Collectible Barbie Dolls from Mattel

Did you realize that Barbie dolls are not just the favourite toy of little girls? Mattel estimates that there are over 100,000 adult collectors of Barbie dolls. Ninety percent of these collectors are women who are, on average around the age 40, and purchase at least 20 Barbie dolls a year. Almost half of Barbie collectors each spend over $1000 a year.

Mattel in recent years has been catering to this niche market. They have produced a range of collectible Barbie dolls with the aim of encouraging collectors to increase their collections in line with their individual tastes and interests. Barbie dolls of popular TV shows and movies, celebrities and popular singers, for example, have been produced with collectors in mind.

In 2004 Mattel introduced a colour tier system to help categorize collectible Barbie dolls and help collectors to find them. The colours signify the amount of dolls produced worldwide and indicate the rarity factor of the different dolls. The colour also indicates which kind of retail store stocks the particular type of collectible doll.

There are four colours in the collectible tier system, and this article gives the characteristics of each tier.

The first tier is the Pink Label collectible dolls. There is no limit on the quantity of dolls produced with the Pink Label. Pink Label Barbies include 'The Dolls of the World' series, 'Festivals of the World', 'Model Barbie', as well as some of the 'Pop Culture' dolls. Most dolls in the Pink Label are Barbie dolls , but there are also a few of Kelly doll as well. The Pink Label packaging is distinctive; the is box trimmed in pink, and has a clear front.

The next tier is the Silver Label dolls. The packaging is similar to the Pink Label, but with the box trimmed with silver. The criteria for the Silver Label tier is that no more than 50,000 of any Silver Label doll will be produced world wide. Included in the Silver Label are the 'Wedding' series, the 'Birthday Barbies', 'Ballet Barbies' and 'I Dream of a Season' dolls. Some types of Kelly doll and Tommy doll also can be found under the Silver Label.

Following the Silver is the Gold Label collectible dolls. Gold Label dolls are produced in quantities of no more than 25,000 of each doll. The packaging is different from the previous tiers. Silver Label dolls come in a "cake box" type package with an extra see through layer to protect the doll. The box has artwork and photography on the back and lid with gold decorative trimming. Included under the Gold Label are 'Designer Fashion Model' dolls, 'Designer Bride', Vintage Repros' and 'Pin-up Girls' collectible dolls.

The top tier is the Platinum Label dolls. These dolls are produced in editions of less than 1,000, and also include one-of-a-kind-dolls that are available at special events, or are exclusive to one retail store only. An example of a Platinum Label collectible doll is the 'White Chocolate Obsession(TM) Barbie® Doll!' The doll's hair has the scent of white chocolate. Other dolls include the 'Faerie Queen', Badgley Mischka Bride Barbie, and the exclusive 'The Nurse' Barbie doll designed by Robert Best.

Collectors avidly collect these tier Label dolls, and are rewarded by the exquisite attention to details in the clothes and accessories of each specially designed Barbie. To retain the value of these dolls they should be kept in the box as new. This is unfortunate, as they need to be touched to really appreciate the intricate details of the gown and dolls features. Should dolls like this be played with? A good question and maybe a topic for another article!

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The Five Secrets to Getting the Best Price When Buying an Antique Doll Or Collectible Barbie Doll

The absolute best way to get a great deal when buying a collectible antique doll or Barbie doll is to be armed with information. There' no substitute for knowledge when it comes to buying or investing in dolls.

There are usually only two things you, as a doll collector, are looking for when considering antique dolls:

#1. You are looking for a very specific doll. You know the designer, when and where the doll was made and you know a lot of other things about the exact doll you're looking for.

#2. You are looking for a bargain. You are looking for any antique doll or collectible doll that is available way below it's actual value.

Here's how to get the best value for both types of dolls.

You have to approach each of these situations differently. The first situation is easier, but there are still some things that many collectors overlook. You need to do your homework and find out what dolls like you are looking for are actually selling for. And you need to know what they have sold for recently.

The market may have changed.  A particular doll that was in high demand and expensive not long ago, may be a lot less expensive now (or it may be even more expensive). Either way, don't rely on your previous knowledge. Find out what the value of the doll is NOW.

By all means it's important that you don't let your emotions get in the way of logic. Of course, that's easier to say than to do. If you love antique dolls like I do, it's easy to fall in love with a doll. But remember that you will have a better chance to get the best doll at the best price, if you can remain logical and not let your emotions rule.

