Monday, February 13, 2017

*NEWS* WHAT? IS THIS the New Panty Look?

Link: Renee

WHAT IS THIS?????????????????????????????????

Come on readers, let AG know your opinion about this change.

40 comments:

  1. Apparently this picture has also been posted numerous times on FB and has been deleted by AG. I think the way customer service and their FB team has treated those with complaints is deplorable. I am sad to say I have bought my last doll from AG. I got her yesterday from Chapters and she has no permapanties and get this.... a neck string.

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  2. They shouldn't delete comments. Obviously, the opinion of the long term customer is not as relevant as it should be. If the permapanties customer AG prefers gets these dolls, there will be scared kids and FB complaints. Madelon

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    1. Agreed! My children would be horrified. It honestly looks like the poor girl had an accident.

      My eldest said "what!? What are thery doing?! Why are they ruining the dolls!"

      My curly girly asked for Maryellen for her birthday, and I told her I don't think I want to buy Maryellen because she is going to have permanent underwear, and showed her the picture. And she said "yeah, no. I don't want a dolly like that."

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  3. I was mad before. Now I'm just... sad!!
    I guess it's too late for me to get Melody & TM 65

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    1. Someone suggested getting Melody through Amazon, that perhaps they still have old stock? As for TM65, if you know someone going to AG benefit sale, perhaps they could pick one up, if you don't mind the 'x' on the bottom.

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    2. There may still be Melody and TM 65 without the permapanties in stock. Madelon

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    3. Same, I wanted Mary Ellen but now I really don't want to risk ordering online, and by the time I get to the store this change will have been in effect for months.

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  4. A visitor post (Amanda Van Sickle, if you can do a search by name for a post) was made just recently to AGFB, the person that posted said this is a doll that a friend bought in the Dallas store. In addition to the perma-pants, the person showed a picture of the mom being able to squish the head and arm of the doll. She said the child had the doll and was upset about being able to squish the head and brought it to her mom. She also wanted to know if her friend should return the doll. AG responded by saying call customer service. Still no response from AG to the customers. Where was the quality control?

    AG had all week to respond to the customer requests to not change the doll. In their post on the perma-pants, not once did they mention that the dolls already shipped to the stores. Then the article in the Daily mail over the weekend, where the customer that didn't want the perma-panties was made to look like a fool, a whiner. When I looked up some statistics, I found that between 2008 - 2012, the number of British expats living in UAE doubled from 120,000 to 240,000. It said most of those were families moving because of jobs.

    Over the weekend, I remembered that in 2 separate years, I had gotten an e-mail from AG asking to participate in a survey about their products. In both surveys, all the questions had multiple choice answers or choices. There was no opportunity to give a written comment about any answer and not one question on permanent underwear. So, a company that doesn't ask for written comments on a survey, one that doesn't respond to customer requests about a change some how has company research that says the majority of customers requested perma-panties???

    About the neck stings, I saw an AGFB post from a customer asking about strings on a Bitty Baby they purchased at Christmas. I thought the Bitty Babies had the zip tie neck. Was I wrong, was it only the 18" dolls?

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    1. As far as I know before any switch was made to zip ties every doll from AG had neck strings, be it bitty babies, twins, or 18" dolls. Now I am not so sure about bitty babies, but they may be getting the zip ties too.

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    2. All of our Bitty Babies have neck strings. Last one was purchased February 2016 from AGPNY.

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    3. I thought when Lea was released with zip ties, AG said they were moving to that because of the customer, to the effect that customers cut the strings. With Bitty Baby not getting zip ties, and not sold in TRU and Kohl's, can the connect be made to the zip ties and TRU partnership? Right now we have similar theories going on about the panties and UAE. Only certain dolls are getting the perma-panties. The WW according to AG website have removable underwear and BB has removable diapers. Based on the announcement, I thought only the 18" dolls would be sold in UAE. Then there is the article that they are trying to cut costs with paying money out to Gotz. Put look at the announcement today that they are coming out with 5 more dolls this year. I read somewhere that the classic face mold was designed by Gotz, so does that also belong to Gotz or AG?

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  5. Wow. Doll quality seems to be a major issue. The company should be better about acknowledging these types of concerns from valued consumers. I realize that they are outsourcing a lot of their doll manufacturer to factories in countries outside of US territories, but the quality has declined when it comes to the dolls. I usually focus on sets now, but the dolls are $115 dollar dolls. People expect these dolls to look like $115. My $36 doll should not look better in quality or the same as an $115 doll. I am sad for this consumer with the permapanty doll in the picture. I cannot believe a company not responding to this just because of fear that others will not buy into this new change. Very disappointed.

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  6. AG's Facebook page is down - even the poor social media person couldn't keep up with the outrage.

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  7. Last night, I happened to see some of the posts. In all fairness to AG, some of the pictures posted had other pictures or videos in the post that AG may have felt didn't meet their guidelines and some posts had a graphic of poop or contained the word poop, so there could be some reason for some of the deletions. However, there were posts that were removed that just showed a picture of the doll, like above that were deleted.

