Buying Lots of used Barbie Doll clothes can be tricky.  There are massive lots, medium sized and very small ones; listed in TLC condition, good condition, played with, excellent and mint condition.  So how do you know what it is that you are getting?  The anwser is that you don't; not unless you ask questions. One seller's idea of good condition is very different from the next.  Here are some helpeful hints to help you through the process.

Let's start at the bottom.  Lots listed as TLC.  TLC stands for in need of tender loving care.  This ranges from ripped seams; loose straps, velcro or snaps; missing straps, velcro or snaps; holes, velcro snags, loose hems, missing parts or all of the above.  If you are the sewing type then this may be the lot for you!  Be careful!  Ask the seller how many pieces of the lot have stains, holes or missing parts because these problems are not easily repaired.  Once you know exactly what the lot consists of then you are able to bid accordingly.  There are some beautiful lots of this type listed everyday and you can really get some gorgeous clothes to repair and then resell on Ebay or give to a child for hours of Barbie fun.

Lots listed as good condition or played with condition need your full attention.  The seller could mean that the clothes have been played with for 5 minutes or they can be damaged as listed above. No two sellers have exactly the same idea of what good condition or played with condition are.  So I suggest that you always email/contact the seller to find out what their idea of this condition is by sending this question:  Do any of the clothes in this lot have missing velcro/snaps/straps, loose snaps/straps/velcro, ripped seams, holes or stains?  And if so, then how many?    There are a few different responses that you could receive.  First, the seller goes through the lot piece by piece and emails you with the details of each item that is damaged and which item they are talking about.  This is a great seller!  Second, the seller tells you an estimate of how many are damged, but does not go into detail.  If the answer satisfies you, then go ahead and bid!  If it doesn't, then email them back and ask them for details.  If they don't give them to you, then something isn't right and I would shy away from bidding on the lot.  Third, the seller replies by saying that the lot has been packaged for shipping and they can't open it to give you the details or they do not answer at all.  Both of these responses are unacceptable to me.  Why the evasive response or none at all? What are they hiding or not telling? Usually the seller will respond.  A note of caution for the seasoned bidder ~ don't ask these questions too early in the auction!  If the seller posts the answer on the listing then every potential buyer will see the condition of the lot.  This could mean paying more money for the lot.  Wait until the last day or so, then email the seller.

Excellent condition or mint condition sounds like it should be easy, but again it's not.  I've purchased expensive lots of Barbie gowns that were listed as in excellent condition and have had 4 out of the 8 with flaws: small seam rips, missing straps, small stains, small velcro snags.  To me, as a buyer and a seller, excellent without any other description means that it's in resellable condition, meaning flawless.  Not too many sellers think the same way, so again, ask those questions.  Mint condition has a couple meanings, but all in all means in perfect condition. Vintage Barbie Clothes have a rating system of their own that few Ebay sellers use. But still, mint condition means that you are getting quality items and if they aren't, you've got grounds to get your money refunded.

Bidding on and buying used Lots of Barbie Clothes is a lot of fun. You get to relive a bit of your childhood or go on a clothes shopping spree that you wouldn't be able to afford in your own size :)  When the packages come to your door you get the same feeling as opening presents at Christmas or your Birthday!  Just make sure it's not the same feeling as opening Aunt Ester's homemade sweater that is puke green, 2 sizes too big with one sleeve longer than the other!  Life has too many disappointments, you don't need to be disappointed with your purchase.  Ask questions.  And then enjoy your new wardrobe ~ even if it is Barbie Sized :)