American Girl Question- beheaded doll!

[tink2]

DD9 got an American Girl doll for Christmas last year- less than a year ago. DD9 is very responsible with her, but does sleep with her every night. She adores her and we are so glad we got her. We purposely waited until she was older to get her one so would be able to take care of her. Anyway, she comes in tonight before going to bed with the doll's head in one hand and the body in the other- boo hooing. She said she picked it up to carry it to bed (the doll was watching tv on the couch) and her head fell off. Now, it doesn't look that difficult to fix and I got it back on- but I'm worried it won't stay. The head fits inside the soft body part and is tied on by a string. I know there is a doll hospital, but I'm just disappointed in the quality of this doll that is less than a year old. Does anyone have any experience in this- has this happened to anyone else?
BTW- it is a just like me doll, not one of the historical figures.

 

[PA Princess]

We had a similar problem with an AG product. Our issue was not with a doll, but a bitty twins stroller.

Our three year old received this as a gift last Christmas, and truthfully she has barely played with it because it is a little large for her to mauever in our house (and it has never been outside). A few weeks ago I noticed the hood was broken - a plastic piece that attaches the hood to the stroller completely cracked in half. I was rather annoyed.

A friend then told me that AG items are guaranteed for life. I called AG and sure enough - they will replace (or give merchandise credit). The only cost you have is shipping to get the item to AG and a small shipping charge to get new items (gal on the phone said the rate is much less than normal shipping charges). She did advise we send in the item soon since then tend to get really busy with returns near the holidays. Hope this is helpful!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

The guarantee is interesting to me. My DD14 got a bitty Baby when DD9 was born (a big sister gift.) The doll's leg fell off and I looked into sending it to the doll hospital and the cost of shipping it to them in the manor they requested, the "hospital stay" (repairs) and shipping back was about the same cost of the doll in the first place. Bitty baby got a good dose of hot glue instead. I was not offered any kind of free repair, I wonder if I shoud call again (9 years later)?

 

[melancholywings]

Have you tried AGplaythings? I know there are women on there who run thier own cheaper 'doll hospitals' also they might have a tutorial for fixing her yourself.

Or here's one:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2325684_repair-american-girl-doll.html

 

[LisaMommy]

Definitely try www.agplaythings.com as they seem to know everything there!

Also, I seem to recall that lots of people don't recommend sleeping with the dolls. I thought it was only because their hair could get messed up, but who knows? Anyway, don't let this give you the wrong idea about their products, they are usually excellent quality. I still have my Molly doll from when I was young

 

[mamaminnie]

My dd got several hand me down dolls recently- they were at least 10 years old. To make a long story short Samantha's head came off. We sent her to the AG doll hospistal and she came back as good as new.

Now we paid for this but our doll was old. I'd call them and how they will help you fix this newer doll.

 

[livndisney]

I don't know that the products have a "lifetime guarantee". I do know the Customer Service was much better when it was Pleasant Company.

My DD got the bitty twins last year for Christmas. A few months ago I call AG because I noticed how ratty the hair on the girl had gotten. (DD has always brought the doll to me to brush the hair and I used the same brush I use on my PC dolls). So I called AG and explained that it seems we had gotten a "defective" doll as the hair should have held up MUCH better considering. I was told I could ship the doll to the hospital, pay for shipping and a new head. I even asked for a Supervisor, since I did not think I should have to pay for a new head when the doll had been played with less than 6 months. But that was the only "option" I was given.

I second talking to the ladies on the AG board. They are a wonderful resource.

 

[kittycatalina65]

Putting her head back on is really easy. Just untie her neck strings, put the head back in (settle it in among the stuffing nice and snug), and retie the strings. You'll want to tie double and triple knots. There is a nice sized lip around the neck that keeps the head stable.
Not worth sending to the hospital for.
Good luck!

