I have to wonder the same thing, why? Based on TRU and Kohl's last year, the dolls were never marked down, especially if they were marked down at AG. Plus a customer could buy an OG doll instead. Mattel lost the Disney license, is Hasbro making the Disney Toddler dolls? I don't know if there is any other competition with respects to the WW doll size. I also wonder if Costco is next. That is the only store that hasn't had any WW. I do wonder if the ultimate goal is for AG to get other stores to carry AG and drop competitors, like JG and OG. The problem I have with OG, is there are items that I like, but not available in my Target, or something I did see and never gets restocked. At Christmas, I bought the pjs for the Lori dolls, but they have never been restocked. There were some items that I could buy online, which was great, like the sleigh, which was not sold in my local store.
I don't really mind where they sell Wellie Wishers, but finding beforever characters in stores like Target would be too strange. I doubt it will be long before that happens though.
As someone who lives in Alaska with limited access to the American Girl Doll Brand where shipping takes forever and can sometimes be costly I can totally see how this would be good for American Girl, as Target is more available to places like where I live. And honestly with the push for the American Girl Brand in Toys R Us and Khols I am not surprised. In fact I have been wondering if they where going to go this route. However, I am slightly worried that their quality is going to drop once they go more mainstream. I've been bugging them for years to put an AG store in Alaska. I mean come on they have one in Canada and Mexico! So I guess this is as close as I am going to get.
I agree. What is the point? Most of the time buying an American Girl doll stood for buying a better quality made doll with a stellar brand name. Now that this brand has been cheapened there is almost no point. If I had a choice of being in a store with a huge selection of dolls and only had $50.00 to spend, I would pass on the WW and just buy a Holiday Barbie, or 2 to 3 OG sets...yes sets. Why waste my money on an overpriced doll knowing the brand name is diminishing? What is the incentive? AG is like that negligent friend who wants everyone to come to their party, buy gifts, but doesn't want to buy or send guests invitations because it's too expensive or wants to hoard the money saved. Too bad they are hiding their true reason for turning to Target.
If you have a Redcard, you'll get the automatic 5% off, which is what AG offers through its Rewards Program, and you don't have to wait for a Rewards Certificate for a future purchase. It's immediate. That will have appeal, as well as choosing your own doll. My mom won't shop online but she spent time last fall at Kohls and TRU examining the WW dolls to pick the perfect ones for my daughter and niece. It made the giving experience more personal for her.
And for little kids, the WW really are awesome. They are cute, they are easy to bring along, the clothing really appeals to the littles. The books and show are cute and help kids bond to their dolls. We've got a lot of 18" dolls, clothes and accessories at our house, but the WW have the kids' hearts right now.
I truly hope Wellie Wishers don't come to my Targets. It's taken a long time for the Targets in my area--south of Seattle--to play "catch up" in terms of getting in new OG stock in a timely manner. They've also expanded their inventories. It took a year for the ice cream truck to be available in certain stores--not all Targets sell the same larger items. I also happen to live about twenty minutes north of the Western Washington TRU with an American Girl mini store. They bumped Journey Girls from stock there because of AG. I was unhappy because there was a specific item I'd wanted to look for at the time. It's a loss of variety.
I recently purchased Emerson during the tiered sale, but I'm not feeling a connection to her, and I don't find her worth even the discounted $50 I paid, never mind $60. I don't see them selling at Target. (My nearest Kohls doesn't appear to be restocking WWs, and still has a Lea that bounced back. She's been there for weeks!) I still have Emerson's box, as it wouldn't fit in the recycling. I may just try to resell her. The WWs got a couple more outfits, but it was a very cautious expansion to me. Between the seven outfits, I wish there was a little more variety. Like maybe an adventurer's outfit, since there's the nature adventure accessory kit. Four outfits are super dressy and I wish I had something for everyday wear besides Emerson's original outfit to dress her in. It just seems like a year now since they launched, there'd be some more variety. The princess dress and ballet outfit borrow from the same color palette, and the mermaid outfit...it's disappointing. So are the plastic accessory pieces. I wanted the princess dress, but I'm not a fan of that plastic crown at all. I got the winter dress figuring it would be seasonal, and the sleeve ripped along the seam putting it on. Glad it wasn't, because AG exchanged it this weekend, but I'm not too stoked about the quality of the outfits at this point. That's another sticking point--if there's quality control issues, will Target honor them like AG? Plus why buy a $24 WW outfit when you can get $12 outfits from OG? Sure, they're larger, but something like shorts and a tee might work out. Things can be pinned, or maybe a dedicated sewer could hem and bring in certain outfits. --Jen
I think the real reason Mattel is putting AG in stores is to knock out competition with contracts (rather than to get sales). Journey Girls and Our Generation are their biggest competition. They've already eliminated espari from Barnes and Noble.
