American Girl Questions..help please!

[ShellyL]

My DD 8 wants an American Girl doll for Christmas. Honestly they are about out of our budget. I have looked and honestly do not know if I can justify paying 100.00 for one.
I looked at the Our Generation dolls at Target and read the reviews. It seems like they are a good bang for your buck but still have some draw backs and are not the quality of AG. What would you guys do.
We struggle every Christmas because our children do not have grandparents that buy for themand we don't buy all year long for them so we try to do what we can at Christmas with out going in debt. With 5 to buy for it can be tough.
Thanks
Michele

 

[littlele]

First of all, comparing the two dolls quality wise is like comparing apples to oranges. They are completely different dolls.

That being said, if one is out of your budget at around $100, I would search Craigslist, etc to see what you can come up with. It may be tough this time of year, but you may luck out. I have seen many brand new dolls on there for a little less.

Good luck with your search, but I must warn you, just like chips, it's hard to stop at one!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

If you have a Tuesday Morning store near you, check out the Gotz Precious Day dolls. They run around $30 and are *significantly* better quality than the Target ones. (Target doll hair is *awful*.) Gotz is the original makers of the AG dolls.

As PP said, also keep tabs on craigslist, ebay, thrift shops, etc. There are deals to be found if you look. (The most I've paid for the AG I've gotten for DD and neices is $20. I frequent every thrift shop in town on a regular basis, though!)

There are websites out there too for DIY hair repair and restringing if you find one that needs that.

 

[ceecee]

I would look on Ebay or Craigslist and try and get a used one. There is a big difference in the two. If your DD doesn't have friends with a real one she may not know the difference though. You can get all the books at the library, but that just fuels the fire!

 

[mjkacmom]

I would look on Ebay or Craigslist and try and get a used one. There is a big difference in the two. If your DD doesn't have friends with a real one she may not know the difference though. You can get all the books at the library, but that just fuels the fire!

A lot of 8 year old girls have them (I'm lucky that dd13 handed her down to dd8 and dd6). There is a big difference between the dolls, and I wouldn't waste money on the Target one.

 

[meghanlea]

DD5 has Mia and just adores her. She has never been a doll girl so when she asked for her I couldn't justify dropping $100 on a doll that won't get played with. HA!! this doll has been every where with us, sleeps with her, etc. It was well worth every penny we paid to see her face light up when she opened it. I have bought the target clothes and it was a waste of money b/c they come apart at the seams, and just the quality of them is very generic looking. Being said that, like PP have said check craigslist, and or ebay. Maybe ask around to see if you know anyone who might be willing to give up an unplayed with one. You can also google codes, and while most are just for $10 off, it is somehting. I do remember though all month long in dec i got/get emails from them a lot with deals and specials they have. good luck!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I agree with trying Craigslist. I've seen several. Does your daughter want a specific doll? I see quite a few of the "Just Like Me" dolls for good prices on Craigslist.

I recently bought a used Julie off of Craigslist for my niece, who just decided she has outgrown them and doesn't want to add to her collection. So, I have to pursue the seller route to see how easy it will be to resell this for what I paid. I sure hope others are still looking...and don't mind used. I have no idea how used dolls sell (I pounced on the ad right away since I rarely see used Julie's available)! Ugh. But, if she wouldn't mind a gently used AG doll, you might get a break that way if you luck out finding one for sale in your area.

Good luck. I thought I was off the hook as well. My dd has never shown an interest in these, or any, dolls. She's 9. Unfortunately, her friends and cousins have them so now she wants a couple, as well. We were so close to making it through her childhood without these expensive dolls! Oh well. Actually, secretly I'm happy. I used to love my dolls and have been a little disappointed that dd wasn't into them (or princesses, etc.). So, I'll encourage this since she has shown an interest on her own. She's getting Julie and Ruthie for Christmas (already bought new, so my used Julie doesn't help our situation).

 

[MoonFaerie]

Is there a better way to search for them on ebay? I'm just wading through pages of clothes with a random doll here and there.

We bought a Target doll for dd as a trial. She's only 4 and thus far hasn't taken very good care of her dolls. If I can find a gently used AG doll for about the same price though, I'll go that route. Craigslist has been no good.

