So I've been attempting to value American Girl dolls and accessories recently, and I don't like giving out dollar values to people. Collectibles are only worth what people will pay for them, and even as a collector I do not have gobs of money to spend on things. So instead I'm going to make a scale and based on this scale you can figure out a money value for your American Girl Doll (this deals purely with dolls, clothing accessories and furniture are a different story)
Currently, in 2021, the average American Girl doll retails for $115
Zone 1: TLC dolls
A TLC doll should NOT cost you more than $30-40. If the doll's hair is severely cut, limbs are floppy or falling off, or there are huge marks on the doll, do NOT overpay for it. The more work you have to put in to the doll to make it look new again, the less you should pay for it, as a general rule.
Zone 2: Excellent used condition dolls without all original included accessories
These dolls should cost you $50-$80, sometimes higher depending on condition or which doll it is. These dolls are used dolls that do not have excessive marks or cut hair, and with little cleaning can end up being beautiful. They may not, however, have all of their original clothing. As an example, I bought Ivy Ling from a friend about a year ago. She came with everything except her original underwear, and her hair was in played with condition. I did however want her original underwear, which I bought on Ebay, and I paid $50 for the doll because that's what I had been given as birthday money by my grandmother. She is, however, the perfect used doll, where she's not new but not in the TLC category. This is where most dolls will land, and depending on condition, the price could go up to $80, but not much more, especially if the hair is really played with or the doll seems really roughed up. For retired or more valuable characters, however, I'd say the $80 price point is more likely.
Zone 3: NIB, retired, and rare dolls
These dolls are new in box, valuable retired characters or rare dolls that are difficult to find. This includes dolls that have had a visit to the doll hospital and are now being sold, as they are in brand new condition again. This does not include Create Your Own dolls, which should have a price point of $200 or less, since the buyer doesn't have control of the features of these dolls second hand. These dolls are brand new, nothing is wrong with them and they are exactly as they would have been in a retail store. These dolls should be about $98-$115 depending on the character and just how good of condition they are in. They are in the best condition possible, so they should be treated as such.
No doll should really go above $200 unless it's bundled with authentic Pleasant Company or Mattel brand accessories, OR it's a 2011 or before Girl of the year character, because After Kanani Girl of the Year stuff became more popular to resell, but finding anything for Kanani and before is difficult. Even then, paying $200 for a doll is a really steep asking point. When you're valuing American Girl products, remember these rules:
How old the doll is doesn't correlate to how valuable it is. An older bad condition doll should be considered a TLC doll no matter what.
Dolls really shouldn't exceed $200 unless bundled, no matter which doll it is.
Do NOT overpay or overcharge for any dolls with cut hair, large marks or problems that will need time or financially intensive repairs.
Mint condition used dolls can be evaluated with more small details like neck strings, body fabric type (new or old) etc. on a stricter scale because their price range is so large.
Dolls NIB or in brand new condition are able to be sold at $110 and over as long as they match the condition they would be in if they were sold in store.
This is all just my opinion and value is relative. I know plenty of people will pay $80 for a TLC doll or find a NIB doll for less that $115, everything depends on what the seller is willing to take and what the buyer is willing to pay.