The WW I was hoping would be nice but once I started buying them...boy was I disappointed. Mainly due to the fact that they're the same price as Corolle. Clothing and all cost just as much! The quality is not comparable! They're eyes close and it's a durable soft vinyl. I really hoped AG would have surpassed them given they used to be such a great brand. I know where my money's going for the in between doll for my Daughters. I won't even get into some things I'm not fond of with the shows...
I am sad to see the WellieWishers there. So, I am not happy and I feel it cheapens the Brand. I love Target, just not for American Girl Brand Dolls, except fot the 6 inch Doll in the book department, which is Girl of The Year. But, they are doing what they think will make them more money in the economy.
I wonder if they will be in all Targets or just some. I agree with you, Maxine. We will be more selective with our purchases. OG has a lot to offer. Especially in the accessory department. Madelon
I agree about the quality of the Corolle Les Cheries. Very nice vinyl, and they sit beautifully, with their legs close together. Nice light vanilla scent, too. And the Corolle clothes are fine quality. Hearts For Hearts have been re-released, and I like them better than Wellie Wishers.
I never really cared for the Wellies. I do like the Toys R Us stores though because it gives people an opportunity to not pay shipping and actually shop. Sad that they didn't give my town one though
I have to wonder the same thing, why? Based on TRU and Kohl's last year, the dolls were never marked down, especially if they were marked down at AG. Plus a customer could buy an OG doll instead. Mattel lost the Disney license, is Hasbro making the Disney Toddler dolls? I don't know if there is any other competition with respects to the WW doll size. I also wonder if Costco is next. That is the only store that hasn't had any WW. I do wonder if the ultimate goal is for AG to get other stores to carry AG and drop competitors, like JG and OG. The problem I have with OG, is there are items that I like, but not available in my Target, or something I did see and never gets restocked. At Christmas, I bought the pjs for the Lori dolls, but they have never been restocked. There were some items that I could buy online, which was great, like the sleigh, which was not sold in my local store.
ReplyDeleteI don't really mind where they sell Wellie Wishers, but finding beforever characters in stores like Target would be too strange. I doubt it will be long before that happens though.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised Target would be interested in the WW when their own brands, OG and Lori, sell so well.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Our Generation was not a Target Co. only sold at Target. Sharon
DeleteI'm not sure if Target owns Battat. Since Target is the only store to carry OG, I tend to think of it as Target's brand.
DeleteWow. Mattel sold out the AG brand for profits' sake. So heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who lives in Alaska with limited access to the American Girl Doll Brand where shipping takes forever and can sometimes be costly I can totally see how this would be good for American Girl, as Target is more available to places like where I live. And honestly with the push for the American Girl Brand in Toys R Us and Khols I am not surprised. In fact I have been wondering if they where going to go this route. However, I am slightly worried that their quality is going to drop once they go more mainstream. I've been bugging them for years to put an AG store in Alaska. I mean come on they have one in Canada and Mexico! So I guess this is as close as I am going to get.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to pay for a $60 Wellie Wisher doll at Target. Target means getting a discount to me. Madelon
ReplyDeleteI agree. What is the point? Most of the time buying an American Girl doll stood for buying a better quality made doll with a stellar brand name. Now that this brand has been cheapened there is almost no point. If I had a choice of being in a store with a huge selection of dolls and only had $50.00 to spend, I would pass on the WW and just buy a Holiday Barbie, or 2 to 3 OG sets...yes sets. Why waste my money on an overpriced doll knowing the brand name is diminishing? What is the incentive? AG is like that negligent friend who wants everyone to come to their party, buy gifts, but doesn't want to buy or send guests invitations because it's too expensive or wants to hoard the money saved. Too bad they are hiding their true reason for turning to Target.
