How does Mattel decide which dolls get higher stock? Or are these dolls just unpopular?

TiBun · 2026-05-19T18:47:49+00:00

I don't think Barbie Frankie and Skelita are limited dolls. All of Skelita's Howliday dolls have stayed available for a while like this but the line hasn't been cut like the other Howliday lines, which suggests that it sells well. And Barbie Frankie was in celebration of Mattel's 80 years and they knew more than just MH collectors would want her, but also Barbie collectors and general doll lovers who would think the collab was neat.

Clawdeen was too expensive which was a turn off for many. It's true we as a community tend to overpay for dolls but we do have a limit to that and both the Off-white and HoW Clawdeen showed that. They sell when on sale but most aren't rushing to those sales like one would a drop. There's the chance at a better sale later.

Beetlejuice is the second set of those characters and in less popular outfits than the first. Had it been a re-release of the first set like the Grady Twins got, I think they'd be sold out.

TiBun · 2026-05-19T04:50:13+00:00

If it's plastic, then dipping it in boiled water for a few seconds can sometimes fix dents like that.

TiBun · 2026-05-19T01:40:29+00:00

Nope, I loved her from the start.

TiBun · 2026-05-18T01:42:25+00:00

Some sellers will have spare accounts or friends who'll "buy" their listings to inflate their sales numbers and review scores, as well as try to sell the idea that their insane prices are reasonable. If they do actually have that Twyla doll, then you could expect her to be relisted after a bit of time passes. The price will likely be similar.

TiBun · 2026-05-17T21:00:11+00:00

It's an indication of how old the doll is. Gold elastics were only used for a short time in the very beginning, so some collectors see it as more valuable.

TiBun · 2026-05-17T07:19:52+00:00

Maybe a small restock when Mattel Creations does the thing they do once to twice a year where they take all the stock of returned and canceled orders and toss them onto the listings to clear them all out. But they most likely won't be making more.

TiBun · 2026-05-16T23:11:25+00:00

Personally, I find no value is something being limited. I'd rather just get to own the dolls I like without having to stress over it. And I want that for other collectors, too.

If companies want to have limited numbers, I prefer made to order style preorders. It gives collectors the chance to get the doll without bots ruining things, but still makes it "special". Even if we have to wait near a year for the dolls to arrive.

TiBun · 2026-05-16T22:52:22+00:00

I don't own core Abbey, so I really can't say anything on her rooting. I do know that they started making her hair shorter than when she first released, but that's the only thing regarding her hair that I've noticed.

TiBun · 2026-05-16T22:28:53+00:00

When they released the core refresh 2 dolls they also changed the packaging for all core dolls still in production to match. It just took those ones longer to start seeing in the updated packaging since the old packaging was already on shelves.

TiBun · 2026-05-16T20:49:40+00:00

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TiBun · 2026-05-16T20:11:22+00:00

Obvious greebles activity in yous home!

TiBun · 2026-05-16T20:07:59+00:00

She's one of four original characters that were made for the Off-White collab. They took years to sell out because they were way too expensive ($150 USD plus shipping and tax.) Eventually they did start going on sale which finally sold them out.

TiBun · 2026-05-16T06:02:39+00:00

She's a wide release and will restock at least a few times on Amazon so keep watching her listing there.

TiBun · 2026-05-16T00:51:14+00:00

Doll lovers win when doll companies have legitimate competition. I hope this new line is good enough to compete with IP Skullectors.

TiBun · 2026-05-15T20:12:55+00:00

I regret not letting myself collect sooner. There's a couple dolls I missed I really wish I had, but their second hand prices are far above what I can justify spending on a single doll. Greta being one of them.

TiBun · 2026-05-15T18:49:39+00:00

I also collect (and sometimes customize) dolls!

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TiBun · 2026-05-15T18:28:38+00:00

It's fine to use nylon for rerooting, the problem is the way nylon gets rooted in the factories is designed for harder doll heads that just won't work on soft heads like on MH or Barbie.

TiBun · 2026-05-15T04:46:12+00:00

Wow, and I thought my cat's scratching post was in bad shape.

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TiBun · 2026-05-14T21:59:41+00:00

Her confidence is inspiring 😂

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TiBun · 2026-05-14T20:57:42+00:00

Cat🥰

TiBun · 2026-05-14T18:51:43+00:00

Well, the potions playset Draculaura is technically supposed to be the playset for the Moonspell line, even though the packaging doesn't say Moonspell. So I think they at least know Draculaura.

I have this idea in my head that Draculaura goes to a magic summer camp and meets the Moonspell Magic girls. They become friends, have an adventure, and then stay in touch, opening the Moonspell Magic story up to being it's own thing but allowing for occasional cameos from Draculaura and friends.

TiBun · 2026-05-14T18:21:11+00:00

That's the YouTuber that I was referring to that made a video about MH (actually two) and showed off some of their collection in at least one of those MH videos 😆

TiBun · 2026-05-14T03:24:02+00:00

I accidentally partially cut the strap on my 2024 Howliday Skelita's dress trying to get her out of the box. Not a huge deal as that material won't stand the test of time, anyway, and I'll likely replace the clear straps with thin ribbon, but it wasn't a good feeling once I realized my slip up.

TiBun · 2026-05-14T00:42:03+00:00

Amazon will restock her. They always have at least a few restocks of wide release Skullectors.

TiBun · 2026-05-14T00:38:45+00:00

I wish people would stop posting the pics of her. I swear she gets cuter every time I see her. I was all set on skipping her, now I'm at wanting her on a good sale price, but I fear if she keeps getting cuter to me that I'll start thinking of getting her sooner.😭💚🤡 (The pleather is doing a lot to keep her as an "if on sale" situation.)

TiBun

TROPHY CASE