Before you buy: a second-hand doll checklist

Start with the item, not the deadline

A useful listing explains exactly what is being offered. Note the stated brand or maker, model if known, approximate dimensions, material, included components and the seller's location. If a detail is unknown, record it as unknown. Photographs and a recognizable brand name alone do not prove authenticity or ownership. Ask the seller what documentation they can provide without exposing another person's private information.

Request evidence that answers a question

Ask for recent photographs of the actual item from several angles, including joints, connection points, hands, feet and any disclosed damage. A simple agreed reference in a new photograph can help distinguish current evidence from reused images, but it is not a guarantee. Ask whether pictures have been edited and whether accessories shown are part of the sale. Avoid requesting explicit images; ordinary product photographs should be enough to assess an appropriate listing.

Make a condition record

Discuss wear, surface marks, discoloration, tears, repairs, loose parts, storage conditions and odors. Ask what the seller knows about previous ownership and cleaning. A vague description such as "good condition" should lead to specific follow-up questions. If the seller cannot identify the material, cleaning history or a replacement part, decide whether that uncertainty is acceptable before agreeing to buy.

Calculate the full arrangement

Get a written list of everything included. Agree the price, currency, packing, delivery service, shipping charge and responsibility for loss or transit damage. Check destination restrictions and possible import duties with the relevant authorities or carrier. Confirm any return arrangement in writing; a private sale may have different rules from a business sale, depending on local law.

Decide when to stop

Read the payment provider's protection terms for this exact transaction and item category. Do not send a deposit merely because the seller claims other buyers are waiting. Keep the listing, messages and agreed terms. Conflicting answers, copied photographs or pressure to use a strange link justify walking away. An incomplete purchase is preferable to a commitment you cannot evaluate.