Hobbies And Interests
Fan Club
Join the Barbie Fan Club for collectors. The organization's bulletin boards and newsletter will keep you updated on future Barbie events and any news regarding the dolls. You can also get new collector's edition Barbies through this fan club. Members of this club may share information that can help you find the rare Barbie you want.
Auctions
Locate auctions for rare Barbies. For example, if someone who was a collector has an estate auction -- due to death, financial issues or other reasons -- the doll collection is likely to be offered for sale at the auction. Check your local newspaper for estate auctions near you. Online sites like Auction Zip allow you to search auctions based on your ZIPcode and what you are searching for.
Conventions
Go to Barbie conventions. Serious collectors attend these events, and many different Barbies are seen at these. Talk with the owners and see if you can either buy theirs, or find out if any friends or associates are selling the rare Barbie you are looking for. The National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention is an annual get-together where you can meet serious collectors and find out about obtaining a rare Barbie.
Magazines
Some magazines cater directly to rare toy collectors and specifically to collectors of Barbies. Subscribe to these magazines to see the dolls and to find ads offering dolls for sale. Barbie Magazine is the main Barbie magazine on the market and provides information about all things Barbie, including where you can find collectors editions. In vintage editions of Barbie Collectors Magazine and Barbie Bazaar, you can read articles about rare Barbies. Although those two magazines are no longer published, the information on the history of rare Barbies still applies.