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The Ultimate Guide to Collecting, Buying and Selling Dolls

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TPEsnack
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The Ultimate Guide to Collecting, Buying and Selling Dolls

Post by TPEsnack »

Here's my idea...

I would like to purchase a guide to dolls where I can learn the technical and business side of dolls, as well as consumer issues. Otherwise I will spend a lifetimes reading here and other forums, separating conversation from hard facts. Plus learning through experience (mistakes!) of course. Has anyone assembled all this essential information concisely in one place? For a fee of course.

There is a Blue Book to women's and antique doll collecting why not men's particular angle? Is the market so niche?
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Re: The Ultimate Guide to Collecting, Buying and Selling Dol

Post by carlys_guy »

don't think this is the right catagory for this it may be better in the open area.

carlys_guy

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Re: The Ultimate Guide to Collecting, Buying and Selling Dol

Post by TPEsnack »

Can I move it to save mods' time?
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Re: The Ultimate Guide to Collecting, Buying and Selling Dol

Post by nukeno »

TPEsnack wrote:I would like to purchase a guide to dolls where I can learn the technical and business side of dolls, as well as consumer issues. Otherwise I will spend a lifetimes reading here and other forums, separating conversation from hard facts. Plus learning through experience (mistakes!) of course. Has anyone assembled all this essential information concisely in one place? For a fee of course.

There is a Blue Book to women's and antique doll collecting why not men's particular angle? Is the market so niche?
Hi TPEsnack,

if you like to master something you cannot take shortcuts.

You don't have to read everything on TDF, you can start with reviews or by studying the buy and sell subforum, in which dolls are presented the most honest, with all their defects etc. Some senior members also have posted guidelines which are often put as stickies on top of each subforum. So it's not that hard to get started.

Also you cannot compare sexdolls with antiques. Most people here buy a doll to "use" or to live with - as a sextoy or as a companion or both. Only very few actually collect them like collectibles. Used dolls do not gain in value, quiet the contrary. Antiques can be hundreds of years old, you need historically background knowledge to judge and value them correctly. Also antiques will gain in value, because less and less items of the same kind exist over the years. Again, with sexdolls it's quiet the opposite.

It seems to me, as if you would like to deal with dolls and have someone telling you how to turn a profit quickly. Guess what, something or someone like that doesn't exist because it wouldn't work or just once - or for example if you buy or take over someones else's established business.

So, if you are a “customer” and want to buy your first doll, pick one you like, read about it on TDF, look at pictures from other members, ask questions if necessary, buy it or pick another one. If you are not sure if dolls are for you, buy a used one or a cheaper fabric or foam one to start with and go from there. There is just no other or cheaper way...

best wishes
nukeno
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Re: The Ultimate Guide to Collecting, Buying and Selling Dol

Post by TPEsnack »

Thank you for your seasoned advice Nukeno.

Yes, antiques is a poor analogy. I meant the business end of dolls. For example in the 1980s coloured stones became popular as an investment instead of as jewellery and the market went crazy for a while (then collapsed). So, a better comparison would probably be used cars. They are definitely used and indeed they too go down in value except for some very specialist models. Are there books on buying and selling cars? I think so. That market too requires specialized knowledge.

You are correct. I am lazy. But I see no reason why there would not be resources (online and in print) less on the hobbyist approach. I will keep looking - or write one myself in ten years!
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Re: The Ultimate Guide to Collecting, Buying and Selling Dol

Post by nukeno »

The thing with cars is, you can repair them, at least to some extend. If you buy a crappy car and put some work into it, you'll get more than it's worth out of it.
But you can't fix used dolls like that. Broken joints or skeletons are barely reparable without destroying the whole doll.
You can glue skin defects to some extend or deal with delamination issues some silicone dolls with foam core might have.
Finger wires brake eventually or poke through and there's nothing you can do about it. Joints will loose their tension with wear and you can't retighten them...
Some people buy used dolls just to try them once or because they don't care about some defects and "use" them until they are totally broken...

So, if you are trying to buy and sell used dolls for profit – good luck!
If you want to become a “doll doctor” - that actually might be worth your while.

Otherwise...
TPEsnack wrote:...or write one myself in ten years!
...try that then - I'll buy one. ;)
Life is a strange game: "The only winning move is not to play."
Yet here I am, dreaming about reality again...


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Re: The Ultimate Guide to Collecting, Buying and Selling Dol

Post by TPEsnack »

Nukeno,

You offer germane information. Thank you muchly.

I am perhaps paying too much for a used doll that has been repaired in multiple places and hip joint not fully functioning. But indeed it is a trial. This time with no jury.

Your point about repairs is well-taken. Imagine the costs in shipping alone though, and to be borne by customer.

Off to inspect one doll for possible purchase tonight (Doll Sweet 145 cm). Anything I should look for that I would never think of as a newbie?

Ah, I leave in ten minutes. No time for your reply.

Hermes
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