Buying American Girl dolls?

[pl'smama]

For those of you who have ordered American Girl dolls, can I ask a question or two?

How long does it usually take for your order to arrive? Do you order by phone or internet?

I have heard about getting a discount on the shipping with some sort of code or from getting an email. How do you go about getting information on that?

Have you ever had to pay duty, after the fact? How exactly did the breakdown of charges work?

Last, are you completely satisfied with the product as a whole or is there anything about AG dolls and accessories you don't like?

Thank you, Suz

 

[sunshinemummy]

For those of you who have ordered American Girl dolls, can I ask a question or two?

How long does it usually take for your order to arrive? Do you order by phone or internet?

1 week for express (extra $20)
2 weeks for regular mail (extra $10)

It would depend on where you are too. Since all packages have to pass thru customs if you are close to TO, Montreal or Vancouver it may come a bit quicker. I always order over the internet.

I have heard about getting a discount on the shipping with some sort of code or from getting an email. How do you go about getting information on that?

They have a free shipping code usually 3-4 times a year, I usually just search coupon codes on google, rarely will they e-mail you one.

Have you ever had to pay duty, after the fact? How exactly did the breakdown of charges work?

Because they ship US mail (and not UPS) you are charged a $5 handling fee plus GST/PST based on the order total in Canadian dollars. (They use the rate on the day the box reaches customs). If you pay for express shipping the handling fee is $8 plus GST/PST. I have never been charged duty. Be careful with what you order at a time too, my last order was shipped in 4 boxes and I had to pay the $5 + taxes on each box

Last, are you completely satisfied with the product as a whole or is there anything about AG dolls and accessories you don't like?

I've always been very happy with with the products (we have 6 dolls and lots of the furniture and outfits) never a problem. I thought I would try and buy handmade clothes off of ebay for the dolls because it gets quite pricey for the outfits, but it's just not the same, the outfits are very well made from AG.

Thank you, Suz[/QUOTE]

 

[MCFADDEN5]

I ordered some last Christmas, and I think they took about three weeks. I ordered early, so wasnt worried and I just ordered them regular mail.
I have never been charged duty either and I have always been totally satisfied.
The American Girl dolls also fit into clothes for the Canadian version, The Maplelea Girls. They dont have as many variations of dolls or outfits, but they are getting there.
Same idea as the American, come with a story and info on the girl, but it is all Canadian based. Same price points. We have some of both.
My daughter loves them all.

 

[pl'smama]

Thank you both Sunshinemummy and McFadden5!! Lots of good information and answers to all my questions. I appreciate it very much.

I will be placing my first order this fall, for Christmas, but I have been nervous. Earlier this year I ordered some things from Disney that were being sold by an outside vendor. About a month after it all came I got this bill from Customs for about $30.00! I was shocked, but I had to pay it. I will pay what I have to, but would rather know it all up front, ya know?

McFadden5, my neice has a Maplea doll and she is happy with it, but I swear, and it might just be me, the dolls "smile' gives me the creeps! I know it is silly, but I can't look at it without shivering. I love how the AG dolls look and of course, they have such a wide selection. I do get the cataloge for both though so I will keep on top of any changes or updates they make.

Thanks again everyone.

Suz

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

A bit OT, but does anyone else find the Maplea dolls FREAKISHLY SCARY LOOKING? LOL.
We have 8 AG dolls and she is getting 2 more for Xmas....

 

[pl'smama]

A bit OT, but does anyone else find the Maplea dolls FREAKISHLY SCARY LOOKING? LOL.
We have 8 AG dolls and she is getting 2 more for Xmas....

Yes, they do creep me out a bit. That is why I am getting the AG doll!

Suz

 

[nonzerosum]

My daughter is aching for an American Girl and the Maplelea dolls scare her. She says, "their eyes creeep me out". I've been investigating the world of American Girl for a while now and they really do seem to be worth the money. I'm really hopeful about a free shipping code coming out soon, but then again I'm also hopeful about getting the coveted 40% code from Disney. I'll post if I hear about a free shipping code (of course you still pay the $10 to ship to Canada).

 

[pl'smama]

My daughter is aching for an American Girl and the Maplelea dolls scare her. She says, "their eyes creeep me out". I've been investigating the world of American Girl for a while now and they really do seem to be worth the money. I'm really hopeful about a free shipping code coming out soon, but then again I'm also hopeful about getting the coveted 40% code from Disney. I'll post if I hear about a free shipping code (of course you still pay the $10 to ship to Canada).

I called the AG hotline today to ask some questions. The lady was very helpful. She said that a code for either free shipping or a discount should come out soon since it is close to Christmas. She then checked my profile and it was tagged not to receive emails etc,, so she changed that. Hopefully now I will get a code for free shipping.

If anyone gets one can they post it here please?

