I'm working on selling some of my Barbie dolls. It's a long, painful process.
I had accumulated nearly 400 dolls, and they lined a wall of book shelves -- often several deep. But how can you enjoy a doll you never see that's wedged in the back row? Not to mention, I'm going to be downsizing to a smaller space for them, and nearly 400 dolls will never fit.
So I started the process last year of choosing who gets to stay and who has to go.
It's just like Sophie's Choice, but with more plastic.
I first made some basic rules to use:
1. If I don't have a good memory attached to the doll, she's a candidate to go.
2. If I don't find her particularly fetching, she's a candidate to go.
3. If she has the gawd-awful small-chested figure, she's definitely a candidate to go.
Using these guidelines, I was able to sort the collection down by about half -- a pretty major change.
But now what?
I don't have any delusions about prices. The market for most things is still pretty cruddy, and Barbie collectibles are no different. I'm happy to see them go to good homes, even those with children who want to take them out of the box and enjoy them.
But...now what?
The Internet is no good. If you can find a buyer (IF), the prices are exceptionally cruddy.
So...
So I chose the in-person route, seeking out buyers in my area. And it's going OK. The first few dolls I saw walk away in the hands of a new owner were tough. But the whole experience has been rather cleansing.
And when it's all finished, I'll not only have a lean collection but there will be some extra cash available. Who knows, maybe a little of it will go toward a new doll or two.
