How to Start a Barbie Collection

Buy some basic Barbies if you're starting a child's collection; add to the collection gradually. Do some research if you're interested in collecting valuable Barbies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Barbie Accessories
• Barbie Furniture
• Barbie Houses
• Barbie Dolls
• Barbie Bazaar Subscriptions
• Barbie Fashion Designer CD-ROM
• Barbie Clothes
• Barbie Shoes
• Barbie Purses
• Barbie Jewelry
• Vintage Barbie Dolls
• Collector's Series Barbie Dolls
• Ken Barbie Dolls
• Skipper Barbie Dolls
• Kelly Barbie Dolls
• Teresa Barbie Dolls
• Stacie Barbie Dolls

1. Determine who you are starting the collection for.

2. Purchase at least two Barbies (with different colored hair), one Ken and at least one other doll from the Barbie family if you are starting a collection for a child.

3. Start the collection slowly.

4. Add clothes, furniture and accessories as the child becomes more interested in Barbie.

5. Listen to what the child asks for once she becomes familiar with Barbie. She may just "have to have" Happenin' Hair Barbie or Hollywood Nails Barbie or may tell you that Barbie has "nothing" to wear.

6. Notice what kinds of interests the child has and purchase Barbies that relate to them.

7. Make sure the child has a place to store Barbie and all of her things.

8. Branch out into Barbie houses and vehicles when you feel the child can take care of them and when you have room in your home for them.

9. Read Barbie pricing guides and collector books to get information about buying collectible Barbies for older girls or adults who want to start a valuable collection.

10. Buy collectible Barbies that appeal to the person collecting and that have some value. Avoid buying things like the 1998 Holiday Barbie that was so overproduced that it no longer has any collector's value.

11. Determine where the collection will be kept. Make sure valuable dolls are kept in protective cases and that dolls bought as NRFB (never removed from box) remain that way.

12. Refrain from making any alterations to collector dolls; this will lessen their value.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that starting a Barbie collection is a fun activity. You can't be "wrong" no matter what you buy.
• True Barbie lovers will adore any Barbie that comes their way.

[kjos]

on 11/13/2008 I bought a number of used Barbies to start my new collection. I got out my magnifying glass to see the dates. To my dismay, I see that the date on the head is different than the date on the back of the doll. What does this mean?
Also, there are faces I don't recognize as Barbie's face. Is there a list of pictures of "friends" Mattel made? Thank you.

[maddigirl]

on 9/12/2008 I've always loved barbie since a i was a kid, but never had much of chance growing up to get them. I always dreamed of collecting them but never thought it was possible until one day I was in college and I moved to a new city, my friends mom had a barbie collection! and I thought she's like 40! I was so happy that as adults you CAN still have barbies and not be looked funny. Now I'm in my 30's and I collect barbies and very proud of it. I just needed to see someone else do that thing that I avoided for a long time to make me believe again. Now I'm very happy collecting. I also sell when I can. :)

on 7/29/2006 Buy what you like regardless of their value. I have nearly 100 collector Barbie's and some OOAK as well. I have been collecting since I was 9, which is like 18 years now.

I collect for the sheer enjoyment of them. I don't place too much monetary value on them, even though some are worth a good amount of money. I buy what I like and what appeals to me. I display them out of their boxes proudly. I take very good care of all of them.

Don't worry about what others think if you decide to take them out of their box (believe me you'll hear their opinion, whether you want to or not), it's your collection and every collector is different. Enjoy your collection however you decide to do it.

on 11/22/2005 Just because a doll is overproduced doesn't mean you should avoid it! Just wait for them to go on sale, and you can get dolls you love (like the 98HH) at a discount price!
Even if you buy a doll and its value drops, if you love the doll, don't sweat it!

on 3/29/2007 I have a page set up with lots of info for new Barbie collectors - and it gives a much more well-rounded view than this one!