Open Up Your Wallet Kids! It's Time To Visit The Barbie Collectibles Store!
Written: Aug 05 '02 (Updated Aug 05 '02)
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This review is dedicated to the two biggest Barbie fans I know (except myself of course) - MumMumMum and Ned1.
I'm afraid that this review will get out of hand in length because the online purchasing of a doll is just a small part of the overall experience. I promise to be good :).
The Barbie Collectibles Online Store
Kids, it's more than just a store....it's a place where you can organize your collection via online, set up your own wish list to email to friends and relatives (hint hint Christmas), a chance for you to keep in the loop of what's new in the world of collecting, and most importantly what dolls are scheduled for release and when.
The Web Site
The home page always features a tool bar up at the top that allows you to navigate to purchasing a doll, reading about the latest hot features, looking at your own Barbie Collection, or viewing collectibles that have been around since 1980.
The main part of the page always has large pictures of Barbies. Every month, what is featured changes. This month, they're previewing the 2003 line for us.
Below the featured pictures is another tool bar that is more faint and is in the nice shade of icicle pink. This is where you can register, send them a comment, request a catalog, go to their other Barbie sites, and information on advertising.
Register
Why would you want to register? Because as a member of the Barbie Collectibles Club, you get exclusive access to purchase member only dolls. Yep, that's right. Barbie's not released to the general public.
It's easy, they ask for your birth date, first/last name, and your email address. That's it folks. Once you are registered you can go on and create your own collection and wish list.
What's The Value of My Barbie?
These are smart people. They don't keep that information on the website. Instead they refer you to various resources like eBay and different collector's books.
Barbie Conventions
Yes Virginia, there are annual Barbie Conventions and if you want to know more, you can see pictures and all sorts of other cool stuff.
The History of Barbie
There's a great section on the history of Barbie, you can look at different decades and specifically years to get more details. You will need to have Flash downloaded on your computer in order to view this section.
Ponytail Press
This is the area that has short articles on what's new or things you need to know about. For instance, they let club members know that the club exclusive Barbie will be available for purchase in October.
There are a ton of other things to tell you about this site but for the sake of time, I won't every single thing. The first time I went out to the web site, I was out there for three hours gulp and still hadn't gone through every thing!
Let's Go Buy A Doll!
When you click on the button to shop online, your taken to another page with frames. On the left is a list of the different categories of dolls you can look through (Children's, Designers, Pop Culture, etc....). After the list of different type of dolls are two sections that I click on most - What's New (meaning what dolls are new), Complete List of Dolls. That way I'm sure not to miss anything.
Know that the dolls that are listed here for sale are usually those from 2002 and in some cases, 2001. Once they are out of a doll, you're going to need to seek out your purchase somewhere else.
Once you find a doll that interests you, you have lots of options.
The picture of the doll is already quite large but if you want to look at more detail of the outfit or Barbie's makeup, you can zoom in - and let me tell you - you get a lot of details!
If you do what I do sometimes, and hyperventilate over the price (specifically, I'm really wanting the Classic Grace Barbie which goes for $150), you can add it to your wish list and hope that some relative has pity on you during the holiday season.
Say you get brave and you want to purchase it (pssst...don't tell the husband!). Add it to your shopping bag. You're taken to another page that summarizes what you just added. You're told the price, given the choice to have it gift wrapped for additional $4.00, and the shipping for that item is listed.
And speaking of shipping, you are charged according to how much you spend. Under $50, it's $6.95. Under $100, it's $7.95. You can choose to have it sent to you either second day or overnight for additional charges. Oh yes, and it's via UPS ground.
Returns can be done up to 12 months from the purchase date. I've never had to do this but what a great policy!
If you want to check the status of your order, you can log on and check order status, email them, or call their 1-800 number.
Sales tax is added for residence of Wisconsin and Texas.
When you're ready to check out, tell em and you're directed to do all of that fun stuff - demographic information and payment option (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express).
After placing your order, you're sent an email confirmation.
When your order arrives (expect anywhere from 2-10 days), the box will indicate that it's from Barbie Collectibles. They didn't used to do this but then they started adding address labels to all of their boxes post September 11. The Barbie is always carefully wrapped and packed because they know, that as a collector, it's very important for you to get a product that is immaculate. A ding in the box or a scratch on the plastic window film is an insult to collectors.
Why Purchase from Barbie Collectibles?
There are a couple of reasons. First, you'll be able to order the newest and coolest collectibles from them before they are even shipped to retailers. Second, you can count on your package arriving in pristine shape. Like I said earlier, they understand their buyers and buyers who receive dinged boxes are not happy campers.
I won't lie to you. There are times that I will purchase from Amazon or eToys when they have a fantastic deal going on. Usually though, those are the collector dolls that are on my "B" list. That way, if they arrive in anything other than a perfect shape, I don't lose sleep over it :).
Is This Site Appropriate For Children?
Absolutely. In fact, if they collect Barbies (not the junkie ones that sell from under $10), help them make their own online collection showcase. If your child is looking for more age appropriate Barbie things, there is a link off of the collectibles site to other Barbie sites where kids can play games.
The End
I tried to keep this short and sweet because obviously, I’m a big fan of this site. If you’re a true Barbie Collector, this is one of those sites you should always keep book marked. You never know what new release is just around the corner!
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Member: Kristina Frazier-Henry
Location: Indiana
Reviews written: 1345
Trusted by: 1155 members
About Me: Cannot breathe. Missing Barbara.
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