I
went to AG place New York to purchase Logan for my daughter and took a
few pictures while I was there.
Once the permanent underwear comes into effect, we won't be purchasing anymore dolls.
Tenney
and Gabriela share earrings! They didn't even try to hide the fact that
the earrings belonged to Tenney initially. Poor Gabriela!
I was also a bit upset that Tenney's stage was so well thought out and put together, while Gabriela's dance studio is just made out of cardboard.
I was also a bit upset that Tenney's stage was so well thought out and put together, while Gabriela's dance studio is just made out of cardboard.
-Leslie
Leslie, I'm glad you noticed that. I, too, thought how awful it was that Gabriela's stage was cardboard compared to Tenny's well thought out stage.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been so easy for American Girl to have made a wooden arts center for Gabriella using the same style used for Tenney-put the paper on wood. Madelon
DeleteThey really did Gabriela bad. I love her and glad that She was given a opportunity in the spotlight of GOTY.
DeleteI agree. I hope they come out with Gabriella's"McKenna" loft bed pretty soon. I would love an arts center for Gabriela, too. Madelon
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteI don't understand the use of cardboard, or how something made from cardboard can be considered an "item". Especially when it's cheap, toss away cardboard. We don't buy stuff with the cardboard items; its a waste of money.
ReplyDeleteThere are nice plastics or vellum or other materials that are thin, pliable, and nearly indestructible. Two companies that come to mind are eeBoo (we have their playing cards), and Indestructibles (they make baby books).
That is so sad about poor Willa's face! I'm guessing that happened during shipping because the front of the box is now all plastic? Or its yet another defect Quality Control missed. But how did a stock person let that get put on a shelf?!
Is Julie's bathroom on cardboard? Madelon
DeleteI think Julie's bathroom is plastic
DeleteJulie's bathroom is plastic but not that great. The shower rod is flimsy and other items like the sink that I picked up were very light weight. The only things that I liked were the toilet paper (cute) and the flush sound of the toilet. It is not close to being worth the money, it reminded me of Barbie doll sets. Sharon
DeleteJulie's Bathroom is hard plastic.not cardboard at all Madelon.
DeleteMaxine, I am so glad it is plastic! Madelon
DeleteIt is disappointing they obviously gave Gabriela the earrings originally for Tenney. I think many people wondered in the beginning and now we know for sure. I am very interested to know from those who have bought Tenney if she has the new one seam butt, and how her vinyl is?? I was interested in getting her, but we don't live close enough to a store to check her out in person. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI bought my Tenney in the DC store yesterday. She has the old underwear. I asked how people could tell without opening the box whether the doll had old underwear or permapanties. I was told that the sku number would be different. Her vinyl was good, too. If I wanted a traditional Tenney, I would order one soon. Madelon
DeleteI agree 1st run.
DeleteSad to see the Wellie Wishers have a new box... The old one was so cute!
ReplyDeleteI recycled Gabriella's and Tenney's boxes today. Can't store the dolls in them as the printed cardboard might bleed on the doll. Madelon
DeleteSorry to hear that. I miss the old boxes. I was hoping to save money and store the newer dolls in boxes. But that is the case where the boxes bleed then I will need to plan on new storage options.
DeleteTicia, the hands lay on something else, so they don't touch the box. Madelon
DeleteThank you for taking pictures and sharing them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the picture of Willa, I thought maybe it was the plastic window on the box that gave that appearance. How awful, that doll even made it to the shelf!!! The person that posted the pictures of a TM doll with squishy vinyl received comments about being the photos being photoshopped, so a video was posted. I don't think many people saw it, because it was posted that day they announced the dolls. On the 15th in the visitors posts, another video was posted of Maryellen's head and a limb being squished. The only comment AG can make is that they haven't changed the vinyl. Maybe in the future we'll get a response from AG that based on customer requests we made the vinyl softer for easier play.
I did wonder if there would be customers that would be looking at the underwear of the dolls and seeing if the doll's vinyl was squishy. They haven't done anything to handle either situation. Through out the video for the new dolls AG emphasized that they listen to the requests, but still haven't provided feedback on if or how they will handle the customer requests on no permanent underwear.
Someone on AGFB commented that the stage doesn't look big enough for both Tenney and Logan to be on the stage without it looking crowded. In most of AG's stock photos, only one doll is on the stage. In one of the in-store pictures, on the dressing room side, there is a blue or green hangar that has a star or heart, I wondered if AG was changing their hangar style.
I saw on a blog a while back, that I believe is maintained by a young girl, she figured out that the earrings were probably made originally for Tenney. This was around Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As I reflected on the famous quote of not judging based on the color of the skin , but by the content of their character. I thought about how AG is indirectly teaching these young girls to compare GOTY versus Tenney. With Gabriela, AG didn't live up to the standard they set with the prior GOTY, going back to Saige. I look at Tenney and her hair reminds me of Caroline, and her appearance reminds me of Isabelle. It just comes across to me that they are producing a product based on what is the popular selling product(s). Do they believe they will be guaranteed sales? But then AG says they are all about letting girls be who they are, but how can they if AG dictates what they should like(selling certain dolls and accessories), based on sale statistics.
