Due to the number of  people who have responded so positively to my first guide, Selling Dolls On eBay From a Buyers Point Of View, I though it was time for part two. I have collected dolls for many many years and search eBay almost daily for them. The result has been that I have a wonderful collection and have made some great friends. It has been the best experience and I think it is because I correspond and communicate with the sellers. I keep a positive non-critical attitude and I like to praise sellers who have outstanding records. Sometimes I even drop a line congratulating a seller with a large number of sales and perfect feedback. I also like to drop a line to a seller telling them how beautiful their dolls are or how lovely their hand made outfits are. Who doesn't like the occasional pat on the back? I feel sorry for sellers sometimes. There are buyers out there who wouldn't be happy no matter what a seller did and remember, I am writing as a buyer, not a seller.

The first guide gave information on how to list and describe your doll. This one will go a bit deeper in hopes of giving the seller a heads up on what works and what doesn't where I am concerned, of course I am just one person, others may feel differently and that is OK, differences are what make the world an interesting place. It would be boring if everyone thought the same way.

In my first guide, I tell sellers to give as much information as possible and to invite people to ask questions. I still hold tightly to that philosophy. The more a potential buyer knows, the more likely a sale will result and the less likely an unhappy buyer or negative feedback will be the outcome of the transaction.

Be sure to make a check list before putting your auction on line. I believe that check list should be; 1. The  type of doll. (Victorian, baby, bride, boy, girl, toddler, one of a kind, fashion, or character). 2. The material from which the doll is made. (Porcelain, plastic, resin, wood, ceramic, bisque, rubber, cloth or other). 3. What is the clothing is  made of? (silk, satin, velvet, cotton, polyester, lace, ribbon, or other). 4.What kind of face does the doll have? (happy, smiling, shy, sad, pensive, etc.) 5. Who made the doll? (the manufacturer if known, any paperwork or tags if present and any numbers/words/letters on the doll itself). 6. Size of the doll. (18 inches, 22 inches or what ever applies to your particular doll). 7. Hair.(Is it a wig or is the hair rooted, molded or even painted on?) 8. Overall condition of the doll. (No vintage doll is new. Avoid using the word "new" when describing a doll that is older. You may say "in like new condition", but with vintage or antique dolls,  new is not a correct description and may come back to bite you later). 9. What type and color are the eyes? (Are they closed, open, sleep eyes which open and close, glass, painted, life like or painted lashes and brows and the color of the iris. This is important since color looks different on different computers. Mention too if the sleepy eyes close and open easily or if they stick.) 10. Is it appropriate for any age or should it be reserved for more mature collectors? (Because materials or accessories could harm a small child, this is extremely important information). 11. Is a stand included? (Many collectors expect a boxed doll to come with a stand. Be specific about this. Also, even if a doll is selling for a nice price but a stand isn't included, consider including one. They are not expensive and a buyer will be so happy that you included this convenient accessory they will literally sing your praises). 12. Is anything missing? (If it is a bride doll, is there a bouquet and veil. If a toddler doll does it come with a teddy bear or other prop? Speaking of props, please let a potentail buyer know if props shown are included and if so which ones or all of them). 13. Is your doll rare or hard to find? (If  you think it is, tell the potential buyer why. Maybe it's because it is discontinued or only a very limited number were made). 14. If at all possible, provide a shipping cost. (Please don't use the shipping quote as your profit margin. That practice is agrivating and will get you off to a bad start). 15. Show as many pictures as possible. (Use upright pictures and closeups as well as full length. Avoid sideways photos so your buyer doesn't wind up in a neck brace). 16. Offer the buyer several payment options making sure to allow enough time for the seller toget the payment to you. (Though instant payment sources charge you a little for using them, it is very convenient for the buyer). 17. Be sure to answer all questions promptly. (If you add questions asked by potential buyers to your description, please keep their identity confidential and your answers polite). 18. When possible, keep the ID of your bidders private. (Not everyone wants others to know what they bought or are bidding on. Many a Christmas or other gift has been found out by the buyer's name being revealed and it also leads to a lot of spam). 19. Ship the item as soon as possible and let the buyer know you have shipped. (That is a great way to build a client base. People really like that extra little touch). 20. If you use a stock picture of your doll, describe in detail what exactly the buyer will receive. 21. And I think this is very important, stay in contact with your buyers! ( Always avoid saying anything that could be construed as personally attacking a buyer in feedback. Keep to the facts only. Personal attacks actually cause other buyers to beware). 

Misc. tips:

Be careful of your spelling. A bride wears a "veil" not a "vale". "Their" refers to them while "there" refers to a place. Then and than are often used out of context.  Make sure your pictures are clear, bright and not doctored or blurry.  OOAK does not mean you have never seen another like it, it means it is really a one of a kind item. Be specific when describing clothing. Mention shoes, socks or stockings, slips, bras and give details of the gown or dress as best you can. Don't refer to something from the 80's as antique and exercise care with the word "mint". Mint means it is exactly as it came from the factory. If you've added or taken something away from the original, it is no longer mint. It is enhanced and "looks almost like new".  Then be sure to tell the potential buyer what you added or what you discarded. Remember a figurine isn't a doll by the standard of many people, so if you have a statue or figurine, state that clearly in the description. Likewise, if the doll has no clothing included but is shown in an outfit, tell your buyer that the doll they will receive will not be dressed. If you are selling an outfit only and it is displayed on a doll, make sure to add a disclaimer in the description (several times) so there isn't any confusion later when your buyer receives an outfit but no doll.