Thanks, Suz

 

[nat1234]

I've also ordered dolls from AG. My daughter has Bitty Baby and a bigger one. I was really impressed with the quality. When I ordered the first doll, I ordered it as part of a starter set. The suitcase that came with it broke the first time it was opened. I just call the customer service department and they sent me a new one, no questions asked. I was even able to keep the one that broke which I was able to fix. I was just really impressed with the service as well. I also order over the internet with no issues. In fact I'm going to order my niece her first AG doll for Christmas this year. I also find the Maplelea dolls creepy. I'm not sure if it is their eyes or their mouths.

 

[jcemom]

I'd like to order DD (almost 6) her first American Girl doll for Christmas. It would be nice if a free shipping code were released soon. I know there's plenty of time until Christmas but I'm anxious to order. I probably want the doll more than DD, LOL.

 

[pl'smama]

I'd like to order DD (almost 6) her first American Girl doll for Christmas. It would be nice if a free shipping code were released soon. I know there's plenty of time until Christmas but I'm anxious to order. I probably want the doll more than DD, LOL.

I am just like you Tracey! I think I want the doll more than my DD does!! We go through the catalouge together and it is just so much fun. I loved dolls growing up and still do and I just want to share that with her. When I called the hotline last week the lady said it takes about two weeks for the order to get to customs once you order it, but she said it can take a lot of time or a little bit of time once customs has it and the AG people can't do anything about it. I told her I wanted to order for Christmas in October to make sure it arrives well before and she thought that was a good idea. She also suggested I place the order via the phone since this was my first order. Just to make sure I got what I wanted so that is what I plan to do. You can call up to midnight which is helpful.

Let me know what doll you get. My DD wants the Mia doll so I plan to get that for her and Santa can bring some accessories.

Suz

 

[jcemom]

I wanted to 'make' one that looks like DD, Just Like You or something like that, but now I'm thinking I should get her the Bitty Twins this year and a bigger doll in another year or so. DD is so tiny that if she wants matching clothes she won't be able to fit into any of the larger sizes, she's going to be six next month but only wears a size 4. The bigger dolls' matching clothing for girls starts at size 6.

If I was getting for me I would want Samantha. Her birthday is almost the same as mine, and she has brown hair and eyes like me. I need help, LOL. Maybe I should secretly buy her for myself for Christmas. I could sneak her under the tree and claim Santa brought her for me.

The only 'problem' I see with getting the twins is that I'll need to buy two sets of all the doll clothes instead of just one, so more to buy. I'm pretty sure she'd want matching girls rather than a girl and a boy. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I just ordered a just like you doll plus over $200 worth of clothing. My bill was about $350 american. Because I ordered so much I was at the top of shipping chart and could order as much as I liked without getting billed for more.

I ordered over the phone on Tuesday September 9th. I received everything in one big box yesterday Tuesday September the 16. No extra duty.

The hardest part will be waiting for her birthday next month to give it to her. Last night when the kids were in bed my DH was looking for me and I was in the basement with the doll LOL.

 

[jcemom]

The hardest part will be waiting for her birthday next month to give it to her. Last night when the kids were in bed my DH was looking for me and I was in the basement with the doll LOL.

That will be me, LOL! DD just saw me looking at the catalog a little while ago and asked if I was picking out a doll for her. I told her no, I was picking out a doll for ME!

I'm not in Canada, I'm in the US, so at least shipping is more reasonable and I don't have to worry about duty. Yes, I know I'm posting in the Canadian forum, LOL. I didn't think you guys would mind. When I did a search on American Girls this was one of the threads that came up. All the Canadians I've met have been very friendly (much friendlier than most of us 'down here' south of the border) so I didn't think you'd toss me out for posting here.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

to the Canadian boards!

Thanks you helped me out a few years ago about the BBB. We're happy to have you post with us anytime!

 

[pl'smama]

I agree with Diamond Tracey, you are so welcome here!

It is so funny how the moms love the dolls so much. I want to get so much for DD even though I need to be realistic. I too will be checking it all out way before it should be opened!!

I like the idea of the Bitty Twins Tracey. My DD wants both a Bitty Baby and a regular doll, so it is one or the other for CHristmas. We are having our second child in March, very close to DD's 6th birthday. This child has been a long time coming and we are all very excited. I had thought that maybe I could give DD a Bitty Baby as a gift from her new sibling for her birthday. Ya know, a baby doll from the baby. It is a bit extravagant, but I know she would be thrilled that her new sibling got her a gift like that. Do you think that is a silly idea?

I would be torn on the twins to though. The extra cost of clothes etc.., but maybe if you compare to the cost of the bigger dolls things it would work out??

Diamond, is there any way you can post a photo of the new doll or is she all wrapped up in the packaging. DId she come in the latest outfit that is capris and a hoodie ( I think)?

