Collecting dolls doesn't have to be an activity that breaks the bank! Here are 10 ways to enjoy collecting dolls even when the economy is down.
1. Enjoy What You Have
Even if your economic circumstance doesn't allow you to add as many dolls to your collection as you would like, you can still enjoy the dolls that are already in your collection. Find a new way to display them, sew for them, catalog them, photograph them...the opportunities are endless!2. Add To What You Have
Perhaps a new Jumeau, a new Bob Mackie Barbie, or a new Ball-Jointed doll just isn't in the budget this year. Well, what about a new dress for your doll? Or a new pair of shoes, or even a new wig? There are many smaller purchases you can make for your dolls that can revitalize an older doll in your collection. Plus, it's just plain fun to be creative with what you already have!3. A Doll is Cheaper Than A Vacation To Europe!
Buying a doll or two (or three or twenty; it depends on what you collect!) is generally cheaper than a trip to Europe. Or, these days with the cost of air travel, even a trip a few states away! So, if you can't treat yourself to a big trip or a new car, perhaps you can still afford to add to your doll collection. It's still a treat, if a less expensive one.Perhaps a pristine, all-original vintage or antique doll just isn't in the cards right now. Well, how about a fixer-upper? With some cleaning, some minor repairs, and a new or refurbished outfit, you can get a bargain on a good antique, vintage or even modern doll that you can fix-up or even add to slowly (for instance, an undressed, unwigged antique doll with good bisque can often be found for a fraction of the cost of the same doll with a perfect wig, dress, and shoes. So, get the doll and slowly work on or find the missing pieces.
Perhaps you love antique dolls. Well, if the economy has you worried and you just can't afford the best of the best this year, there are budget antique doll choices that might be just as much fun. Same is true if you collect modern baby dolls or asian ball-jointed dolls--there are often less-expensive choices within a collecting category that can tide you over for a little while, at least until you can get back to your greatest (if expensive!) love.
6. Troll eBay For Bargains
In a bad economy, it can often be a buyer's market! If you combine the down market with an overabundance of sellers in certain doll categories on eBay, you can find some real bargains right now. For example, you can easily find eBay sellers who start out auctions at way below market prices. If you combine that with eBay's crazy Best Match search system, sometimes these below-market gems just aren't seen by many buyers. So, if you do your eBay homework, you can find some fantastic dolls at below-market prices. you just have to be at the right place at the right time, and remember to bid! When looking for bargains, bypass any auctions with reserves, but don't overlook below-market priced fixed price items.Estate Sales are often a wonderful way to find dolls at below-market prices. Although eBay sellers have taken away some of the true bargains that you find at estate sales, with the economy down, and more and more sellers seemingly leaving eBay every week due to high seller fees, feedback issues and the like, you might again be able to find some great doll bargains at your local estate sale. It's certainly worth a try, and even if you don't find great dolls, you'll probably have lots of fun in the process!
If you haven't visited garage sales lately looking for dolls, now is the time to get started again! In a down economy, many more items seem to be sold in garage sales than when times are good. So, take advantage and re-connect with the local garage sale circuit in your town...you never know what treasures you might find, at bargain prices!
9. Swap Dolls With a Friend!
If you belong to a doll club, or even have a friend or two that collects dolls, have a doll swap! This will cost you nothing...have all the club members bring a few dolls that they are tired of to a doll meeting, and swap dolls! You can wheel and deal to create equal values, and you can bring home some new dolls without a penny leaving your pocket! The same can be done over a luncheon at the house of a few doll-collecting friends, if you aren't a doll club member.10. Trade Up! Sell Some Dolls You Have To Buy New Ones
One of the best ways to grow your doll collection, even in great economic times, is to sell dolls that you currently have to "trade up" to better dolls that would otherwise be out of your reach. As an example, if, say, you owned three dolly-faced German bisque dolls each worth about $500, but were always craving a more-expensive German character bisque doll worth about $1,500 for your collection (but felt you couldn't afford one), you could sell your three dolly-faced dolls so that you could buy the German character bisque doll. This is a great way to "refine" your collection as you go along, and it is also a great way to get new dolls for your collection without being out of pocket for additional collecting dollars.