 

[Colinsmom]

My girls are still babies so I have little experience yet with AG, but how do the Madame Alexander dolls at Costco (the same size as AG) compare quality-wise? They are around $25, I believe.

 

[mcco5543]

An American Girl Doll is an American Girl As a girl who had them. Nothing can compare. (sorry!)

I'll be truly shocked if you can't find a new one or a gently used on Ebay. Shocked.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

DD has Kit ~ got her for C-mas last year & a Springfield Collection Doll that I purchased @ Michael's about a year ago ~ for a whopping $10 (using a 40% or 50% off coupon) ~ she chose Lindsey - long dark hair w/bangs ~ she was a trial doll to see how DD would treat her and would she enjoy playing with her ~ before getting Kit. She (Lindsey) is a lovely doll ~ I have no complaints but one ~ her hair! It's a mess ~ I've ordered a wig for her from rubyredgalleria.com (got the info from youtube ~ search "how to re wig american girl" ~ that youtube'r stephenswodadancer has lots of tips for American Girl dolls) ~ the wig incl. shipping was $27 ~ so she'll be a $37 doll with American Girl quality hair ~ she's DD's 1st Big Girl doll so it's worth the effort to fix her! Lindsey's hair is not a wig ~ (AG dolls have wigs) it's rooted ~ so I'll "buzz" her - cut it as short as possible and then glue the new wig on. I think the wig is waiting for me at the Post Office ~ I have a package from Hong Kong waiting for me to sign for!

DD is getting ~ Chrissa, Gwen & Sonali for C-mas - Chrissa from Santa & the friends from me. I've had them in my closet for months ~ easier on my budget to buy throughout the year for C~mas instead of Nov.-Dec. *Got the entire Zhu Zhu set at the end of Oct.

I'm also restoring a Samantha doll that I got on eBay ~ mint ones go for a lot of $$ since she's been retired ~ she's not in terrible shape, just needs some love. I had Samantha when I was younger but my house burnt down when I was in 5th grade and she was never replaced. Elizabeth's also in my closet (got her from QVC ~ love the easy pay option) I'll hold her for DD's B~day (early July).

 

[mcco5543]

I just found Molly on Ebay for less than 60 dollars in excellent condition.. She looks new (saw lots of pictures)

When you go to EBay type in "american girl" and then the name of the doll your child wants.


I.E. American Girl Kirsten

Then on the left click on the category labeled "Dolls" that will narrow it down a lot

 

[Ava]

She's getting Julie and Ruthie for Christmas (already bought new, so my used Julie doesn't help our situation).

You could always return the new Julie and give her the used one. You shouldn't have trouble selling the used Julie though; she's a fairly new doll & like you said doesn't pop up for sale at a used price too often.

I have Julie, she's a great doll. Her hair is a little long/thick to do a lot with, but it also doesn't tangle because it's so straight & smooth. And you can't beat those '70s fashions, lol.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

You could always return the new Julie and give her the used one. You shouldn't have trouble selling the used Julie though; she's a fairly new doll & like you said doesn't pop up for sale at a used price too often.

I have Julie, she's a great doll. Her hair is a little long/thick to do a lot with, but it also doesn't tangle because it's so straight & smooth. And you can't beat those '70s fashions, lol.

Yes, I will return the new one if I can't sell the used one I got. At first, that was going to be my plan right away....but I think I'd rather give dd the new one if I can pull it off (it's her gift from the big guy). My dd fell in love with Julie right away. I think this is why my niece decided she wanted Julie as well. I'm loving Julie's accessories, since that's what I grew up with At least I have a back up plan...but I do hope someone around here would be interested so I don't have to go through the trouble. Thanks!!

 

[DisNae]

As stated upthread, Gotz dolls are a great alternative. Their quality rivals that of AG as Gotz was the original manufacturer of AG dolls before AG sold out to Mattel. Gotz is a German dollmaker that makes excellent quality dolls. I bought my DD one of the Gotz Precious Day dolls last Christmas and she loves it. It's a beautiful doll and her hair is still in perfect condition. I got it from an ebay store (brand new) for $47 including shipping.

