Cheap American girl doll

[dana1003]

i have twin girls who wanted the dolls also..but we found a knock off version in walmart that personally i think are prettier. they dont have the buck teeth which my girls and i didnt like anyway. the clothes are 10$ an outfit and this will allow u to see if she really is gonna play with them and take care of them.btw- we found american girl doll in our local thrift shop for 2$ and the girls still like their walmart ones better.

 

[jcemom]

Has anyone bought the dolls from WDW that look like American Girl Dolls? Are they worth it. I told my granddaughter I would buy her a AG doll, and gave her the catalog, and she did not want one. Likes the Bitty Babies.

We have one of the Disney dolls, and her hair is awful. It knotted and tangled and now she has a rat's nest at the back of her head. If you try to brush the tangles out, her hair pulls out in clumps. She just sits on a shelf now, so that you can't see the back of her head.

 

[Meshell2002]

I would look for a used AG....The ones that need a little TLC (like a shampoo and a hair brushing or a limb restrung) run around $40-50 (usually doll only no clothes). All you will need is a wig brush/ baby shampoo (I got mine a local beauty supple for $1.50)....to restring you need a new ouchless pony tail holder and a ferule set (from the hardware store about 1.30 for a set) and a pair of pliers (and someone with strong hands too!). If you find one of these dolls you can fix them up good enough for play....for about $3-4. Instructions on how to restring an AG are all over the net. I've already got 2 put away for my 3 yr old for when she gets older (one was ebay $39, one craigslist $15). Good Luck! If your DD takes care of the first doll....then I would wait a year or to and get her a new one to be its' friend.

 

[MrsPete]

First, I think five is a little young for an American Girl doll -- I'd wait another year. Between five and six, girls do get a surprising amount of maturity . . . let her grow up just a tad before giving her this expensive doll. She'll be more ready for it. Also, I think it's good for kids to wait for things they want -- let them develop the skill of delayed gratification. They appreciate them more when they've waited for them.

I like the concept of buying ONE nice doll, then adding on clothing and accessories for future gift-giving occasions, and American Girl dolls are just right for that purpose.

As such, I wouldn't buy the knock-off. My oldest daugther was given a Target doll once, and it just didn't last. Also, the clothes aren't quite the same size as the American Girls dolls; at a glance, you think they're going to be interchangeable . . . but they're not.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Do you know anyone who lives in the Madison area? The American Girl/Madison Children's Museum warehouse sale is this weekend. You can get a doll for quite cheap(I can't remember if they start at $45 or $65) and they are great! They are new and returned dolls(for whatever reason), given total makeovers and sold. If I was going I would pick you one up and mail it.

 

[friend2Figment]

If you were closer to WI I would second the AG dolls sale that the MCM has going on this weekend. We got our daughter's their dolls there and was able to get tons of clothes for the dolls also for a fraction of the price as ordering out of the catalog.

I would say watch CL as I am sure people going to the sale will have stuff posted, even though you sign something when you check out saying you are not purchasing to resell.

 

[Gokstate]

I was in your shoes about 18 months ago with my two DD's, then 3 and 5. My Dad, their Grandpa, said he would treat them both to their first AG doll which I thought was a little ridiculous but hey, it wasn't my checkbook! My girls adore their Kit and Felicity dolls and take incredible care of them. I have to keep an eye on their play to make sure the dolls aren't left down on the floor in crazy positions with wild hair but the dolls are worth every penny. Also, I always make sure to keep the longer hair either braided or in a ponytail so it doesn't get messed up with frequent clothing changes.

My DD's also LOVE LOVE LOVE their Bitty Babies and Bitty Twins. They are much cheaper and they are a great first step into AG.

The quality of American Girl can't be beat and their stories are wonderful. I love that my girls are into such a wholesome brand of toys.

 

[nunzia]

Here's a silly question..what are the markings on an AG doll and what are the markings on a knock off? I just picked up a knock off (Target maybe? the brand on the back of neck is Geoffrey and tag on bottom is Girls on the Go) She is really quite cute and may be a good choice for a grand daughter. She has plastic head, arms and legs and stuffed body. Is this the same for AG?

 

[figment3258]

Yard sales and craigs list plus eBay are your best bets also second hand stores get them in some times. But they go really fast.

From personal experience my oldest dd had a AG doll and my youngest wanted one even though she had the bitty baby so we went to target and bought the my generation doll. What a waste of money. AG does it right. The hair on the my generation was awful and the doll was quickly brought to the second hand store. We now have 3 AG dolls 2 bitty baby's and he bitty twins plus hundreds of accessories. AG is pricy but the quality can nit be beat. They are they best spend the money they will last forever.

 

[Maddle]

I get that AG is the best, no argument there. How does the My Disney Girl compare with AG? with Target? with the Madame Alexander version? (and how do those knock offs compare with each other?)

How well are the clothes interchangable?

Maddle

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Re: Target clothes. DD doesn't have alot of them, but most are decent-enough anyway. (The shoes are awful, just terrible plastic things!) One thing we noticed is the long sleeve Target clothes could be a problem on AGs. (Target doll hands are molded a bit more closed and ergo fit in a smaller sleeve. Wouldn't always fit over the AG hands.)

Target furniture is very good substitute. (I believe there were issues with the white table/chairs falling apart.) The horses, other furniture, especially the little accessory kits are all great.

I can't speak as to dolls other than Target (horrible!) and Gotz, who originally made the AG dolls. Theirs are very nice quality.

 

[Pembo]

We started DD off with a Target girl and she LOVES that girl but the hair was really hard to manage. We then got her an American Girl. We just visited the AG store in DC yesterday...now that is how you can spend money and fast.

Our girl got her ears pierced, had an updo and a spa treatment and we (the real people) ate lunch in the Bistro. It was all very fun but pricey. This trip was part of dd's bday present and she loved every minute of it.