Do you think you might own some valuable beanie babies? Beanie babies were the world’s first internet sensation in 1995. They were collected by children everywhere, but also by investors due to their high resale value.
In the 1990s, beanie babies made up 10% of Ebay’s total sales. But are they worth anything today? Most beanie babies aren’t valuable but there are some that are worth big bucks.
Does your collection contain some expensive beanie babies? Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable beanie babies and what you should do with them.
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How to Identify Expensive Beanie Babies
If you are ready to part with your plush pals, then learning how to value and sell beanie babies is an excellent first step. Selling your beanie babies online is your best bet if you want to make the most profit as you’ll get the most exposure. There are several factors to consider when selling your beanie babies.
Condition
Before you think about selling your beanie babies you should note down what condition each one is in. Just like any collectible, the condition is an important part of determining the final value. One way to keep your beanie babies clean and in the best condition is to put them into sealed display cases.
A mint condition beanie baby will have no signs of wear or defects. They will also have their hangtags and tush tags still attached, intact, and in excellent condition. The mint condition price will be the best price you can sell beanie babies for.
Some of the conditions you can use to describe your beanie babies are:
- Mint condition (brand new with matching hang tags and tush tags)
- Near mint condition (near perfect but shows some signs of wear)
- Excellent (body is perfect but tags are worn or creased)
- Very good (beanie baby is in good condition but tags are missing or worn)
- Damaged or worn (beanie baby shows signs of excessive handling)
Once beanie babies have been played with their value starts to decrease because the fabric might be worn and the tags get bent.
Desirability
A popular beanie baby can sell for a lot of money. A buyer may be in search of a particular beanie baby that you own and pay a high price to take it off your hands. A lot of people buy based on the nostalgia of their childhoods.
Beanie baby collectors will also be looking out for the original 9 beanie babies. This includes Patti the platypus, Pinchers the lobster, and Flash the dolphin.
Some of the most expensive beanie babies that beanie baby collectors are looking for are:
- The Princess Bear (Dedicated to Princess Diana)
- Patti the platypus
- The Millenium Bear
- Stinky the Skunk
If you think you have a rare beanie baby make sure you get a beanie baby appraisal. This will ensure you sell beanie babies for the right price and avoid losing out.
Rarity
First edition beanie babies and tags with misprints will all sell for more money. But if you have a beanie baby in your collection which is rare then you can also expect to sell for more money. Beanie babies that come with a certificate of authentication are also worth more than if they are sold without it.
Quackers the duck beanie baby is one of the rare beanie babies you can expect to sell for more money, especially if it is the first edition and in mint condition.
If a beanie baby has been issued with a limited number it will be worth more than a beanie baby with an unlimited number. Although the value of beanie babies can vary from season to season, if a beanie baby is rare it will be worth more. Rare beanie babies can be difficult to find as there were only a few thousand of each made by Ty.
How to Sell Beanie Babies
The best place to sell beanie babies is online. Although general online selling sites like eBay might seem like a good choice, they have gained a bad reputation among beanie baby collectors due to the rise in scammers.
Use the Right Selling Platform
If you want a reliable beanie baby appraisal and somewhere safe to sell your beloved collectibles, then a reputable site that caters to beanie babies is the best option. The market value of beanie babies is always changing and these types of sites are run by experts who can help you navigate buying and selling beanie babies.
Beanie Baby Appraisal
Before you start selling your beanie babies, the next step is to have your collection examined by an expert. Make sure that you do not send any beanie babies without selling them. A reputable beanie baby appraiser can provide an appraisal on a video call or in-person if they live close by.
Having your beanie babies examined by an expert will help you value your collection and get the most profit from your beanie babies.
Caring for Your Beanie Babies
If you want to get the most profit from your collection then making sure your beanie babies are kept clean and in the best condition is essential. When cleaning beanie babies,it is important to be delicate and only use gentle products that won’t damage the tags or fabric.
The best way to keep your beanie babies clean and out of harm’s way is to keep them in a sealed container or display case. If you don’t have any of these to hand, you can use a ziplock bag which will keep any unwanted smells and dirt out.
Get the Most From Your Beanie Babies
Whether you sell beanie babies or just want to know what your collection is worth, it is important to find trusted beanie baby experts that can help you with your collection. It is important to remember that the market value of beanie babies is always changing, so if you think you have expensive beanie babies to sell you should get a beanie baby appraisal.
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