Business has changed. Everywhere. And the doll community has also been effected. At the time of this post, American Girl stores and Disney Stores are still CLOSED, but remain open for online orders. A Girl for All Time and Madame Alexander also remain open online. The future of doll purchasing could become an online business with less overhead.
"Essential businesses" such as Target and Wal-Mart continue to fill their toy aisles, but what does this mean for the collector?
American Girl Place has already missed two in store launches. It's unclear about the fall launch of the historical doll Courtney Moore. Time will tell just how "on schedule" the launch will be.
After speaking with the LADL team, it's been determined that LADL will cease posting effective June 30. This comes with a heavy heart, last year when LADL revived, the toy and doll industry was changing, but still producing new product. After the Covid-19 crisis, some retailers have downsized or disappeared.
We want to hear from you!
We want to hear from you!
- How will these changes effect your doll/toy purchases moving forward?
- Will you continue to collect?
- Will you consider downsizing?
- Will you support local businesses and/or etsy shops to fill your collecting needs?
- Will you rely solely on e-commerce?
Please leave a comment below and share your concerns.
We value your feedback.
Eva and I continue to shop as we normally would; buy somethings online, and other dolly items we get from from Target or Walmart. When AG stores open, we’ll go there, rather than order online so we can save on shipping. Our nearest AG store is only an hour away.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you closing yout blog? It is the only place that doesn’t constantly talk about the coronavirus. I will continue with AG. The future is bright. It will just take time and in the meantime we will have to make necessary adjustments, Don’t give up this early. Wait a little longer nger.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but most of the wonderful women on this team are also moms and due to the virus, schools are not in session. A lot has changed in business, working from home and home schooling plus online learning. After nearly 7 years of service to the doll community, the LADL team is gracefully re-adjusting to allow for more focus with our families.
DeleteWe appreciate you following this blog. We encourage many LADL readers to start their own original blog and offer original ideas to the doll community. It's a great opportunity to connect. Thank you and God bless!
I understand that you want and need more time with your families. Are you keeping the blog up, even after you stop posting?
ReplyDeleteYes, LADL will always remain online for reference. Thank you for your comment and for understanding.
DeleteI'm an 18" scaled playdolls enthusiast. Historic and modern. Though I started out with AG, I've also added other nonAG brands to my collection in recent years. (Mostly Gotz, OG, JG, Heidi Ott, and Journey Girls)
ReplyDeleteAG's price hikes in combo with lowered quality has been gradually turning off in recent years... skimpy cut of the AG clothing, eye issues, thin wigs, toddler-like designs, etc, Therefore, I've been finding less from AG that has interested me enough to consider adding to my collection. AG's quality control just isn't what it used to be...neither online ordering or in store. Even prior to COVID-19, I discovered that driving to an AG Place Store wasn't always an assurance that the sealed in box items had the same quality standards. Annoying to get home and find out that I had to make another trip for exchange/return.
I've also discovered that I prefer the Our Generation mini dolls with their soft torsos over the AG mini dolls with their all vinyl bodies. I've been building quite a collection of them as well as the Lori mini dolls, outfits, and accessories.
I'm still interested in my 18" dolls. Crafting and sewing for them as well as making purchases from other sources. I've really enjoyed this blog. Love seeing how others enjoy their dolls, the craft projects, etc.
I hope that LADL will continue to have posts... even if they're sporadic. Or simply done on a monthly basis? Or every two months?
Schools are going to be opening again in the Fall. Already, I've been seeing many more big rigs on the roads. Heard aircraft overhead. The economy is picking back up. Items are back on stock on shelves which wasn't available for quite a while. Some stores no longer requiring that customers have to wear a mask.
Keep the faith! Already things are changing for the better... that isn't being reported in the *usual* media.
Thank you for your comment and the interest in LADL. We have really enjoyed serving the doll community over the past seven years, and would like to encourage readers to begin blogging. A Blog this size requires a lot of work and I appreciate the women on my team who have served during their busy schedules over the years. LADL will remain up for reference purposes only.
DeleteWhen I started this blog (2012), I was in a different season of Life. Most of the women on the team are in different seasons now and our schedules are more demanding. The blogging world is open to anyone who wants to share their creativity.
Thank you again for being an LADL reader