Confessions of a Doll Show Virgin
Or
My Day at the National Barbie Convention Salesroom
By Bethany M. Sefchick
Standing in line, I could feel the excitement. The crowd of people began
somewhere on the Mezzanine level above and snaked around and down through the
lobby until it was out the hotel door and down the block.
Having only been to one small doll sale a few years ago, I had no idea what to
expect. I was used to buying dolls on-line though dealers or eBay, when I felt
like being brave. A few times I had found dolls at antique stores so that I
could look in person before I bought. But for me, this was to be a whole new
experience and I had no idea what to really expect.
People of every age, race and sex shifted impatiently, waiting for the line to
move forward in a crush of people when the doors finally opened. Like me, those
lucky enough to reach the Mezzanine were able to look in the souvenir room and
pick up a t-shirt or a special beanie bear or even some note cards or a pin
while waiting for the main event to begin.
Finally, the crowd began to move and the excitement grew. Cash was exchanged for
a bright pink hand stamp that was checked at the door. Then, before I knew it, I
was in! And, oh what a sight to behold waited beyond those ballroom doors!
There were Barbies everywhere and a throng of people in a mad rush to buy with
cash in hand!
Boxes of newer dolls were stacked from floor to ceiling and tables were lined
with vintage and mod era dolls and fashions! Every square inch of the room was
occupied by something that was related to Barbie or a few other select fashion
dolls. It was too much to take in all at once, and my mind began reeling. I
stood there, frozen for a few moments, before the rational part of my mind took
over and I began to browse the room in a logical way.
I picked the right side of the room to begin my assault, since that seemed to
have the fewest people. Large doll boxes and display cases surrounded me on all
sides, leaving me in awe, while others rummaged through sliding drawers full of
hard to find accessories and shoes. Even a drawer full of spikes! The most
beautiful vintage cases I had ever seen lined the floor of one vendor while Marl
showed off her impressively full row of #1s and Bild Lilis.
Linda Dean of Classic Pink was passing out bags of candy and doll-sized clothes
hangers while people at the Joshard table pointed out the intricate sewing on
their artist dolls. One table sold Barbie-sized replicas of vintage cases and
hatboxes, while another was holding a buy-one-get-one-at-half-price sale on some
stunning hand crafted fashions.
NRFB Japanese side-part, high color American Girls were side by side with
Twiggys displaying a hint of mod fade. Platinum swirls and dressed box dolls
sporting every fashion imaginable looked stunning when displayed with a mint
Austin-Healey or a partially assembled Fashion Shop. And BMAA award winning
dolls stood side by side with Gene, all for sale and all for a price.
I would stop to gaze at a Julia Simply Wow giftset for a moment before a thickly
rooted titian bubble or a white ginger caught my eye. The more wonderful dolls
and fashions that I saw, the more I knew that I was not seeing everything and
couldn't even hope to. There was just too much to be believed.
People whizzed around me as I worked the room, finally stopping at Joe Blitman's
table long enough for some conversation over a fixer-upper Tutti and a chance to
hold the vintage Sorbonne fashion in my hands for one brief moment. I moved on,
flitting from table to table, trying to remember where I had seen certain items
of interest while searching the stacks of vintage and mod clothes for the
elusive Yellow Mellow fashion.
Chatting with people that I had only talked to via the Internet before, I made
my way, eventually to the second and smaller room. More artist dolls and stacks
of modern ones greeted my eyes. Less vintage here, but still impressive. I made
my way through the crush of people, trying to take it all in, stopping every few
inches to inspect the newest treasure that I had found.
Dealers, eager to make a sale, talked non-stop about the virtues of any given
doll and offered better deals than the marked price, in many cases knowing full
well, that the dealer at the next table down was undercutting prices. And I
bought. More than I thought I would. The deals were just too great to be
believed in many cases and the opportunity to great to pass by.
Time had literally flown by as noon approached, and at this point, my arms were
full of purchases. Taking a breather in the lobby area, I passed off most of my
bags to my "package carrier" (a.k.a. my father) so that he could take
them to the car. The only bag I would not relinquish was the one with the little
Tutti I had bought from Joe's as I could not bear to let her out of my sight.
Back into the main ballroom I went, looking to buy some of the items that I had
passed on earlier in the day. A living Skipper found her way into my bags, as
did a Bay School Spirit Barbie,'94 Happy Holidays doll and some of the many
shoes that Linda Dean was selling from her perfectly sorted drawers.
This trip around was completely different from the first, though. Same dealers
and same items but my eyes came to rest on different dolls or fashions or
accessories. And it was just as wonderful and thrilling as it had been the first
time around.
Eventually in the afternoon, I ran out of time, money and energy. I knew that I
still had not seen every item out for sale, but I also realized that even if I
had days, I probably never would. There was just too much. I had been able to
find all of the items on my want list and several that weren't, all at prices
around or cheaper than what I had hoped.
More importantly, however, I gained something just as valuable to me as the
dolls and clothes that I had bought. I had gained experience. Not just in show
shopping, but in doll shopping in general. I saw with my own eyes what truly
mint vintage looks like, and how even the rattiest looking of dolls can be
turned into beauties with some love and care.
