Bought a Barbie in a thrift bin? Found one in grandma’s attic? Here’s how to find out what you have. This tutorial is for a presumably naked doll without the original outfit.

Prepare the doll for search

• Examine the doll for manufacturing details. Are there stamps, company labels or a date? Write these down.

-Make note of features. Hair color, clothing, unusual mechanisms. Make note

• take a clear photo of the front and back of the doll on a clean background (copy paper works well). Take an additional photo of just the face.

Now you’re ready to Google!

• Try reverse image search. (If you don’t know how to do this Google “reverse image search” and a tutorial will be the first result).

3/4th of the time this will find you the doll. Skip to eBay steps if successful or see below for more search tips.

• Google the clues you found as keywords. For example if the doll has a date and an unusual feature you could search “Barbie 1997 voice box.” Make sure to include quotation marks as these will combo your keywords together and help filter out irrelevant results.

• if the first Google attempt doesn’t show obvious results make note of any promising clues in what you do find and use those as key words.

• try a database. There are several for Barbie. They’re easier to search by date and character.

Once you’ve found your doll you’re ready to look up prices on eBay.

• type the name of the doll into eBay.

• filter the results to start with Lowest Price first.

• write down the first page prices of listings that match your item. Average these.

• search again but select sold. Take an average of the lowest prices on these.

• compare the prices.

Congrats! You did it!

If anyone has additional tips and tricks feel free to comment them below. Happy Sleuthing.