oakland, CA
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Artist, avid reader, comic book fan, toy collector, and obsessed Barbie doll collector since 1998
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