The best thing, I learned, however, is that for all of the on-line dealers and
the web auctions sites, there is still no substitute for buying in person. There
is just no comparison.
My View
(and shopping tips, too!)
By Bethany M. Sefchick
First, let me say that I admit it. I live in a doll show deprived area. Not many
doll shows to be had in central Pennsylvania, let alone good doll shows.
But all that aside, I really thought that I was more than prepared for the sales
room at the National Barbie Convention in Pittsburgh in August.
I had read my books, and studied up on my fashions and accessories. I read my
price guide and perused the back issues of Barbie Bazaar and Millers. I knew
what I was looking for and I had my list made up. I was ready. Or so I thought.
Turns out, I was only half ready, as the show was well beyond what I could ever
possibly have imagined. There were more choices in those two rooms than I had
ever imagined possible, not to mention the fact that rooms were huge
beyond my imagination.
Next time, I'll know better.
Next time? Will there be a next time? I really hope so. I gained so much
knowledge and experience from that one show that I can't wait for my next
opportunity to examine first hand the incredible amount and quality of
merchandise available at a show like that. Only when that day comes, I'll be
much better prepared.
For some collectors who live in remote or show-less locations, the Internet is
the best source for dolls, outside of the local doll shop, if there is one, or
Target, Toys R Us or Wal Mart. Some buy from fellow collectors who are also
on-line instead of large dealers, which can often led to much more satisfactory
deals. For other collectors, shows are a way of life. They went to one last
weekend and they'll go to another one in a few weeks.
So for the show circuit newbie, as I was, let me offer you a few tips from
someone who's been there. Call it Bethany's Top 10, if you like. I've skipped
some of the obvious ones to hit on some that are crucial to a good shopping day.
Some may sound like the patented doll magazine tips, but having lived through
it, I can now sort out the good tips from the ones that are merely promotional.
1. Study up! It's easier and more fun if you go into a show knowing what
you're looking for and what to expect. You should know the target price you want
to pay and how likely you are to find it in good condition for that price. Also,
If you know your #3s from your #2s or even your American Girls from your Swirls,
you're less likely to be ripped off or taken advantage of
2. Make a list. If you go into a show knowing what you want to look for,
you're less likely to be overwhelmed by all of the choices available. This
doesn't mean you won't have a moment of panic or stand in awe once you get to
the door. It just means that you have a plan and it will be easier to get your
bearings once inside
3. Get a good night's sleep. Hard to do if you're a conventioneer
yourself, but then, you had a few days to look at the sales room. If it's a one
day sale or the open sales day at a national convention, sleep is a must. You
snooze, you lose.
4. Eat Breakfast. If you get to the sales room and you're stomach is
rumbling, you're more likely to miss out on good deals. You can't shop when
you're hungry.
5. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes! This may sound like a no-brainer,
but unless you're Corazon Yellen, you don't need to dress to impress. And even
then , that's debatable. Look neat but casual. You can't shop or bargain if your
skirt is riding up your butt or your pants are too tight and everything's
hanging out all over.
6. Take as small a purse as possible. For guys, well, this shouldn't
apply to you, but maybe in some cases it does. For women, if your normal purse
is a huge shoulder bag or sack, a smaller purse or mini-backpack like teenagers
use might be a good idea. It's easier to carry, lighter, and less bulky to fight
with in crowded rooms.
7. Bring a helper or shop with a friend. This isn't always possible and
sometimes it means paying for their admission, too. However, if you go with a
friend or just have someone to help you carry bags, it's worth a lot of time and
trouble. The other person can take a trip back to the car with your treasures
and theirs, if you don't feel like taking a break. This also helps if you buy
big, high priced items such as cases that could possibly be crushed in the
crowd.
8. If you see a great sale, don't wait for a better one! Better known as shop
smart! Sometimes you'll see an item that's terrifically priced. If it's the
opportunity of a lifetime, don't pass it by thinking that the next table down is
trying to compete and will have it cheaper. That's not necessarily the case,
even though some magazine articles would have you believe otherwise. Too many
people missed a sale on the first Hallmark holiday ornament thinking that
another table would have it cheaper. Consequently, if it's way overpriced, then
by all means pass it by and look for a better price.
9. Take a break every few hours! Nothing will tire you out quicker than a
hard day of doll shopping and pushing your way through a crowd. If you don't
take a break, you'll be exhausted by noon and unable to last the day.
10. If possible, take a little more money than items on your list. Easier
said than done, right? But consider this. It's inevitable. You will go to a show
and find a buy too good to pass up that's not on your list. It might be a doll
on clearance that you've lusted after, or a vintage case that someone is tired
of carrying around for a bargain basement price. If you have an extra $50 put
aside that's not earmarked for anything in particular, you can buy that piece
and not feel guilty or overspend.
Well, that's it. Ten tips from a former doll show virgin. Take them for what
they are, as not everyone's experiences are the same. These just reflect what I
learned in one hectic day in August. But keep in mind that once you go to a
show, you never go back.