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How do I go about it? I have way too many dolls, but feel bad parting with any of them, yet cant bring them all to my new house! I would like to sell atleast 4-5 of them.. how do I even begin deciding? For those of you that have slimmed your collection, how did you do it?
This is what worked for me. First I sold the ones that I was least attached to. Then when I got down to my very favorite ones I considered the buyers. I thought about which of my dolls were more in demand and who wanted them and what kind of home would they be going to. It's much easier to sell your much loved dollies to fellow collectors. I sold my beloved Molly to another member and haven't regretted it. She's much happier now and gets a lot more attention in her new home. She was a WB and I was always afraid to play with her much because I didn't want to ruin her somehow. I believe that dollies were meant to be played with and not stored away in a closet. Anyhoo, that's what worked for me.
You could start by going down the wishlists on here and AGPT and see who wants the dolls you have to offer.
<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ November 01, 2006 07:05 PM: Message edited by: Princess Kailey ]</font>
I'm in the process of thinning out my collection. (see my for sale post) It's so hard to part with anything as it's all so adorable. However, I began with outfits I didn't use.
Next I went through everything and if I didn't have a bond to the outfit or doll then I put it in the sale pile. If I'm at all hesitant, it stays in the keep pile...I can always sell it later.
Dolls are the hardest for me to part with, (I can't give up any of my 3 PM Addys). Knowing that one of my dolls will go to a HB member makes it so much easier.
You could always send your Kailey to me [img]smile.gif[/img]
I'm always in a process of slimming a collection-I have TOO many that I can't afford it all at once. So I sell off my least favorite or the ones that can bring in the most money. I sort things into three piles: yes, no, or maybe-and usually work from there.
-Jordyn
I sympathize with you. I have 4 historical dolls dressed and ready to list, however I can't seem to part with them. They are all at least duplicates.
Do you have any duplicates? I would sell those first. Then I'd sell any I didn't feel as attached to.
Here is my suggestion from when I considered selling some dolls - I made lists of all my "favorites" to see which dolls didn't make the list. For example, I listed my top three dolls in categories like Favorite Dolls to Take Pictures Of, Favorite Dolls to Cuddle With, Favorite Dolls to Dress, Favorite Dolls to Make Clothes For, etc. Then, if there is a doll or two that doesn't make any of the lists, I would seriously consider if I really need to keep her and why.
Granted, I have done this and all of my dolls ended up on at least one list, but maybe it'll work better for you. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
All the advice given so far is good. I never thought that I would ever sell a doll, but I just sold four. All were duplicates -- parting with a doll that I only have one of would be a lot harder. As mentioned, consider selling the ones that you don't feel as close to. ALSO, quit buying dolls for a while! (Yeah, I see you on eBay buyin' dolls!)
HEHE! Yeah that is coming to a halt! I want to get Nikki but not until I slim down what I have already! I will think about it over the rest of the week/weekend and hopefully have some decisions soon! [img]smile.gif[/img] Thanks everyone! Also let me know if anyone is interested in any of my items I have posted! [img]smile.gif[/img]
I just slimmed down my collection, but all of these GREAT pics of the dolls I want...are tempting me to get them (MUAHAHA!) but I can't...I must resist...lol. I'd say get rid of the ones your least attatched too, and if you have duplicates, get rid of them too. Definatly sae your first dolls. (trust me, I didn't. [img]frown.gif[/img] )
I've had to sell off nearly my whole collection before, and this was my strategy.
I sell everything that are duplicates first.
Then stuff that will bring a fairly good price and I'm not very attached to. And everything that I hardly ever use or isn't very good for displays.
Then stuff that is AG and not retired, because it's easily replaceable.
Then the retired AG stuff that is mostly easy to replace from ebay.
I try to hold on to my favorite dolls (especially OOAKs and I'd never sell my childhood dolls) and OOAK clothing for last, because it's most unique and I have the greatest attachment to it. And it's not replaceable, so selling it makes me sad and wish I had not done that later.
I'm actually in the process of thinning through my AG collection now. Round 3 of thinning will probably come soon. My Tonner and Kish and 18" slim-bodied dolls have taken over a good part of the collection and I've found I really like the diversity, so I'd rather sell all the AG stuff I have that isn't really used much or doesn't display well, since I mostly like to set up little rooms and seasonal displays.
<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ November 02, 2006 12:50 AM: Message edited by: horsemom ]</font>
Now Jamie . . . .
If you are parting with your Josefina, or your most redheaded Felicity, let me know ASAP so I can figure out how to afford them . . . just kidding.
So. Do you not have enough room, or do you need the money?
The ones that mean the most to you sentimentally and the old ones that are really hard to replace, you should keep. For example, mow that you have a signed Felicity, i wouldn't let that go. You paid dearly for her, and the value will only go up.
Talk to me on AIM sometime!
Hey everyone! Well our house is just adorable! I completely LOVE IT! [img]smile.gif[/img] We have been sleeping on the floor on a ton of blankets for the past few nights with the fireplace on! I have only filled up my car twice with boxes and items and now I can see why a lot of people stay in the same house forever! Moving is a lot of work and its sooo tiring! We went to furniture stores tonight to price out some sofa's and loveseats and to try to find a new desk. Things are sooo expensive!
I will try to get back online again soon! I am however going to be slimming down my collection. I realize that as much as I love my dolls, there are soo many things we need for the house! Once I decide what dolls I am parting with I will offer them to the board first and then to ebay.
I hope everyone here is doing well! [img]smile.gif[/img]
For me, slimming down my collection had exactly the same effect that trying to lose weight always has. I started with about 50 dolls when I switched to buying Kinsers and making mohair bears for a while. I sold about half the girls, most of which I had bought new from Pleasant Co or AG, and spent the money on mohair and Louie bears. When I got interested in AGs again, I realized that I should have kept the ones I let go. Now I have 86. I replaced not only the dolls I sold but also all the ones I've given away.
The moral is, be careful. It may be cheaper in the long run to leave your girls in boxes and then come back to them later. Plus moving into a new house, as wonderfully exciting as it is, is NOT the best time for this kind of decision. Your priorities now are all about the house. They should be. But I've been in my house for 4 years now. Although it has become my home and I would never want to move, a house doesn't replace the fun you have with dolls.
We have lived in TEN different houses/apartments. Thats TEN moves, sometimes to different cities/states!! Fortunately only 2 times with the dolls in tow. I had to reduce my doll collection when my husband lost his job. First I sold the dolls that were MIB, which included the retired MA Dear America dolls and Heidi Ott dolls, because they brought the most for the money. THen MA Little Women collection, again for the $. THEN I sold the AG furniture, accessories and clothes. If I had to, I would sell my AGOT's/JLY's, both retired/nonretired because they don't have alot of meaning to me though I do think they are beautiful. I don't have any duplicates, but if I did I would definitely sell those at the same time. FORTUNATELY I haven't had to sell any AG dolls, BUT I would also sell the LE's (even though I don't have any) because they would bring the most money. I don't want to think about having to sell the historicals (1WB, 10 PM's/Mattel), but if I have to someday, I will, starting with the WB because once again she will bring the most money. A house is a huge investment (we've bought 6!) and sometimes sacrifices have to be made. BUT if you just sell one/few at a time it won't be so hard. You might find after you sell one/two you won't have to sell anymore. ALSO check Craigs List for "gently used" furniture and you might be able to keep all your dolls!!! [img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]