Blaine Says Hi and Beware!

I found my NRFB Generation Girl Blaine My Room doll. I noticed a suspicious sheen to his calf and alas! Blaine has "leaky legs" - please see the photo. So I had to remove him. If you have this Blaine NRFB, you may want to remove him from his box and wash and dry those legs. Or you may want to remove the clear plastic shield over him to avoid further deterioration.

Super Shopping Channel Update

Alas, the Super Shopping Channel does not ship outside of Canada at this time.

Collectors interested in their items will need to find a Canadian buddy. Good luck!

Understudy/Replacement for Toy Biz Storm

Storm

Notice how gaunt ToyBiz Storm looks. Recent rumors suggest that she may NOT leave her box to perform as scheduled. Management at the East Philadelphia Playscale Playhouse or EPPP seek an understudy for the actress. Below are their three choices: Candi, Flaunt It, and Janay. Unfortunately, the management could NOT settle on an actress. Please help them chose by voting for one of the actresses OR by submitting a photo of YOUR choice for a Storm doppelganger. Poll will be in the sidebar to the right.

Candi

Flaunt It

Janay

Photos of other actresses can be sent to d7ana (at) yahoo.com. Please send only photos you do not mind sharing online since I would like to show your photos as actress alternatives in a future post.

Cautionary Tale: Collector Don’t Take Your Barbie to a Pawn Shop

I never considered myself a pawn shop type. What convinced me? Years watching crime drama on television. Where did criminals hang out? Pawn shops. What did pawn shops stock? Jewelry, small electronics, musical instruments. And guns. None of which interested me. However, hearing that a car dealership – similar in status to pawn shops I thought - acknowledged that dolls had value, I decided that maybe today’s pawn shops would consider a cash for Barbie exchange. Worth a try, hey?



So I placed some calls. Most of the shops told me that no, they did NOT pawn Barbies. One woman sounded as outraged as if I had asked her to accept used crotchless undies. Sheesh, are Barbies that offensive to the non-collecting world? Another person might accept them – he’d have to see them first – but only for a loan from $3 to $15 dollars. Each doll. That one, I had to see. I mean, really! Did he think I was a school kid or a junkie? Rhetorical question, that. Then I seemed to luck out. Yes, it seems that at least ONE pawn shop buys new-in-box Barbies!


Remember I wrote, “seems.” Excited by this news – I tried to find out what kind of Barbie they would buy. I spoke to two men at different times. Neither would state a time or other criteria. Both men told me that they would have to see the doll to make sure the doll’s box was never opened. Well, I understood that, but what kind of dolls interested them? What did they want? They would check the dolls’ prices on eBay. Sigh. Tiresome stance, but okay, they did not want to commit over the telephone.


So, I take the AKA Centennial Barbie and a few other dolls to that Barbie-buying pawn shop. Jingle, jingle go the bells over the doorway. I notice the ceiling to floor plastic barrier that narrows the already long room. Gulp. Oh my. Well, I live in Big City Philadelphia; the clear wall is for protection and so that patrons can see the merchandise. I wonder if the barrier is bulletproof. I shake off a Dorothy-not-in-Kansas sensation and attempt to smile at the approaching man who looked as if he could be comfortable with a gun. Medium height, thin, scruffy and sour mien. The pawn shop guy squares up on the other side of the plastic wall. His eyes seem to narrow. Could he help?


“Hi!” I said, “I’d called about the Barbies.”


He tells me to show him the dolls. I unload them all. He reaches out and checks the boxes. Well, these dolls are too recent. Butterfly Art Barbie and Teresa. Two of the High School Musical dolls, the first Gabriella on a Barbie-sized body and Graduation Ryan in a kilt. Some Kellys from 2004. They want dolls new-in-box from the 1970s. Shrug. Okay, I won’t lose sleep over not selling those dolls here. And I would not whine that had I been told the now-defined-period over the telephone, neither of us would have been inconvenienced. What about my one BIG one? What about the AKA Centennial Barbie? Her price ranges from $200-400 on eBay.

(Note: AKA Centennial Barbie had recently sold for $200+ and $400+ per eBay’s completed listings at that time. So I had high hopes. Soundtrack played: Money, money, money, monnnn-eeey. Money.)


The pawn shop guy saunters down to his computer, taps a few keys, and after a few minutes, returns to the window where I stand. Yes, there is an AKA Barbie online for the eBay price I mentioned. BUT it is not the same label. My eyes widen and I cock my head. Outrage chases away a phantom gun threat. WHAT?! The $400+ priced AKA Centennial Barbie online was the platinum label while mine was the pink label. So quoth the pawn shop guy.


I want to scream that there is NO such thing as a “platinum” label AKA Centennial doll – only the pink label. Then I remind myself that screaming leaves a sore throat and how unpleasant screaming is on a hot day. Then I remember: I am in a pawn shop. Did I want physical pain added to my disappointment? Did I really forget that that guy just might have a gun? No. I brought Barbies to a pawn shop: what did I expect? Someone versed in current Barbie minutia?