The other thing that I have been wondering, is about the Beforever books being on the sale page. I'm a book person, so I have noticed that AG rarely puts the books on the sale page, unless they are discontinuing them, like when they changed the format to Beforever. So I'm wondering if this is a sign of something, perhaps associated with Scholastic. Could be nothing. Did anyone else notice that Felicity's My Journey book was written by Kathleen Ernst and not Valerie Tripp?
It seems like they are copying previous items, I niticed in the video that Gabriela's bed looks like McKenna's bed. Can't wait to see how similiar it is. What do you think of Tenny and Logan?
ReplyDeleteI bought Tenney and Logan, They have hard vinyl bodies and removable underwear. Both dolls are very nice. I didn't like the way Logan's hair was styled so I changed it. I saw a Logan doll on display where the hair had been combed differently and I liked it better than the one he came with. Tenney has long blond hair. It is very pretty It is similiar to Caroline's hair except more wavy than curly. That said, I think it will require more work than some other dolls.
ReplyDeleteI am devastated by Tenny's Stage verses Gabriela. It is a terrible way to treat the 1st African American Girl of The Year. I am praying to get a budget for the Studio very soon, I will wallpaper over Tenny's Name and I will redo the Drapery to add Swags and Tassel Trim. Main thing is it will be a Gabriela Stage at My House. Untill then, I will be mad. Thank you for sharing the Felicity pictures. I will add her asap. Does Felicity's Dress looks nice on her in person.
ReplyDeleteHi Maxine,
DeleteYes, Felicity's dress does look nice on her in person. We're headed back to the store tomorrow, so I can try to get pics of some of the things I might have missed.
Leslie
Thank you so much. I am really considering going getting Felicity and I need to know that the dress had a good fit. Thank you. Have fun tomorrow.
DeleteI agree with you Maxine! I think your idea is great. Gabriela deserves better than what she got (cardboard). I haven't bought any dolls lately, I've been kind of upset with all the changes. But I may get Gabriela and create some special things--just for her--which would make me feel better. Please post pictures of your "Gabriela Stage" when you get it done! I bet it will be lovely.
DeleteMaxine, That sounds cool! Maybe Melody can share the stage. Did Melody's brother play the drums?
ReplyDeleteIt sure is terrible what AG set up. However, I know you said that you bought the last Gabriela in stock at the store, and she is on backorder online, that is great. Based on the comments online, people aren't wanting to buy the dolls or clothes unless they can see and touch them.
Isn't it something that the Beforever items are still in the original style boxes, and the items sold in TRU are in the new packaging, but AG denies that there is a correlation to the changes and where the products are sold.
Melody is into singing at Church. But this stage could be utilized all aspects of Stage life. The Drums are separate set, so not wanting them until we add Logan. But Melody and Gabriela would certainly enjoy this piece. I keep saying Melody Studio is really nice, so maybe they just rushed Gabriela, sure would like to see her get a Community Center with a Stage.
DeleteSo Tenney was meant to be the girl of the year. And American Girl isn't even trying o hide it. They didn't make a movie for Gabie. I'm not into Girl of the year dolls but for those waiting for a girl of the year Doll that was not white or half white but looked entirely white. This is complete b.s. They tried to save face but it backfired we know the truth.
ReplyDeleteBINGO
DeleteAgreed, which is one of the reasons I have no interest in Tenney. Indeed, if I wasn't in the middle of packing up to move and low on cash, I'd be picking up Gabriela (and would choose her over Tenney any day of the week!). Not only do I find Gabi cuter (and OH, that gorgeous hair!), but there is a principle here.
Delete--Michele Grace
Wow is that what happened? That makes a lot more sense...but how sad
ReplyDeleteGoes to show that race plays a bigger role in 2017 than the media would like us to think. I was furious at first, but now I know that it is up to me as a parent and consumer to speak up and teach these valuable lessons. AG really laid an egg here. They are not the company I thought they were. Race plays a very big role with their marketing. Sad! Tenney and Gabby will be sisters in my home and share everything. I do not want my family disappointed and feeling bad about who they are.
ReplyDeleteI feel sadden by it all. But like Dr.King, I will make the best of every opportunity. I am giving Gabriela everything Tenny. Super sad, that American Girl Brand Doll Company is treating African Americans like this. I totally beleive Tenny bring sold out online, it a marketing game to get all focus on Tenny and Logan. It is just my opion. So for tonight Tenny's PJ'S are going on Gabriela McBride and #46americangirldolljustlikeyou Gabby, but 1st as Outfits. Then they will sleep in them. I can't wait to see the PJ'S sets that look like a outfit look like with boots.
ReplyDeleteI laughed at my own last post. I have been so messed up with a new Doll release in February that, I am now calling Gabriela McBride, Tenny Grant. Please laugh and keep reading in my previous post. I beleive Gabriela being sold out at this time, in this economy is a marketing ploy. My Daughter 6 is has purchased over 56 American Girl Brand Dolls in the last 4 years, so she has a lot of knowledge on A/G. Today, She asked me if Tenny's was the Girl of The Year? I took her to the release yesterday, explained everything to her, including why, after getting a New American Girl Doll at Christmas and Gabriela for Valentine's that there is no way we can afford Tenny this week. But, she being 6 and me turning 50, we still get confused. Lol. Happy Sunday.
Delete