Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Where can I sell a porcelain doll really quickly?
Too many variables and not enough info. Do you know the value of the doll? Facebook marketplace is good for sales $5-10. If it is a high value doll over $100 and you are an experienced eBay seller, a 7 day auction is a good bet. If it is a mid range doll in the $25 range, they are the hardest to sell and often sit for months or years unsold in any venue.
This is all very general not knowing what you have and the value or where you are located. If you can post more information, I may be able to offer more guidance!
Hi,
I think going to stores that sell dolls and asking if they would like to buy yours is a good idea. Also, an app called LetGo is great. You download it to your phone, and post the item, and you will probably sell it fast.
Blessings,
Robyn
Our family tended to buy dolls in the costumes of various countries. Most of the 30 or so I now have are at least 50 years old and do not have manufacturer information. What's the best way to find a good home for them. We don't necessarily want to sell them.
Same question for about 10 story book dolls in original boxes. They have never been undressed or played with other than careful holding.
Thank you.
Any library would love them
You are very kind soul to pass along these dolls and the lovely karma they come with.
I have a few suggestions...do you have a college with international studies (like we do with the University of Pittsburgh? If so, perhaps they would take them for a case display. If you are nearby Pittsburgh, here is a link to the nationality rooms that the school boasts! They are pretty amazing to tour. www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/
If not, do you have a children's museum? They also may like them for a display.
If not, do you have a children's hospital or rehab? They may take them for giving to children who do not have a doll to love.
If you had the energy to parse them out by country/nationality, you could contact the local ethnic centers for each nationality or nationality churches (we have tons of these in Pgh) and maybe they would want the one that matches their culture either for display to to use in a raffle or such.
Post back what you decide!!
Wishing you all the best in your quest!!
Sounds like a really nice collection of vintage dolls.
I believe that I would do a little more research before deciding how to best donate these dolls as I feel sure you do not wish to hand them out by only one or two dolls to any single location.
I would like to sell my Vanessa Ricardi dolls. All are NIB. Years 1998-2000. Where is the best place to sell and determine their value? eBay has listings, but not of my dolls.
eBay is still the best place to determine the value of most any doll even if they do not have your particular dolls. Current listings can tell you what a seller is ASKING but sold listings can tell you what someone was really willing to pay and completed listings can tell you what did not sell - at least over the last 30 days. You may have to keep checking but if prices are low (or high) for dolls in your series/years/condition then most likely that will be the close value of yours. Dolls of almost any kind are very slow sellers (an eBay seller may have a doll listed for weeks/months/years) and very difficult/fragile and expensive to ship.
We do not know what dolls you have and general information is too vague so you may have to continue the search with your dolls "in hand".
Here is a site that will give you a little information:
dollreference.com/
eBay current listings for Vanessa Ricardi Dolls:
www.ebay.com/
This is for eBay completed listings:
www.ebay.com/
This site will show you what some of this series actually sold for:
www.ebay.com/
I am not going on the internet but here I am. I have maybe $10 I would like to get rid of anything from a Shirley Temple Madame Alexander and a few others that are porcelain. I'm not real concerned about the value I just wanted to get rid of them and not give them to Goodwill. So if you could contact me the easiest way is celll 314 497 5580
I got a Palitoy 3042 walking talking doll round 50 years old. I am just wondering would anybody know its value?
I have several porcelain dolls for sale. How do I go about selling them?
My mother bought me this doll years back. It is a vintage 16" porcelain Vanessa Doll Collection Series 1995. It is dressed in a red and black coat and skirt. I was wondering how much it could go for now. 
I was thinking I could probably sell it for $200.00, but I wanted to know if that is way over or under the price range I should aim for.
I have scoured the internet and I have yet to find 2 exact replicas of this doll. The only other replica I found was taken off of the market and I am wondering if it is because it was worth nothing at all or if it is truly worth a lot.I saw a Vanessa doll for $54.99 asking price on Amazon. That is the most expensive one I saw.
I truly wish your doll was worth this kind of money but from research it is really doubtful that your doll would sell for even $50 as most of this collection is listed for under $35 and many have the original box and COA included.
