SO excited - I had to share my bargain news!

[thebeesknees]

DD age 7 has been begging for an American Girl doll for awhile now. She told me that is all she wants for Christmas. I talked to DH about it and he said no way were we going to spend that much on one doll. Our total Christmas budget per kid is under $100, so to spend that just on one thing was too much. I was disappointed for her sake, but thought I'd try to come up with something else instead. Well, today I went into our thrift store to check for uniform pants for the kids, and swung through the toy section just to take a look...there on the shelf was a Samantha doll, in beautiful condition, just missing her shoes and socks for $7.99!!! I thought it must have been marked wrong, but nope, it rang up for the $7.99! It won't be much of a problem to find some shoes and socks for Samantha (and a wig brush, right?), and I cannot wait to see DD's face on Christmas morning. She is going to be ecstatic, and I am pretty stoked, too!

 

[4under4]

That was an amazing find! Congratulations!!!

FYI, the "Samantha Fashion Studio" is on clearance right now for $8. http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/html/item/id/164988/uid/848

 

[amy-momofthree]

Awesome find!! My dd 7 just got into American girl too and it is pricey.

Check out Michaels. They have lots of cute American girl crafts and if you combine it with their 40% off coupon, you can get some good deals.

 

[Piper]

Thrift shops are an amazing source for AG dolls. A couple of months ago, I was able to find a "new in the box" one for $20. And the color sticker happened to be 50% off that day--so $10!

I know she will enjoy it!

 

[Styx Fan]

Great find!!

Just a suggestion....

We just got back from the American Girl store where we had my DD's look alike doll hair done.

Honestly it was a mess. We had only used a wig brush on it, but still pretty bad. The woman who did her hair told us to only brush the doll's hair with it damp. Use a spray bottle and really dampen it. Then always start from the bottom. She got "Amy" looking pretty good and we hope to keep Kanani looking good, too.

I would add a small spray bottle to your DD's gift so she can do it right from the start.

Oh, don't forget Target is a great resource for more affordable accessories. Clothes, shoes, even furniture. We got DD the trundle bed and the styling chiar from Target last Christmas and it has been just fine. This Christmas will probably be the horse.

 

[2disneyboys]

Are you in our area? Lol, my SIL just discovered to her HORROR that when she told my brother to take "those" bags to goodwill accidently he grabbed the bag that had my DN's Samatha in it (along with several outfits etc...) of course, they did not discover it until about a week later (really to late for recovery @ that point). Oh well, my DSIL just told my brother, that's fine, you'll just have to take us to the AG store while we are in NYC next month... I told him to be prepared for some serious sticker shock!

 

[thebeesknees]

Thanks for all the hair and accessory advice! I had no idea we needed to brush it wet, so I'll be sure to pick up a spray bottle to go with the doll. Great idea about Michael's and the coupons, too. Since we are new to the AG thing, I wouldn't have thought to look there for things.

 

[momof1princess]

Are you in our area? Lol, my SIL just discovered to her HORROR that when she told my brother to take "those" bags to goodwill accidently he grabbed the bag that had my DN's Samatha in it (along with several outfits etc...) of course, they did not discover it until about a week later (really to late for recovery @ that point). Oh well, my DSIL just told my brother, that's fine, you'll just have to take us to the AG store while we are in NYC next month... I told him to be prepared for some serious sticker shock!

oh NOOOOO i hope he's prepared to pay some BIG bucks. they won't find samantha at the AG store. she was retired a couple of years ago. however, AG has introduced 3-4 new dolls since then, and they're all beautiful. the doll that replaced samantha, rebecca rubin, is really gorgeous.

 

[ccdoster]

I believe AG will replace the heads for like $25. However much the Hospital visit is. I've heard of people whose kids played with the dolls so much cut/tore out the hair and had the heads replaced.

 

[kt_mom]

Great find!!

Just a suggestion....

We just got back from the American Girl store where we had my DD's look alike doll hair done.

Honestly it was a mess. We had only used a wig brush on it, but still pretty bad. The woman who did her hair told us to only brush the doll's hair with it damp. Use a spray bottle and really dampen it. Then always start from the bottom. She got "Amy" looking pretty good and we hope to keep Kanani looking good, too.

I would add a small spray bottle to your DD's gift so she can do it right from the start.

Oh, don't forget Target is a great resource for more affordable accessories. Clothes, shoes, even furniture. We got DD the trundle bed and the styling chiar from Target last Christmas and it has been just fine. This Christmas will probably be the horse.

We surprised DD earlier this summer with a trip to the AG store in DC. She wanted to take Kanani out of town with her that trip, but I talked her into taking Lanie. She had just gotten her for Christmas and her hair was a mess. The girl did a really good job on it.

Kanani's hair is getting there too and I hope to take DD back again later this year and get Kanani's hair done.

