She is a cute doll and to me her collection looks like it has an emense amount of play value. That being said, no like Gabby I will not be buying her. With the sewn on underwear and the refusal to use the GT4 face mold for Asian dolls my answer is firm. For all other reasons though her collection is very cute especially the camera and desk set. Wish they had put the same effort into Gabby though.
I completely understand your concerns. There were very few people in the store when I was there and the handling of Gabriella and her collection was raised by me. The person I spoke with probably wished that this conversation wasn't started. I expressed that Gabby was too important to be treated the way she was. I got the feeling that AG was listening to the negative feedback being posted.I think AG is reconsidering the permanent underwear thing. I wonder how many dolls will be returned when the rear end of the dolls is looked at in the new permapanties? Madelon
I actually bought a doll. She has the sewn in panties. They give her the unusual lump in the back and some distortion in the front. I think Z has a cute face, and looks best when she faces you, with her outfit on. I have sent photos to Rhonda to share. Madelon
Thank your time and taking the pictures Madelon. Some of the items in her collection are nice. The table and cabinet are nice, but the table legs look plastic, maybe breakable. I thought I saw somewhere that girls that take the photos and videos were excited about the light, that maybe it would actually work, but from the picture, it just seems to be a prop. I'm sure the collection is nice. We won't be getting her because of the permanent panties. My daughters want nothing to do with the permanent panty dolls.
More notable is that I was on AGFB, looking to see if they had a video announcing Z release. I did see a post with picture of Z with permanent panties, and the slight poop in the pants look. The poster said it came from AGOVERSEAS. AG commented that if anyone gets a doll like that they are to call AG. This is a big deal because I think she lives in Australia, so how would she have it before it is available for purchase if AG didn't send it to her. So I did find the video and at the beginning she does say thank you to AG for sending it to her. She reviews the doll, and two accessories, but she does have the table/cabinet in the video, but never mentions if AG sent her that as well. Two things to note, one is that the video does show the poop look, and two at the very end she puts on the black/pink patterned two piece swimsuit, that AG had on the doll when news first leaked. She says in the video that if you pull the pants up too much, the underwear shows, pull down the top of the underwear shows. Go back and look at the photo AG put out and no underwear shows. After getting the doll potentially for free from AG, I don't think it is in her best interest to make the doll look that way. For those that don't know, her youtube channel is AGOVERSEAS. The video for the doll was posted yesterday.
I appreciate your comments. The desk is mostly wood, and part plastic. I didn't understand why it wasn't all wood. I talked to someone who worked at the store who indicated that AG was reconsidering the permanent underwear. I will take a look at AGOVERSEAS review. Wish someone would send me a doll to review- but they may not like everything I have to say. Madelon
I hope that AG is seriously considering removing the permanent underwear. As you mentioned, it is mostly a problem with all their previous swimwear designs which collectors and little girls will still want their new dolls to wear. Thanks for sharing that bit of information!
Madelon For a while I had heard that AGOVERSEASFAN had gotten dolls from AG, and I watched the videos, but it wasn't apparent that the items were purchased by her or from AG. When I watched this one, there were others that are now labeled that they are from AG. We found 2 WW, Z, and Melody. She has Tenney and Logan, so I'm going to assume they are from AG, also. In the Z video she had the doll accessories and the video/camera accessories. Then there is another video of Z's cabinet desk, which was posted on the 26th, so obviously not purchased. I have seen another video person a young girl who was showing which dolls she had, said her Laney doll was from AG for work that she did for them. But why isn't is for all, not just some that have youtube blogs, and there are a ton of girls with blogs. This isn't advertised or made public knowledge so that other girls have the opportunity to get free product possibly in exchange for a review. Heck, Ag is only willing to give Berry member a few points for a review on the AG website.
Every dollar to all of us is important. $115 can buy 2 - 3 pairs of jeans or half of the grocery bill for the week. Since we started collecting in 2013, I have spent well over $2,000. There have been people on AGFB that have complained about the 'perks' for Berry members, and rightly so. If a Berry member doesn't live close to a store, I'm 4 hours one way, then why would you give in-store only perks. I'm a Berry but treated like Gold. I posted on one of the complaint posts that I was a berry member, but I'm treated like gold and so I'm going to spend like I'm a gold.
In regards to AG reversing the permanent panties, Mattel lost big in the first quarter. AG lost 12% from last year. AG's comment on that was the Contemporary dolls were released later in the year. WHAT???? More evidence that Gabriela was not supposed to be GOTY. They say that even with launch of a boy doll, that do anything for them, the WW line and sales in other stores were what helped them. I think I remember Maxine saying that she got more back when buying at Kohl's and it she didn't have t wait for the reward. The only problem I have with buying at TRU and Kohl's is if there is a problem with the doll later than the stores time period for returns, you can't return to AG. Ag has said on AGFB, that you bought somewhere you return it there too, otherwise they can help you make arrangements for the doll hospital. So there is proof that they don't actually listen. If they did listen, they would have shut down production on the permanent panties.
