I bought DD #24 right after her release and her vinyl wasn't that hard. In the last year or two I've noticed that the vinyl on all of the dolls, but especially our Marisol, is harder than it used to be. We've never received a doll with a plastic neck tie except the one time I forgot to write a note and the hospital sent a doll home with one. I don't like the plastic ties because I can't do repairs on a doll with them. But the strings can be bothersome, especially with a two-piece bathing suit.