I'm a long-time collector...

I wouldn't care about the zip tie if it didn't decrease the doll's value. A few of mine came back from the hospital with zip ties and I actually liked it. It was cleaner and the strings didn't show if they were wearing stuff that didn't have a high back. Plus, sometimes the strings on the old dolls break with age and tightening/loosening here and there. At any rate, it's not really a factor to me. I can get the same basic string from JoAnns and just replace the zip ties if I want, which I've done before too. Easy fix.

I could care less about the chubby vs. skinnier thing too. I love my PMs and how cuddly they are, but to be honest the M tighter bodies do fit clothing more nicely oftentimes. So each has its advantage.

Now the eyelashes I feel very strongly about. PM was way better IMO. Dolls without black hair should not have black eyelashes. It makes them look like they're wearing mascara. I still have bought quite a few M dolls, but it bugs me. I want Nellie to have strawberry blonde lashes to match the rest of her face. I want my #21 to have blonde lashes.

I love all my girls but I do wish AG would stick with the higher quality wigs and eyes. Some of the new wigs are awfully thin too. I love my Jess, but I think her hair is quite thin and I don't like to have it down for that reason. All my old PMs have tons and tons of hair.