Why are dolls so expensive

On another doll, there may be an audible clicking sound as the eyes close. Upon closer inspection, you would notice the craftsmanship that goes into the appearance of the eyes on the American Girl doll. The eyes and the eyelids are hand painted; the eyelashes are created separately and hand curled before being attached to the eyes. The company has created a formula that gives the dolls a skin texture that is just right, not too soft or hard.

The significance of this can be likened to leather handbags. The American Girl doll company has perfected the art of natural-looking doll faces by giving the dolls more human characteristics. An American Girl doll does not have a perfectly symmetrical face, which is a subtle, yet significant, touch to reflect the lack of symmetry in the human face. To ensure the high quality of the American Girl doll body, the company employs old-fashioned dollmaking techniques that many other companies no longer take the time to use.

You can customize your own American Girl doll and have it made to your specifications, kind of like a Build-a-Bear another toy that is known to be pricey. This makes it feel more special, but it does raise the cost.

Specialty items can be found in most every category of things the people do. You see them in activities from Karate to Pen Pal writing. To see the vast array of specialty kicking bags in Karate follow this link to my husbands article.

If you would like to see how this affects diaries click this link to read my article. The hair color range covers several shades of blond, red, and brunette, even including a light pink. The American Girl doll haircut options offer a variety of lengths and textures which can be topped off with a selected hairstyle such as:.

You can choose one of five face shapes, as well as picking out a skin tone for your doll. A handful of eye colors are offered and you can even choose to have each eye a different color. Dolls can be made with or without freckles, braces, and hearing aids. Your American Girls doll hair can be styled in many different ways such as for special occasions as holidays. There are many video tutorials available on Youtube that will talk you through each different style.

They are a part of American history. With that title comes a huge nostalgia factor and this may be one of the main reasons why these dolls are so expensive. The original dolls provided a way to tell children the story of American history that had huge significance or impact on our lives today. The dolls that have been retired are worth an awful lot of money, many of them are sort after by collectors who are willing and able to pay the prices.

As a parent, I would find it difficult to justify the cost of the rare American Girl dolls but to the cost of purchasing a new one although expensive would make a fantastic gift for a special child in your life.

I think that it would bring many years of fun and entertainment to them. Are there cheaper alternatives? So if you desperately want your little one to have a doll similar to the American Girl ones but simply can not justify the cost, the Target Our Generation may well be a brilliant alternative! Hi, I'm Emma and I'm a mother to 5 beautiful children aged from 1 to 21 years old- life is hectic! I have learned so much along the way, not only from my own children but also through my professional life.

I wish to share all of this knowledge and help you with your own parenting journey! Skip to content. Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest. Emma Davies. American Girl WellieWishers Willa Doll Willa has a love for animals Shes sure to be the first one up a tree-and the last to turn away a furry friend This A hedgehog tee with a sweet printed face and dimensional ears She has Hazel eyes and silky strawberry-blond hair in long pigtails that can be brushed and styled Collect all of your favorite welliewishers!

Have You Read These Yet? Share on facebook. Share on twitter. American Girl is what I grew up with. American Girl is just as much part of my childhood as the Cabbage Patch craze of the 80's Yes, I still have my first Cabbage Patch doll too.

In my opinion completely of my opinion we come from a disposable society of disposable diapers, TV's are cheaper to replace than repair and dolls are no exception. Then just go to Target and get the newest model. American Girl dolls have a long-standing history of quality, great customer service and great secondary market prices. Can you do that with Our Generation? My Life? Or even the Madame Alexander 18 inch dolls? Hey I know what's expensive. I know the value of money.

I am not rich as a matter of fact I was a widow and a single mother for 4 years living off of welfare and working two jobs supporting my daughter. I am married now and my husband has a great job and right now I couldn't afford an American Girl from the store.. We have about 39 dolls and I can probably count on less than my 10 fingers that we paid retail for these dolls. Most were bought below retail.

I haven't been the lucky one to find American Girl at a thrift store like Goodwill but I have seen brag posts on the AG groups of those who do. I guess the deal is if you're on a budget or you just really don't see the value in spending retail on a doll you have to change your mindset and realize that their is a jewel in the rough with a doll that may be in your price range. First of all almost any American Girl doll can be repaired at the American Girl doll hospital and they can make her look good as new.

Or there are plenty of resources on this blog and all over the web on how to make your doll look like a star yourself :. I believe the previous owner had posted her for sale in my AG group and had her out at the yard sale the next morning. I traveled minutes to the yard sale and grabbed her up. She has had her hand chewed off by some shameful puppy more than likely but I ordered her a replacement part on Ebay and I have watched a youtube video on how to replace limbs link here.

Her outfit is just missing her undies she even has her hair bows in. She's gorgeous otherwise and now my husband's favorite doll. We have opted to not fix any silvering eyes unless they are really bad. Both were nude but I have Mia's full outfit anyways. Nicki's meet I am still working on as it hasn't been a priority I like her Gala Outfit better and I completed that outfit :.

I bought her original wig from the AG Facebook groups and I plan to glue it down myself. Good as new :. If you're diligent and look or even ask on Craigslist, yard sale groups or the AG Boards you can find a good deal but seeing a doll with a scuff, ink mark on their limbs, loose or broken limbs, a bad wig or whatever see the beauty underneath and a few inexpensive repairs she can still be cherished by your little girl.