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I have to say I've been very happy with AG's doll hospital/ customer service. I got a hand me down Molly from someone, and she was almost green colored for some bizarre reason. I called customer service and they said it sounded like a defective batch of vinyl and to send her in for a visit. I did ($10 to ship at my expense) and for the price of return shipping, they sent me a whole new Molly doll! It was my stuffed doll's body, but everything else was completely new.

The only "bad" thing about new heads at AG Hosp. is they use a plastic band instead of the strings around the neck. It's just kind of weird looking...

They'll usually do a hair style at no charge when they do a leg or arm replacement too, and the doll comes back in a hospital gown with toy balloons, which are fun for your DD to play with too.

 

[tink2]

Putting her head back on is really easy. Just untie her neck strings, put the head back in (settle it in among the stuffing nice and snug), and retie the strings. You'll want to tie double and triple knots. There is a nice sized lip around the neck that keeps the head stable.
Not worth sending to the hospital for.
Good luck!

I got the head back on last night before dd fell asleep- thank goodness! I tied it tight- I guess I'm just worried about it coming off again. I told dd that she might not want to sleep with her and got her to make a bed for the doll that she can put right beside her bed. If it falls off again- I will call AG and see what would be the best option. But right now, it is ok. I hope it stays...
BTW- dd got the doll for her bday- not Christmas- so the doll is 6 months old. She loves it, so hopefully it will stay...

 

[luvmy3]

I have to say I've been very happy with AG's doll hospital/ customer service. I got a hand me down Molly from someone, and she was almost green colored for some bizarre reason. I called customer service and they said it sounded like a defective batch of vinyl and to send her in for a visit. I did ($10 to ship at my expense) and for the price of return shipping, they sent me a whole new Molly doll! It was my stuffed doll's body, but everything else was completely new.

The only "bad" thing about new heads at AG Hosp. is they use a plastic band instead of the strings around the neck. It's just kind of weird looking...

They'll usually do a hair style at no charge when they do a leg or arm replacement too, and the doll comes back in a hospital gown with toy balloons, which are fun for your DD to play with too.

On another board I frequent a woman said her Mia doll (from QVC) came and looked greenish. She contacted AG and they are sending her a replacement. I think they have great customer service.
My dd had a friend over who drew make up on one of her AG dolls with permanent marker. I tried to clean her but couldn't. I sent her to AG and had her head and arms replaced. She came back good as new, in her cute hospital gown.

OP I can totally undersatnd your frustration since these dolls are pricey, but I guess thats a chance we take when we give them to our dd's to play with. The doll hair can get ratty after months of play, limbs can fall off or get loose. I wouldn't expect these things to be covered under a warranty. I have a friend who gets them for her dd, but she isn't allowed to play with them, they are for display only. I think thast the only way to keep them perfect, but I couldn't give my dd a doll and not let her play with it

 

[agnes!]

I know they're not American Girls, but does anyone here know how to value a set of the "Madame Alexander" Little Women dolls from the '60s? I have Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy and Marmee plus a Disney Alice in Wonderland. I'm thinking of selling but I have *no* idea of how to start . I looked on eBay and tried to find a forum for Mme Alexanders/doll collecting (similar to The DIS), but no luck yet...

agnes!

 

[mercydisney]

If it happens again, call AG CS. DD8 bought her doll at AGP in NY. Felicity leg was very loose after about a yr. I called rep. sent it back. Did have to pay to ship her to hospital but I did not have ot pay for her to come back, We got a whole new doll. Also about 3wks ago DD8 AG satin pj's that are about 2 yrs old ripped at the seams. I was about to fix it when I realized the same thing happened before when she 1st got them. So I called AG custoner service and explained this to them. They asked me to send it back, another pair of pj's. (just hope these don't rip)

This is why I really don't mind spending money on AG toys.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I was cleaning out my DD's room today and found a leg to one of the dolls. She had hidden the doll in something else. Also, there is magic marker on another one. Needless to say, I was not happy but I may check into having them repaired after Christmas and lock them up for a while.