So You Want to Sell Dolls on eBay

Selling dolls on eBay can be a great way to convert some childhood toys to cash or to pass along ones you've inherited to the collectors who will treasure them. But many sellers eagerly jump into the doll business without understanding the importance of properly packaging a doll when it comes time to ship it. They quickly learn that one disastrous mailing can destroy not only a valuable doll, but also their reputation as a dependable eBay seller. Fortunately, it's not hard to package a doll so it will arrive safely, and here's how.

First, choose a box that has a sturdy top, bottom, and sides. It should be large enough that no part of the doll will touch any part of the box. Keep in mind that you will be wrapping the doll in both tissue and bubble wrap.

How you wrap the doll depends on how it's made. Dolls made of bisque, porcelain, hard plastic, and composition are all breakable and easily damaged. Antique dolls with bisque heads should always have their heads stuffed with tissue - this is very important, as it prevents the doll's eyes from breaking during shipping. Regardless, all dolls should be wrapped head to toe in white tissue paper, followed by a couple layers of bubble wrap (one layer is fine for dolls made of vinyl, which are better travelers).

Fill the bottom of your box with protective packaging materials that will cushion your doll during its trip. Packing peanuts are preferred by many collectors, but shredded paper also works well. Plastic foam pieces and crumpled newspapers are also useful. Gently lay the doll in the box on top of this layer of packaging, then add more on top of it and all around its sides, head, and feet. Remember, no part of the doll should be touching the box. That means you must have protective packaging above, below, and on both sides of the doll. Make sure the box is packaged firmly enough that it won't cave in if something is set on top of it or it gets bashed from the side.

How the box is sealed is also important. Use lots of tape! Make sure the openings to the box are completely covered with packing tape. Also tape all of the edges of the box, as these areas are likely to be stressed during the trip. If you see any part of the box that looks weak or that has a small tear, cover it with more layers of tape. Use a clearly written or typed mailing label and make sure it's well secured.

Remember, dolls are fragile. There are few things more heartbreaking to a collector than having a much-awaited doll arrive damaged. Fortunately, there's no reason that dolls can't travel well with a little care. If you follow these steps, your dolls will arrive safely - and your buyers will love you almost as much as they do their purchases.