Questions to Ask Before Buying

Okay, so you've found someone over the Internet who is selling some Dawn Dolls--but what questions should you ask before you buy? Relying on photographs or seller descriptions can be iffy--a photograph can't show you if a doll has a mechanical problem, and descriptions are based on what the seller thinks is important.

Also, photographs can unintentionally deceive the buyer A doll photographed with a flash might look like she has no green knees, and when you get her, you see the discoloration. This is just the way some dolls photograph in artificial light. Given the rising prices on this little vinyl beauties, it pays to ask about what's important, and so I've included a list of suggested questions below.

Please note that goal of asking these questions is not to get a perfect doll (because unless she's mint-in-box, you're probably not going to find perfection). The goal is to find out what you are paying for or bidding on, so that you can assess the value. Green knees are so common that it's almost impossible to avoid them, but it's good to know if the dolls legs are pristine or discolored before she arrives on your doorstep.

Questions to consider when buying a doll:

• Are there green or blue discolorations on the doll (particularly the face, knees, and hips)?
• Does the doll have old glue oozing from her hip joints?
• Are the eyelashes intact?
• Has the doll's hair been cut?
• What is the condition of the face paint (any rubs, for example)?
• Are there any splits or tears in the vinyl legs? Are the feet intact?
• Are the feet discolored from shoes or boots?

Questions to consider when buying a Dawn outfit:

• Are the closures intact?
• Are their any stains or tears?
• Is the outfit clean?
• Is their any fraying?
• If the seller states the condition and does not define what she/he means by it (for example, good can me "just fine" or it could be a rating on the scale of poor/fair/good/excellent/mint) ask what the evaluation means.

A shrewd buyer is often a happy buyer--don't rely on luck!