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  8. The doll in photo has the truly me meet dress on is that how they come now?

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  9. It's obvious they don't care about us, their long-term cheerleaders and customers, and what we consider important. Personally, I will return the favor to them. They are already in financial trouble so I've been purchasing more than normal to try to keep them afloat. But instead of reducing their number of dolls and keep the quality, they are introducing more than I've ever heard of in one year (and more than makes sense, really). I love the many AG dolls and products I have purchased; but I'm sad to say that it looks like this may be it for me. Like AG, we all have financial considerations and budgets. I have always felt like AG products were superior and therefore worth stretching my budget at times. For months now, I've been hoping AG would wake up and care about the quality issues we have raised but it's only getting worse. I strongly dislike the plastic neck cables, cheapened boxes, clothing sewn to packaging, decreased wig quality, and would NEVER purchase a doll with underwear integrated into the body! Like others, I've gone from disbelief/frustration/being mad to disappointed and no longer caring. AG's lack of caring can work both ways...and seems to be contagious. Thank you for allowing me to post my feelings.

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    1. I agree with every word. Very hard to let go in theory, but when I see what is happening not hard to call it quits. Will cut back significantly on purchases. Unfortunately it may begin with Gabby and then go from there. I hate the lack of quality. Even with the new releases I see a lot of classic Mattel plastic sets no new porcelain, pewter or ceramic pieces coming out anytime soon. I hate Tenney face paint...looks over done and very commercialized while Gabby is just a recycled doll with clothes with holes! Tenney is so pretty, so I am hoping that her face paint is not crazy bold. And I hope that they stop playing our girl Gabby and get her some great items soon. Ugg...venting over. My money is safe and sound this year. Not too impressed. Bring back the quality and consumers will come back in swarms. Right now mass exedus.

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  10. I didn't realize these would already be in the store! Madelon

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    1. In the AGFB post about the underwear, someone posted a picture , of what appears to be an internal AG newsletter. The decription given about the underwear is word-for-word what AG kept posting in regards to company research. There is an additional paragraph that was never posted by AG. "Some of the updated dolls with the sewn in underwear have begum shipping through the catalogue and will be available at retail as well. This will be a rolling change. Physical sample will be on display in the near future."

      So at the time that the person asked about the rumor and AG responded, this perma-pants was a done deal, and new dolls headed to the store.

      I additionally wonder if the Mattel and American Girl FB page is monitored by some third party or actually in house, based on the similarity of comments on both pages.

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  11. I agree with Rebecca--I was mad before too but now just sad. My daughter and I have only been collecting for a few years and already it has come to this? I certainly won't buy any doll like this. I have seen the rumored Feb 16 outfit and accessories new releases and am actually really excited about a lot of those items, so as long as there are no holes in the clothes from the packaging, at least I have something to look forward to.

    And to AG and those FBers who think we shouldn't be whining about our First World Problems, I say fine, I'll donate my $115 to a charity instead and AG can lose sales. I don't know who is making the decisions at Mattel but they are running their company into the ground.
    -Patty

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  12. That is just awful. I have sent a letter to my nearest store already. We, too, thought that "eventually" meant that we had time to decide if we were adding any other doll to our collection prior to the change. I suppose this means the decision is made. We will not purchase any of these.
    -RainingCats&Dolls'Mom

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  13. I assume the second photo is the rear view of the doll, based on the hand position. That is the weirdest looking doll behind! Why is it pointy? It does not resemble a human bottom; it does not look like the derriere of a doll or stuffed toy. It is just some weird stuffing clumped up in the perma-panty. AG certainly can't claim that will look "normal" under swimsuits and leotards, unless by normal they mean "alien butt."

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    1. That was the first thing I noticed, too. How strange, to say the least! I wondered if it was the new boy doll but then saw the meet dress, feminine panties and back of the hands, indicating it's the doll's back side. Yikes!! What next??

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    2. In that pic, it kinda looks like she has a tail...a small, deformed tail stuck inside the panties.

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  14. The other thing this could be a boy body on a girl head. But ether way AG has dropped the ball and is going down for this. There is something going on with the arms as well. Look at Facebook. They are going down hill.

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  15. What is AG doing??? I am very disappointed with AG and all the terrible changes they are making to the dolls!! I would expect this with some of the knock off AG brands, but not AG,... also, squishy doll limbs now? I am not going to pay over $100 for a squishy, terrible quality doll. :( if AG thinks they are changing for the better, they are sadly mistaken...

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  16. Whoever came up with this idea at Mattel, should be fired! Mattel is slowly destroying the AG brand. So sad. So unnecessary. So typical of big corporations that are out of touch with their clients/collectors--or even worse, don't care.

