I'm so out of it!

[annkirstin]

This tells you all how busy I am and how long I've been away from the board--

I just TODAY went to the AG site to see if the new mystery books were released yet, and saw the new outfits and accessories! How long have they been out? I bet you guys knew about them before that too. It seems like I used to be the first one to know about everything and now I am the last. Ah, life!

I'm disappointed in the new outfits, though. They don't have *anything* to do with the new books, and they aren't even for the same girls who got new books, except Samantha! And Samantha's bike is another continuity problem for AG--her bike wasn't three wheeled, it was two wheeled (that's why she had problems learning how to ride it) and it wasn't Uncle Gard's from the carriage house, it was a gift to her from Gard & Cornelia (I think--it's been awhile since I read that book). How hard would it have been to have made the bike match the book? It seems to me that AG is just releasing new outfits and accessories for the sake of new outfits and accessories, and through that strategy, continuing to de-emphasize the importance of the books and reading, which was so important to the historical line at first. It seems all they really care about is keeping people in a cycle of buying, not enhancing the relationship between the books and the dolls by integrating the outfits and accessories with the books, which I think was the whole POINT in the beginning. Anyone else feel this way, esp. anyone who fell in love with the old AG in the 80's and early 90's?

[cami713]

The new stuff premiered on Monday, the 14th.

I, personally, like most of the outfits. But, I do agree with you that AG needs to step it up and have more continuity with the books. The books ARE the core of the AG collection, but AG seems to just be ignoring that fact.

I do commend them for making new books. I don't think the Mysteries would have EVER happened during PM days, but obviously it doesn't even out.

I'd *guess* that part of the reason for the 3-wheeled bike is that some people might just say a two-wheeler was too similar to the Molly one they just retired. Even though the style and make would be totally different, it would be awfully similar.

[Samanthasmom]

Since we are pretty new to AG we have both been reading the books and last night we read Samanthas blue bicycle... I loved the book so did Dd , so I acutally thought the new bike would have been at least blue [img]confused.gif[/img] The book was so good and and it reminded me of the days when my DD learned to ride a two wheeler.. sort of the it at first you dont succeed try try again.. Well I love the new bike I think it is really adorable...but it has nothing to do with the book at all , not in color or in appearance. [img]eek.gif[/img]

[annkirstin]

Man, this place is hoppin'--I just posted this earlier today and it's already on page 3!! [img]eek.gif[/img]

[Katie from IL]

These outfits were a continuation of the "trading cards outfits" that was released last time-Red's Fan Outfit, Croquet Outfit, etc. These outfits don't have corresponding books(I wish they did). They come with trading cards that tell part of the story, I guess. Sam's bloomer outfit and tricycle were part of a completely different story. I guess Sam got tired of falling off that bike so she rode Uncle Gard's old one instead. Molly's bike probably is a better fit to Sam's Blue Bicycle in the story.

[jennifermarym]

Originally posted by Katie from IL:
These outfits were a continuation of the "trading cards outfits" that was released last time-Red's Fan Outfit, Croquet Outfit, etc. These outfits don't have corresponding books(I wish they did). They come with trading cards that tell part of the story, I guess. Sam's bloomer outfit and tricycle were part of a completely different story. I guess Sam got tired of falling off that bike so she rode Uncle Gard's old one instead. Molly's bike probably is a better fit to Sam's Blue Bicycle in the story.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wow! I had no idea about that. I haven't collected the Trading Cards, so I was unaware. I have to say though that I am really excited about Samantha's outfit and bike. I think they will be on the birthday list. Kit looks adorable too, but I don't have her yet so I won't give in to the temptation to buy for her.

[agdolls]

Originally posted by Ann, Samantha fan:
This tells you all how busy I am and how long I've been away from the board--

I just TODAY went to the AG site to see if the new mystery books were released yet, and saw the new outfits and accessories! How long have they been out? I bet you guys knew about them before that too. It seems like I used to be the first one to know about everything and now I am the last. Ah, life!

I'm disappointed in the new outfits, though. They don't have *anything* to do with the new books, and they aren't even for the same girls who got new books, except Samantha! And Samantha's bike is another continuity problem for AG--her bike wasn't three wheeled, it was two wheeled (that's why she had problems learning how to ride it) and it wasn't Uncle Gard's from the carriage house, it was a gift to her from Gard & Cornelia (I think--it's been awhile since I read that book). How hard would it have been to have made the bike match the book? It seems to me that AG is just releasing new outfits and accessories for the sake of new outfits and accessories, and through that strategy, continuing to de-emphasize the importance of the books and reading, which was so important to the historical line at first. It seems all they really care about is keeping people in a cycle of buying, not enhancing the relationship between the books and the dolls by integrating the outfits and accessories with the books, which I think was the whole POINT in the beginning. Anyone else feel this way, esp. anyone who fell in love with the old AG in the 80's and early 90's?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

[agdolls]

Ann,

My apologies for the earlier blank post. I'm new to the hostboard... and still trying to figure out how to post, etc.