I did not find one that sold so even at low prices this series is not moving very quickly. Dolls are very slow movers and sellers many times keep their dolls listed for months and even years and many just take them down and donate them to charity.
Here are some similar dolls (and I cannot see or find anything particularly special about your doll) presently listed on eBay. eBay is considered the largest doll selling venue in the world.
www.ebay.com/
Perhaps someone else will have more information available but from my research, you would be better off to list her on something like Craigslist and name your price. You can always reduce the price if no one shows an interest.
I hope I am wrong and you are able to sell your doll for much more money.
How do I sell porcelain dolls?
If they are mass-produced, sell as a lot on eBay for a good price. Expensive dolls should be sold individually
First, it is best to value each doll. Many dolls have NOT held their value...but there are still some that fetch quite a bit. I just sold an old, old, old doll for over $500. On the flip side of that, I also sold an OLD doll for a whopping $5. The market is all over the place, which is why you have to know the value of each doll.
I always recommend doing this by identifying each doll and finding a comporable one on eBay that has sold. NEVER use active auctions to value a doll, only SOLD tells you what someone will actually pay.
Keep a spreadsheet of each doll by name and sold price so you don't have to keep researching.
If you can't find an exact match, wait a few days and keep checking. This is the only way you can be sure you don't cheat yourself on value.
Note how much the seller charged for shipping also. IF THE SELLER OFFERS FREE SHIPPING, you have to remember the SELLER pays this amount so you have to add that amount into your listing price (but it is not part of your value or profit--for eBay....you can use shipping amount as value if you are selling them outside of Facebook as this is the total amount a person paid for a doll).
I prefer to sell dolls by the piece, but if you see most of yours are low value dolls, you can consider:
1. Put the entire lot up for sale and take what someone bids and be done with it (the market will dictate the final price)n you set the starting price.
I would suggest a 7 day auction starting at $25 for all...only do this if you are OK with getting that minimum amount...you set the minimum...if you want it to be 100 you can do that also...then wait and see. This could go on for many rounds of 7 day ads with them not selling.
You can use this ad as an example of how to work your ad and take your photos. This is a lot of work, you need to be able to wrap them very carefully and get them to the post office also...so figure that into your time efforts.
www.ebay.com/
2. You could put them for sale on Facebook Marketplace the same way and set a price for the lot and take best offer.
This way you don't have to deal with shipping you just have to think about do you want people coming to your house to get them. Again this could go on for many rounds with them not selling.
I do some porch pick up for sales and so far it works OK. I have them put money (cash only) in a secure place on my porch and they message me if they take the item. This is OK for things under $40....I wouldn't go much higher than that for that method.
3. You can call around to see if any consignment store in your town will consign them for you. You get them out of your house and if they sell you get a percentage of sale. If they don't, you can work out with the consignment store what they do with them after the consignment period ends..
4. You can donate them and take the tax right off.
5. You can find a charity or a bunch of little girls who will love them and give them all always! Dolls were meant to be loved, not money makers....but that is just me!!
If you need more help understanding selling methods, message me back and I can see what I can do. I have been selling stuff since I was knee high to a grasshopper! :)
I have a collection of dolls from around the world. What would be the best way for me to sell them? They range from 15-20 years old.
By Peg R
I would some research on line to determine a price value range. Then you can start with ebay and Amazon. Maybe check with local doll clubs.
Check the markings on the back of the doll. You will have to remove the clothing. If there are no markings, it is probably mass-produced and has little value. If it does have markings, www.dollreference.com is a good place to start your research.
How do I find a good place to sell some Barbie dolls? I have three Marylin Monroe Barbie dolls, Day in the Sun, Hollywood Cast Party, and Publicity Tour. They are still in their cases, they have never been opened. They are also their third, fourth, and fifth series. If anyone has suggestions for selling them please advise. Thank you.
By Jesica A. from Rocklin, CA
The advantages of Craigslist is you get cash and local people only see it. The advantages of eBay is that the world sees it and unless you put a "buy it now" option, bidding wars ensue for things two or more people want. Put Barbies in eBay and you will find thousands, but it will also give you an idea of what they are selling for. I have sold 18 on eBay over the last 12 months, so it's a toss up as to which one I like best.
