The Final Rant

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Ashlea:
I think that the reason why Pleasant Company dolls were educational tools was the fact that the toys were made just the way they were in the doll's time period. It is so hard now for us to imagine toys not made of plastic, and I think that this, in itself, is a valuable lesson for young girls.

---

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I absolutely agree. And I think one of the main reasons they are starting to use cheap, long-life, virtually indestructible materials (such as plastic instead of wood, metal, paper or cloth) is that they are starting to market these dolls to younger and younger children instead of encouraging parents to wait until their children were truly old enough to appreciate the historical value (i.e. understanding the actual historical events in the doll's time period) and the uniqueness of having an actual replica of what a doll (or girl) may have used during that time period. To me, that fosters a desire to learn more about history and visit museums to see other things that people in the past really used. That is so valuable and I'm sorry to see that part of Pleasant Company go away.

I am guilty of introducing my daughters to American Girl long before age 7. I read the stories a little at a time before bed to her, and she asks a lot of questions, she's 3. I also let her play with Samantha and Molly, because she says they look like her. She does have an outfit or two which match as well. My point is: She is a little girl, not a 'bitty baby', and I want her to learn about independent girls. When I buy her toys, I prefer wood, and natural materials, like when I grew up. No, I would not let her play with the wooden guitar at age 3, but when she shows the right amount of responsibility, I will be happy to take it down off the shelf for her to play with!
On a related subject, I have collected vintage little people since I was 3! And although taken off the market, give her a set from my era and a set from today, and she won't bat an eyelash at the new one.
Just one opinion, but I think quality should remain quality. There is enough mediocracy in the world today,let's not turn everything into plastic.

DD is in a wheelchair, so it's a necessity for our collection.If someone out here prefers plastic to the previous materials, I have a brand new in the box wheelchair I will happily trade for an old one.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ September 02, 2005 10:17 AM: Message edited by: luanne ]</font>

I am disappointed with the plastic guitar and Noah's Ark too. I think American Girl (or Pleasant Co) is very unique compared to other toy industries. They have always maintained their high quality standards. The fact that they have a life time guarantee on all their products, and they would spend extra effort making sure their historical items are accurate (I heard it take 3-5 years of time to develop a historical doll along with her books outfits etc), and they have the best customer service, etc., all these just differentiate them from the rest of the toy industries. So why would they downgrade themselvies now by changing the wooden guitar to plastic? I am confused. This is not even historically accurate. I doubt Felicity actually played a plastic guitar back in Colonial times. I am just as disappointed as the rest of you. I wonder if we should all write an email to their cs rep and express our disappointment? I still love all the new Felicity outfits though, just not the plastic accessories.

Gotta join in here too. A lot of it looks really cheap. Especially that stable set. And I just don't like the new look of the clothing. It just looks "cheaper," not as good quality as the old outfits. Sigh.

I was hoping we could get all the negativity and hurt and frustration out here so it doesn't spill over to other threads. . .not necessary of course, but I thought I'd bump it up for anyone else who might like to dump their guts here. :-)

Moo Moo

From a business standpoint, I can see why they would make the accessories plastic: wood ones were probably getting damaged too quickly during shipping and thus costing the company money, or they were getting broken and consumers were complaining to the company about them.

however, from a collector's point of view, it's disappointing, as all of you have said. They're not historically accurate, and let's face it, plastic tends to cheapen an item no matter what and we have come to expect things that are not cheap in quality from American Girl.

I'm not a fan of the new Lissie items, either. they've obviously decided to try to attract as many customers as possible and in exchange sacrifice quality, craftsmanship, and historical accuracy. but... corporations are ever-changing and they obviously decided this was the best for them right now.

on an optimistic note, keep in mind that their attitude could change in a few years, depending on feedback and sales reports from customers. It could happen.

From a historical costumer's prospective I'm dissapointed in the new felicity/elizabeth items. Yes the accessories being plastic is cheap and not at all historically correct, but the costumes being all one piece has begun to really bother me. Elizabeth's ball gown should be two pieces, as well as her meet dress. the tea gown could have been a one peice dress, but with the lace apron it would have most likely been a bodice over a petticoat with a lace apron over it. It couldnt have been that hard for American Girl to make a few parts to the costumes, like Pleasant Company did with Felicities origional collection.

Like mentioned above, it used to take years to develop a historical doll and her collection. I'm beginning to think that AG just throws things together to make them cost effective.

Overall I am very dissapointed in what has taken place with the quality of the historicals. At least they have kept the stories!!

Thanks for the thread to vent our emotions. Hopefully now that I have it out I'll move on [img]redface.gif[/img]

I guess I can understand the change from wood to plastic. But not metal to plastic. Felicity's new Chocolate Pot better be metal!

Felicity was the first doll I wanted to buy. I never had the money back then and by the time I did have money, Josefina arrived and stole her place. But Felicity is still very dear to me. The one thing I don't like about her isn't her accessories or clothes. It is the color of her hair! The old Felicity had pinkish-red hair, which didn't seem quite right. The new Felicity has reddish-brown hair which still isn't right. I want a Felicity who is a true redhead. If they ever make her hair redder, I'll buy her in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julia

I didn't begin collecting until 5 years ago so I don't have a sentimental attachment to anything PM. I am going to reserve my judgement until I actually get to AGP and see the items for myself. Sometimes, it takes me awhile to get used to change but then I start liking it. Auri just posted a favorable review of many of the items, so I am hopeful.