When someone says in their auction, very good condition, considering age, it burns me up, I have had many dolls that were 60 to 100 years old with no flaws, or very minor flaws. Age has very little to do with condition, it is the care that they have been given, not the passing of years that causes trouble.

A very poor, and not original doll... The seller stating the book price on this doll, then stating the price for an all original doll. The books I have, list a price for dolls in very good condition, with all original clothes etc.

Stating mint condition, then listing all of the flaws..... A mint condition doll has no flaws.

Stating mint condition, then saying, "redressed"...Mint condition includes everything the doll came with originally, in like new condition.

I think the dealer who knows nothing, or very little about dolls should be as cautious in buying, and selling, dolls, as they would be in dealing in coins, or stamps, They are very specialized fields, and only by a lot of study and experience can one really know these subjects. So I would advise anyone that has very little, or no knowledge of dolls to seek professional help when buying, or selling them.

If you have a helpful hint, and would like to E-mail me, I would like to add it to this page. Be sure and give your name so that I can give you credit for your comment.

This note came to me from Mary.

I have notice vintage means different things to different sellers.Anywhere from the 1930 to the 1980's means vintage to some.And forget the word "old", it means 10 years to some Sellers, and it means 1930's to me. It is a matter of interpretation, but Buyers be aware!Learning from experience, Jobalink2@aol.com (Mary)

Here is another comment from B. J. Crane

----- Original Message-----
From: C10171@aol.com
To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Peeves

I have bought two beautiful composition Shirley's very recently. Both of them were listed as having "original wigs." The wigs were probably original for another Shirley, but didn't fit well enough and the glue showed from the actual original wig on both dolls. These were from different sellers, and before I buy another doll on line, I will email the person and ask them if it is the original wig for that particular doll and whether or not it has at one time been removed. I felt they should have been more truthful in advertising. With another seller, I purchased a 27" Shirley and had already sent a money order for $950. I kept seeing the same doll on the ebay and thought there must be a mistake so I contacted the seller and she said "oh, I wasn't sure you wanted her and I relisted her." Then, she tells me "we will just have to wait and see who is the winner." In other words, she was encouraging a bid war between me and the next high bidder. She was holding my Money Order all the time and telling me she couldn't do anything until the second auction was over. I gave up buying dolls after that purchase. Thank you for letting me vent steam.
B. J. Crane

This E-mail came to me, Sun, 7 Nov 1999 from Paula King

Tucson Arizona

As a dealer for 45 years, I have found that buying anything on the Internet, and especially dolls, calls for EXTREME caution. The web abounds with flea market dealers with no idea of what they are selling, nor very little integrity to go along with it. I also buy antique and vintage children's books, and boy have I paid a high price to find out there are darn few sellers in that category who are professional dealers. I now look for dealers in any category who list visa, and master card, as they usually are pros and know what old, vintage, mint, original, and good condition are, and are honest. Thanks for this page, I wish the auction sites had these kind of pages so we could really vent our rage at some of the terrible sellers out there. Also our appreciation for dealers like you.
Paula King Tucson Arizona

peejay2323@aol.com

-----Original Message-----

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Hints and ideas

Hi! My name is Marilyn and I love dolls. When I first started buying on EBay I trusted the descriptions completely. The one area I have found to be careful of is the category of hard plastic dolls. Hard plastic dolls are, of course, exactly that. They do not dent easily, you cannot squeeze their heads or bodies, and they do not dent. I have viewed a couple of little dolls, not recognized them, and purchased them taking the sellers word for it and paid good money for them to receive many celluloid and even one compo. Take the time to purchase at least one good doll book and then take the time to look up the doll first, if possible. You may miss one "bargain" only to save many other heartaches and many more dollars! Hope you learn from my mistakes.

Marilyn Calkins

San Dimas, California

MomAbbaBamma@cs.com

-----Origina l Message-----

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Compos

I think it's always best to ask specifically if there is any heavy crazing, cracking,lifting, chips or deep cracks on a compo doll I'm interested in, especially with abuyer I've never dealt with before. Another thing that has happened to me is when the seller says the doll has been restored. I have no problem with some of my dolls being restored, but I only want dolls that have been air-brushed. And what is with some of the poor dolls having their hair painted looking like huge blobs of color on their heads,not to mention horrible eyebrows?

-----Original Message-----

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Pet peeve

Mine is when a seller gives you a price for Prioity mail then sends it reg. mail,Is that mail fraud? or just being greedy???? If they want more money for an item then put that price on it don't boost my price then mail it cheap.. I mailed money over sea's for air mail and it came 2-1/2 months later, mail to Canada- same thing but to pay 3.85 and it come with a 55 cent mail stamp on it takes the cake and there is NOTHING we the buyers can do about it either but stop buying on Ebay, I went in to ebay and could find no where to complain about this practice. GWDolls@aol.com

Georgia

-----Original Message-----

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: frustrated buyer

Thank you for the opportunity to vent my frustration.

