American Girl dolls - did your DD get bored with it quickly?

[TheLittleRoo]

Thanks everyone for the stories! My DD6 is definitely asking for an AG doll. She's been asking more and more lately. She auditioned for the AG Fashion Show in DC in the fall, and was a model in the show a couple of months ago. The bug has definitely bitten her. I just hoped to stave off buying a doll until I was sure that somehow, we'd get our "money's worth" out of it.

Now I see that's not really the point... I think it's not that she plays with it every waking moment, but that she has it any time she wants to get it out and change her clothes, brush her hair, and probably more importantly, to play with other girls when they have play dates and sleep overs. In our little snooty suburb, she's probably one of the last hold-outs without an AG doll and she feels pretty left out.

I think getting a trip together this weekend was too spontaneous, and it should be a trip that is anticipated and planned for. Since I'm thinking about just going up for a day trip now, I won't be as restricted on my weekend availability during the summer.

I did manage to get an appointment with a personal shopper at AG. It's free and you are treated very well. A single shopper is matched with you and gives you a 20 minute seated history of the dolls, what's popular, all the options are explained before turning you loose in the store. They check on you periodically while you shop, hold your items in the back while you make selections, and you get to avoid the massive check out line in front -they take care of it for you while you relax in the back. Sounds like paradise to me!

I think she will enjoy this as much or more than her Barbies. When moms started saying their daughters like to change their clothes and brush their hair, etc - - that's exactly what she does with her Barbies. And does it for hours. I just want to be careful that she understands this doll is special and I think that taking a trip to NYC would reinforce that. I would not want to just buy it online and give it to her for no reason. Birthday, Christmas, NYC day trip. I think those will be the qualifying occasions for our family!

Thanks for all the input!

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I want to buy my DD an AG doll, it's her first and we're going to the AG store for a daytrip to buy it for $90 plus tax.

I thought I might scout Ebay for another "friend" used AG doll for a bargain, and was shocked to see AG dolls going for $60 shipped in really used condition, or $85 shipped in refurbished condition! I guess the good news is, I know I could always sell hers for pretty much what I paid for it should she shun the doll (as if!). The bad news is, there's no bargain dolls out there!

I'm confused why someone would pay more than $75 max shipped for a used doll, when a brand new one in the box costs $90? And they're selling for those prices! Are older ones worth more? Can someone explain?

Thanks!

 

[lpandorf]

I bought DD8 her first AG doll at 6. She did not seem all that interested in it. She got another one for Christmas this year. I thought since she was older she might be more into it but she does not play with Julie much either. She plays a lot with her Barbie and Kellys dolls or Polly Pockets. She's never been into dolls much and was not into the AG dolls either.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I bought DD8 her first AG doll at 6. She did not seem all that interested in it. She got another one for Christmas this year. I thought since she was older she might be more into it but she does not play with Julie much either. She plays a lot with her Barbie and Kellys dolls or Polly Pockets. She's never been into dolls much and was not into the AG dolls either.

I'll buy them!

 

[SandraVB79]

Can someone please explain me what is special about the AG dolls? Except for the fact that they seem to be expensive.

 

[momto2girls]

Thanks everyone for the stories! My DD6 is definitely asking for an AG doll. She's been asking more and more lately. She auditioned for the AG Fashion Show in DC in the fall, and was a model in the show a couple of months ago. The bug has definitely bitten her. I just hoped to stave off buying a doll until I was sure that somehow, we'd get our "money's worth" out of it.

Now I see that's not really the point... I think it's not that she plays with it every waking moment, but that she has it any time she wants to get it out and change her clothes, brush her hair, and probably more importantly, to play with other girls when they have play dates and sleep overs. In our little snooty suburb, she's probably one of the last hold-outs without an AG doll and she feels pretty left out.

I think getting a trip together this weekend was too spontaneous, and it should be a trip that is anticipated and planned for. Since I'm thinking about just going up for a day trip now, I won't be as restricted on my weekend availability during the summer.

I did manage to get an appointment with a personal shopper at AG. It's free and you are treated very well. A single shopper is matched with you and gives you a 20 minute seated history of the dolls, what's popular, all the options are explained before turning you loose in the store. They check on you periodically while you shop, hold your items in the back while you make selections, and you get to avoid the massive check out line in front -they take care of it for you while you relax in the back. Sounds like paradise to me!

