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Original poster

American girl Doll

90 replies

Mumofgirls12341 · 17/10/2022 10:00

My 7 year old DD has asked for a American girl doll. The price of one doll is eye watering, are they really worth that much? I know our generation dolls are the Uk equivalent but she has her heart set on AG doll.

I know I cannot buy the doll in the UK and I can’t see an option on the American website either. Has anyone bought one before if so where did you get them from?

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 17/10/2022 10:05

In the UK you might be better to try secondhand like eBay.
Is it definitely an American Girl or would she be ok with an Our Generation or even the 'own brand' versions that Argos do (Design a Friend) or The Entertainer toy shop.
Maybe a trip to Smyths and a look down the Our Generation aisle and you make a lot of "Wow this one is beautiful" comments to see her reaction.

Claysta · 17/10/2022 10:05

I bought one when we were on hols in NY for my DD - it was sooo expensive and exactly the same as an OG doll which are so much cheaper. I couldn’t see what the difference was ! The Entertainer toy shop also does their own version too.

Needmorelego · 17/10/2022 10:06

Our Generation dolls and clothes sometimes pop up in TK Maxx too.

Original poster
Mumofgirls12341 · 17/10/2022 10:14

Needmorelego · 17/10/2022 10:05

In the UK you might be better to try secondhand like eBay.
Is it definitely an American Girl or would she be ok with an Our Generation or even the 'own brand' versions that Argos do (Design a Friend) or The Entertainer toy shop.
Maybe a trip to Smyths and a look down the Our Generation aisle and you make a lot of "Wow this one is beautiful" comments to see her reaction.

She definitely wants a AG doll. She has recently started to watch them on YouTube and the movies on prime. She would like the books too.

I did have a look on eBay but it would cost almost the same to get a brand new one.

OP posts:
AriettyHomily · 17/10/2022 10:18

We got them for DTs when we weee in America for their 6th birthday. DH nearly passed out in the shop...

They are better quality that the OG dolls, the customer service is excellent and you can pack them off to the salon if their hair gets matted or their bodies need some restuffing.

They chose theirs from the selection of ones that have the same characteristics as they do - eye / hair / skin colour, hairstyle, hearing aids, glasses etc.

They played with them for a good few years and they are now on their bookshelves.

noscoobydoodle · 17/10/2022 11:08

Have you tried Facebook market place. Got one for DD from there (complete with some accessories and original AG bag and box). Still eye watering but less than half what it would have cost. I was also looking at this website which says it ships to uk but didn't end up using it: mydollcollection.co.uk/AG-of-the-Year/girl-of-the-year-2022-corinne
I can tell a slight different between Ag and OG dolls but not enough to justify the price difference if I'm being honest. I guess that's not the point when it's a much wanted Xmas present though!

Blinkingmarvellous · 17/10/2022 11:13

Could you tell her that they aren't available in the UK? And then look at the designafriend ones together? They have some really beautiful ones. My daughter is 10 but we got them out over the summer so she could practice hairstyles on them.

Watapalava · 17/10/2022 12:03

I got dd one

£80 plus £20 delivery and then £20 tax

however I kept the box etc and sold it in uk two years later on eBay for £80 so worth every Penny!

Watapalava · 17/10/2022 12:04

I bought in uk direct from the American girl website

VeronicaVanHoopen · 17/10/2022 12:08

I was lucky as my husband had an American colleague that used to take deliveries and then bring them over when he came for business.

What I will say is that they are really really good quality and the stuff that comes with them lasts really well. My daughter has 3 and still absolutely loves them even though she is now a very cool 13 year old!

LazyDaisy22 · 17/10/2022 12:47

They are extremely good quality and unboxing a brand new one was very special for my DD. The doll’s hair is in a hair net to keep it in place and it includes her book. But, of course, very expensive. As far as I know, the only place to buy a new one is from mydollcollection.co.uk. If you do buy new, keep the box, hairnet, book, etc and sell on eBay to recover some of your cost if you DD outgrows it. Or there are several used ones on eBay, in the UK, which are cheaper - but still a lot for a doll!

risefromyourgrave · 17/10/2022 12:58

They are beautiful, much better than the UK ones, imo.

My daughter has 13, a mix of new - bought in person from the US, new - bought from mydollcollection.co.uk and second hand -bought from eBay and Etsy.

I did once look into buying one from the US website, they will ship to the UK, but obviously they’re going to be super expensive because of the weak pound.

Anon778833 · 17/10/2022 13:01

My older DD’s have quite a few. They are beautiful, beautiful dolls. I would like one for me Blush

There is a shop that sells them in the UK mydollcollection.co.uk

BookwormButNoTime · 17/10/2022 13:04

I got one off EBay last year. Brand new and in box - duplicate gift for someone from American relatives. Paid £85 plus delivery.

My daughter absolutely loves it and it was worth every penny for that reason. It is all highly overpriced though………

risefromyourgrave · 17/10/2022 13:09

Oh my goodness, I’ve just seen they do Hogwarts uniforms now!

www.americangirl.com/products/american-girl-harry-potter-ultimate-collection-hmk21

Sorry OP, I know that’s no help at all…

Henddraig · 17/10/2022 13:15

They are lovely dolls. I went the eBay route for both dds’ ones - one new in box one second hand. They both look similarly loved now. I think both were about £40 plus p&p. You might need to keep an eye out for a while to find a bargain. Ours are Wellie Wishers so slightly smaller versions.

Original poster
Mumofgirls12341 · 17/10/2022 13:42

They really do look like beautiful dolls. I have had a look on Facebook and eBay and there are quite a few on sale but I feel like I want her first AG doll to be new.

The American website only has the option to ship to US or Canada - maybe they’ve stopped shipping to the UK?

Has anyone bought the accessories/furniture too? Are they also good quality?

OP posts:
risefromyourgrave · 17/10/2022 16:51

We have the wheelchair and that’s well made and sturdy. It survived being chucked around in a turbulent aeroplane on the way back from NYC in just the box it came in!

risefromyourgrave · 17/10/2022 16:53

I emailed them via the website and asked if they’d ship to the UK and they said yes. I just had to tell them what I wanted to order and they’d give me a postage estimate. I never went through with it in the end as a friend was going to the US and got what we wanted instead.

Original poster
Mumofgirls12341 · 17/10/2022 20:06

I emailed them and this was their reply :

“Thank you for choosing American Girl. We will be happy to ship an order to you in the United Kingdom; however, to comply with UK tax rules implemented on January 1, 2021, the minimum order for product is $200.”

$200 without shipping and tax factored in is unfortunately a bit too steep for me. Kinda gutted as my DD really wanted one for Christmas

OP posts:
SavingsThreads · 17/10/2022 20:18

You can get the mini AGs with book on Amazon for like £30

chatterbox52 · 17/10/2022 20:56

Try that uk shop link above mydollcollection.co.uk , it does them. I thought our generation dolls were American girl dolls haha! My poor daughter has been short changed, she got the our generation dolls, I didn't realise American girl was a different brand of dolls 😳 really shocked at these prices!

Anon778833 · 18/10/2022 02:54

The accessories and furniture are great quality. Tbh it’s worth spending $200 anyway if you’re going to be paying taxes etc.

I would do it - she’ll love it.

mathanxiety · 18/10/2022 03:32

Look on eBay.

I think they're better quality than AG dolls, and they come with books, etc.

CalicoAnnie · 18/10/2022 03:33

Have you tried Amazon.com with shipping to the UK? It looks like I can get one sent from US to AUS for less than $200 AUD. Sorry I can’t check for the UK but the exchange rate it looks Ike it could be £110 or thereabouts.