Is this lot worth it? A conundrum!

[goddessofpeep]

If her descriptions are accurate, it sounds like she has:
Dream Castle(most likely the original one, but if her daughter came into it late, it could be the lavender one)
The Satin Slipper Sweet Shoppe
The Poof 'n Puff Perfume Palace(more likely than the perm shop if the main description is "perfume")

The tiny ballerina ponies *could* be the baby ballerina ponies.  They are very small compared to the adult ones. 

40 ponies plus playsets and "paperwork" - eh, it could be worth $400.  You're averaging $10 per pony if you don't count the extras and the playsets.  It could also be a massive waste of time.  Personally, even without photos I might take the chance on it with an eye on making it a mini fun road trip.  If the town she lives in has some interesting things to do, nice places to eat, or fun places to shop completely independent of the ponies, it won't be a waste of time even if the ponies are all chewed up fakies.  Take a look online to the surrounding area to see if there are any attractions or other things you'd be interested in the area.  If you find something, then treat the ponies like a bonus.  That is of course if the time involved won't be a problem, or the cost involved(gas, food, possible pony purchase, etc) won't be a problem either.  I actually met a collector who was getting rid of her collection(massive, massive amount of MIB G3s, and a box of G2s).  She lived in the middle of nowhere in the desert, but I enjoyed the drive into a new area.  I enjoyed meeting and talking to her, and it was a pretty fun day regardless of what I came home with. If I had spent the drive up there expecting hidden Rapunzels and MO Sweet Scoops charms I would've been sorely disappointed, but it was still a nice time.

[josiekat]

I have to agree with everyone else. I would't consider it without pictures.

[little.fox]

Personally I would never consider it without pics!

[princessluna11706]

Definitely no pics no deal!  Too much of a risk.  If they really want the money badly enough they'll work something out with you.

[Haruna]

Okay, the jury's in, ask for pictures again before heading two/four hours out of my way I have asked before, but she sounds swamped with the kitchen renovations. Maybe I'll let her know that when that craziness is over I'd love to see pictures but won't travel there before that (and maybe not even then if it's not a worthwhile lot).

I like the idea some of you had about making it a trip that's not only about the ponies, too. I'll keep that in the back of my mind in case she says she has other buyers interested and I need to move quickly . . . 

[jrr74]

Definitely pictures!  Even it is of just the ponies (not play sets)   Dumping out 40 ponies and spreading them around is not a big deal. And ask what color the castle is.  Don't mention the colors pink or lavender, make them look if the daughter does not remember.  Good luck, maybe there are a few 2nd set adult sea ponies in the lot. 

[scarletjul]

Yeah, I agree with everyone else.  For $400, they should be able to take a couple of pics and at least tell you the color of the castle. 
Also, knowing if any/all of the playsets come with accessories would be helpful.  Dream Castle + accessories is always worth more than Dream Castle alone.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

If she wants to sell it that badly, then she can stick her iPhone in a box and click the camera button.    For that kind of money, she isn't making the sale a top priority and/or she wants to sell to someone inexperienced who doesn't know their MLP collectibles. 

Or... she's price-checking - those are the ones I despise; you haggle back and forth and just before you get to the actual Contractual Agreement With Payment part, they flake out and say, "Oh I don't want to sell anymore."

[Aurora]

If you assume she's honest, not trying to price check (ugh! some people!), she might be able to use your help. If none of the ponies are the sort you would want, you can at least tell her that the price she is asking is a bit over the market value.

Pictures would be really nice, and the best way of doing business, but I'm always up for some kind of crazy adventure. If it were me, I would actually drive there and see what they look like. The $400 would be hard, though!

I'm gonna watch this- I want to know what she has!

[Taffeta]

I think $400 is a lot of money for what you describe but also agree on the pictures. I think sometimes non-collectors don't realise that collectors often want specific ponies and not all of them are worth big money. They think collectors will buy any pony stuff irrespective of what it is and thus they can ask a high price as they have quantity. The issue is quality and with a non-collector that isn't always obvious.

Pics for sure.

[Vertefae]

If she can expect you to drive two hours, she can take pictures.

[FantasticFirefly]

Or... she's price-checking - those are the ones I despise; you haggle back and forth and just before you get to the actual Contractual Agreement With Payment part, they flake out and say, "Oh I don't want to sell anymore."

UGH- This! and if they were good, you get a call a year or two later really insistent on a past agreed price, not wanting you to see them first. because after they've been pulled from a cool dry place, all turned yellow/brown sweaty and spotty from baking in an attic, garage, shed they were kept in after. "oh they're ruined, well now I don't want them, maybe that collector will still take them and I make that money."