Anyway, you are definitely NOT alone. I've been collecting these dolls for about 15 yrs. Pleasant Rowland was an educator. She was personally motivated to use dolls to teach American history, promote good values, and encourage self-esteem in young girls. Even the AG Place Store and American Girls Review were part of her initial concept. Pleasant Rowland created magic. The dolls, books, outfits, accessories, crafts packages, cookbooks, book recordings, musical tapes, video tapes, doll patterns, paper dolls, computer software, etc., it was all planned from the start to interconnect, mesh, support, and reinforce each aspect of the business. It was all a total package... never meant to be a piecemeal concept.

I cannot begin to describe my disappointment when I learned the drastic way that American Girl started whittling down the collections of the historical dolls. I have enjoyed my dolls so much... so very much. It has saddened me to realize that new and upcoming collectors won't be able to collect many items that were once considered basic stock.

And now? We don't even have 'historical' dolls anymore... now that they're referred to as 'character' dolls.

What the Mattel Corp did was to buy the goose that laid the golden egg. Why? They were financially in trouble. From the start, they never intended to run the company the way that Pleasant Rowland did. In the business world, mergers rarely mean good news for the company being purchased. Assets are often sold for quick, short term profits. What is good for the company in the long term is disregarded.

Now? American Girl seems to focus primarily in the short term. Their emphasis seems to be what is quick, convenient, and inexpensive to produce. They don't seem to care to do too much in the way of historical research. Nor do they seem to care about continuity or sticking to the original stories.

Frankly, I'm so glad that I have been able to collect all the dolls that Pleasant Rowland had a hand in... Kit being the last.

More and more, it seems to me that comparing "The Pleasant Company" to "The American Girl Company" is like comparing apples and oranges. Yes, they might be in the same category. However, they're in a totally different class.

Personally, I no longer automatically think 'quality' when I think of American Girl products. Now? I've learned that while some products seem to be well up to the kind of standards that Pleasant Rowland once maintained... others are far from it. As a result, I'm becoming much more selective in what I'm choosing to buy. Sometimes? I am just grateful that I know how to sew, knit, crochet, and have the imagination that it takes to come up with my own craft projects.

Truly, the good news is that Mattel does not hold a copyright on fun, creativity, or our wallets. We do have choices. Those of us who continue to have an inner child know this.

agdolls

Originally posted by Ann, Samantha fan:
This tells you all how busy I am and how long I've been away from the board--

I just TODAY went to the AG site to see if the new mystery books were released yet, and saw the new outfits and accessories! How long have they been out? I bet you guys knew about them before that too. It seems like I used to be the first one to know about everything and now I am the last. Ah, life!

I'm disappointed in the new outfits, though. They don't have *anything* to do with the new books, and they aren't even for the same girls who got new books, except Samantha! And Samantha's bike is another continuity problem for AG--her bike wasn't three wheeled, it was two wheeled (that's why she had problems learning how to ride it) and it wasn't Uncle Gard's from the carriage house, it was a gift to her from Gard & Cornelia (I think--it's been awhile since I read that book). How hard would it have been to have made the bike match the book? It seems to me that AG is just releasing new outfits and accessories for the sake of new outfits and accessories, and through that strategy, continuing to de-emphasize the importance of the books and reading, which was so important to the historical line at first. It seems all they really care about is keeping people in a cycle of buying, not enhancing the relationship between the books and the dolls by integrating the outfits and accessories with the books, which I think was the whole POINT in the beginning. Anyone else feel this way, esp. anyone who fell in love with the old AG in the 80's and early 90's?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

[annkirstin]

Originally posted by agdolls:
Personally, I no longer automatically think 'quality' when I think of American Girl products. Now? I've learned that while some products seem to be well up to the kind of standards that Pleasant Rowland once maintained... others are far from it.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ditto for me too, unfortunately. [img]frown.gif[/img]

[megaagfan1]

I think that the reason they made it a 3 weeler, is b/c if it was a 2 weeler, it would look alot like Molly's old bike. I don't have either, so I wouldn't know, but that's just my opinion! It makes sense to me! I really like it being a 3 weeler! It's cute!