Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Dealer Information and Recommendation

Recently a newer collector posted that she didn't know who the 'good' dealers were or how to find out. I can certainly understand that. When I began collecting dolls in earnest I relied on eBay at first. It was only by joining doll chat boards that I learned there was another way to buy dolls.

Always do research before buying to determine if the price you are getting is the best.

LOCATION
Location is very important but sometimes you have to make an overseas purchase when buying an exclusive doll. Shipping usually costs more when importing from abroad. European collectors often must pay import/duties tax. The criteria of location should be based on your location and you need to find out if the dealer will ship to you when you are in another country. When you must have a doll and the dealer won't ship to your location, get a shipping buddy. This should be someone you trust who will accept the shipment from your dealer and then forward it to you. Of course, your postage will increase by the additional voyage your package makes. Sometimes you just have to sacrifice. ;-)

NOTE:
This is a work in progress. More dealers will be added as time goes on.
I cannot endorse or guarantee results from any dealer and this is by no means a complete list of doll dealers. These are the ones with whom I've had transactions in the last few years. Please feel free to email me recommendations or caveats you think are important but please include relevant facts.

This list will be accessible by link in the right hand column of my blog and will be updated when appropriate.


-Huge amount of doll lines and gift items including but not limited to an extensive Barbie collection, Integrity Toys, Tonner Doll, Madame Alexander, Goodreau, Ashton Drake, Sideshow Toys, Exclusive BJD lines such as JamieShow and so much more. This is the super-shop for dolls and related goods.

George maintains a fantastic website which is a great source of information and a lot of fun to browse. His doll photography is excellent so you can actually see the dolls in real life. He answers inquiries very fast. Prices are sometimes higher for items like Fashion Royalty dolls. Shipping is lightning fast.

-All things Barbie.
This is the website of Mattel for it's Barbie Fan Club. From here one can access the bulletin board to chat and see sneak peeks.
Pretty much everything sold directly from this site can be purchased for less money except for club exclusives. However, when BC.com runs a sale, the prices are very good. BC.Com usually has dolls for sale before the dealers get them. Inquiries are answered within 24 hours. Shipping is reasonably priced and average speed. Does not ship outside of the USA.

Bearzabout Washington (USA)
-Tonner, Domuya, Goodreau, Iacono, Creedy, Ashton Drake, Integrity Toys, Gund, Kish and more.
Website is easy to navigate. Communication is excellent. Prices for all but sale items are MSRP. Shipping is very good.

-Dollystyle, Integrity Toys, Barbie, Azone, IxTee and Japanese Exclusives.
Excellent website in English and in Japanese. Kazue, the owner, responds within 24 hours to email inquiries. She is a delightful person who attends conventions and enjoys meeting collectors. Prices for Fashion Royalty and Azone items are MSRP. Shipping is excellent via EMS.

Bella! Studios California, USA
-This company carries their own doll line, Clea Bella, Room With A View background system and props.
The website has nice pictures but can often be confusing as there are a few links that don't go anywhere. Communication is irregular. Their shipping has improved as far as packaging but can take a while to arrive even when an item is in stock. The RWV items and they are well made and very useful.

-Integrity Toys, Doug James BJD, Joe Tai, Tonner, Barbie, Ashton Drake, Madame Alexander, Ginny, Berdine Creedy, Momoko, Effanbee and more.
There are two stores which are basically divided into fashion dolls and 'little girl' type dolls.
Website is excellent and easy to navigate. Communication is excellent. Prices are discounted off MSRP. Sales are excellent. Shipping is lightning fast.

-Barbie Collectibles, Exclusives, Dressmaker Details, Integrity Toys, Magazines, Randall Craig and more.
Website is excellent and easy to navigate. Communication is very good. Prices are listed in Australian dollars so a currency exchange chart is necessary. Prices are often reduced below MSRP. On the two separate occasions this year that I ordered items, they were shipped within a reasonable amount of time.

Denver Doll Emporium Colorado, USA
-Large assortment of imported BJD dolls, clothes and accessories as well as Ashton Drake, Creedy, Ginny, Kish, Madame Alexander, Tonner, Plusczok, Zwergnase and more.
Excellent website. Excellent communication. Standard prices. Excellent shipping.

Dreamcastle Dolls Texas, USA
-Tonner Fashion Line, Character Line, At the Movies Line, Doll and Outfit Splits. Fantastic Tonner Reference page. Easy to navigate website. Fast and friendly communication. Prices below retail. Fast shipping.

Doll Market (The) North Carolina, USA
-Madame Alexander, Tonner, Kish, Adora, American Girl, Bears, Furniture, Clothing, Carriages, Effanbee and so much more.  This place has tons of stuff organized by category and manufacturer. Website is easy to navigate although pictures are often small. Prices on some items are good but you have to do research in order to find out if you're getting a good deal. Communication is slow and often curt. Shipping is average to slow.

Doll Peddlar (The) Arkansas, USA
-BJDs and pretty much everything else under the sun including Integrity Toys and items that no one else has from the past at higher prices. Be prepared to spend a lot of time browsing this website and bring a magnifying glass. You can find good stuff. The type is small as are most of the photos. I have never had to email them so I can't comment on their communication. Shipping is good.

etc. again Maryland, USA
-Sydney Shure is well known and recently became an authorized Integrity Toys dealer. She carries only the Integrity Toys line. I have met this fun lady but I've not had any transactions. I've been told that communication and shipping is "great."

