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Has anyone bought an American Girl doll from the US?

86 replies

perceptionreality · 14/11/2012 13:12

I'm just wondering how much it all costs once you've paid taxes etc.

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mrscumberbatch · 14/11/2012 23:00

I haven't bought one but seen them when I was over there. They didn't look that great tbh.

The shop was MOBBED though with kids getting their hairstyles/clothes done and it looked like quite a fun social thing for groups of little girls but the doll on it's own didn't really translate very well for me. (And they looked nothing like anybody Wink)

I think that unless you're planning to visit the US or a store opens over here then it's a bit pointless.

That said, weight wise/ costage. I'd put aside an extra £35 for shipping tax.

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SissySparkles · 14/11/2012 23:11

there's a uk website that sells them direct from uk, I think for around £140.

I don't get them either mrscumberbatch

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Uppermid · 14/11/2012 23:15

My dd's got them from a friend in us ,sat year. I think I had to pay about £50. Us friend horrified but considering shed spent $$$$$ on buying and shipping them in the first place.

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LynetteScavo · 14/11/2012 23:23

I spent rather a long time in the shop in LA Blush but didn't buy one for DD as they don't make one exactly like her (I need one with blue eyes, black hair and NO fringe) - I didn't have her with me, or I would have caved in, and bought her load of accessories, because I'm a sap like that.

I also think they are not worth it unless you are going to do the whole experience but you can get them in the UK here

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perceptionreality · 15/11/2012 10:26

Thanks for your replies. I have seen the one UK site that sells them I was wondering whether if I bought one from the US, I would end up paying more or less than £135 as that is how much they are from there, unless you buy an historical one which costs around £150.

I may not bother though if the quality is not good. What I liked about them is that they are not too beautiful but nice looking and also not stick thin like the Corolle dolls. My dds all seem to love them.

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Tikkabillajive · 15/11/2012 10:37

A friend got one for me in the US (for DD) last Christmas and it is really lovely - but SO not worth the price they are sold for over here. I think shipping one from AG in the US is about $70 (not sure how much taxes would be on top of that though) - I don't think it's worth paying that much either. Only worth it if you can get someone to order over there and bring it back for you IMO.

Have you seen the Gotz 'Precious Day' dolls? They are exactly the same size and very similar to the AG dolls - you can buy them from //www.petalinadolls.co.uk. DD had one of these before she got her AG doll and I would say the quality is even nicer.

You can also buy school uniforms etc for them from //www.frillylily.co.uk.

Dolls this size are fab, my DD (7) plays so much with hers.

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mrscumberbatch · 15/11/2012 10:51

Good link Tikkabilla, they are lovely looking dolls

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perceptionreality · 15/11/2012 10:53

Yes, we have some Gotz dolls already - they are lovely. I am never buying Barbie again!

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Prarieflower · 15/11/2012 11:24

We have Gotz Hannah/Sarah and she is lovely.Far nicer looking than AG who looks like a chipmunk in mvho. Clothes far more stylish too.

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ImpYCelyn · 15/11/2012 17:48

Corolle do some that aren't thin - erm, vanilla blonde/brunette, coquette blonde/brunette/redhead I think. They used to also do some nice regional dolls - called things like Astrid and Ambre.

Agree their "Cheries" are practically barbies though.

Gotz Hannah is gorgeous, and Lillebi is worth a look.

Agree that AG dolls look like chipmunks, it's those protruding teeth. I think that you can put AG outfits on some of the Gotz dolls, I'm sure I read that. So with the price difference for the dolls you could get some of the clothes maybe...

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madwomanintheattic · 15/11/2012 17:55

We have 'Maplelea girls' in Canada. I assume they are the same kind of thing (though am slightly alarmed by the teeth idea).

Dd2 has one (the one from where her bf lives, near Toronto) and her bf has the one from Banff, near where we live.

I love the 'not Barbie' and real-ish elements. The journal stuff is interesting too - lots of Canadian history and facts and figures and whatnot.

I don't think you can buy them in stores though, just online.

