Are Your Collectibles Valuable? Heres How to Find Out

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Are Your Collectibles Valuable? Heres How to Find Out

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!!

In The News:

Work begins on new crafts, home décor store
Statesville Record & Landmark
The home décor and craft store, built by developer Magnolia Property Group, will be adjacent to Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse store on NC 150. Vincent Parker, spokesperson for Hobby Lobby, said the company felt like Mooresville was an “underserved ...

and more »

Hobby Lobby Grand Opening June 4, Shelves Being Stocked
Patch.com
By Debbie L. Sklar Hobby Lobby known to be a place where all things crafts and hobbies converge under one roof is expected to have its grand opening on June 4. According to Earl Kortemeier of Hobby Lobby, the store located in the former Mervyns space ...

Orange City Hobby Lobby opens Friday
Daytona Beach News-Journal
The ribbon cutting for the national arts and crafts retail store is 9 am The DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event that is open to the public. The store is open after the ribbon cutting; however, grand-opening events are Monday, ...

AboutMyArea
Craft Fair Leads The Way For Small Rossendale Businesses
AboutMyArea
Small businesses in Rossendale are making good use of their own unique talents, turning hobbies into businesses. Crafty Craft Fairs return to The Bacup Hub, Burnley Road, Bacup on 27th May from 11.00am to 3.00pm for The Bacup Craft Fair.

and more »

Intermountain Catholic
Soaring Eagle math teacher retires after 11 years
Intermountain Catholic
She is excited to spend more time with her husband, who is already retired, as well as on her many hobbies. "I've put off doing crafts and sewing that I haven't had time for," she said. "And we're looking forward to traveling; starting with just ...

Students Learn About Bug Candy, Hobbies at Exploration Day
Patch.com
The Libertyville school held its seventh Exploration Day so that students could learn about careers, crafts, hobbies and sports skills. This year's theme was "Cougie World Tour." Cougie is the name of the schools cougar mascot.

Los Angeles Times
Marie Kolasinski dies at 90; Christian activist ran OC crafts business
Los Angeles Times
... which occupies a warren of rooms jam-packed with homemade knick-knacks, quilts and craft supplies. It also runs scores of classes on traditional hobbies, such as knitting socks and making porcelain dolls, and runs a flourishing mail-order business.

and more »

Next on the list is to organize your things!
Gaston Gazette
Things are like your kids toys, your hobby and crafts, your purse or backpack, the vehicle, your pet stuff. Organizing your kids toys can be first, and don't forget your toys. Think about your hobbies and the equipment involved.

John Howell White, chairman of art education, KU
Reading Eagle
... has chaired the Department of Art Education and Crafts for 10 years. Prior to that, he taught at Sewickley Academy in Pittsburgh and the Crossroads School in Santa Monica, Calif. Hobbies: White paints in egg tempera, watercolor, acrylics and oil.

Spiegel Online
Backlash against ConsumerismHandicraft Sites Turn Hobbies into Big Business
Spiegel Online
Unlike other platforms such as Ebay, however, these sites emphasize offline links between the makers and consumers, hosting DIY blogs and offline crafts workshops. Successive years of climbing sales show they have tapped into a bigger trend.

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