I am now thinking about getting the Just Like Me doll for DD for Christmas instead of Mia. It is silly, but DD took skating this summer and that was what seemed to fuel her like for Mia, because she is the skater. Well, DD did not want to keep on with skating ( she can barely move on her own!!, my Canadian child!!), so now I am thinking the JLM doll would be fine. Oh, this is a tough decision.

Anyway, it is nice to chat with other doll lovers!! Have a great night ladies.

Suz

 

[jcemom]

Thanks for the welcome!

I might give DD just one of the twins and save the other for another holiday. I didn't think of that originally, but I don't see why I couldn't do it that way.

I compared on the AG website: a large doll, matching outfit for DD, plus sleepwear for both, a holiday outfit for both, ballet clothes for both... then did the same for the twins. The bigger doll has the earring option added, which did add to the total, and the bigger holiday outfits have more pieces. The Bitty holiday outfits are just dresses, where the bigger ones also have a furry shrug and hat that upped the price on those.

Looks Like You doll with earrings, matching outfit for DD (star hoodie outfit), Scarlet and Snow holiday outfit for doll and DD, Snuggly Snow pjs with slippers for doll and DD, 2-in-1 ballerina set plus bag for doll and DD = $630

Bitty Twins dolls (both girls), matching outfit for DD (Plaid and Denim dress), Holiday Dots dresses for both dolls and DD, Snowy Dreams pjs and slippers for both dolls and DD, Ballerina to Be set plus bags for both dolls and DD = $473

I don't think I'm crazy over the plaid and denim dress. So, I think I'm going to leave that off and just buy a different outfit for both DD and dolls.

 

[nat1234]

My daughter has both a Just Like Me doll and a Bitty Baby. I'm going to order a Bitty Baby for my niece this Christmas. The new Bitty Baby starter set now has a backpack in it that can hold Bitty Baby. My daughter has it and my niece just loves playing with it. My daughter is 11 now and will still look at the catalogue with me but isn't into the dolls as much. So now I'm looking at them for myself. I loved dolls when I was a kid and I couldn't afford the dolls when my oldest daughter (the one who liked dolls) was younger. Now I just have to pray that I one day have a granddaughter who likes dolls the way I do. Just watch, I bet I only have grandsons.
Natalie

 

[pl'smama]

Thanks for the welcome!

I might give DD just one of the twins and save the other for another holiday. I didn't think of that originally, but I don't see why I couldn't do it that way.

I compared on the AG website: a large doll, matching outfit for DD, plus sleepwear for both, a holiday outfit for both, ballet clothes for both... then did the same for the twins. The bigger doll has the earring option added, which did add to the total, and the bigger holiday outfits have more pieces. The Bitty holiday outfits are just dresses, where the bigger ones also have a furry shrug and hat that upped the price on those.

Looks Like You doll with earrings, matching outfit for DD (star hoodie outfit), Scarlet and Snow holiday outfit for doll and DD, Snuggly Snow pjs with slippers for doll and DD, 2-in-1 ballerina set plus bag for doll and DD = $630

Bitty Twins dolls (both girls), matching outfit for DD (Plaid and Denim dress), Holiday Dots dresses for both dolls and DD, Snowy Dreams pjs and slippers for both dolls and DD, Ballerina to Be set plus bags for both dolls and DD = $473

I don't think I'm crazy over the plaid and denim dress. So, I think I'm going to leave that off and just buy a different outfit for both DD and dolls.

Whoohoo, I just figured out how to do the muliti quote thing!! What a genius I am!!!

Good idea on splitting the twins up Tracey. Your DD will be happy to get the first and then the second will be like another surprise down the road. If you don't want to wait too long and your DD's birthday is far off you could give the second doll for Valentine's, Easter, a reward for school. Just about anything. I like your breakdown of costs to. That is what I need to do!!

My daughter has both a Just Like Me doll and a Bitty Baby. I'm going to order a Bitty Baby for my niece this Christmas. The new Bitty Baby starter set now has a backpack in it that can hold Bitty Baby. My daughter has it and my niece just loves playing with it. My daughter is 11 now and will still look at the catalogue with me but isn't into the dolls as much. So now I'm looking at them for myself. I loved dolls when I was a kid and I couldn't afford the dolls when my oldest daughter (the one who liked dolls) was younger. Now I just have to pray that I one day have a granddaughter who likes dolls the way I do. Just watch, I bet I only have grandsons.
Natalie

Natalie, you can join us doll loving mothers!! I like that the new starter set for the Bitty Baby has the back pack thing. My DD always wants to take her toy out with us and who ends up carrying it after awhile, me. This way she can carry her around!!

Suz

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Okay if I really must go down and play (ahem) I really meant check her out again I will. Be back soon with some pictures.