Used Doll Pet Peeves

I haven't been using this blog as much as I should. I think it would really help to post more frequently here. In fact, allow me to post a few of my least favorite secondary market pet peeves.

Let me start by saying how much I appreciate being able to buy dolls on the secondary market, and used dolls. I really like to be able to save a buck here and there. Plus, there are no doll stores in my area--the closest is about three hours from here, if there isn't any traffic. I do rely a lot on the web for doll sales, and those do come with an automatic buyer-beware listing. Still, there are some general rules I wish to which sellers would conform:

1. Non-smoking environments are non-smoking. It means, the owner of the doll doesn't smoke, the significant other doesn't smoke, and no one else in the household smokes. Not even just outside. If the doll is stored in a common area of a condo or apartment complex, where people might smoke, this is not a non-smoking environment. I'm sorry, but paper and cardboard absorbs cigarette smoke like crazy, and you can't get rid of it. So does polyester fabric. Do not sell your items as non-smoking if they aren't.
2. List your doll for sale in the correct condition. If your doll has never been removed from its box, say so. This is NRFB. If you've taken the doll out for pictures, your doll is unfortunately not a NRFB doll. It might be considered mint in the box (MIB), however. And list the actual condition of the doll in the listing (including whether your item is odorless, from a non-smoking home, etc.), so your buyer isn't disappointed.
3. Stains: Some buyers don't care about stains on a doll. For example, I have a friend who recently obtained a grail doll--Bewitched Sydney from the 2005 Tonner Halloween convention, I believe--and she had stains on her arms and legs from her black and purple outfit. Since my collector friend intended to keep her dressed in this original outfit, the stains were fine by her. So sellers, be honest about your doll's stains.
4. Pictures: Make a point to take good, clear, focused photos, in natural light or bright indoor light, of the actual doll you have for sale. Excuses such as, "My camera is broken," are very poor. Wait till your camera is fixed or borrow a friend's, and then sell your doll.
5. BJDs: Please list what condition the stringing of your doll is in when you sell your ball-jointed doll. Will she stand on her own, or is she loose or too kicky? Is there uneven yellowing on your doll? Resin yellows in most cases, but some will yellow unevenly. Are there dents or scratches in the doll?
6. Is your price firm or negotiable? If you're not listing on eBay, state if your price is negotiable or not. That will save us buyers some hassle.
7. Get back to your buyers in a timely manner. If you're going out of town, remove your for-sale listings temporarily, or issue an out-of-town notification on your email.
8. What are shipping costs? Include them in your listing. There isn't a reason not to include shipping. Weigh the package before you post the listing, so you're ready to answer any questions, or so the buyer can look up his or her own shipping cost before contacting you.
9. Where are you willing to ship? US only, or will you ship overseas? Which countries?
10. Finally, what types of payment will you accept? Do you accept layaway or trades? List that in your trades as well. If you require insurance, that would also be handy to know. Do you accept returns? What's your policy?

Listing doll-related for sale, and buying them online shouldn't be difficult. It should be easy and fun. One of the great things about doll collecting is that we can "upgrade"--trade up, down or across--if our tastes change as we collect. Why can't we collectors come up with a standard for listing pre-loved dolls for sale, to keep each other happy?