$295 for new American Girl van?

[mommapea]

Ok, I know that they can charge whatever they want, but does anyone else think this is a bit much? I keep throwing out our catalogues so that my first grader doesn't find this stuff. My girls both rec'd AH dolls and some accessories for Christmas (most purchased during cyber Monday sale) but I just thought this was ridiculous. my first grader has some of the other camping equipment, so I guess I'm dreading the day she discovers this van.

 

[KibbyCat]

Ok, I know that they can charge whatever they want, but does anyone else think this is a bit much? .

 

[MrandMissVacation]

Thank goodness my DD has never showed any interest in AG dolls.
However by DD and DS wanted the little pet dogs from Santa this year. I forked over 22 bucks a piece plush shipping for a CHEAPLY put together stuffed fluff - ball. Dear lord this stuff is pure @rap!

but 300 bucks for a van.. a TOY van? Unless it can drive me around I would never pay another DIME for AG merchandise.

 

[Brynne]

My AG doll would be walking. That's a little steep, if you ask me.

 

[luvmy3]

Is this a van for the dolls or is it a little van that your child can sit in and drive?

Either way its a bit much and I honestly don't think the quality warrants that kind of price.

 

[livndisney]

Ok, I know that they can charge whatever they want, but does anyone else think this is a bit much? I keep throwing out our catalogues so that my first grader doesn't find this stuff. My girls both rec'd AH dolls and some accessories for Christmas (most purchased during cyber Monday sale) but I just thought this was ridiculous. my first grader has some of the other camping equipment, so I guess I'm dreading the day she discovers this van.

It is not a van, but rather a camper. (So you may still need a car to tow it LOL). On the plus side it does have a lot of fun accessories. Yes it is 295 plus shipping.

You may want to take a look at mytwinn-they have a tent for 25.00 and then your DD can camp all she wants LOL.

 

[patsal]

It is an open up camper with accessories. It is very cute, but way over priced IMHO. I know all the larger AG playsets are priced similiarly and people do buy them. They make a limited quantity and when they are gone they are gone--like the treehouse set from last year.
http://store.americangirl.com/agsho...bTemplateId/3/uniqueId/705/cxl/Y/XcellId/TRUE

 

[gregokdisney]

It's outrageous, especially since their quality is going to absolute garbage. AG has always been expensive, but you used to get very high quality stuff. Lately it's been nothing better than plastic junk, just like you buy for Barbie at WalMart.

 

[kinntj]

As long as people are willing to buy it for that price, they'll sell it for that price. It's overpriced IMO, so we won't be buying it. I do love the Lanie doll and books though.

 

[livndisney]

It's outrageous, especially since their quality is going to absolute garbage. AG has always been expensive, but you used to get very high quality stuff. Lately it's been nothing better than plastic junk, just like you buy for Barbie at WalMart.

Oddly enough, we recently went to AG place for the first time and the staff acted as though we were shopping at Walmart. Not one even asked if they could help us. I hate to see AG go down like this.

 

[uk_wildcat]

It also says it weighs 43 pounds!

 

[msmayor]

My husband would say "$295?!?!?! That's $245 more than my first car!!!!"

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Yes, I can't believe how expensive that camper is! I thought it was a bit much ... if Lanie is such a nature girl, why doesn't she just have an overpriced tent?

Not to mention the fact that there is only room for one doll in that thing!

But, people will buy it ...

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My DD10 saw it and thought it was cool until I told her that she had to save up the 295.00 from her allowance if she wanted the thing since it's too expensive for me to buy.

Now she doesn't want it. LOL

She isn't interested in the new doll either. Thank goodness.
I'm looking forward to the day when she doesn't want any more AG stuff.

 

[Ava]

Oddly enough, we recently went to AG place for the first time and the staff acted as though we were shopping at Walmart. Not one even asked if they could help us. I hate to see AG go down like this.

Which AG Place? I've always had a good experience at the one in NYC.

I do agree that the quality of AG is going downhill. I have a lot of the original stuff from the '80s & early '90s and it is much nicer than what they sell now. Since Mattel took it over, a lot of things for the 18" line are dumbed-down plastic. The play food used to be made from resin, the furniture was real wood, the dishes were ceramic/glass - some things are still of good quality, but a lot of it is plastic now. I'm sure in the name of safety & avoiding lawsuits, but that is why the 18" dolls are supposed to be for ages 8+. It also bugs me that a lot of the play food is all stuck together now; the food sets used to have all individual pieces so it was much more realistic.

 

[luvmy3]

Which AG Place? I've always had a good experience at the one in NYC.

I do agree that the quality of AG is going downhill. I have a lot of the original stuff from the '80s & early '90s and it is much nicer than what they sell now. Since Mattel took it over, a lot of things for the 18" line are dumbed-down plastic. The play food used to be made from resin, the furniture was real wood, the dishes were ceramic/glass - some things are still of good quality, but a lot of it is plastic now. I'm sure in the name of safety & avoiding lawsuits, but that is why the 18" dolls are supposed to be for ages 8+. It also bugs me that a lot of the play food is all stuck together now; the food sets used to have all individual pieces so it was much more realistic.

ITA. My dd has alot of hand me down AG things from her older cousins and the quality of those items compared to what I have bought for her in the last few years is remarkable. There was a time when AG was a treasure to own and now its just become another toy.

 

[Ava]

ITA. My dd has alot of hand me down AG things from her older cousins and the quality of those items compared to what I have bought for her in the last few years is remarkable. There was a time when AG was a treasure to own and now its just become another toy.

ITA. I got my Molly doll when I was 9 (in 1989) and I treasured her. I collected things for her until I was about 13, and kept it all in it's own drawer in my desk. I even kept the dresses in the little plastic garment bags they came in, lol. I'm a neat, organized person by nature, but Molly was definitely my most special & well-cared-for toy. My younger sister got Samantha, and later Felicity, and her collection is in great shape as well. I am back into collecting AG now, but I mostly just go for the clothes. Most of the accessories don't interest me because of the quality.

 

[minniebeth]

I was surprised when DD7 (who wants every single AG item in the whole world, lol) was looking through the catalog, she saw the price of the camper and said, "that's too much money!". Of course, though, she doesn't think Lanie herself is too much money.

 

[littlele]

From what I hear the camper is not a plastic piece, but rather wood. It's still a crazy amount of money, but he crazier part-they are having a hard time keeping them in stock!

 

[KELLY]

I'm actually saving up $$ to buy my DD the enitre Lanie collection and the camper. All together it is over 500.0. So it will be split between Birthday and Christmas. I think of it this way if I put 15.00 a week away it doesn't seem so bad.