A newer collector posted that she didn't know who the 'good' dealers were or how to find out. I can certainly understand that. When I began collecting dolls in earnest I relied on eBay at first. It was only by joining doll chat boards that I learned there was another way to buy dolls.
Always do research before buying to determine if the price you are getting is the best.
This list will be accessible by link in the right hand column of my blog and will be updated when appropriate.
LOCATION
Location is very important but sometimes you have to make an overseas purchase when buying an exclusive doll. Shipping usually costs more when importing from abroad. European collectors often must pay import/duties tax. The criteria of location should be based on your location and you need to find out if the dealer will ship to you when you are in another country. When you must have a doll and the dealer won't ship to your location, get a shipping buddy. This should be someone you trust who will accept the shipment from your dealer and then forward it to you. Of course, your postage will increase by the additional voyage your package makes. Sometimes you just have to sacrifice. ;-)
NOTE:
This is a work in progress. More dealers will be added as time goes on.
I cannot endorse or guarantee results from any dealer and this is by no means a complete list of doll dealers. These are the ones with whom I've had transactions in the last few years. Please feel free to email me recommendations or caveats you think are important but please include relevant facts.
-All things Barbie.
This is the website of Mattel for it's Barbie Fan Club. From here one can access the bulletin board to chat and see sneak peeks.
Pretty much everything sold directly from this site can be purchased for less money except for club exclusives. However, when BC.com runs a sale, the prices are very good. BC.Com usually has dolls for sale before the dealers get them. Inquiries are answered within 24 hours. Shipping is reasonably priced and average speed. Does not ship outside of the USA.
Their website is unstable particularly during sales events and when specials appear. Expect long delays and or crashing.
-This company carries their own doll line, Clea Bella, Room With A View background system and props.
The website has nice pictures but can often be confusing as there are a few links that don't go anywhere. Communication is irregular. Their shipping has improved as far as packaging but can take a while to arrive even when an item is in stock. The RWV items and they are well made and very useful.
-Integrity Toys, Doug James BJD, Joe Tai, Tonner, Barbie, Ashton Drake, Madame Alexander, Ginny, Berdine Creedy, Momoko, Effanbee and more.
There are two stores which are basically divided into fashion dolls and 'little girl' type dolls.
Website is excellent and easy to navigate. Communication is excellent. Many prices are discounted off MSRP. Sales are excellent. Shipping is lightning fast.
Cheryl's Dolls & Collectibles Florida, USA
Ships internationally.
Requires deposit for Pre-Orders
-Tonner, Pullip, Adora, Madame Alexander, Barbie, Ashton Drake, Berdine Creedy, Integrity, Kish, Vogue and much more.
I have never ordered from this company. The website is OK.
Couture Dolls Chicago, IL USA
Owned and operated by the former Angelic Dreamz owners.
They sell Integrity Toy's 12" and 16" dolls.
Excellent customer service. Fast response time.
Dreamcastle Dolls Texas, USA
-Tonner Fashion Line, Character Line, At the Movies Line, Doll and Outfit Splits. Fantastic Tonner Reference page. Easy to navigate website. Fast and friendly communication. Prices below retail. Fast shipping.
Denver Doll Emporium Colorado, USA
-Enormous list of available doll lines including Tonner, Integrity, Madame Alexander, Barbie and so much more. Amateurish website not always easy to navigate.
I recently ordered a Monogram doll from them and it arrived very quickly. I have purchased Cissy in the past there at a good price.
Doll Market (The) North Carolina, USA
-Madame Alexander, Tonner, Kish, Adora, American Girl, Bears, Furniture, Clothing, Carriages, Effanbee and so much more. This place has tons of stuff organized by category and manufacturer. Website is easy to navigate although pictures are often small. Prices on some items are good but you have to do research in order to find out if you're getting a good deal. Communication is slow and often curt. Shipping is average to slow.
Update on the Doll Market: Apparently they have had a restructuring for the better. I recently ordered a doll and she was processed immediately. She arrived 4 business days later! What a difference!
-BJDs and pretty much everything else under the sun including Integrity Toys and items that no one else has from the past at higher prices. Be prepared to spend a lot of time browsing this website and bring a magnifying glass. You can find good stuff. The type is small as are most of the photos. Good communication although can be brusque. You can ask for your items to be shipped via USPS instead of the default UPS which is costlier and slower (to me, anyway.)
etc. again Maryland, USA
-Sydney Shure is well known and recently became an authorized Integrity Toys dealer. She carries only the Integrity Toys line. I have met this fun lady but I've not had any transactions. I've been told that communication and shipping is "great."
Many discounted IT dolls show up after they've been listed and unsold for a while.
Fabric Friends & Dolls Maryland, USA
Multiple lines of BJD dolls and related supplies. Tonner Doll products. There is something off with their website. (7/2017)
-Rhinestone jewelry, belts, pins; shoes; wigs, furniture and accessories.
Website easy to navigate and understand. Excellent photos. You will find items here that are not available anywhere. Excellent communication. Fast shipping.
-FDA dolls and clothes
Nice website with clear photos. Excellent, friendly communication. Fast shipping.
Happily Ever After USA
-Many and varied doll lines including Tonner, Kish, Wright, Madame Alexander, Ashton Drake, Integrity, Boneka, Zwergnase, Iacono, Greene & Lam and more. Prices at retail.
Easy to navigate website with good sized pictures. Great communication. Excellent shipping.