I have been buying dolls for years, just not from ebay.

It was so much fun at first and then I was high bidder three times with the same seller before the first doll arrived. The "all original" body was made up of parts from three or four different dolls, that fit together quite well but most definitely not correct.

The second doll was a Kestner with tape over the eyes obviously to hold in very crushed eyes that put together would not have made up two eyes. This doll also had arms for a much smaller doll.

The third doll,described as "minty"and all original was a hard plastic M.A. with clothing made up of not even the proper fabric.Description specifically said even original shoes and stockings.Satin shoes that I have ordered by the dozens and socks. On a bride?

Scrape on face also. Not close to mint.

First doll ,I eventually got my money.

Second doll I wrote many emails, letters, and phone calls to them. First he told me to put in an insurance claim. I told him that was fraud and then I mailed the doll back.

Excuses from him were as follows: #1 Hadn't heard from me.# 2 Didn't know my address.#3 Fingers glued to the keys. #4Had written several letters and I just hadn't received them.#5Check was in the mail.#6 Pate wasn't with doll. #7 We have six people working for us and they forgot.

#8 You should have put in claim and we would both be okay. Those are the ones I remember.I finally got my money less shipping. I don't know what to do with the third doll. I feel it is wasting money to send it back. I have bid on ebay again but am very hesitant.

I do not know everything about dolls, however I feel someone that wasn't in the know might have thought that those dolls were okay.

I found out from many people since then that this dealer is known to be unscrupulous. Unfortunately I found out to late.

I also found out that the feedback doesn't tell the whole story. I know that you can email questions,however should you have to ask about points that they have clearly stated?

Thank you for listening to me and please be very careful.

Beverly Harrington

-----Original Message-----

From: Lars and Susan Larsen

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Great comments page!

Hi Anne, I was scrolling through dolls on eBay and clicked on your pet peeves section.

I find all of the comments to be absolutely right on the money.

My pet peeve is receiving an email that declares I am "the lucky winner". I always view the seller as being the lucky winner because they took a chance that their listing would sell . When I notify someone that they have won an auction, I always thank them for being the "high bidder" because that is what they are.You are obviously one of the better sellers and thanks for taking time to add a little something to your listing.

Best wishes, Susan Larsen (sueyahoo)

-----Original Message-----From: Adeledoll@aol.com To: fos@eoni.com Subject: Bruised ego!!!

My pet peeve is sellers who say the doll is a Shirley and she is not!!! I know that all those grandmoms out there thought their doll was a Shirley and this infro gets passed on to dealers and some dealers believe. Honest mistakes are made and I always give the seller the benefit of the doubt...........but my least favorite seller on ebay and I am sure they know better, has an original 1938 Shirley listed on ebay and a Shirley she is not. It is not even a 1938 cause those eyes are from the 40's. It really rubs me the wrong way. The bidders on these unfortunate dolls are usually just getting started buying and they are not knowledgeable enough to know what is happening. It is hard for me to keep my fingers still but I know that I have to!!! Live and learn but it can be expensive!!

Anyway, I do enjoy keeping track of your beautiful dolls!!!

Adele Ü

-----Original Message-----

From:

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Pet Peeves

Boy, am I glad to find this spot! My biggest pet peeve is with certain buyers rather than dealers. I both buy and sell on Ebay and have not had a whole lot of trouble. The one thing that gets me is when a buyer has the nerve to complain after they have received their doll (or whatever) about a flaw that was fully described in the listing! Trying to make everbody happy, I offered to take the item back and refund their money, but they did not want that. They wanted to keep the toy and get SOME of their money back. If I did not do this, they would leave negative feedback! Would anybody besides me consider this blackmail? Thanks for listening,

Sharron

-----Original Message-----

From: Jackie

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Your Comment page

Hi Anne, Your Comment page is fantastic! Thank you for letting me Vent! Mypet peeve is hard plastic dolls that are described as needing a littlewashing. When you get them , they are moldy under the dirt and the whitespots do not come off. To me they are damaged,smelly dolls,

Jackie

-----Original Message-----

From: Cecilia Moudree

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Your "Pet Peeve" Page!

