Anyone sell barbies, dolls, etc lately?

[DizneyLizzy]

When I was a kid I collected barbies. I got a lot of special ones that I never opened. I probably have 50-75 boxed in mint condition. My parents are downsizing and need me to finally take on my collection (they’ve been kind enough to store it for me even though I’ve owned my own home for a decade...)

I want to start selling them but I have so many, and I have no idea where to start. I’ve stopped using eBay for selling bc their fees are so high, but I’d be willing to try there again if that is the best option. I’ve found websites where someone will buy your collection, but it’s hard to tell if it’s a reputable site/business. Anyone do anything like this at all recently?

 

[Darcy03231]

You could try Facebook. There are groups for everything and you may find a buyer there.

Craigslist would be another place that doesn't charge fees. I've sold quite a few over the years on ebay, but agree that their fees are pretty high. It would give you a good idea as to what they're selling for though.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

You could try Facebook. There are groups for everything and you may find a buyer there.

Craigslist would be another place that doesn't charge fees. I've sold quite a few over the years on ebay, but agree that their fees are pretty high. It would give you a good idea as to what they're selling for though.

Yes - I did look on ebay - which is how I know that they are selling for anywhere from $2 to $52. The $2 ones I might just keep to give to my one year old daughter to play with someday. The more expensive ones I definitely want to unload.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

If you sell on eBay, be sure you know what you're doing. I've heard that the doll buyers on there can be a handful to deal with.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I was selling on Ebay, some NASCAR type die cast cars my husband got from somewhere a few years ago. NOT something we ever collected or cared about. I ran into some shady people in that market as well. ONE thing that can happen is that the buyer may already have the item, with some minor minor damage. So they buy yours, and then claim yours was damaged, and they return you THEIR item. Grr. I went back to this buyer and said that I would need item returned to me, even if damaged, so I could verify my hidden invisible ink watermark on the item......... never heard from him again. I hope he looked long and hard for it, before he gave up. There was none in this case.

Take photos of every single possible angle, and pack the item to a ridiculous degree, peanuts, large bubble wrap, double boxed, whatever it takes.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I was selling on Ebay, some NASCAR type die cast cars my husband got from somewhere a few years ago. NOT something we ever collected or cared about. I ran into some shady people in that market as well. ONE thing that can happen is that the buyer may already have the item, with some minor minor damage. So they buy yours, and then claim yours was damaged, and they return you THEIR item. Grr. I went back to this buyer and said that I would need item returned to me, even if damaged, so I could verify my hidden invisible ink watermark on the item......... never heard from him again. I hope he looked long and hard for it, before he gave up. There was none in this case.

Take photos of every single possible angle, and pack the item to a ridiculous degree, peanuts, large bubble wrap, double boxed, whatever it takes.

That is crazy and something I never thought of. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

 

[starry_solo]

That is crazy and something I never thought of. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

I would try Craigslist, Offer Up, Facebook Marketplace where you meet the buyer in person at a public location (Starbucks, police station, library) first before eBay.

 

[unrequited23]

For dolls/barbies we've had the best luck with ebay. The weirdest request we had was to take pictures of a Midge doll's ears to show if they were pierced by the manufacturer of by the owner. The surprise money maker was a My Child doll from the late 80's. That sold in 12 hrs for the buy it now price.

For non-collectible items we've had better luck with Offer Up, Craigslist, and 5 Miles.

 

[Dakota731]

I tried Ebay and they aren't even selling for as much as they cost twenty years ago so I will save them for a future granddaughter to play with. Same with Cabbage Patch dolls!

 

[christineinvegas]

I had a bunch of Holiday Barbies and special edition ones. I noticed they were hardly going for anything on Ebay so I sold them for like $5 each to a friend. Apparently they were going to try to resell them, but as far as I know, they are still storing them. LOL. I kept a few of my favorites and my daughter picked a couple. That's it. I didn't want to store them anymore.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

If your dolls have been stored in an attic rather than climate controlled storage they are likely worth even less. Extreme heat can do a lot of damage that you may not have noticed.

 

[MillauFr]

Why not just donate them and write off it as a deduction? I never try to sell anything including cars. I just give them away to charity.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

Why not just donate them and write off it as a deduction? I never try to sell anything including cars. I just give them away to charity.

Great idea. I never even thought of that. What charity would you donate unopened 90s era Barbies to?

 

[firefly_ris]

You'll always get a better price on eBay for your stuff than any of the local bartering sites because you're casting your net to a much, much broader audience. That said, you need to be selling something people actually purchase and at enough for it to be worth your time. I sell a lot of stuff on eBay, but things like Barbies are hard. My easiest sales in the toy department are always, always Legos. I used to also get decent money for vintage My Little Pony but you have to be knowledgeable about what you're selling to get higher bids.

 

[MillauFr]

Great idea. I never even thought of that. What charity would you donate unopened 90s era Barbies to?

I just give my stuff to Northwest Center. They pick up at our house. I did drop off the car at their donation center though.

 

[SharonZ]

They are probably not worth what you would think, I also agree about donating them.

 

[starry_solo]

Great idea. I never even thought of that. What charity would you donate unopened 90s era Barbies to?

I donate to salvation army, goodwill, or a local charity that specially collects toys for foster children.