Sandi
I have sold a lot on ebay, not dolls but Cookie Jars. But honestly if you don't really raise the price to make money out of it, the shipping cost kills you. I have a large collection of Special Edition Barbies and "Gone with Wind" Porcelain Figurines from Bradford Editions. Just not sure what to do. Craigslist is most likely the best option to afford the high shipping costs.
Due to difficult economic times, I am selling off things to bring in some money. I have several collector dolls from places such as Ashton Drake Galleries, Danbury Mint, Franklin Mint, that are closed issues now. Where is the best place to try an sell them? eBay doesn't seem to bring good sales for collector items.
By nvfostermom from Las Vegas, NV
I have a friend who needed to sell her stuff she had the best luck at community flea markets or church sales.
Look on ebay and look at sold only to see what your type of doll has recently sold for. The post the for sale on Craigslist in your area. You might need to keep re-posting every week. Craigslist is free and the best way to sell. Selling on ebay is OK but you take a risk on the price and dolls aren't selling so good right now plus you have the packaging and shipping issue. You might have better luck selling all the dolls together as a 'lot', people seem to really like this. You won't get what you paid, so just decide on an amount and post them. Don't let greed get in the way of cash in hand.
I have a Patty Play Pal doll that is 58 yrs. old I would like to sell it . Can you point me in the right direction?
I have a boxed 20" Ashton Drake Gallery doll with certification of authenticity. It's a real life like doll with baby clothes. I wish to sell it either directly or to a collector,not via eBay or gumtree. Please can you give me some advice? Thank you.
By Lee
Thank you for your post and interest in Ashton-Drake dolls. Unfortunately, we no longer have a secondary market for retired dolls. You may want to check eBay or visit an antique/doll shop to get a value for your ballerina doll. Good luck! Thank you, Chris
I have a doll, Emily, of American Girl, Mary Kay collection. She is 18 inches, she is #4 of 50, from 1993.
She is in her original outfit and in like new condition, no box.
By Linda
This is not a valuable doll. Enjoy it for what it is.
I have a least 10 collectible dolls for sale. I'm Melbourne Florida. I need to know the value. They are 10 to 15 years old.
By Debra Carree from Melbourne, FL
Check out answers on Thrifty site. Go to the top right of your screen and put porcelain dolls in search area... lots of information.
I am trying to sell four dolls. Their names are: Brook D-24, Victoria Ashlea, Megan #46026, and Kristal # 0099 1200. Any suggestions?
By Luther
Google their worth. Then, see what people are selling them for on eBay, then decide if you want to take the hit on money whether you sell them or not. Try Craigslist but be prepared for spammers who just want you to link to their sites and make money.
Sometimes a consignment shop is best. They pay for the advertisement, keep some and you get the rest. Your items are insured, and you can always take a photo of them and post it on facebook... thus giving them a shout out. Good for everyone. And finally, if you have facebook friends who love dolls, announce their sales on there. Good luck!!
How can you find someone to buy collectable dolls?
By JMB
Hi - this question is asked almost every week and the answer is almost always the same. eBay is the biggest site for selling things like this. Do your research at eBay and Google. You will most likely be disappointed with the price they are selling - if they sell at all.
I have a large collection of ceramic dolls from the 20s and 30s to sell. How do I find buyers?
By Shy
Hi - you will have to go to eBay (takes lots of photos) or Craigslist. You need to check out each doll on Google and eBay.
I inherited about 50 dolls from my mother when she passed. I need to find a doll collector to sell these dolls. Some are very old and have real hair and glass eyes. Some are jointed and some are filled with sawdust. She had every doll imaginable. How do I find a dealer to help me sell them?
By Vicki
I have several dolls I bought when I lived in Germany. I was told they were collectables. How do I find out for sure?
By Jennifer E
I have a 1962 Midge Barbie doll in the box. What is the value?
By Linda from Austin, TX
I have a 42 inch Rustie doll named Audro. How can I find out her selling price and history so I can list her?
By Georgette from Dayton, OH
Many people have heirloom dolls that have been handed down from mother to daughter for generations. This is a page about finding the value of old dolls.
