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Your Comments:

Dear Toy Guy,
Do you know if Beanie Babies collected from the 90's will become valuable? I have a collection of over 200 plus Beanie Buddies. My husband thinks I should sell the whole collection, but I would have no idea what they are worth. I would like to make some profit on my collection.

Thank you for your input.
Eva

Hi Eva
Thank you for contacting the Toy Guy regarding the value of your Beanie Babies collection. Unfortunately, our perspective on this is not going to be very upbeat for you.

When the line was canceled, values were at their highest and the secondary market was booming. We were seeing prices in the hundreds of dollars for specific items, and there were magazines and price guides of all types. In fact, Beanie Babies had created a virtual industry all in and of itself.

But then, as often happens with fads, the end came. What this meant is that for the remaining collectors, the supply of Beanie Babies on the market far outstripped demand, as the secondary market for the toys virtually disappeared and prices began to decline, at times precipitously. At this point, we've been seeing collectibles worth about $6.95 to $9.95 depending on the item.

You may ultimately over time be able to make a profit on your collection, but that will require finding buyers who are willing to pay the prices you are asking. We would suggest that you do some homework on eBay to see what similar items are selling for and perhaps even offer yours there. That is certainly the least labor intensive way to test the market. Other than that, you may try a consignment shop or local flea markets, but your time and effort may ultimately make that not a profitable route for you to take.

As with all toys marketed as collectibles, we have consistently advised people to buy and collect because they love a line of toys, a particular item or whatever. Contemporary toys, even those billed as "collectible" are simply made in too great a quantity and too many people are preserving them, for them to ever appreciate significantly over time.

There is a reason that a mint 1959 Barbie in the box can sell for more than $3,000, as I saw recently. It's because most of those that were bought were played with as toys and very few survived.

Our best advice to you right now would be if you want to sell to cut your losses, but perhaps you may want to keep your collection to pass on.

Sorry not to be more encouraging, but thanks for writing and keep playing.

The Toy Guy