More transparency about who is selected to receive the advance items would be greatly appreciated, plus more opportunities for girls to compete for them. I don't think American Girl always understands the budgeting and choices that families make to buy their products. For most, I would think it was not an impulse purchase. Long term customers plan what they will buy from AG and when. The first quarter results were very disappointing what with the release of Gabriela, Felicity, Tenney, and Logan. I am a berry member, but I don't remember getting an email about a gift. They should mail something to the berry members. I don't think the perma panties will go over well as the lumpiness is not what buyers expect. If many dolls are returned, they might not get the 2nd quarter earnings they seek. i have bought from Kohl's and use my rewards to get AG products. Hopefully, the permapanties will be resolved soon. Madelon
No, I will not be buying Z. I did enjoy the Z videos and she is a cute doll but have no interest is a doll with the permanent panties. I was at the store today and bought her camera set which I think is cute - still it is all plastic and could have more details. That is all that I will be buying from her collection. The majority of her desk set is very nice, I love that the case is wood but the fold out desk I felt was flimsy plastic. As I walked though the store today I was sad that the quality of AG products has gone down so much. Sharon
RE: bloggers/vloggers receiving AG products to review. I believe AG probably sends to those who have many, many views--like millions of views of their videos--that would be free advertising for AG, even if the review is mixed. They would not send a free doll to everyone who has a couple of hundred hits, nor make reviewing an available perk for anyone. And too many reviews would be counterproductive, over-saturation. Some of AGOVERSEASFAN's videos have, like more than 10 million views--AG would notice this. So certain bloggers are, indeed, special, in the same way that actors attending the Academy Award ceremony get goody bags of jewelry and make-up, and other people don't.
Still--we would all love some free dollies!
And hopefully AG values all its customers and eventually listens to our concerns and praise equally.
She is a cute doll and to me her collection looks like it has an emense amount of play value. That being said, no like Gabby I will not be buying her. With the sewn on underwear and the refusal to use the GT4 face mold for Asian dolls my answer is firm. For all other reasons though her collection is very cute especially the camera and desk set. Wish they had put the same effort into Gabby though.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your concerns. There were very few people in the store when I was there and the handling of Gabriella and her collection was raised by me. The person I spoke with probably wished that this conversation wasn't started. I expressed that Gabby was too important to be treated the way she was. I got the feeling that AG was listening to the negative feedback being posted.I think AG is reconsidering the permanent underwear thing. I wonder how many dolls will be returned when the rear end of the dolls is looked at in the new permapanties? Madelon
DeleteI really hope the permanent underwear goes away!
Deletewhat did you think Madelon? did you see the sewn in panties?
ReplyDeleteI actually bought a doll. She has the sewn in panties. They give her the unusual lump in the back and some distortion in the front. I think Z has a cute face, and looks best when she faces you, with her outfit on. I have sent photos to Rhonda to share. Madelon
DeleteThank your time and taking the pictures Madelon. Some of the items in her collection are nice. The table and cabinet are nice, but the table legs look plastic, maybe breakable. I thought I saw somewhere that girls that take the photos and videos were excited about the light, that maybe it would actually work, but from the picture, it just seems to be a prop. I'm sure the collection is nice. We won't be getting her because of the permanent panties. My daughters want nothing to do with the permanent panty dolls.
ReplyDeleteMore notable is that I was on AGFB, looking to see if they had a video announcing Z release. I did see a post with picture of Z with permanent panties, and the slight poop in the pants look. The poster said it came from AGOVERSEAS. AG commented that if anyone gets a doll like that they are to call AG. This is a big deal because I think she lives in Australia, so how would she have it before it is available for purchase if AG didn't send it to her. So I did find the video and at the beginning she does say thank you to AG for sending it to her. She reviews the doll, and two accessories, but she does have the table/cabinet in the video, but never mentions if AG sent her that as well. Two things to note, one is that the video does show the poop look, and two at the very end she puts on the black/pink patterned two piece swimsuit, that AG had on the doll when news first leaked. She says in the video that if you pull the pants up too much, the underwear shows, pull down the top of the underwear shows. Go back and look at the photo AG put out and no underwear shows. After getting the doll potentially for free from AG, I don't think it is in her best interest to make the doll look that way. For those that don't know, her youtube channel is AGOVERSEAS. The video for the doll was posted yesterday.