Hi Anne,Its Cecilia again! I just checked out your Pet Peeve Page and all I cansay is "BRAVO"!!!! I've had a lot of my suspicions confirmed,especially about a certain dealer in (Florida)...... did I saythat?????? I have learned the hard way too about dealers not reallyknowing anything about what they are selling. I appreciate thedefinitions about "vintage" and "old" and "antique" ....... theydefinitely mean different things to different people! I may be gettingolder, but an antique is still supposed to be an antique!!!!! And I amdefinitely vintage, but I am not OLD!! (*grin*)

I truly appreciate what you said about restored dolls, done by folks whoput the soul back into the piece, without making it look redone. When Iwork on old bears I tell clients it is conservation, not restoration. Ithink the same applies to old and antique dolls. Preventing furtherdamage is preferable to making it look like something imported recentlyfrom the Far East! And being honest about what you know of the doll'shistory is of utmost importance! Those are the dealers I reallyrespect. And if they got it at Aunt Fern's estate sale, it is good to know that too.....

Thanks for giving us doll-lovers a chance to talk to a fellowdoll-lover!

Cecilia

-----Original Message-----

From: GWDOLLS@aol.com

To: fos@eoni.com

Subject: Re: Pet peeve

Hi there, Your site is in my favorites and I go check it out all the time too bad more people dont know about it.

Buyers and sellers!!

Cause ebay seems to have their heads up their (you know whats) or else they are in a dream world all their own, just so the money comes to them..

SO a big cheer just for you and your site

Georgia

-----Original Message-----

Subject: pet peeves

Hi, I also like reading the comments on this page. My pet peeve is aphrase that seems to be popping up all over the place lately, and that is"A wonderful addition to anyone's collection" How does the seller knowwhat's in anyone's collection? That phrase drives me nuts. It's justunnecessary.

I also dislike the large postage fees, usually undisclosed until afterthe auction, for small items. I have paid 10.00 for a well packaged, largebisque doll, and yet have also paid the same for a tiny compo or allbisque. If there is going to be a large postage fee it should be mentionedin the description. I once paid more for postage than I did for the doll!

Elaine

----- Original Message -----
from-IONABAR@aol.com
To: fos@eoni.com
Subject: restored dolls

Boy, do I agree with you. I've been collecting for three years, from doll shows, doll stores in Chgo. and Ca., collectors United newspaper and of course ebay. Unfortunately, the worst are from ebay, but that was in the beginning.

I have several dolls that were explained as restored and I in my ignorance thought that meant air brushing. God help me, the brush strokes were so thick it was disgusting. And what's with the thick eyebrows? br>Doesn't anyone ever look at pictures of the doll. The originals always had very light eyebrows and some Bubbles dolls only have the appearance of eyebrows without any color.

Then my next pet peeve are the dolls with big blotches of usually dark paint for hair. Once again, look at old pictures.

I have a big collection of Bubbles, Lovums and Horsman, plus a lot of the big unmarked babies. I would say at least half are original, some with original clothes, and the rest are beautifully restored. So I feel I have the best of both worlds.

Anytime I'm trying to help someone, I always tell them to ask if the restoration is done with an air brush, not a paint brush. I tell them to ask if there is any crazing, cracking, peeling or lifting. If they don't answer back, forget the doll. Always remember dolls photograph beautifully and seldom show the damage. The other important thing is that you get what you pay for. I believe if you pay 60.00 for a doll, you're not getting a buy unless you are a professional and plan to restore it. I think good dolls are going to cost a bit.

Well, I didn't mean to go on, this is just what I personally have found.Thanks for listening.
Em

----- Original Message -----

From: Danita Thomas

To: fos@eoni.com

Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 11:05 AM

Subject: peeves

WOW!!

WHAT A SITE!

IT IS REALLY A RELIEF TO FIND YOU!

THANKS FOR GOING TO THE TROUBLE TO HAVE THIS "PLACE OF SOLACE"!

I AM NOT A GRIPER AND DO NOT TRY TO OFFEND AND SOMETIMES IT JUST FEELS GOOD TO BE CONSOLED BY OTHERS WHO KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.

I FOUND YOU BY LOOKING AT THE PRECIOUS TINY TEARS YOU HAVE. I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TINYS THAT I CAN JUST LOOK AT AND ADORE--SOMETIMES I CAN BUY BUT NOT OFTEN. I AM REALLY MOST PEEVED LATELY BY SELLERS THAT SAY THEY CHARGE ONLY ACTUAL SHIPPING AND FIND OUT THEY JUST MADE 3.50 WITH A LIE PLUS KEEPING MY $1.30 FOR INSURANCE!!!

NOT REFUNDING IT TO ME AND NOT EVEN MENTIONING IT.

I DONT EVEN MIND PAYING $3.50 FOR HANDLING MOST THINGS, BUT I DONT APPRECIATE BEING LIED TO.THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME GET THIS OFF MY CHEST,

DANITA

Hello! Thank you for the forum to let us vent!