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Oodthunkit · 15/11/2012 19:10

Dd2 was obsessed with them after dh & brought a catalogue back from
NY ( more in a you wouldn't believe this shop thing than a crap present!), so when we went with dds 2 years later she bought one & they have matching PJs Hmm and loads of outfits.
It's still in v good condition and dd2 is a toy wrecker. Toddler dd3 now plays with it too and it's pretty tough.
Hair a bit scruffy now, I understand why they have a store hairdresser!

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TuttoRhino · 15/11/2012 19:14

My DD got one from my parents for her 3rd birthday. I thought the price was incredible - they bought it while on holiday in the US. She wasn't interested in it for a while but I bought some clothes for it from sellers on Etsy in similar styles to her own clothes and she's warmed to it a lot.

The doll looks like her which is quite creepy.

I'd imagine you'd get stung for taxes when it came over. Do you know anybody going to the US in the next while?

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ImpYCelyn · 15/11/2012 19:18

Wow the AG period clothes really look lovely though...

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perceptionreality · 15/11/2012 21:20

Yes I meant the Cheries dolls. The Chouquette ones are baby dolls with hair aren't they?

I agree Gotz Hannah is prettier but I think the AG dolls look more normalised and with character. I don't know how they compare in quality though. I have heard that they retain their value if you wish to sell them later. Thanks for replies. There doesn't seem to be anywhere in the uk that you can buy AG clothes.

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madwomanintheattic · 15/11/2012 23:29

Yep, just had a look. maplelea girls are pretty much the same, but seem to have a better reputation for quality.

Am lolling at the 'historical' dolls line on AG though. Grin the 70s, eh?

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TheEnthusiasticTroll · 15/11/2012 23:46

My dd likes designer friends at Argos, far cheaper alternative and look much the same as far as facial details although the limbs are not maniplable, but if they are to be played with I would much rather spend £20+ than £100+

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izzyishavingababyAGAIN · 16/11/2012 10:39

I've just looked at the link - I'm Shock - it's a doll!! Faints

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perceptionreality · 16/11/2012 10:45

I think what you pay for is higher quality vinyl isn't it? They are very expensive, I agree. But I was hoping they could be passed down. The hair apparently holds up better than cheaper dolls too.

Has anyone bought a doll from My London Girl This seems to be an identical concept in the UK - surely must be owned by the same company?

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izzyishavingababyAGAIN · 16/11/2012 10:56

DDs aren't going to care about that though (vinyl, hair).

I've only raised boys so far - dolls this price are a whole new world to me (have toddler DD) I didn't even know this sort of thing existed.

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mummytime · 16/11/2012 11:04

My DDs are deprived and never had Dolls like this (actually wouldn't have wanted them either). Also from my experience I would be wary of a Doll which was supposed to be "passed down", me and my DD all went through a "hairdressing" phase.

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Tikkabillajive · 16/11/2012 11:05

I'm pretty sure that My London Girl is just a copycat brand and nothing to do with American Girl. The dolls are really ugly IMO and even more expensive than AG - £79!!

There's also another British make called something like Girl for All Time - super expensive but they have done the AG thing of creating a historical character and having books that come with them, period style clothes, etc. The dolls look really pretty but seem to be more for collecting than playing with (don't think I'd let my dd take her doll to the park and hang it from a tree etc if I had paid £90 for it!)

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perceptionreality · 16/11/2012 11:08

Yes but I care - the higher quality vinyl doesn't contain some of the chemicals like phthalates that people are concerned about that are in so many toys.

Dd3 is only 3 - she's very much into dolls but these are two old for her - I am looking for my much older dd who wants one that looks like her. AG dolls are aimed at 8+. Dd3 already has baby Annabell and this year was asking for the new one which looks exactly the same as the one she had last year! So I decided to get her one made with better quality vinyl from Gotz.

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perceptionreality · 16/11/2012 11:09

too old*

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perceptionreality · 16/11/2012 11:12

Yes, I think it's best only to buy this sort of doll for a child who is well past the drawing on face stage!

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