Of course, the condition of the doll you're looking for has a lot to do with the price. This means that there could be (and probably will be) a wide range of prices that the particular doll you're looking for will be selling for.

In the second situation where you are looking for any doll that you can get at a great price, your job is even harder. You need to know the value of many dolls in order to find bargains. Of course, you can't know the value of all dolls, but there are probably a wide range of dolls that you're interested in and have some idea about the the price range they should be selling in.

One of the best ways to find a bargain in an antique doll is to realize that a lot of people start out collecting dolls and then lose interest. Also realize that in many cases the person selling the doll wants to sell it a lot more than you want to buy the doll. Regardless of how high (or even how reasonable) the initial asking price is, make a low-ball offer and work from there.

The Internet has a wealth of information about dolls. One of the best places to find out about antique doll prices is on eBay. Be sure to check completed auctions to see what antique, collectible or Barbie dolls like the one you're looking for really sold for. You can use this information in your negotiating.

CraigsList is another good place to search for antique dolls or Barbie dolls. But remember that the prices shown on CraigsList are the asking prices and not what the doll will or did sell for.

When you're armed with all of the above information, your final step is to use the five negotiating techniques shown below and don't be in a hurry -- be the reluctant buyer.

Five  Secrets to Getting the Best Price When Buying Any Antique, Collectible, or Barbie Doll:

1.    Offer way less than you expect to have to pay. 

2.    Always act shocked and surprised at the other side's first price.

3.    Say, "You've got to do better than that." 

4.   Walk away (or pretend to walk away) sometime during the negotiation.

5.    Arm yourself with information.  The more you're prepared with facts and information, the better deal you can negotiate.  For example, say, "I have checked eBay and other Internet sources, and dolls like this one never sell for more than $200."

Use these techniques and you will come out with the best deal possible on an antique doll. Don't forget that there are a lot of collectible dolls out there, so always be willing to walk away from any negotiation. 

Bottom line: Do your homework, check prices on eBay, negotiate, be patient and walk away (or pretend to  walk away) from any negotiation if necessary.

You are free to publish this article as long as it is published in it's entirely including the author information and links shown below.

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Collectible Dolls - Where To Find Them

In this article we're going to discuss where you can find your collectible doll that you've been hunting all over for if you're a die hard collector.

With the craze of collecting dolls, the number of places that have popped up where you can actually find them have multiplied like rabbits over the years. Where it used to be that some dolls were close to impossible to find, now all you pretty much have to do is just turn around and you'll find what you're looking for.

The first place to find collectible dolls, believe it or not, is right at your local toy store. Places like Toys R Us and Kay-Bee Toys actually make it a point to stock dolls that are in great demand. You're not going to find the old collectibles at these places but if a doll is new and sure to be a hit or is of a series that has been popular for a long time, like Barbie, you can be sure that the latest addition to this collection is going to be at one of these two stores. And sometimes your Ma and Pa store will carry some very rare dolls that you won't find anywhere else. So make sure you check those out too.

Another place to find collectible dolls is at what they call a specialty store. There are many of these all over the place. Most of them usually specialize in collectible trading cards like Magic The Gathering, but some also stock some very old collectible dolls or at least know where to get them if you put in a special order, which you can do. Just expect to pay a bundle for something purchased from one of these stores. The markup on these items will make your head spin.

Then there's the local newspaper. There are always people advertising dolls that they have for sale in them. Usually a paper will have a special section in the classifieds called collectibles. In this section you'll find what the doll is and a phone number so you can call the person. Many specialty stores also advertise their weekly specials in this section in order to get you to come down to their establishment.

Finally, there is online. The Internet is a virtual paradise for collectibles. The main place that people seem to go to is Ebay. But you have to be very careful when trying to get a collectible doll from Ebay. Because this is an auction site you're not guaranteed a fixed price. The bidding for each doll will usually start very small unless the owner of the doll sets the starting bid very high, especially if it is a very hot item. But with many people bidding on this item you could end up spending a fortune on a doll that is maybe worth half as much. So make sure you pick a price that you are not going to go above before you start your bidding.

Other sites like privately run web sites may be a little more reasonable. The price will be fixed and in most cases will actually be below book value. That is the lure of these sites. They make it seem like you're getting a great deal, which you are if you're a die hard collector and plan to resell the doll down the road.

