Frequently Asked Questions...
Beginner's guide to collecting Barbie dolls?
What do I need know about collecting Barbies & etc.
Answer:
I collect Barbie dolls so I'll tell you what you need to know and give you a few buying tips.
1. Pay attention to the Barbie Label Tier System. A Label is assigned to collector dolls that tells the buyer how many are available, which indicates their value. The higher the label, the more they are worth and the less available they are (this also gives you a clue on how detailed the dolls are).
This is the tier system, you can find it on the back of every collector edition box:
Platinum Label -- 1,000 worldwide
Gold Label -- 25,000 worldwide
Silver Label -- 50,000 worldwide
Black Label -- "Designed for the adult collector" dolls
Pink Label -- Unlimited availability, considered "beginner" collector dolls, available wherever dolls are sold.
The Pink and Black Label dolls are worth about the same, however, I don't know if the Black Label dolls are produced in limited quantities or not. Also, don't expect to find Platinum, Gold, (sometimes) Silver Label dolls in department stores, these are sold online or in selected retailers.
2. When looking to purchase older dolls, check their condition, and don't pay too much. I say this because only Barbie dolls that were produced from 1959-1972 are considered vintage, otherwise they are considered modern regardless of how old they are.
3. Order the free catalogs off of BarbieCollector.com, this way you can save up for any upcoming dolls a few months in advance.
4. Don't be discouraged if you see a doll in the catalogs or in the stores that's costs a lot. Before I started collecting dolls seriously, I never noticed that a lot of collector dolls end up at Big Lots 6-12 months after their release (usually Pink & Black label), sometimes sooner. I've gotten several collector dolls at Big Lots for no more than $20 one of which was the 2009 50th Anniversary "Generations of Dreams" Barbie doll originally sold for $50 (I got her less than a year after her release and she came with a cute necklace). By the way, she is a must-have for your collection 
5. Check BarbieCollector.com's "Special Offers" section to see what's on sale. Keep in mind that shipping is $7, and some of these dolls will be on sale at stores too, the shipping makes up the difference so the sale price really won't end up being different online than at Big Lots.
6. When buying reproductions, don't buy them unless you REALLY like them (they tend to be around $40). I say this because not only are they just reproductions and not the original dolls, but also, you should like what you buy since it will be with you for a long time. Anyway, sometimes
they end up in Big Lots too for $20. In short, why spend a lot of money on something you don't have to have? Save it for those you really like, you'll enjoy them more.
7. Go to yard sales, estate sales, and thrift shops and search their toy sections, I found a Hasbro 1993 "68 Special" Elvis Presley doll (lying around no less!) that was in great condition, the only thing that was missing was his microphone, I got him for $4! This was exciting for me, but nowhere near as exciting as when I found an ORIGINAL vintage 1971 Malibu Barbie and Skipper (she still had her glasses and shorts) at a thrift store, I also found a 1975 Barbie doll carrying case. I was so excited and only paid about $15 for everything (in a case like this, the condition was good, but the price was great, now I need to buy reproductions to put side by side). I'm telling you, some people don't know what they have, and some thrift stores definitely need to hire people "in the know".
8. Go to craft stores like Michael's or Joann's if you need doll stands.
9. If you stumble upon great finds, don't try to fix the dolls, restoring dolls that are valuable brings down their value.
You'll get the hang of this once you start collecting and these things are pretty easy to keep in mind.
10. Decide whether you want to remove the dolls from their boxes. My dolls are on display without their boxes, they are my pride and joy but since I don't plan on selling them ever, I don't feel the need to keep them in their boxes. However, if you have more than one doll of the same kind, you should keep one in the box at least.
11. Wall shelves are much better than book shelves for display. They don't take up floor space, and are out of reach of anyone who wants to mess with them (children...). Wall shelves are a little expensive, but you can find long and wide ones at Home Depot for like $5 (they are by Rubbermaid, the dark ones are the nicest). I have my two shelves in an L shape on my wall this way the dolls are the one big focal point, also, since the doll stands will take up space, you can stand some on light boxes (covered in black poster paper to take away any distractions) on the shelves behind other dolls, it will look kind of like a panorama picture of dolls.
12. Let people know you collect Barbie dolls, this way you get them for the holidays and your birthday
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