And for some, collecting Barbie dolls becomes a career. As you know, the Barbie doll you buy today has the potential to appreciate. In fact, most of the collector dolls now created by Mattel are either Collector or Limited Editions. Once sold out, their price on the secondary market could easily go up. Of course, no one can guarantee that a doll will increase in value.
Some dolls appreciate, some lose, and some remain the same.
Read books and magazines. Go to shows. Join a local club. Think about a doll's uniqueness, quality and workmanship. Just remember to buy those that appeal to you most.