So, I thank the now bored pawn shop guy for his time and gather my unwanted dolls. Sigh. Pawn shop guy score 1. My score, O.

Guess who uploaded a photo of AKA Barbie on eBay later? But that is another sad story.

Final Summer Sale - Update on Items, Etc.

Fashion Fever Barbie - $15 each OR 5 for $50

Wave A
Kayla, H0651, silver net jacket, pink net skirt
Teresa, H0658, striped knee high socks, red furry vest, denim skirt

Wave B
Kayla, H0662, silver jacket, red tank, gray heather miniskirt

Wave C (This doll ONLY $10)
Kayla, pink flamingo top, pink-tan print skirt but powdery residue on doll face

Wave F
Drew, H0895, red tee w. monkey appliqué, pale blue miniskirt
Kayla, H0892, lilac jacket, orange tee shirt
Kayla, H0893, pink mini jumper, gray-green tank
Teresa, H0897, white tee shirt, mint vest, brown print pants HOLD

Wave N
Barbie, Styled by me Barbie
Wave R
Barbie MT, purple top, blue jeans
Barbie MT, pink plaid jacket, blue jeans
Drew/Skipper PJ, pink strawberry pj
Teresa PJ, black hair, pale complexion HOLD

Wave T
Drew MT, pink-white lacey dress, blonde hair

Wave U
#J1381 pale complexion, black haired Kayla?

Wave V
Barbie, pink mini dress w. painted jewel inset
Drew, apricot fur jacket, black mini skirt

#K3676 Holiday Barbie

Other NRFB Barbie and Friends for $10 EACH

My Scene Delancey Target, 2004
My Scene Chelsea Rebel Style, 2006
My Scene Madison Rebel Style, 2006
My Scene Nolee Rebel Style, 2006
My Scene Nolee Just Chillin', 2003

Birthstone Beauties: May Miss Emerald (Black) 2007
Birthstone Beauties: November Miss Topaz (White) 2007

Barbie as Veronica, 2005

Barbie Diaries Courtney, 2005

Butterfly Art Barbie, 1998
Butterfly Art Teresa, 1998

Other Mattel Dolls – Various Prices

Feelin' Groovy Barbie, 1986. MIB, $35 (Note: box opened but doll & accessories intact) HOLD
Anne Klein Barbie, 1997. NRFB, $35
Limited Edition DC Catwoman, 2003. NRFB, $80
Happy Family New Neighbors Mom and Baby, 2004. NRFB. $150
Walmart Shopping Teresa, 1997. NRFB, $15
I Love Lucy: “Job Switching” Lucy & Ethel, 2008. NRFB, $40

Grab Box of 10 Nude Barbie and/or Friends dolls all in excellent condition, $60.70, shipping via USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate box for U.S. addresses included. Includes My Scene Barbies, Fashion Fever, miscellaneous other Mattel fashion dolls.

Mattel Outfits

Rocker Ken’s silver jumpsuit and silver trenchcoat, trench belt, 1 pink-silver sock, 1 pink-silver armband, pair of silver sneakers, $20
Earring Magic Ken’s net tee shirt, lavender leather vest with ring, lavender-gray slacks, and black loafers, $15

Integrity Toys Doll and Outfits

Dark Narcissus Kyori Sato, excellent condition with original dress and shoes and accessories (EXCEPT BAG), $75
Alysa wearing Purple bandana set, green teal dress, OR yellow top and white pants, $15 each
Colette’s black leather jacket, $25 (Query: does it open?)
Lukas’ black leather trench coat with detachable collar, $35

Other Dolls

Grab Box of 10 Non-Mattel Fashion dolls all in excellent condition, $50.70, shipping via USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate box for U.S. addresses included. Hannah Montana, Chic Boutique, Integrity Candi, etc.

OMG - She Does Exist: First Edition Houda in Denim Outfit

When I listed the Mixis dolls, I mentioned that only three of the original four dolls appeared in the First Edition (previously described as the Limited Edition here and elsewhere). Well, guess who now appears in the First aka Limited Edition and wearing a cute denim outfit? Houda!

Applause!

You can see the First Edition Houda on the Mixis website for $59.99 Canadian dollars OR for a reduced price at the Super Shopping Channel for $36.66 Canadian dollars. (Aside: I have submitted a query asking if this online vendor sells to customers outside of Canada like the U.S.A. or overseas; I have not heard back from them yet. Well, it is Saturday ;-D) This website might be a treat for those who want every doll in the series, here's your chance to add a second Houda to your collection. Please note though that if the First Edition Houda is like the other First Edition dolls, her elbows are straight.

The Super Shopping Channel also has some other Mixis dolls AND the outfits in sets of two for sale. Ah, new Mixis news.

New Doll Pairs at Walmart!

 

I have to admire the way Mattel can sell and re-sell their dolls. Not that they don't add new stuff like the stunning Victoria. But they have ways of moving old stuff ...