DeleteIf you have a Redcard, you'll get the automatic 5% off, which is what AG offers through its Rewards Program, and you don't have to wait for a Rewards Certificate for a future purchase. It's immediate. That will have appeal, as well as choosing your own doll. My mom won't shop online but she spent time last fall at Kohls and TRU examining the WW dolls to pick the perfect ones for my daughter and niece. It made the giving experience more personal for her.
DeleteAnd for little kids, the WW really are awesome. They are cute, they are easy to bring along, the clothing really appeals to the littles. The books and show are cute and help kids bond to their dolls. We've got a lot of 18" dolls, clothes and accessories at our house, but the WW have the kids' hearts right now.
I truly hope Wellie Wishers don't come to my Targets. It's taken a long time for the Targets in my area--south of Seattle--to play "catch up" in terms of getting in new OG stock in a timely manner. They've also expanded their inventories. It took a year for the ice cream truck to be available in certain stores--not all Targets sell the same larger items. I also happen to live about twenty minutes north of the Western Washington TRU with an American Girl mini store. They bumped Journey Girls from stock there because of AG. I was unhappy because there was a specific item I'd wanted to look for at the time. It's a loss of variety.
ReplyDeleteI recently purchased Emerson during the tiered sale, but I'm not feeling a connection to her, and I don't find her worth even the discounted $50 I paid, never mind $60. I don't see them selling at Target. (My nearest Kohls doesn't appear to be restocking WWs, and still has a Lea that bounced back. She's been there for weeks!) I still have Emerson's box, as it wouldn't fit in the recycling. I may just try to resell her. The WWs got a couple more outfits, but it was a very cautious expansion to me. Between the seven outfits, I wish there was a little more variety. Like maybe an adventurer's outfit, since there's the nature adventure accessory kit. Four outfits are super dressy and I wish I had something for everyday wear besides Emerson's original outfit to dress her in. It just seems like a year now since they launched, there'd be some more variety. The princess dress and ballet outfit borrow from the same color palette, and the mermaid outfit...it's disappointing. So are the plastic accessory pieces. I wanted the princess dress, but I'm not a fan of that plastic crown at all. I got the winter dress figuring it would be seasonal, and the sleeve ripped along the seam putting it on. Glad it wasn't, because AG exchanged it this weekend, but I'm not too stoked about the quality of the outfits at this point. That's another sticking point--if there's quality control issues, will Target honor them like AG? Plus why buy a $24 WW outfit when you can get $12 outfits from OG? Sure, they're larger, but something like shorts and a tee might work out. Things can be pinned, or maybe a dedicated sewer could hem and bring in certain outfits. --Jen
I think the real reason Mattel is putting AG in stores is to knock out competition with contracts (rather than to get sales). Journey Girls and Our Generation are their biggest competition. They've already eliminated espari from Barnes and Noble.
DeleteI have been a life time customer and all of the new routes AG is taking is making me feel like the money we shell out for the dolls is now a waste.
ReplyDeleteThe WW I was hoping would be nice but once I started buying them...boy was I disappointed. Mainly due to the fact that they're the same price as Corolle. Clothing and all cost just as much! The quality is not comparable! They're eyes close and it's a durable soft vinyl. I really hoped AG would have surpassed them given they used to be such a great brand. I know where my money's going for the in between doll for my Daughters. I won't even get into some things I'm not fond of with the shows...
ReplyDeleteI am sad to see the WellieWishers there. So, I am not happy and I feel it cheapens the Brand. I love Target, just not for American Girl Brand Dolls, except fot the 6 inch Doll in the book department, which is Girl of The Year. But, they are doing what they think will make them more money in the economy.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they will be in all Targets or just some. I agree with you, Maxine. We will be more selective with our purchases. OG has a lot to offer. Especially in the accessory department. Madelon
DeleteMaxine, Have you see Gabriela 6" in Target? We try to collect all, but haven't seen it in our Target.
DeleteI agree about the quality of the Corolle Les Cheries. Very nice vinyl, and they sit beautifully, with their legs close together. Nice light vanilla scent, too. And the Corolle clothes are fine quality. Hearts For Hearts have been re-released, and I like them better than Wellie Wishers.
ReplyDelete--Michele Grace
I never really cared for the Wellies. I do like the Toys R Us stores though because it gives people an opportunity to not pay shipping and actually shop. Sad that they didn't give my town one though
ReplyDelete