Packing:

If you don't have the original packing material, carefully place an inexpensive hairnet over the hair and face of the doll to prevent mussing the hair. Carefully bubble wrap any porcelain or delicate parts like the head, arms and legs. Wrap bouquets in small clean clear plastic bags. After carefully bubble wrapping in many layers, place the doll in a box that is very close to the actual size of the doll. Then,  put that box into one just a little bigger using extra packing material to further protect the doll. Mark it fragile and encourage your customer to buy insurance on delicate dolls. Remember too,  if there is an odor to the packing material, it may transfer to the doll. Avoid packing with news paper. This will prevent ink staining the doll or the clothing.

Other:

If you show your doll among others, be sure to carefully point out the one you are selling. Avoid saying only second from the left. Instead, say something like "second from the left with blonde hair, wearing the red dress."

If you accidently describe or picture the wrong doll be sure to offer a refund of both the cost and the shipping both to and from the buyer. If the buyer simply does not care for the doll, arrange to refund the cost only and not the shipping or plainly state no refunds just because you don't like the doll. Good sellers know that no sale is complete until both parties are happy.

Feedback:

Always leave objective feedback. Do not resort to name calling or nasty remarks. Just state the facts if you've been left bad feedback. Praise a buyer who pays promptly and who takes the time to let you know they've won the auction. Congratulate the winning buyer. A little common courtesy goes a long way to establish a good working relationship and the possibility of repeat business.

Junk:

It is said one man's trash is another man's treasure. OK, but we all know what junk is. If you list a doll with no head, one leg and half the fingers missing, please list it as for possible parts. If you have a doll with so much crazing that the features are lost in the damage and stuffing is pouring from every seam, be very specific as to the poor condition. If you list a figurine which is broken into several jagged pieces, unless it can be fixed, throw it away. Let's face it, if it can't be restored to any degree of display quality, it is junk. Sorry, but I have seen so many listings for pure junk I just feel terrible that the seller has lost the listing fees. If it can't be fixed, toss it.

I have to share a funny/sad story. I recently saw a listing for a doll which read, "Beautiful older doll. The head is split in two left to right, the shoulders are deeply cracked at the seams, the legs are missing and the arms do not match. There are chew marks on all fingers and both index fingers are gone. The cloth body is badly stained, the wig is gone but not much glue remains. The eyes have either fallen out or are back in the head. The dress is tattered and smells musty but the right buyer might be able to fix her up and have a true treasure at only 65.00 starting price. I think she is from the early 1980's." I'm sorry but it struck me funny. I felt bad for the seller because it was listed several times and of course no one bought it. With that much damage plus being not all that old, I'd say, JUNK!

Stories:

People love to know a little history of a doll they are buying. If you have an interesting story, share it. By all means, if you have a little history of the piece, share that too. It makes for great conversation and the buyer will feel closer to you. Who knows, you may even make a new friend.

Remember:

eBay is searched countless times by people from all walks of life every day. Avoid using explicitly adult photo's to get attention. Always include pictures of the actual item you are selling. Be sure to state the size. If you don't use a flat rate shipping charge, then use a shipping calculator or invite buyers to contact you for shipping costs. Give buyers plenty of time to get specific payment requirements to you. Be as detailed as possible. Tuck a small thank you note into the package. Invite buyers to come back to your auctions. Leave feedback in a timely fashion and never retaliate for feedback you received. Let buyers know you WANT their business and want a smooth and mutually satisfying experience. Avoid threats, but if you must be firm then explain why, people are very understanding.  Never ship a doll in an envelope, it will absolutely arrive damaged. Use proper size packaging, don't make boxes any bigger than necessary.  If you have a lay a way feature, explain the rules very clearly. And finally,"the pictures do not speak for themselves." It is critical that you describe the item honestly and openly. Your buyers will learn to trust you. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, make sure yours is good at all times.

Important:

Check and recheck your grammar and spelling. Tell others what you'd want to know if you were the buyer. Never send out a product that looks worse than the photo. Don't expect that just because you may be an expert in the area of your item that others are as well. Describe each item as though you were explaining something new for the first time. If there are odors, mold, mildew smoke smells or cat/dog hair all over the doll, it MUST be mentioned. You do not want to be the reason for a serious allergic reaction or a bad asthma attack.

Have fun and best of luck with all your auctions. If you wish to write me, please do so as I am always happy to help where dolls are concerned, just make sure to unblock your email address as often it is not possible to answer on the eBay message venue due to security rules. God Bless and have FUN!