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In 1998, I believed without hesitation or qualification that eBay was a positive force in the world of doll collecting.  It was unlike anything that doll collecting had ever seen, and it opened up many doors for collectors worldwide.   However, if you ask me what I believe today--if you ask me whether I think eBay is a positive or negative force in the world of dolls-- I'm not sure what answer I would give you. 

EBay was started in 1995 by software engineer Pierre Omidyar.  It started out as a very small web site--in fact, it was started by Mr. Omidyar so that his girlfriend could trade the Pez dispensers she collected.  I joined eBay in 1996.  At that time, all the auctions for dolls at any one time fit on ONE web page.  It was a small and close-knit community of collectors.

The Growth Of eBay:  Supply and Demand 

Things started to really pick up in 1997 as the site grew by leaps and bounds.  The Dolls category was split up into numerous sub-categories. You could STILL surf nearly everything in any particular sub category of dolls that you collected in in ONE night with no problem.   By the beginning of 1998, things were growing at an even more amazing pace--that year, Meg Whitman was hired to be the CEO of the company, and by September 1998, the company went public, and the value of its stock skyrocketed.

Still, in 1998, eBay was an amazing, positive force in the world of doll collecting.  Most of the dolls offered on eBay in its early days were vintage dolls, antique dolls, and modern dolls that were already out of production.  In the very beginning of the site, there was a definite overbalance of demand (buyers) and not enough supply (sellers) so prices were high, but collectors were willing to pay extra for the privilege of easy access to dolls that they would have never had the opportunity to see or collect if it wasn't for eBay.    By 1998, things had regulated fairly, and supply and demand were relatively equal.  So, prices were still good for sellers, and buyers continued to have access to dolls for their collections that they would have never had access to otherwise, but at somewhat better prices.

In fact, for some collectors, the discovery of eBay was nearly miraculous!  Rural collectors, collectors without mobility, and collectors who didn't have time to attend doll shows or visit doll shops (busy working mothers, for instance) finally had access to dolls for their collections no matter WHAT they collected.  They could shop at home in their pajamas, and buy dolls from other collectors and dealers located all over the world.  eBay truly brought a whole new way to collect and enjoy doll collecting to collectors of all types, in all locations, and in all situations (provided, of course, that they had a computer and Internet access!). 

Throughout 1999 and 2000, supply started to outstrip demand, and now in 2001, supply has GREATLY outstripped demand.   This has had a huge, downward effect on the prices of most vintage and antique dolls, especially the more common items.  Of course, many collectors probably consider this a positive effect of eBay.  If you're BUYING dolls, its great.  But, if you are SELLING dolls, OR if you are sitting on the sidelines watching the value of your collection decline, this doesn't seem to be a very positive effect.  

Another effect seems to be that there are fewer dealers AND attendees at doll shows.  This is NOT good for the hobby, since you cannot replicate the experience of seeing dolls in person on the Internet, and you cannot replace the personal, in-person connections made with dealers and other collectors at a doll show or doll convention with the online auction experience.

From Collectibles to New Merchandise 

Another HUGE change in eBay during the past few years has been a change in the mix of the merchandise offered.  At first, almost all of the items offered on eBay were antique, vintage, or secondhand.  Lately, the site has shifted towards new items, including new dolls.  If you want a modern Barbie, Gene, Tyler (fill in your favorite modern doll here) why visit your favorite doll store or doll show when you can get the doll cheaper online?  

Again, if you are buying dolls, you might think its a positive thing to be able to buy your favorite modern dolls at greatly reduced prices--often at just above wholesale!  But, if you really think about it, the negative aspects of this deluge of new dolls on eBay are quite serious and worth considering.  First, doll shops cannot compete with these prices.  They have to pay the rent, their employees, their electric bill, advertising costs, etc. etc. etc.  If many modern dolls continue to be offered at such low prices online, many of the local doll shops will be put out of business.  Which, of course, means that the next time you want to see the latest dolls, or you want to discover NEW dolls, your only option may be photos of the dolls online.  And, do you REALLY want to lose the personal service and personal attention that a doll shop owner can give you?  Sometimes, its only that special, personal relationship between customer and retailer that can get you that VERY hard to find doll that is sold out everywhere.

And...it gets worse.  Eventually the sellers that are selling massive amounts of dolls at JUST above wholesale prices on eBay will realize that even THEY cannot make any money doing that, and they, too, will go out of business.  If the doll shops have gone out of business, AND then the remaining online auction sellers of modern dolls go out of business, who will doll manufacturers SELL their dolls to?  Yes...if you are following this line of thought, they doll manufacturers will ALSO go out of business, since their will be no retailers left to sell their dolls to.  Unless, of course, they decide to direct market their dolls to collectors.  If that happens, you can be sure that the days of ANY discounts on modern dolls will be gone forever.  

Sounds harsh?   Maybe.  But, its worth thinking about, especially next time you press the "Place Bid" button during an eBay auction for a brand-new doll that you could buy from your local retailer.  Sometimes, perhaps, price shouldn't be the only consideration.

My Verdict 

So, I'm sure you want to know, on balance, if I consider eBay to be a positive or negative force for doll collecting.  I think I'd have to say its mixed!  Yes, there are negative problems with oversupply, modern doll pricing, and the effects on doll shows and doll shops.  BUT....there are also the positive aspects of a free and open marketplace (especially for antique and vintage dolls), and the wonderful way that eBay has brought so many choices and collecting options to collectors in their homes.  So, I will trudge off to the 2001 UFDC National Convention and teach a new group of students the ins and outs of "Doll Collecting and the Internet" this August and, of course, I'll teach them ALL about eBay--the 1,000 pound Gorilla of the online doll collecting world. 

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