I think she will enjoy this as much or more than her Barbies. When moms started saying their daughters like to change their clothes and brush their hair, etc - - that's exactly what she does with her Barbies. And does it for hours. I just want to be careful that she understands this doll is special and I think that taking a trip to NYC would reinforce that. I would not want to just buy it online and give it to her for no reason. Birthday, Christmas, NYC day trip. I think those will be the qualifying occasions for our family!

Thanks for all the input!

Just be cognizant of the fact that once you buy one doll, you/your daughter might get bit by the "bug" and soon have a houseful of AG dolls. My girls just love them. My older daughter will be getting Kit next month for her birthday and another family member is getting her Ruthie. That will bring her total of AG dolls to 7 (including Bitty Baby). Her little sister has 5 (including Bitty Baby).

I asked my husband if we are going to have all the AG dolls by the time they are done being interested in them and he said "of course". We have a trip to NYC planned for this fall. Uh oh!

 

[snowangel72]

I bought my daughter one for Christmas. Then I got her one when I was in NYC. She never plays with them. Sigh

 

[SallyNeko21]

I got into AG when I was about 6. It was relatively new at that time and my friends and I were over the moon about it. I got my first Doll about a year or two later (Addy) and I've treasured her all this time. I am now 26, still love AG. Addy is safely in her box (which I've also kept all this time), but only because I've loved her too hard and she needs a bit of repair. When I was 24 I even went to an AG store and purchased Kaya for myself. She is on display in my home. AG is something that I will treasure forever and in my mind that's priceless.

 

[wisconsinmom]

I say go and make magical memories with your daughter! You'll have a great time. I love American Girl dolls, I'm going to plead the fifth and not admit how many my 6 year old has

 

[DebMcDonald]

I've got three DD's all that own ONE AG doll (that's the rule in our house only one per person not counting bitty baby, we have two of them in our house) of all three girls the only one that really ever played with one is the current 7 year old, who got it when she was 6 for x-mas, but on that note the other two are not the greatest free players and don't have the greatest imagination where the youngest is all girl through and through and can free play for hours and hours, that being said, when middle DD, got Nikki she LOVED her, but it was short lived, but I also do not regret getting it for her.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

DD got her firs AG doll @ AGP Chicago for with HER Christmas $ (DH's family lives out of the country so just sends $ for holidays and birthdays). It was COMPLETELY by accident she got one because we were eating lunch in the next building and she saw all the girls with them, so we checked out the store. DD was 5 1/2 and chose a "me" doll which looked a little like her not a historical doll. A few months later DD bought another one with HER $. Today DD turned 6! Last weekend we went to AGP for lunch with my best friend and her daughters who all have many AGs. She bought Julie, her first historical doll, with birthday $$. DD takes VERY good care of them and plays with them often. I see the AG dolls as an investment if they are taken care of properly...and I have taught DD how to take care of her dolls. My "Neice" is 11 and still has an interest in her AGs and will use them to play with her lil sisters, but also knows their values.

 

[jacksmomma]

I have a boy, so you will have to bear with me as I do not really "get" the AG appeal...seems like such a waste of money.

That being said, if you daughter is not that into it than I would not do it. Why spend $400 just to keep up with the Joneses and make sure your child has what everyone else has?! Spend the money on some you know she would love to do, or save it and put it toward something with the entire family.

 

[AndreaDM]

LOL at everyone giving the OP advice on a 3 year old post!!!

 

[Sandy321]

LOL at everyone giving the OP advice on a 3 year old post!!!

I hate when that happens -

its like you've been punked - Message Board Style!!

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

its like you've been punked - Message Board Style!!

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Iri920]

I hate when that happens -

its like you've been punked - Message Board Style!!

I was thinking why would she drive all the way to NYC when they just opened one in Tyson's Corner, then I saw the date.

 

[bsusanmb]

Oh my, I bought my dear granddaughter who is 6 a Julie doll, a set of twins, 15 to 20 outfits, bunk beds, Julie's bed, all kinds of beautiful accessories and after the novelty wore off at Christmas, they just sit. I am hoping that as she gets older, her friends will all be playing with their American Girl dolls and she will get excited again. I did go to NYC and bought a lot of stuff. I think I love the American Girl dolls more than my granddaughter!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

OMG 3 year old post!! I better read next time before I respond!!!