My niece has one of the look like you ones and her hair is perfect. Its very straight and it doesn't get tangled or messed up at all.

 

[sksjasams]

DD age 7 has been begging for an American Girl doll for awhile now. She told me that is all she wants for Christmas. I talked to DH about it and he said no way were we going to spend that much on one doll. Our total Christmas budget per kid is under $100, so to spend that just on one thing was too much. I was disappointed for her sake, but thought I'd try to come up with something else instead. Well, today I went into our thrift store to check for uniform pants for the kids, and swung through the toy section just to take a look...there on the shelf was a Samantha doll, in beautiful condition, just missing her shoes and socks for $7.99!!! I thought it must have been marked wrong, but nope, it rang up for the $7.99! It won't be much of a problem to find some shoes and socks for Samantha (and a wig brush, right?), and I cannot wait to see DD's face on Christmas morning. She is going to be ecstatic, and I am pretty stoked, too!

I am so happy for you and your DD!! You were meant to find her

 

[mitsybella]

You can also purchase empty boxes from AG so it may not be the original box it came in but it would be in an AG box. I did this a few years ago for my daughters bitty baby twins.

 

[TLuvsD]

Yea! Our D LOVED her American Girl Baby and Kirsten...really the only dolls she ever played with...definately use those 40% coupons at Micheal's for shoes/socks. Keep an eye on Target clearance for extra clothes, etc. I've seen the books at the library used book sale (community donations, volunteer staff to raise $$ for the Library), so you might check and see if your library has something similar.
Enjoy! I bet you can't WAIT till she sees that doll!

 

[vickxo]

Is it a Pleasant Company Samantha? or a Mattel Samantha? If its Pleasant Company the dolls are bigger and might cause an issue with buying new clothes -someone may have to correct me (i'd be happy if they do) it's been awhile and all my dolls are pleasant company but my uncles god daughter's is mattel and its a few inches smaller than my own; does anyone know if that matters? I doubt it but just something to look for) Also if it is Pleasant Company it's worth a WHOLE LOT more than the Mattel one which is also worth a nice sum too since she is retired. I have Samantha it was my first of 5 american girl dolls and I still brush their hair and clean them up (15 years later). I just recently sold my Pleasant Company Samantha Night Gown (For Girls not Dolls) and I was so sad to see it go - I really wanted to tell the lady that it was like $100 so she wouldn't buy it but i'd rather a little girl have it and enjoy than it sit in my closet. & well I still have my Molly PJs
Oh and Duh where are my manners - congrats on the find

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Yay! That's fantastic! DD & I love Samantha *she was my AG doll when I was young and now DD has her *and several others.... I'd suggest you check out a great message board for all things American Girl *you need to join 1st but that's easy - www.agplaythings.proboards.com

 

[pal-mickey]

Congratulations on your great find!

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

congrats on such a great find!
Samantha was my first American Girl doll, and I was so sad when they retired her. She's a beautiful doll.

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

Amazing find and so thrilled for you!!! My daughter looks just like Nellie (also retired) and was begging for an AG doll for her birthday. I was unemployed for 2 years and with 5 kids it just wasn't in our budget. I posted on craigslist and a woman about 2 hours away responded and sold her Nellie with a box of clothes and 2 horses all for an amazing price.

I was able to find 2 My Disney girl dolls, 2 Madame Alexander and a few Battat dolls at the thrift store to be her friends but still hoping that I find an AG doll there too!

I was able to find an AG desk and vanity though! 99 cents each!

I know how special it is for your baby to get that doll and I know how wonderful it feels to know that she'll get it.

 

[bjscheel]

Just a note we have found that the Target shoes do not fit AG. The clothes fit okay, but not the shoes.

I have found one at Goodwill before too- hope to find more. Congratulations!

 

[RachaelA]

Is it a Pleasant Company Samantha? or a Mattel Samantha? If its Pleasant Company the dolls are bigger and might cause an issue with buying new clothes -someone may have to correct me (i'd be happy if they do) it's been awhile and all my dolls are pleasant company but my uncles god daughter's is mattel and its a few inches smaller than my own; does anyone know if that matters? I doubt it but just something to look for) Also if it is Pleasant Company it's worth a WHOLE LOT more than the Mattel one which is also worth a nice sum too since she is retired. I have Samantha it was my first of 5 american girl dolls and I still brush their hair and clean them up (15 years later). I just recently sold my Pleasant Company Samantha Night Gown (For Girls not Dolls) and I was so sad to see it go - I really wanted to tell the lady that it was like $100 so she wouldn't buy it but i'd rather a little girl have it and enjoy than it sit in my closet. & well I still have my Molly PJs
Oh and Duh where are my manners - congrats on the find

So will the clothes now not fit the older Pleasant Company dolls?

I've got my Molly and Kirsten dolls from when I was little ready for DD when she's old enough (years and years from now!). Can I not buy new clothes from them that will fit?