I appreciate your comments. The desk is mostly wood, and part plastic. I didn't understand why it wasn't all wood. I talked to someone who worked at the store who indicated that AG was reconsidering the permanent underwear. I will take a look at AGOVERSEAS review. Wish someone would send me a doll to review-
Deletebut they may not like everything I have to say. Madelon
I hope that AG is seriously considering removing the permanent underwear. As you mentioned, it is mostly a problem with all their previous swimwear designs which collectors and little girls will still want their new dolls to wear. Thanks for sharing that bit of information!
DeleteMadelon
DeleteFor a while I had heard that AGOVERSEASFAN had gotten dolls from AG, and I watched the videos, but it wasn't apparent that the items were purchased by her or from AG. When I watched this one, there were others that are now labeled that they are from AG. We found 2 WW, Z, and Melody. She has Tenney and Logan, so I'm going to assume they are from AG, also. In the Z video she had the doll accessories and the video/camera accessories. Then there is another video of Z's cabinet desk, which was posted on the 26th, so obviously not purchased. I have seen another video person a young girl who was showing which dolls she had, said her Laney doll was from AG for work that she did for them. But why isn't is for all, not just some that have youtube blogs, and there are a ton of girls with blogs. This isn't advertised or made public knowledge so that other girls have the opportunity to get free product possibly in exchange for a review. Heck, Ag is only willing to give Berry member a few points for a review on the AG website.
Every dollar to all of us is important. $115 can buy 2 - 3 pairs of jeans or half of the grocery bill for the week. Since we started collecting in 2013, I have spent well over $2,000. There have been people on AGFB that have complained about the 'perks' for Berry members, and rightly so. If a Berry member doesn't live close to a store, I'm 4 hours one way, then why would you give in-store only perks. I'm a Berry but treated like Gold. I posted on one of the complaint posts that I was a berry member, but I'm treated like gold and so I'm going to spend like I'm a gold.
In regards to AG reversing the permanent panties, Mattel lost big in the first quarter. AG lost 12% from last year. AG's comment on that was the Contemporary dolls were released later in the year. WHAT???? More evidence that Gabriela was not supposed to be GOTY. They say that even with launch of a boy doll, that do anything for them, the WW line and sales in other stores were what helped them. I think I remember Maxine saying that she got more back when buying at Kohl's and it she didn't have t wait for the reward. The only problem I have with buying at TRU and Kohl's is if there is a problem with the doll later than the stores time period for returns, you can't return to AG. Ag has said on AGFB, that you bought somewhere you return it there too, otherwise they can help you make arrangements for the doll hospital. So there is proof that they don't actually listen. If they did listen, they would have shut down production on the permanent panties.
More transparency about who is selected to receive the advance items would be greatly appreciated, plus more opportunities for girls to compete for them. I don't think American Girl always understands the budgeting and choices that families make to buy their products. For most, I would think it was not an impulse purchase. Long term customers plan what they will buy from AG and when. The first quarter results were very disappointing what with the release of Gabriela, Felicity, Tenney, and Logan. I am a berry member, but I don't remember getting an email about a gift. They should mail something to the berry members. I don't think the perma panties will go over well as the lumpiness is not what buyers expect. If many dolls are returned, they might not get the 2nd quarter earnings they seek. i have bought from Kohl's and use my rewards to get AG products. Hopefully, the permapanties will be resolved soon. Madelon
DeleteNo, I will not be buying Z. I did enjoy the Z videos and she is a cute doll but have no interest is a doll with the permanent panties. I was at the store today and bought her camera set which I think is cute - still it is all plastic and could have more details. That is all that I will be buying from her collection. The majority of her desk set is very nice, I love that the case is wood but the fold out desk I felt was flimsy plastic. As I walked though the store today I was sad that the quality of AG products has gone down so much. Sharon
ReplyDeleteHow was the scooter? Metal or plastic??
ReplyDeleteNo I will not be buying Z or any other doll with permanent panties. Her camera set looks interesting, though.
ReplyDeleteNo I will not be buying Z or any other doll with permanent panties. Her camera set looks interesting, though.
ReplyDeleteThank you Madelon. My favorite picture of Z is number 17, with her hair down.
ReplyDeleteRE: bloggers/vloggers receiving AG products to review. I believe AG probably sends to those who have many, many views--like millions of views of their videos--that would be free advertising for AG, even if the review is mixed. They would not send a free doll to everyone who has a couple of hundred hits, nor make reviewing an available perk for anyone. And too many reviews would be counterproductive, over-saturation. Some of AGOVERSEASFAN's videos have, like more than 10 million views--AG would notice this. So certain bloggers are, indeed, special, in the same way that actors attending the Academy Award ceremony get goody bags of jewelry and make-up, and other people don't.
ReplyDeleteStill--we would all love some free dollies!
And hopefully AG values all its customers and eventually listens to our concerns and praise equally.