Well, they certainly aren't putting the fact on the back-burner, and I guess it's nice that they're offering the meet outfit. Also, it's amazing no one mentions her stuttering, I feel like that really sets her apart from all the other GOTYs. If AG would just push the stuttering and poetry aspects more in their marketing, she'd sell so much better than she already probably is...
I think it was smart of them to offer the meet outfit and to acknowledge reality. That said, the release of Gabriela (re-release of #46?), absent the mini-doll and with all the changes and challenges that have been brought up in this blog, sent me the clear message that AG was not serious about this girl and her story. Beyond that, it certainly feels like AG is casting around for new ideas without an underlying commitment to a girl (Gabriela) and her story (the stuttering challenge, poetry). I'm an adult collector; I want to remain committed to AG and to be engaged by the girls and dolls and their stories. But there is such a drop-off from the quality and attention to Grace and Lea in the Gabriela release. My advice to AG is to stop, look back at the history of this brand... go back to the PC beginning. At this point there is a good history of all the dolls, characters, and girls who had GREAT appeal to girls and adults. Re-commit to quality of dolls/accessories, presentation (packaging) and story lines. There is such a rich history to draw on... I hope AG decision makers think about this. Welcome others' thoughts--my perspective is that of an adult lover of these dolls who believes she sees the special characteristics of the brand slipping away. I certainly hope I'm wrong!
I like your point about looking back at previous successful dolls. That reminds me of the wellie-wishers and Hopscotch hill dolls; both lines had the same intention of being a bridge between the bittys and 18 in. dolls, and yet the hopscotch hill dolls were out for less than 5 years before being discontinued, it really surprised me that AG would do something so similar to a line that "failed" before. I too would love to stay with AG and keep collecting, but I'm certainly not going to hang around if they do anything with the historical and modern doll lines concerning packaging.
I'm not familiar with Hopscotch Hill dolls. But I can say that the WellieWishers are a huge hit with my kids, especially my preschoolers. The dolls are amazing, and the books and animated show are great! I honestly prefer the WellieWishers - they are adorable and are perfect play companions for little kids.
I was told it was for purchases in the last two years. I am thinking that is possibly when their computer software was changed so they don't have the earlier records of purchase? Madelon
I had to call. If you bought it in their store they have no record. If you bought it online they do. They had to add me to their list because I bought mine in their store. Give them a call is my advice.
I have been an AG customer, since the release of Saige, there has been certain standards in regards to GOTY, to distinguish the GOTY doll and their collection from Beforever and TM dolls and their collections. IMO, it would have been nice to see a response from the CEO, apologizing for using a retired TM as GOTY and saying that they will bring the collection up to the standards they set with the prior 4 - 5 GOTYs. Just out of curiosity, does Gabriela's meet outfit have a Gabriela name label? I noticed on the sequin outfit the label looks like it just says American Girl.
If you want to see/hear what teenage girls are saying about Gabriela, just do some searches. Most of the posts are not positive. They don't like the outfits, upset that Gabriela is retired 46, and say that AG didn't put much effort into her. Some say they look forward to New Years, for the new GOTY. Most of these girls also know about the Tenney doll. AG Instgram site had photos of what appeared to behind the scenes of a movie for Tenney.
Yesterday, I saw a post on AG Facebook asking if Gabriella was going to be sold in Kohl's/TRU. AG posted," At this time we don’t have any plans to sell Gabriela in Toys”R”Us or Kohl’s!". However, on the release day, I read an article on PRNews that said AG was going to sell Gabriela collection in TRU starting in March, just like other posters to LADL have said. So did AG lie on Facebook?
Well, they certainly aren't putting the fact on the back-burner, and I guess it's nice that they're offering the meet outfit.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's amazing no one mentions her stuttering, I feel like that really sets her apart from all the other GOTYs. If AG would just push the stuttering and poetry aspects more in their marketing, she'd sell so much better than she already probably is...
This is obviously is due to the doll community reaction! Great job everyone for calling them out!! Sharon
ReplyDeleteI think it was smart of them to offer the meet outfit and to acknowledge reality. That said, the release of Gabriela (re-release of #46?), absent the mini-doll and with all the changes and challenges that have been brought up in this blog, sent me the clear message that AG was not serious about this girl and her story. Beyond that, it certainly feels like AG is casting around for new ideas without an underlying commitment to a girl (Gabriela) and her story (the stuttering challenge, poetry). I'm an adult collector; I want to remain committed to AG and to be engaged by the girls and dolls and their stories. But there is such a drop-off from the quality and attention to Grace and Lea in the Gabriela release. My advice to AG is to stop, look back at the history of this brand... go back to the PC beginning. At this point there is a good history of all the dolls, characters, and girls who had GREAT appeal to girls and adults. Re-commit to quality of dolls/accessories, presentation (packaging) and story lines. There is such a rich history to draw on... I hope AG decision makers think about this. Welcome others' thoughts--my perspective is that of an adult lover of these dolls who believes she sees the special characteristics of the brand slipping away. I certainly hope I'm wrong!
ReplyDeleteI like your point about looking back at previous successful dolls. That reminds me of the wellie-wishers and Hopscotch hill dolls; both lines had the same intention of being a bridge between the bittys and 18 in. dolls, and yet the hopscotch hill dolls were out for less than 5 years before being discontinued, it really surprised me that AG would do something so similar to a line that "failed" before. I too would love to stay with AG and keep collecting, but I'm certainly not going to hang around if they do anything with the historical and modern doll lines concerning packaging.
DeleteI'm not familiar with Hopscotch Hill dolls. But I can say that the WellieWishers are a huge hit with my kids, especially my preschoolers. The dolls are amazing, and the books and animated show are great! I honestly prefer the WellieWishers - they are adorable and are perfect play companions for little kids.
DeleteI got my TrulyMe #46 in 2013. So I wonder if I will get 5his letter. I hear it is only people who have purchased5 in 15 or 16????
ReplyDeleteI was told it was for purchases in the last two years. I am thinking that is possibly when their computer software was changed so they don't have the earlier records of purchase? Madelon
DeleteI had to call. If you bought it in their store they have no record. If you bought it online they do. They had to add me to their list because I bought mine in their store. Give them a call is my advice.
DeleteMaxine, I thought the same thing. Not sure exactly when I bought 46 but it was earlier than 2015. So, I too, wonder if I will get a letter.
ReplyDeleteI have been an AG customer, since the release of Saige, there has been certain standards in regards to GOTY, to distinguish the GOTY doll and their collection from Beforever and TM dolls and their collections. IMO, it would have been nice to see a response from the CEO, apologizing for using a retired TM as GOTY and saying that they will bring the collection up to the standards they set with the prior 4 - 5 GOTYs. Just out of curiosity, does Gabriela's meet outfit have a Gabriela name label? I noticed on the sequin outfit the label looks like it just says American Girl.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see/hear what teenage girls are saying about Gabriela, just do some searches. Most of the posts are not positive. They don't like the outfits, upset that Gabriela is retired 46, and say that AG didn't put much effort into her. Some say they look forward to New Years, for the new GOTY. Most of these girls also know about the Tenney doll. AG Instgram site had photos of what appeared to behind the scenes of a movie for Tenney.
Yesterday, I saw a post on AG Facebook asking if Gabriella was going to be sold in Kohl's/TRU. AG posted," At this time we don’t have any plans to sell Gabriela in Toys”R”Us or Kohl’s!". However, on the release day, I read an article on PRNews that said AG was going to sell Gabriela collection in TRU starting in March, just like other posters to LADL have said. So did AG lie on Facebook?