She will be getting Chrissa this year because she really wants her (she looks more like my DD than any of the "Just Like You" dolls, so she loves her). She still loves and plays with her Gotz doll, but Gotz does not have the doll or accessories selection that AG does. So I considered Gotz a good "tester/starter" doll to see if my DD would really play with/take good enough care of a doll to warrant spending $100 on one. She has played with her tons, and taken excellent care of her, so I have no problem expanding her collection with one of the AG dolls. Make no mistake, though, the Gotz dolls are the *same* quality. I have both (Chrissa is in the closet, waiting for Christmas) so I can attest firsthand hat they are every bit as good as AG--again, Gotz made the original AG dolls so this would make sense.

I wouldn't waste my money on a Target doll. My DD's friend has one, and it is just not good quality, to be quite honest. Her hair is a mess less than a year later, and the faces just look, well, strange. They sell for around $30, I think, so I decided I'd rather put a few extra $$ towards then Gotz tester doll than waste $30 on the Target doll.

Here's an e-tailer that sells Gotz dolls:

http://www.liveandlearn.com/gotz/elizabeth.html

Or, like I said, you can check ebay for Gotz Precious Day dolls.

 

[bjscheel]

On another board I'm one somebody was thrilled with their Madame Alexander doll from Costco- said the hair held up so well. I think I saw some at Walmart this week???

If you look on eBay, the Just Like You dolls might be cheaper, cuz if the buyer is looking to match their daughter, there is a limited audience for each doll, unlike the historical dolls. You could try to search "Just Like You" or "JLY" or "Girl of Today" to find those dolls. To avoid more of the clothes, try sorting the search results from highest price to lowest.

We are just getting into this. DD11 just bought Kit with her own money and DD8 is now desperately saving money for Ruthie. Then their great-aunt told me that she bought the AGs for the 3 older nieces...I didn't know that...but we decided it would be a good lesson for DD8 to save, as she has previously proclaimed, "I don't care about having money, I just want stuff." Well, now she found a "stuff" she really wants!

 

[bradyfann1]

Hi there,
I saw you were thinking of selling American Girl Doll Julie. I live in San Diego but would be interested in purchasing her from you. How much would you sell for?

thanks,
Karen

 

[cbg1027]

I would not waste the money on anything other than a genuine AG doll. Try looking on ebay - I bet you could find a new or gently used one there for less than $100.

I had an AG doll growing up and it was one of my absolute favorite toys. I got Molly when I was 7 and collected her things until I was about 12. The stuff is expensive, but it's very high quality. I still have my Molly and Felicity, but since I'm 25 they're packed away at my moms waiting for a new little girl to play with them. They're in perfect condition, but I played very gently with my dolls. I never let a hair on their heads get out of place!

I think the biggest thing to consider is how mature your daughter is and how long do you think she will be in to AG dolls. If you think there's a chance she would play with it for a few months and then never take it out again, I would not purchase one. But if she has a sustained interest in AG and you think they could provide entertainment for years to come, I would make the investment.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I was on ebay trying to get them but they were going for as much as $60 and $80, so I figured I might as well get a new one, DDs first, Kit.
Search thrift shops, I have 2 consignment shops here and they actually have a list for people who want AG dolls/accessories and usually once a month I get a call from the consignment shop saying some AG stuff came in today if I would like to come in. So far I have yet to see a doll in there, but I have gotten full outfits (shoes, dress, socks, hats, etc) for $9-$12 in GREAT condition. DD isn't getting Kit til Christmas, for now she is dressing and playing with the Target one. I wanted to see if she would take good care of it before I splurged and spent the $100, and she is.
Also, from what I hear, they are really good quality, some people on ebay are selling them from 20 years ago and they look great, they also have the doll hospital if something should break.

 

[ShellyL]

I just found Molly on Ebay for less than 60 dollars in excellent condition.. She looks new (saw lots of pictures)

When you go to EBay type in "american girl" and then the name of the doll your child wants.


I.E. American Girl Kirsten

Then on the left click on the category labeled "Dolls" that will narrow it down a lot

How did youfind her for less than 60.00? I have been looking and can't find anything for less than what they are new
Michele