Doll auctions can be intimidating--if you've never been to one, it's hard to know where to start. Even if you've attended a few auctions, you might still feel like a novice compared to all the calm, cool and collected bidders you see in the auction room. If so, the following tips for attending a doll auction may be all you'll need to feel like a pro!
1. Get The Catalog Ahead Of Time
The more time you have to look over the dolls being offered in advance, the smarter your bidding decisions will be. You can check market values from previous auctions, dealer lists and online prices prior to the auction, and you can narrow down the choices in the catalog to the dolls you are most interested in. If you are attending an uncatalogued auction, see if you can get the list of dolls faxed to you ahead of time; if not, get to the preview as early as possible to help compensate for your lack of information.
2. Dress Comfortably
Whatever you choose to wear, make sure it is comfortable! Auctions can run many hours, and you will want to be as comfortable as possible so you are not distracted from the bidding. Also, wear comfortable shoes--you can spend several hours before the auction starts on your feet at the preview.
3. Eat Something First!
Auctions often run right through a meal time, and you don't want to make poor bidding decisions due to lightheadedness from lack of food! So, eat first (yes, I know I sound like your mother!). If you can't eat first, then bring a snack in your purse or briefcase--its often hard to get a quick snack at hotels where auctions are held. And, even if you can find a snack at the hotel, it's likely to be expensive.
4. Pack The Following Items In Your Purse or Briefcase
- A Snack (see #3 above)
- A Small Flashlight: To check for hairlines and other imperfections in bisque dolls. Also, lighting in hotels where auctions usually take place is notoriously poor (see #8 and #13 below).
- A Doll Value Book: Don't be embarrassed to check a value right in the middle of an uncatalogued auction! Its better than making an era in judgement.
- A Pen and Paper: To mark down prices realized and write notes on your bidding
- Your Check Book: Some auction houses take credit cards, and most charge an extra premium for that.
- Your Seller's ID: If you have a doll business, so you don't pay sales tax.Your Identification: To establish your bidders account if its the first time at the auction house's auction
5. Get To The Auction Early
No matter how good (or bad!) a doll looks in a photograph, it will always look different in person. This is why time spent at the preview of the auction (usually immediately preceding the auction) is essential. I cannot count the number of times that I went to an auction to bid on ten specific items, and after the preview, decided to bid on ten different items. The previews can be short--sometimes only two hours or less--and crowded, and there can be hundreds of dolls to review. So, get there when the preview starts, and use most of the time to carefully examine the dolls.
6. Go To The Auction Even If You Don't Plan To Bid On Anything
If you are a collector of vintage or antique dolls, or if you are a dollmaker, do not miss a chance to see quality dolls in person if a doll auction comes to your area. Other than museums and doll shows, there generally isn't a better opportunity to see rare and unique dolls than at a doll auction.
7. Save a Seat!
Auctions can be very crowded! As soon as you arrive, use your pad or your doll value book, a sweater or something to save a seat! Otherwise, you may end up standing during the auction if it is a popular one.
8. Check the Dolls Carefully Prior to Auction
Try not to bid on dolls you have not examined prior to the auction. If you want to examine a doll, especially at a catalogued auction, ask a staff member of the auction house to assist you (there should be several in the preview area). Don't be shy--especially at an uncatalogued auction where condition is not guaranteed, look at everything! At an uncatalogued auction, if a Barbie is dressed, ask to undress it (you never know what type of body flaws you might find). For a bisque doll, remove the wig and put your flashlight inside to reveal any repairs, hairlines or damage. Consider if the body of a doll, or perhaps its arms or legs, have been replaced. If a lot of dolls are in boxes, and the boxes are stacked and rubber-banded, take the whole thing apart and look at each doll! You get the idea. Remember, uncatalogued auctions are usually "buyer beware"--its your responsibility to find any flaws (and, you WILL), so bid accordingly. On the other hand, remember also that all dolls at uncatalogued auctions are NOT fatally flawed--there are reasons that dolls end up in uncatalogued auctions besides major damage. I have purchased blue-ribbon UFDC dolls at uncatalogued auctions, and you can too, if you are careful.
9. Set A Budget
Set a budget and don't go over it for the auction. Remember, its easy to get carried away in the heat of bidding when you see so many beautiful dolls!
10. Pre-Determine Your High Bids
You should determine your high bid for each doll, and stick to it. Your high bid does not necessarily mean your bid will be in the range of the pre-sale estimate. You might only be interested in certain dolls if they are a bargain and come in under the pre-sale estimate. For other dolls, your pre-determined high bid could be double the pre-sale estimate if you want the items badly enough. Whatever you determine prior to the auction, try to stick to that pre-determined high bid--this will prevent you from getting carried away in the auction and later regretting paying too much.