Integrity Toys Direct Maryland, USA
-Limited Integrity products such as past season dolls and convention exclusives. Basically the items offered here are the overflow from events and other unsold products. Prices usually stay at retail for a year or more. When there is a sale, prices are excellent. Communication is good. Shipping charges are average. Shipping speed is irregular and unpredictable.
Good customer service.
Jamieshow Doll U.S.A. Toledo, Ohio
-Carries Jamieshow Gene Marshall dolls, Demi-Couture (12") and full sized (16") resin ball-jointed dolls. Also sells wig caps, wigs, clothing and other accessories for these dolls.
These dolls are available only from this vendor. Occasionally there is an excellent sale. Customer service is top notch. Response time is very fast as is shipping. Highly recommended.
Joe Blitman's Fashion & Celebrity Dolls Los Angeles, CA, USA
-Integrity Toys, Tonner, Effanbee, Madame Alexander, Kish & Company, Sideshow Toys, Dressmaker Details, Randall Craig, Barbie.
I haven't done any business with this company and I'm not sure why. It could be that their shipping seems high. They will ship overseas. Strict return policies.
Kingdom Doll Great Britain
-16" resin BJDs. Ultra limited editions. Sell out very quickly.
Shipping is costly, just like other overseas BJD sellers.
Response time is very fast as is shipping. Highly recommended.
Manika Ohio, USA
-Joe Tai, Dolly Style, Randall Craig, Masaki, Annz, Azone, Re-ment, Susie and more.
Easy to navigate website with good photography and information. Standard prices. Excellent and friendly communication. Standard shipping.
-Large vintage Barbie collection, Integrity, Tonner, Randall Craig, Dressmaker Details, Effanbee, Modern Barbie, Convention items (Secondary Market) and more.
Good website, easy to navigate, Excellent and friendly response time for inquiries, Standard prices. Standard shipping.
My Favourite Doll (MFD) Canada
-Integrity Toys and Barbie.
Good website, easy to navigate. Prices listed at retail or 10 to 15% off, depending on the doll line. Sales on older merchandise are often 50% off. Excellent and friendly response from Marg Matsui, well known doll collector/dealer. Good shipping.
-Madame Alexander, Tonner, Kish, Marie Osmond
Easy to navigate website. Prices stay at retail. Has many discontinued items from the Gene line.
Pat's Potpourri (eBayStore) Pennsylvania, USA Ships Internationally
-Integrity Toys Dolls, Ashton-Drake, Tonner Dolls
On eBay Pat goes as kaydee3 dolls, and dolls4emma
Good prices on many items but you should do research. Lots of merchandise. If you order directly via email, you get a 7% discount on Tonner or CED dolls that are listed on eBay. Web links take you to the auctions.
Phyn & Aero This is the new company formed by Robert Tonner with Andrew Yang. Anora, Nancy Ann. I have not bought anything from this new business. They are still selling off prior merchandise.
https://www.facebook.com/TonnerDoll/ Store is closed.
R and D Fashion Dolls Taiwan, Republic of China
Momoko, Susie, Ruruko. Facebook and Blog. Custom designs every month for 12" and 16" dolls. Excellent communication and shipping. Ships worldwide.
Superdoll Collectibles aka Superfrock.com United Kingdom
-Home of Sybarite Dolls. Items are packaged very well and sometimes arrive in appropriate time for an international shipment.
Update: The last time I ordered something it was taking so long that I wrote and asked where it was. Apparently it hadn't even been shipped! It arrived shortly afterward with an apology.
Update2: I've had several transactions since I last reviewed this seller. Shipping is very good and also quite expensive.
Update 3: February, 2014. Since my last update I've had several transactions which were difficult to say the least. Two consecutive Sybarite dolls arrived with obvious damages. I did get full refunds including return shipping. Most recently, I received the wrong accessory item. It was half the price of the item I ordered but in any case, I decided that if I didn't order it and it was sent here, it was a gift. They are sending what I ordered but it will have taken more than three weeks since I paid for it.
Update 4: Today is April 2, 2014. On 2/28/14 I ordered and paid for a fashion. It's not here yet. When I wrote to them asking about it, I was told by Charles (one of the owners) that it's being held up in customs. When it is released, it will ship. It's just another in the series of difficulties I seem to have with ordering and receiving their products. This one is not their fault.
Update 5: Customer service seems to have picked up since my last experience.
Update 6: (12/16/15)
Sigh. I've had ups and downs with Superdoll but it's mostly down this week. A known defect in the Gen-X body that was unknown to me appeared in one of my dolls.
And, I have discovered a shipping overcharge. I was charged £21.50 for a package that shipped for £14.55. That's about $10.50. for one outfit. If I ever buy from them again, I will again check the labels carefully to find the actual cost of shipping. I did get a refund.
-High quality and high priced toys, teddy bears. Many fine and limited edition dolls. Website is a joy to browse. Cissy, Riley, Kish. Limited Tonner items. Lots of other goodies.
Excellent response. Excellent shipping.
-Broad selection. Madame Alexander, Tonner, Effanbee, Kish, John Wright, Gunzel, Zawieruskynski. Always has a clearance section but rarely as low as you can get elsewhere. Robert Tonner's Ashleigh sculpt is their exclusive.
Windy City Dolls and Collectibles Chicago, Illinois
Barbie, Integrity, Madame Alexander, Magazines.
