I have two, what I believe are rare, beanie babies that I…

The reason I have to say 'true' values is because I’ve asked this question myself and had to really deep dive into the facts rather than the fantasy. What you're (probably) seeing online - prices in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, don't even apply to the actual handful of 'rare' Beanies out there. The hype about Beanies with tag “errors” making them “rare” is nothing but false. Thousands of Beanies were distributed with errors - and at the initial time of collecting these were what everyone went for thinking in the future it would make them more valuable. Sadly, it makes no difference in today’s market. Errors are far from “rare”

Princess for example - just to prove it to myself in the last few weeks - sold for $5.00-8.00 with free shipping on eBay. I now own two 'rare' Beanie Princess bears (both mint condition), one with PE pellets and one with PVC pellets AND the so called 'mistake' tags, for a grand total of $12.00. Take a look at an official site with far more details about her and her values

Reportedly this whole nonsense about beanies having great values began in the UK when a news report told of a “hugely valuable” Beanie sale to a couple for about $10. .

It is an ‘urban legend’ that spurred on thousands and thousands of unreal “listing” prices of beanies.

NOTE: I've found an entirely new scam of con artists trying to 'prove' Beanies are worth hundred or even thousands of dollars. They list a beanie for a huge amount of money and then actually show it sold for that price. Upon digging what I've found is that nearly 100% of these so-called sales are faked. The seller uses a different account or has an associate make a bid for the exorbitant price listed. When you click on the seller's ratings - no documentation of a sale exists. What they likely did was submit the sale to eBay as a non-paying buyer, the fees are canceled, but it still looks like the sale went through. The seller will eventually re list this beanie hoping that someone sees the 'fake sale' - doesn't question it and jump on the opportunity to buy it once they see it again. That never happens either. Fortunately, few people are going to believe a listing in the hundreds or thousands of dollars are being sold when the same Beanie with the same 'errors' aren't selling in the other 199 listings for as low as $1.00. Common sense right?

With regard to the McDonalds collection - more of these were made than any other give away in McDonald's history. Even the errors were mass produced (not 'rare'). Teeny Beanies have 'zero' value, no matter which ones they are. Generally speaking they may sell in ‘lots’ (a bunch at the same time for one price), but the most rare thing about them is any single one selling for more than $1.00.

It’s far easier to list for you the few actual Beanies with value and as you’ll note, not even any of these are selling for the prices you’ve probably seen your beanies listed for:

One in particular is called Chef Joel Robuchon, issued in August 2006. Only 200 were made and they sell, if authenticated, between $1,200 - 6,000 depending on the sales venue and condition of the bear.

# 1 Bear. Only 250 were issued for top tier Ty sales employees . I’m not clear on the year, worth in the range of $1,800-2,200.

2010 Hong Kong Toy Fair Bear. A limited number of bears for this event were made for this fair which makes them collectible, usually valued at up to $1,800 at best.

1993 Korean tagged Patti Platypus were only made for a short time with values now, as above, up to $1,800. This is one of the original 9 Beanie Babies ever made.

So you see, even very truly 'rare' - with only 200-250 made in the entire world - aren't getting the prices you're seeing faked online.

From 2001-2002 M.C. Beanie was created for a MasterCard promotion. Fun fact: It’s the only Beanie Baby with the word “Beanie” in the actual name! It can sell for up to $1,800; however, some reports claim the brown nosed bear sells for a little more. I can’t confirm this.

Teddy (old face) does tend to sell for a bit over $20. In the $30-40 range, depending on the venue. The magenta color Teddy (old face) might sell for up to $80.

If your Beanie isn’t on this list (above) - it’s very likely worth much less than even $20.

*** Now for the most popular scam priced beanies ***

Princess bear, probably the most asked about and unfortunately one of the most inflated by scammers is actually selling for about $10 overall these days. With pvc pellets might find a buyer for up to $50, but routinely sells for the $10 or less when people do their research rather than just read the words, “rare”, “hard to find” and then get swayed by the asking price sometimes in the thousands, generously reduced to the hundreds and then as low as $50. until the auction or sale ends unsuccessfully.

Princess bear with pe pellets, $5-10. although even this one boasts price listings in the 3 and 4 figures, but never any sales at those prices.

Valentino (& Valentina) bear, brown nose, black nose doesn’t matter unless you’re just reading the hype. Poor Valentino isn’t even selling for $5.00 in most cases, including those with “multiple errors” . I can’t help but worry that the seller listing this exact same bear for $25,000 (I actually saw this) was a victim and paid a ridiculous price thinking it was an investment or if I should vilify the seller for knowingly perpetuating a disgusting scam.

Blackie bear, no matter what kind of pellets or errors, selling at $5.00, maybe up to $10 if the right bidder decides they just want it no matter what.

The Easter Bunny (all of them) are also valued at less than $5.00 despite several listings unattained in the hundreds or anything over $10.

Millennium bear is very curious. Scammers really trying to put a spin on it have this bear listed for up to $1,000 claiming the tag errors make it oh so “rare”. Then at the same sales site the same bear is touted as valuable because it doesn’t have errors.

In actuality, what’s rare is seeing this bear selling at more than a high of $10, with or without errors.

Mystic with errors; without errors; yarn mane, smooth mane, brown horn, iridescent horn - all have an actual sales history in the last month of $3 to 10.

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Even with regard to local appraisers for Beanies, to be honest, I haven't found anyone who is doing that since the '80's to mid 90's. As interest in buying Beanies, trading, have sales events as many hotels would sponsor collectors and sellers to buy 'tables' to show their Beanies and sell to the public (I used to be a seller). With values bottomed out like they are there's little interest in appraising $2.-5.00 items with very few exceptions as outlined above.

How I became an expert on these? I inherited 3 gigantic bins filled with Beanies in acrylic cases (they were perfect). I started going thru the first bin with laptop at hand to check values. About half way through that bin I realized I had HALF A MILLION DOLLARS in Beanies! I was spending that money in my head on new cars, a home I’d pay for in cash, on and on when it suddenly dawned on me, “I’m just not that lucky. Something is wrong here”

As it turned out, the plastic cases/boxes were worth more than the Beanies. The links provided here will take you on the same journey I found myself on with truths rather than troll’s scams and cons. .

I sold the boxes for $3.00 each and donated most of the Beanies (I kept a few for sentimental reasons) to Fire & Law Enforcement for them to hand out to children suffering the trauma of being caught up in situations they don't understand. They are 'priceless' in the comfort they can provide the innocent.

So you're in good company - having high hopes dashed by bad company (net scammers).

Here are links to prove the facts:

Princess

See how it was exposed here: SnopesBeanieValues

BeanieFraudBusted

TeenyBeaniesValues

A place that will buy your collectibles if they are among the actual profitable collectibles out there sell2bbnovelties.com

A site that exposes even more BeaniesExposed

I’m so sorry for all of this, but we’re in the same boat along with other Beanie owners subjected to disgusting cons instigated by internet trolls and con artists.