Help Valuing a Barbie Collection?
I was given a decent-sized Barbie collection, but have been having some difficulty determining its worth and how to sell it. What would be the best course of action: individual auctions, group into lots, or just indivdual Buy it Nows? Total there are 13 dolls and tons of cloths and accesorries from the 1960s-1980s.
Is there anything that anyone thinks stands out as particularly valuable? Really lost on this so any help would be extreamly appericaed.
10 comments
ryry-jj
·1 year agoI would also say that most of the Barbie made in the 80's value today are the ones still in the box & never removed. The clothing will be what people will be interested in
ryry-jj
·1 year agoI would be listing most of that in like item lots. As mentioned most of the items are from the 80's. Very difficult and time consuming to seek maximum value. Start with a few lots at a price you are happy with and see what type of action you get... you acquired them at the right price at zero cost, so your biggest cost is now time. And be mindful when selling lots to keep the shipping box around 12x8x8, don't go over 12 x 12 x 12 OD unless you can quote out the shipping for multiple purchases.
Remember, sometimes when we list, we aren't always trying to sell, we are trying to gather info for future sales. List a few lots and see how many views you get or offers to gage interest. Expect to hear from buyers, "hey, will you sell me only that red dress on the left?" That's info to use for future listings as well.
kathiec
·1 year agoCould you post the head of the doll that's on the Midge/Barbie Japan body? Unless she's not in any of the other pictures it's a later head swapped onto an earlier body. The only other items I see that are from the 60s are the blue corduroy jumper, which is one piece of the Friday Night Date outfit, and in the first photo a TNT doll in fair condition. And as a clarification, having a twist 'n turn waist doesn't mean a doll is what collectors call a TNT. Many modern dolls still have that waist. The Ken in the striped beach jacket is also 60s.
The rest of the dolls and outfits are from the 80s. The doll in the heart dress is Loving You Barbie from 1983. The Ken in the tux jacket and gray pants is Dream Date Ken from 1982. The wedding dress is from the 1983 Tracy Bride, but it's not on the correct doll nor do I see that doll in your photos.
All of the items have significant condition issues. I know it's too late now, but you never should have washed the outfits. You can search Sold listings for the things I ID'ed to get an idea of value. Just don't think the prices for complete dolls in good condition will apply. I'd sell the rest of the clothes as a lot. You can try the dolls in small lots. You just want to be careful of the shipping being a lot more than what the dolls sell for. I'd run them as auctions and let the interested buyers set the price. There is a large group of 80s collectors, but they're usually looking for dolls in better shape.
I know you may have expected this to be a bigger bonanza than it's turning out. But as another poster mentioned, in Barbie collecting condition is everything. Good luck!
midnight_mamba-2
OP1 year ago 
Thanks all for the insight here are a bunch of photos. I started off by taking all the cloths and washing them and separating into outfits. Seems like from the research I did a few are from the “twice is nice†fashion line from the mid 80s. I was also checking the buts to see if any are made in Japan and I think one or two may be twist and turn? But other than that I’m stuck on figuring out outfits. Been working through them using google lens so I think that’s maybe my best bet to get comps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
kathiec
·1 year ago@midnight_mamba-2
The best place to start is to identify what you have. IMO this is the ID site to start with. It covers both dolls and clothes. As you ID you also need to note condition and whether outfits have all their pieces, including purses, shoes, etc. Those little outfit pieces can easily make up half an outfit's value. After you have IDs you can search Sold listings to get an idea of value.
As for the question of how to sell the collection, that depends on what you have. In general selling dolls or outfits individually will bring higher prices. Dealers love big lots, but they typically are only willing to pay about half of market value. Collectors will pay more, but they're looking for specific items to fill in holes in their collection. That said, if the items are incomplete or just in fair condition you might do better to group in lots from the same era, i.e., 60s, 70s, 80s, etc. And if you have leftover shoes and other accessories that don't match to outfits those sell great in lots.
If you'd like to post some pictures I can give you a general idea of what you have.
nyr134
·1 year agoLike so many other categories, condition matters. Bitten-off or sliced-off fingers, green ears….look carefully at what you have when making assessments.
love2beselling
·1 year agoBarbies can be all over the place when it comes to value, so a little research goes a long way. Start by snapping some pics and using the eBay app’s image search to see what comes up. Then, dive into the Product Research and check out sold listings—were auctions popular? Did a lots sell? You can also hit up Barbie collector groups in the Community. Here's the link:https://community.ebay.com/t5/Barbie-Collectors/bd-p/25200000020
Post your questions, and scroll through the threads for tips from other collectors.
I also found this on the web on Barbies which might prove helpful to you. https://myvintagebarbies.com/
Best wishes with your research and sales.
Posting ID. On eBay since 2002 with over 15000 feedback.
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoNot knowing what you have, about all you can do is search and see what they've sold for in the past.
midnight_mamba-2
OP1 year agoI can also add photos, but just not sure how to add directly to this thread.
pikabo-icu
·1 year ago@midnight_mamba-2
When you hit reply, above the box you'll see a little camera; click that.
You can add several photos and if you need to add more, reply again and use the camera to add more.