I bid on a Shirley Temple doll and it was listed MINT, found the same doll listed with the same picture for sale several days following my actual bid date. I emailed the dealer and asked how she could use the same picture for 2 different auctions, they emailed back that they had "several dolls" up for bid. After I received the doll it didnt match the picture, had a discolored head, mismatching socks, I emailed the other bidder and let her know that the doll I received was not the same one as the picture and her doll she was bidding on may not be the doll she would get.

The dealer then called me and said I was beign reported for bidder interference. She also said I would need to file a claim with Palpay, as I gave her a bad report.

( I eventually got my money back, but what a drama this was!!).

Cathy

(This writer wishes to remain anonymous)

I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion but their statements can be very misleading also.

Here is one:

Stating mint condition, then listing all of the flaws..... A mint condition doll has no flaws. Stating mint condition, then saying, "redressed"...Mint condition includes everything the doll came with originally, in like new condition.

The keyword in the statement above is "condition". Condition mean what state the doll is in. It's talking about physical state the doll is in. So when a seller say's Mint they are stating the physical state of the doll. Now if they say "All Original" then that means the doll should have her original clothing.

As for the word mint you could go to any store in the world and buy a doll from anywhere and a 98% of the time if you're really picky and fussy you will find a flaw on the doll. Now I'm talking about a doll purchased brand new in a store. There are flaws if you really look in everything you buy whether new or old. When a person says mint they mean the doll is in fantastic condition with either zero to one or two very minor flaws. So it's really a disservice to the seller for someone to say that the seller is a bad one when they say the doll is mint because the seller is only stating the physical state of the doll.

Now for the words vintage or antique. On most professional sites the term "vintage" mean an item that is ten to thirty years old. Antique means anything that is older than thirty years. On a couple of sites the term antique means anything fifty years old or more. So maybe we should all use that as a reference for whether to use the word vintage or antique.

Now my huge gripe as a seller. All these buyers when you do charge shipping will complain and complain about the shipping costs. Sure a seller can ship a doll cheaply if they shove it in a box all folded up so it fits in the smallest box and just throw a bunch of Styrofoam or papers in the box and ship it off and there is allot of sellers that do just that so that's why they can charge so little for shipping. The downside is that a large percentage of their dolls will arrive damaged. Yes you the buyer got your shipping for a low price but what did you gain in the end? A damaged doll. Now I've been selling for many years but I've always been selling with the shipping and insurance included just because it was so darn irritating hearing complains from Ebay buyers about why the shipping was so high and no one else charges that. They don't understand that I go maybe even to the extreme's but I take the time to take every precaution possible for the doll or item to arrive safely. These dolls are treasures and I feel they should be treated as treasures so I'll wrap every delicate area with bubble wrap individually, put protective packing over the eyes and wrap the accessories very delicately too. Then put it all together and wrap it in protective bubble wrap again. Then many times put is in one box and then put that box in a larger shipping box with lots and lots of packing material. Yes it takes more time and costs more to ship but I've never had a doll damaged in shipping. Is it worth the extra money for shipping to protect the doll? I think so as many aren't replaceable.

Now for my own pet peeve. I've watched for years as a high volume seller AND buyer (from California) sells rare doll after rare doll and gets anywhere from hundreds of dollars even up to thousands of dollars for these dolls. The problem is that a large majority of them are fake. This seller will purchased on Ebay every rare caracul wig she can get her hands on and then will put these wigs on molded head dolls, airbrushes the dolls and then sells them for big bucks. I've watched in the past year alone she has purchased 7 rare platinum caracul wigs and sure enough a few weeks later she will show up selling a doll with one of these wigs on. Yes, I've even got the proof of all her winnings and can prove she has purchased these wigs on Ebay. Just recently she sold a platinum Tiny Tears with that rare platinum wig and the doll was airbrushed and she sold it for hundreds of dollars. Not once in any of her ads through the years has she ever stated she put the wig on the doll and never states the dolls have been fully airbrushed. She sells them as "All Original" and they were a lucky find or some silly story like that. She puts the black, deep red, strawberry blond and other various colors or caracul wigs on molded head dolls and sells them for big bucks and falsely claims in her ads they are all original and never been touched up. She does this on many Tiny Tears and Dy-Dee dolls. Oh and then there is when she states clothing is original to a doll and it isn't or the fact she makes up history to suit her ads. I've watched for years as she has been fraudulently selling these dolls and ripping off buyers of hundreds and thousands of dollars. This lady has even been sued for fraud but continues to deceive hundreds, maybe thousands of buyers. What gripes me is that she is ripping off the buyers and most of all this seller is destroying the true history of the dolls she sells. All in the name of GREED!

I think it is a lot of fun to share your hints and ideas here! Thanks.... The comments on this page are individual opinions, and do not necessarily reflect my feelings.

I thank all of you, we doll lovers need to stick together!

Anne