We are head over heels about Blythe dolls.

Congratulations for joining this excellent hobby.

Buying your first Blythe doll can be an exciting, yet daunting experience. When I bought my first Blythe doll, I had watched eBay auctions for months before I actually placed a bid. I got outbid so many times before I actually won an auction. The idea that I was spending over $100 on a doll seemed insane to me.

Now I laugh at my frugal past self, having spent several hundred or even thousand dollars on dolls. A Blythe habit is a slippery slope into a spending cycle I can tell you that. I receive quite a lot of emails from Blythe newbies that are curious where and how they can buy their first dolls. Here are my tips for newbies.

Which doll?

Before you can buy a Blythe you need to decide which doll you want to get. I recommend starting by deciding on a hair colour. If you can choose the hair colour you want then it will be a lot easier to decide which doll to buy.

There are loads of different hair styles, and even different face molds for the different releases. It is most likely that at first you won’t even be able to tell the difference between the dolls face molds but as you get more and more into Blythe you will be able to see the slight differences.

It is sometimes easier to just buy whichever doll is actually available. Even for a seasoned Blyther, hunting down a particular doll can take months if she is rare.

Do your research, you don’t want to be disappointed. Blythelife.com has this handy introduction to the common terms you will come across when researching Blythe. I highly recommend you read it!
Be careful that you don’t accidentally buy a Petite Blythe thinking it is a 12″ sized doll. Neo Blythe is the type you are looking for if you want a full size one. Middie is a middle sized one

Price and availability

Dolls vary in price and availability. The price and availability of particular Blythe releases can depend on a number of things, number of dolls made, popularity, original price, stock.

If a doll is extremely popular, like Miss Sally Rice for instance, she will be a lot harder to find. Kenner Blythe dolls are the first Blythe dolls that were manufactured and sold in 1972, they are very sought after and expensive collectors items. Even just a head for a Kenner Blythe could sell for $800.

If a doll is extremely popular, like Miss Sally Rice for instance, she will be a lot harder to find. Kenner Blythe dolls are the first Blythe dolls that were manufactured and sold in 1972, they are very sought after and expensive collectors items. Even just a head for a Kenner Blythe could sell for $800.

Postage and Payment

You also need to consider that posting a doll internationally is usually at least $45 US on top of the price you are paying for the doll. You should always pay for registration and pay through PayPal. Some sellers may ask you to pay as a gift in PayPal, I would not recommend doing this unless you know the seller as it negates your ability to open a dispute later on if they rip you off. If you can, buying from within your own country makes it a lot cheaper (around $20 postage usually).

Make sure you discuss the terms of the sale with the seller. Some people offer lay aways for more expensive dolls and you can pay the doll off in intervals. They usually have a non-refundable deposit.

The Hunt

Once you have decided which doll you want to buy, you may find that you cannot actually find anywhere to buy her from. I receive emails from hopeful new Blythers all the time regarding this. Make sure you read any listings thoroughly before you buy a doll. If a doll is listed as being stock, it means that she has not been modified in any way and should be, as she would be new from the box.

You will also find a lot of custom Blythe dolls listed and they could have a range of modifications including, sand matting their face (taking away the shine), hair re-roots, lip carving, painted eyelids and new eyelashes. A lot of newbies buy a Blythe with the intention of customising her themselves. I did this and ended up being unhappy with the result. Buy one from an experienced customiser.

Fake dolls and factory dolls

There are many fake dolls in the Blythe doll market. Mostly they are sold on eBay and will be listed as “nude Blythe doll” or “factory Blythe”.  Some have been sold in fake boxes and passed off as real Blythe dolls.

There are several dolls that have been faked or copied, there are also dolls known as factory dolls which are just spare parts put together to make a full doll from the factory.

To buy newer Blythe releases you can always buy them direct Junie Moon, the official shop for Blythe in Japan. Buying direct from Junie Moon will ensure that you are not buying a fake doll.

Other recommended sites that ship internationally

CC Toys
Mandarake
Magma Heritage
Hobby link

By blythopia