Are Your Collectibles Valuable? Heres How to Find Out


The first thing you will need to do is check out the condition of your item, be it a train, collectible Barbie doll, Disney collectible, or some other collectible item. Is it scratched, torn, clean, dirty, new, in a box, without a box? You get the idea...

Use a good light source and check the item out very carefully, noting the name, identification marks, and any copyright marks. Also, check for any imperfections, tears, scratches, color imperfections, mars, stains, etc.

Many dolls are collected with the box intact. An intact box can raise the value of an item a great deal. Some are worthless if the box is damaged badly or missing.

NOTE: Some dolls are meant to be played with and taken out of the box to dress. Examples are the Tonner Doll Company dolls: Tyler Wentworth, Sydney Chase, Gene, etc.

Remove the doll from the box for inspection. Look for forums, discussion boards, or news groups where similar collectors gather online. You can also check on eBay (or other online auctions) to see what similar items are selling for and what their condition was at the time of sale. Compare the prices with, and without a box to see the difference.

To find your item on eBay:

1. Find the category on eBay where your item would most likely be listed. (Dolls, bears, trains, Disney collectible would be likely categories.

2. If using Dolls, use the [check only in Dolls box] in the search.

3. Use your keyword to search, such as "Barbie doll". This will bring up the current auctions window.

4. Now, check the completed auctions box, to check out the prices and descriptions on the sold items.

5. When you click on the individual auctions, you can see the price the item sold for, the condition of the item and whether it had a box. Look for terms such as NRFB (Never Removed From Box) or MIB (Mint In Box).

Note that the price on eBay is not the best price for your item. Usually, the price could be more if sold locally because the online auction buyer cannot actually handle the item and examine it in person.

Other places to find information about your item (doll) would be websites selling your item (doll), antique or boutique shops, toy or hobby shops, and resell shops. Also, check out the resource books at the public library.

Popular collectibles might have a price book that is printed for collectors. You can also use a collection of hobby magazines to price items or to locate the year the item was made.

If you have done all of the above and still cannot find the information that you need about your item, check out some local hobby clubs in your area. Most hobby enthusiasts will be willing to help you find the information you need and are eager to talk about their hobby. You might even find an expert on your items, or a buyer!!

© 2005, Courtesy of HobbyHour.com - You're welcome to use this article on your website, as long as you link properly to our site - the main page or direct article - and leave this notice intact.







Related News



Whiting VIPs Provide Information On Low Vision - The Manchester Times

Whiting VIPs Provide Information On Low Vision
The Manchester Times, NJ -14 hours ago
But with low vision and other rehabilitation services, those tasks become easier; getting around will become safer and recreation activities or hobbies...

Best of Topeka: Store caters to the creative side - Topeka Capital Journal

Best of Topeka: Store caters to the creative side
Topeka Capital Journal, KS -Aug 9, 2008
By Rachel Whitten A person who enjoys crafts can find most everything one needs at Hobby Lobby. A person who enjoys decorating the house might also find ...

Needham Adult Education catalogs coming - Needham Times

Needham Adult Education catalogs coming
Needham Times,  USA -Aug 18, 2008
Classes are available in Art, Dance, Exercise, Crafts& Skills, Languages, Health & Well-Being, Home & Garden, Humanities, Food, Writing, Hobbies, ...

Ex marks the spot - Toronto Sun

Ex marks the spot
Toronto Sun,  Canada -Aug 17, 2008
I can recall the fascinating displays of arts, crafts and hobbies in the building just inside the Dufferin Gate, identified naturally enough as the Arts, ...


A Time to Shine: Entries for Fall Festival Household Arts Contest ... - News Telegram

A Time to Shine: Entries for Fall Festival Household Arts Contest ...
News Telegram, TX -Aug 15, 2008
Or perhaps gardening or scrapbooking are among your favorite hobbies. Whatever your preference, the Household Arts Contest offers Hopkins County residents ...

Churchill Terrace resident celebrates 100th birthday - Fulton Sun

Churchill Terrace resident celebrates 100th birthday
Fulton Sun,  USA -3 hours ago
... also attributed Marian Chrisman's longevity to her active interest in a number of hobbies - including stamp collecting, tatting, crafts and music. ...

Blue ribbon dynasty - Chicago Tribune

Blue ribbon dynasty
Chicago Tribune, United States -2 hours ago
At 8:30 am, competitors began to gather outside the Hobbies, Arts & Crafts Building—a half-hour before it opened. That was before 9-year-old Elaine ...

Fair's coming soon; Tri-state entries sought - Mohave Valley News

Fair's coming soon; Tri-state entries sought
Mohave Valley News, NV -Aug 11, 2008
Through the community outreach program you can enter canning and preserving, machine sewn articles, needlework, hobbies, collections, arts and crafts, ...

Gardens of Earthly Delights: The Arts & Crafts Garden - Old-House Journal

Old-House Journal

Gardens of Earthly Delights: The Arts & Crafts Garden
Old-House Journal -Aug 11, 2008
The gardens of the Arts & Crafts movement found common ground in a reverence for understated natural beauty and a connection to the home—ideals that are ...
Going Native: Perfect Plants for an Arts & Crafts GardenOld-House Journal
all 2 news articles

MONDAY Q&A -- Area man a WW II re-enactor, craftsman - Indiana Gazette

MONDAY Q&A -- Area man a WW II re-enactor, craftsman
Indiana Gazette, PA -Aug 11, 2008
Question: Your crafts hobby, when did you start making crafts? Answer: I’ve always liked to work with wood. I built this house. My second-shift supervisor ...