Facets By Marcia New Jersey, USA
-Rhinestone jewelry, belts, pins; shoes; wigs
Website easy to navigate and understand. Excellent photos. You will find items here that are not available anywhere. Excellent communication. Fast shipping.

-FDA dolls and clothes
Nice website with clear photos. Excellent, friendly communication. Free, fast shipping.

Integrity Toys Direct Maryland, USA
-Limited Integrity products such as past season dolls and convention exclusives. Basically the items offered here are the overflow from events and other unsold products. Prices usually stay at retail for a year or more. When there is a sale, prices are excellent. Communication is good. Shipping charges are average. Shipping speed is irregular and unpredictable.

John Robert Collectibles (eBay Store)Will ship Internationally.
-Effanbee, Kish, Madame Alexander, Barbie, Ginny, Tonner, Ashton-Drake, Bradford Exchange, Kruse.
One of my readers recommended this dealer but in my experience his prices are usually the highest around. That could be the reason he has stuff no one else does. So, if you are desperate for something, JR will probably have it for sale.
My other problem with them is that they are in New York as I am, and they charge sales tax. Not good for me.
Neat, organized website with big pictures. Response time to queries is very good.

Maddie's Dolls & More Canada Ships Internationally
-Integrity Toys, Mattel, Ashton-Drake, Magazines
Excellent website, prompt response to query. Occasional good sales. Fair prices.


Manika  Ohio, USA
-Joe Tai, Dolly Style, Randall Craig, Masaki, Annz, Azone, Re-ment, Susie and more.
Easy to navigate website with good photography and information. Standard prices. Excellent and friendly communication. Standard shipping.

Marl and B Florida, USA
-Large vintage Barbie collection, Integrity, Tonner, Randall Craig, Dressmaker Details, Effanbee, Modern Barbie, Convention items (Secondary Market) and more.
Good website, easy to navigate, Excellent and friendly response time for inquiries, Standard prices. Standard shipping.

Marsha's Dollhouse Kansas, USA
-Barbie, Tonner, Integrity, Randall Craig, Gene. Prices appear to be retail and I did not see anything on sale.
Another collector said, "She works full time so, probably due to time constraints, her site isn't always up-to-date. She is, however, quick to answer emails."

Mary T's Doll House Pennsylvania, USA
-Fashion Royalty & other Integrity dolls; Randall Craig, Dressmaker Details .
Easy to navigate website. Owner is well known and friendly. Standard shipping.

-Tonner, Integrity Toys, Effanbee, Ashton Drake, Elf Dolls, Kio, Gene, Wigs and more. 
Good website, easy to navigate.  Prices listed at retail or 10 to 15% off, depending on the doll line. Sales on older merchandise are often 50% off. Excellent and friendly response from Marg Matsui, well known doll collector/dealer. Good shipping.

Pat's Potpourri (eBayStore)  Pennsylvania, USA  Ships Internationally 
-Integrity Toys Dolls, Ashton-Drake, Tonner Dolls
On eBay Pat goes as kaydee3 dolls, and dolls4emma
Good prices on many items but you should do research. Lots of merchandise. If you order directly via email, you get a 7% discount on Tonner or CED dolls that are listed on eBay. Web links take you to the auctions.

Pink Ponytail  Oregon, USA  Ships Internationally 
-Barbie, Randall Craig, Dressmaker Details, Re-Ment
Great website, fast response to query, average shipping time.  Do research to determine if you are getting the best price. 


The Matilda Company Connecticut, USA
-Madame Alexander, Tonner, Kish, Marie Osmond
Easy to navigate website. Prices stay at retail. Has many discontinued items from the Gene line.

R and D Fashion Dolls Taiwan, Republic of China
-Barbie, Integrity Toys, Momoko, Susie, Annz, Jenny, Volks, Blythe, Pullip, Rune and more.
Easy to navigate website. Excellent communication and shipping. Ships worldwide.

Susan's Shop of Dolls Maryland, USA
-Barbie, Limited Tonner Lines, Fashion Royalty, Gene Marshall, Randall Craig. Many discontinued items. Prices vary with regards to discounts but tend to stay at retail. I've been informed by another collector that they do not accept foreign credit cards.
Fast shipping.

The Toy Shoppe Virginia, USA
-High quality and high priced toys, teddy bears. Many fine and limited edition dolls. Website is a joy to browse. Cissy, Riley, Kish. Limited Tonner items. Lots of other goodies.
Excellent response. Excellent shipping.

Tonner Direct Ships from Pennsylvania, USA. Company is actually located in New York.
-All Tonner Lines. Prices stay at retail for a long time. After special events and conventions, they are the source for left over dolls and souvenirs.
Excellent all around service and shipping.

Two Daydreamers California, USA
-Broad selection. Madame Alexander, Tonner, Effanbee, Kish, John Wright, Gunzel, Zawieruskynski. Always has a clearance section but rarely as low as you can get elsewhere. Robert Tonner's Ashleigh sculpt is their exclusive.

Wilde Imagination New Jersey, USA
- A branch of the Tonner Doll Company and the only place to buy Ellowyne Wilde and Evangeline. They also have three re-imagined Wizard of Oz dolls on the site.
Excellent eye-candy photographs and easy to navigate. Beware! This website makes you want everything.
Sales happen every so often along with occasional free shipping. Service is excellent. Shipping is lightning fast.