What Are Doll Collectors Looking For?

Last month, my wonderful personal shopper, Deborah asked me:

"I actually have a question for you! I don't know if you do this, but some collectors do and have always wondered about it: What exactly are collectors looking for when they open several boxes to look at the doll faces? I, and the other Personal Shoppers, would really like to know and be aware ourselves of subtle differences that we aren't seeing. Do you have something in particular that you want to check our before you purchase a doll?"

Well, I don't really look at the differences between different dolls before I purchase. I know that every doll is the same, so I wouldn't be the proper person to answer this question for Deborah. I asked for the help of my followers on Instagram, and here are the responses I got.

"I always look at the eyes because I'm picky about the eye shape and making sure there's no defects. I also make sure the facial coloring is nice and the hair isn't wonky." ~ @agdazzle

"I look for defects marks on the skin etc. I pick out 3 that are more or less perfect and pick the one that looks the best." ~ @still_love_dolls

"Check to make sure hair and face are in order. I don't want to get a doll, just to have her exchanged because her eyes are lopsided, you know?" ~ @dreamer.dolls

"Well, if I'm renaming, I study each doll until one screams the name I want to rename her. With my Caroline who I renamed Willow, I looked for the doll who seemed to have the most personality in her face." ~ @ag_dollflowers

"I check the quality to make sure it wasn't just thrown together, make sure the eyes are the same size and shape, clarify if the hair is good and soft then I check for dents and marks in the skin. Then I name it." ~ @agskaterstudios

"I look at the eyes. If they're all wonky… then no." ~ @darkdollies

"Some of them seem to have a slightly different face, so I find the one I like the best." ~ @dandydollies

"Their hair so its not missing rows of hair, different face, weird eyes, and loose limbs." ~ @infinityloveag

"Oh you look at the eyes to see if they're even in shape and size. And what one has the best freckles (if there are any) and which one has the best hair. And don't forget lip coloring! When I got my Grace, I went through like 20 of them and got the one with the most red lips. I hope this helped!" ~ @pretty_poppies_ag

"Make sure that one eye isn't bigger than the other and to make sure their ears are even, etc." ~ @agalwaysfan

"The face molds are all a teeny bit different so I look for the one that I like the best. I also look at marks and hair and things like that." ~ @helloagforever

"We just 'feel' it when we have a special connection with a certain doll! thats why I look through and choose a certain one!" ~ @agdolldiary

"To see any eye defect. Also the different Graces have slightly different bangs." ~ @capeziodollies

"Color of the eyes & length of her hair. Facemold for sure." ~ @dslr_do11s

"I check to make sure that the eyes aren't lopsided and the hair is perfect and there is no defects. Sometimes you connect with one doll when you are looking and you just think 'that one she's perfect!'" ~ @aglovlies

"If the eyes both close, if the hair is uneven, if the head and limbs are loose, etc." ~ @mrrubydoo

"Even size eyes that open and close properly, good coloring, eye lashes that look the same, wigs glued on properly, no fraying fabric at the neckline, etc. I have had a flaw in all of those areas. I want the prettiest doll on the shelf." ~ @sew4dolls

"When I was comparing Isabelles there was a difference between the thickness in the wigs and how they were placed on their head." ~ @mionebeast

"If the hair length is right, if the skin tone matches, that the doll is 18 inches tall ( some aren't), if the eyes are working and if the hair is on the wig, not underneath it. When I checked my 5th doll for defects, my moms just like 'I'm sure theres none'" ~ @agforeves5

"Eyes are sometimes weird and just for defects and hair." ~ @allaboutdolls_1_2_3_

" I have only ever bought one doll, and I was so young, I didn't care what she looked like." ~ @ag_inspire

As you can see, my Instagram followers had plenty to say on this subject and I hope this could help you next time you are choosing out a doll!