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  17. Ew. Just...oh Lordy. I'm glad I ordered Melody at the end of December. I'm not sure I'm feeling a connection with her, but...yuck. I really hope they don't do this with the upcoming historical Hawaiian girl--I was really wanting her, but this? This is gross. This is a PR disaster and I hope they reverse their decision.

    Jen

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  18. well, i hated permanent undies and squishy plastic. i have 2 dolls, TM 13 & GOTY 2009 Chrissa, with undies that you can take off, neck strings, hard plastic. I got TM 13 in 2004 and Chrissa in 2009.

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  19. Valerie has a link to the updated Jezebel article. AG responded that COST is the reason for the changes. http://jezebel.com/everyones-really-upset-that-they-cant-take-the-panties-1792137653

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    1. I don't get it. Has AG never been on eBay? Do they not realize what people are willing to pay for a retired or customized doll? There is money to be made and people are willing to pay it.

      Permanent underwear do not belong on a $115 doll. You want to make dolls with permanent underwear and sell them for $50-60 through TRU, that's one thing. But people paying $115 for a doll, especially one going to an AGP, should never ever have to even think that a doll they purchase will have a surprise like that when they inspect their doll. The doll in that picture should NEVER have made it through Quality Control.

      I wish they would be going the other direction with their dolls. Now, if AG wanted to bring back a Limited Edition series of dolls with the glorious soft brown eyelashes...

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  20. And they most recently told customers on fb that this photo must not be a real AG doll or was photo shopped, and preceded to upload a photo themselves of a "normal" perma panty doll. Well, I am a graphic designer, and I'll let you know AG's photo was tampered with, not the customer's. A friend of mine even knows the lady who purchased this doll, and of course she didn't edit it!!!! You don't even have to open Photoshop to prove that! It'd be impossible to Photoshop her squishing that head without it being obvious. If you could, it'd be the level of skill from a professional with program training, and she's not that.

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    1. For AG to insinuate that the doll isn't an AG doll is ridiculous. I don't know of any other doll brand selling dolls with permanent underwear with a silver AG waistband.

      I also don't believe that the photo of "the lump" is Photoshopped. The top picture is the doll still in the box! The lady probably got her doll and opened it, saw the new permanent underwear, took a quick camera shot, noticed "the lump", removed the doll to investigate and then probably had a mini panic attack! I feel so badly for the person that bought this doll.

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    2. Someone on AGFB pointed out that AG's doll doesn't have a tag. Plus it took all day for them to release a photo??? One call first thing to person where the doll is, take a picture with a phone and send e-mail it to AGFB people. That took all day, should have taken an hour or two max, unless some departments are in foreign countries.

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  21. NO TO PERMA-PANTIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I honestly can't believe it's this bad and they are sneaking in cheaper/ thinner vinyl with the change.

    I absolutely will not be buying another AG doll direct from AG again. This is horrible quality.

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    1. AG is denying the cheaper vinyl. AG has said that if your doll doesn't have perma-panties, then if it goes to the AG hospital, then it won't get perma-panties. So what about a cheaper vinyl, if that is true? My daughter bought a Elizabeth doll (used), and we anticipated that the limbs might be loose, so I looked at the doll hospital and see that I can get a new torso, which includes limbs. But now I'm wondering if the new limbs will be softer vinyl. I may have to look for someone that does doll repairs or start watching the you tube videos and tackle it myself.

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  22. Oh dear, pointy bottom - it looks uncomfortable!

    What I find odd is that they are claiming that they are doing this to keep prices from increasing, yet other lower cost 18" doll brands that come with underwear haven't done this (Our Generation springs to mind).

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  23. Goodbye, AG.
    I am not buying a doll who has no behind, only underpants. Ever since I was little, I have been disgusted with dolls whose clothes are "part of them" (no skin-style fabric between the clothes fabric and the stuffing). I have had annoying episodes of losing a pair of doll undies, but this is going too far. Seriously, if you're THAT concerned that the undies will get lost, just tack them in place at the hips. Those who wish to remove the underwear could simply snip the stitches. If they sell bathtubs and swimwear, and will be selling an entire bathroom set, they should not be replacing the doll's behind with a pair of pink panties.
    Packaging: If I want a doll or an outfit that comes attached to a box made of thin cardboard and plastic, I will go to Target or Walmart and buy a $30 doll or a $10ish outfit. If I'm paying $35+ for an outfit, I expect thick cardboard boxes with removable lids. I expect tissue paper surrounding the item itself.
    Finally, I think AG is cheating when they recycle an ordinary modern doll, dress her in an ugly outfit (I'm specifically referring to Gabby's practice outfit with that awful mesh...thing they call a tank top) and call her a "new" Girl of the Year.
    In conclusion, this "Pantygate" business is just the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Gabby and the new packaging were warning signs but this is the clincher. I am no longer buying any dolls, outfits, or accessories straight from AG. Any AG items I buy will come from EBay and other secondhand sources. If they go out of business now, serves them right.

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