Search the Internet:

[ Doll Tips 1 ] [ Doll Tips 2 ] [ Doll Tips 3 ]

Buying at online auction

If you are a beginner collector I don't recommend you buy antique dolls via online  auction unless you are sure the seller is a reputable doll dealer.  Many sellers on auction sites do not specialise in dolls and don't know the difference between an antique and a reproduction and I often see reproduction dolls being described as antique.  It's obvious to an experienced collector but a novice could easily be misled.  It's easier if you collect the vintage dolls - celluloid, hard plastic or composition as those types of dolls generally aren't reproduced. 

If the item you want to bid on is on an international site (eg then read the auction carefully to check such things as where the seller lives (which will affect the amount of postage you will need to pay if you're the successful bidder) and whether or not the seller is prepared to ship internationally (some won't).  Also check the payment methods the seller accepts.  Paypal (credit card) is the easiest way to pay on eBay for New Zealand buyers.  Some sellers prefer international money orders but those can't be purchased in New Zealand.

Check the seller's ratings if you are interested in bidding on an auction as it is usual after a transaction for both parties to leave feedback about each other - checking the feedback can help you determine whether a person is safe to deal with and what type of stuff they usually sell, ie whether they know anything about dolls.  The person's feedback rating is usually displayed on an auction listing as a number after the person's auction ID.  Clicking on the number will display the feedback and with each feedback comment there is usually a link to the particular auction the comment relates to.

Copyright © 2003 www.antiquedolls.co.nz
Last modified: 23 Jan 2010