Yes, there are many places to find the doll you want. Just make sure you don't get taken to the cleaners in the process.

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All About Collectible Dolls

Collectible dolls are excellent playmates for children and adds on to the marvelous collections of doll collectors, young or old. There are many different types so it is up to the buyer to choose.

Here you will see what collectible dolls are usually made of:

o Cloth dolls: Many cloth dolls have flat cloth faces with hand-painted features, wigs made of yarn, and clothing made by hand.

o Composition dolls: Composition dolls are made up of a mixture of several compounds (such as sawdust, paper, glue) Many types of composition dolls made famous by Madame Alexander.

o Bisque dolls: Made of tinted, unglazed porcelain. Collectible doll makers added color prior to firing, though some bisque dolls often have multiple firings to give a warm, rich color to the collectible doll.

o Hard plastic dolls: Made of flesh-toned painted hard plastic, these collectible dolls became enormously popular between 1940 and 1950.

o Metal dolls: Metal dolls may be made entirely of metal, or they may just have a metal head. Metal dolls can be found in a variety of metals, such as silver, tin, and brass.

o Papier-mâché dolls: Papier-mâché dolls made from a fragile mix of torn or shredded paper, glue, and water.

o Porcelain dolls: Fine ceramic porcelain dolls are made by firing pure clay. The translucence of the material makes for elegant dolls.

o Vinyl dolls: Most mass-produced dolls are vinyl dolls made of a soft plastic.

o Wood dolls: Wood dolls date back to primitive times. Highly-carved wood dolls, carved from basswood or linden, exist as folk art pieces.

This is only a tip of the iceberg, as the world of collectible dolls is so vast and explore-able, that every time you will get a new jewel for your collection. But for your benefit, we have divided them into four sections: Antique, Vintage, Modern and One-of-a-kind collectible dolls.

Antique Dolls

These are the collectible dolls produced before 1930 made of material like bisque, china, wood, or wax. You can also consider early composition dolls and celluloid dolls in this category. Each doll in this section is a work of art and collection of these dolls increases your knowledge of history and will tell you about Europe of 19th century.

Vintage Dolls

Collectible vintage dolls are mainly miniature dolls from the period between periods of 1930 -1980. This category consist composition, hard plastic dolls, celluloid dolls, and the early vinyl dolls.

Modern Dolls

Here, you will get dolls made between 1980 to present day. Some of the brands are Ashton Drake, Marie Osmond Dolls, Barbie Collectibles, etc. Modern collectible dolls are for the kids who like to play with them. Sculpted, fashionable dressed and designed to modern period, they are coveted by kids worldwide.

One-of-a-kind dolls

One-of-a-kind dolls are almost always entirely designed and hand crafted by the creating artist and no replicas are made. It can fetch high prices when done by a renowned artist and collectors everywhere yearned after these precious dolls.

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Collectible dolls

There are a number of dolls for collectors market. Two of the most popular collectible dolls are Barbie dolls and porcelain dolls. These two categories are dolls in a variety of styles and types that would be almost impossible to complete a collection. For a passionate collector, is the way to go in order to concentrate a bit 'to find his collection.

Collectible Barbie Dolls

Beginning with the first> Barbie doll, created in 1959, Doll only increasing in popularity. Today you will find Barbie dolls designed specifically for collectors. If you just started you might want to find an expert or have something to read to tell you what types of Barbie dolls to make the collection better.

If you are interested in collecting Barbie dolls, there are numerous online resources to help you get started. YouBuy dolls Special Collector's Web sites, online auctions and other places. You can also comb the yard sales in your area. Some people are collectors 'items' in their possession, without realizing it.

Porcelain Dolls

Since 1800 began dolls are made in china. Are now among the most popular collectible dolls. Porcelain dolls are different in style, shape and size. The guy you want to collect depends on you.To select your collection to something meaningful, like porcelain dolls concentrated, with a theme of marriage, or those who come from a particular country. Of course you do not need need to specialize. You can always buy the collectible dolls, which can be simple.

Other Collectible Dolls

Of course, if you wish, you collect the dolls are not limited to two Barbie dolls and porcelain dolls. Here you will find dollsdeveloped as a toy. Some dolls older, which may have value as a toy designed. There are also dolls that are made to look like cartoon or comic characters. If you're a serious collector, you choose one that interests you, then the first doll found in these categories that have the greatest benefit.

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