Fake, out!
Dear American Girl Place,
You promise that “lessons of love, friendship, courage, compassion, and tolerance are at the heart of every American Girl story." Please read on, to find out how right you are!
Thank you so much! I was really struggling out here in impoverished brownstone Brooklyn, trying to figure out how to explain to my six-year old daughter about the
importance of labels, and of the superiority of expensive things.
Etta had heard from pals at (public) school that American Girl Dolls were just fabulous, but when we looked at the website and saw the prices, we warned her that if she really really wanted one for Christmas, she wouldn’t be able to get too many fun doll accessories and other stuff. Plus, she has a 3 year old sister, and it would have been really hard to find a way to sit on top of Piper for the next three years to keep her from touching the impeccable and thoughtfully priced American Girl Doll.
Silly Etta, she chose to spend her own money (a mere $29.99!) a few weeks before Christmas last year, on an 18-inch doll at Target. The doll’s name is Gracie, and she came with a ballet outfit and several clever accessories.
You’d think the doll would be extra special for her because she earned every penny she paid for it, and you know what? You’d be right! It was special! She loved it. And she got another one for Christmas (named Robin) and her three year old sister got her very own Target doll too. Named Vicki, I think (but who can keep track of these random names, those dolls didn’t even come with books!). We weren’t so worried about the damage Piper would inflict on her cheap doll. We actually thought her doll was kind of cute (again, silly us!).
Poor thing, Etta thought she was lucky to have all of these great dolls--and she had loads of fun dressing them, carting them around, treating them like special little baby dolls. How on earth were we going to explain to her that her dolls weren’t REAL dolls and didn’t deserve her love and affection?
What were we going to do?!
American Girl Place to the rescue!
When her friend Julie invited her to go to the American Girl Place to have her doll’s hair styled, Etta was thrilled. “Come spend a day you’ll never forget!” the website promised. And boy did you deliver.
Frommers Guide to New York says “don’t forget to bring [your] favorite doll so it can get a makeover at the store’s own doll salon.” I know it’s craaaaazy that a Target fake (that cost only $29.99 of Etta’s real saved money!) would be her favorite doll but it was.
At least it used to be.
Back when she thought it was real.
She’ll never forget the feeling of waiting in line at the salon. The anticipation, the special feelings welling up in her body. She’d spent extra time in the morning dressing Gracie for the outing. Etta dressed extra-pretty too. Well, sort of thrift-store pretty. Hand-me-down pretty. Not expensive pretty. But she went off with her head held high. Feeling pretty and important and deserving. Courageous little girl.
When she got to the front of the line she was shown a menu of hairstyles to choose from for her doll. Her friend’s mom was surprised that the price had gone up from $10 a doll to $20, but Julie had earned this reward (and, as luck would have it, Etta really needed to learn a lesson), so it would be worth it.
“This isn’t a real doll!” the stylist exclaimed. (Thank your stylist!--we never would have had the heart to explain it that way!). And to prove that a fake doll isn’t worth the plastic she’s molded out of, she refused to do the doll’s hair.
I’m not sure exactly what’s in it for your company, because you still stood to make $20 off of my daughter for doing the fake doll’s hair. I have two thoughts on that. Either her $20 wasn’t worth the same as someone else’s $20 (in which case I’ve learned something new too!) OR it was worth the $20 to you to be able to be the one to break the news to, I mean, to *enlighten* my little girl. You do promise to teach little girls, don’t you?
And she cried and cried and cried, and your stylist held her ground. That was a good lesson for her too. That feelings don’t have a place in "the heart of Manhattan’s prestigious shopping neighborhood" (another quote from your website).
And did you realize how loyal to you all the other mommies in line were? You’d have been proud of them.
One chided Etta for not knowing she couldn’t bring a fake doll to the store. Tsk tsk. She’s in first grade now and can read by herself (taught herself, in fact). She probably should have done the research. There’s another great lesson for her. (Thanks mom in line!)
One mom muttered to another that Etta probably couldn't afford a real one. Great hunch! She's six!
One mom just smiled and said "Well, American Girl Dolls aren’t for everyone, you know.” A sentence cleverly crafted to make Etta feel like someone cared about her but also to be aware that she really didn’t belong there in your fancy store with the other, richer, better girls. How compassionate!
So, another little girl had a life-changing experience at The American Girl Place!
Hooray for you!
To think, she might have gotten through first grade with her self-confidence intact!
As a former personal shopper at FAO Schwarz (the big one on 5th Avenue!), I know that rules can always be bent, and on-the-spot judgement calls are allowed. In some places, they actually have a ‘customer is always right,’ mentality. Ridiculous!
You’re no fool, American Girl Place! You’re in this to educate little girls. And educate Etta you did. She knows she’s inferior now. Knows her dolls are worthless. Knows her feelings don’t matter. Knows that fake dolls (even fake dolls willing to shell out $20 for an up-do!) won’t be tolerated.
You say that at American Girl, a girl "chooses the friend that’s just right for her--with a story true to the character or one she creates all her own.” I can’t wait to see how Etta adjusts her own self-image to match what she’s learned about her worthless doll!
As promised, her experience at your store gave her "memories she’ll cherish forever." You cared enough to realize that there’s a limit to what I can teach her at home and you rushed in and offered up some good old-fashioned and completely unforgettable public humiliation!
Good job!
Forever grateful,
Etta’s mom.
1,041 comments:
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I guess while money can buy american girl dolls, it still can't buy class. What a shame!
That's absolutely hideous. I hope that stylist gets her peep-toe pumps stepped on by her next soon-to-leave boyfriend.
No, there is nothing wrong with a Target doll. Yes, Etta is six years old. But did you honestly expect this store to cater to something out of their brand? This is ONE experience. Just ONE. American Girl teaches girls a lot of things, and instead of getting her doll's hair done your daughter should've picked up an outfit instead. It is almost the same price, and lasts longer.
As someone who is part of the American Girl Doll "generation", (i.e, they basically first came out when I was a little girl)I think that anyone who is resolving to take away AG dolls that their kids already have is just ridiculous. You say Etta loves that Target doll over the others? Great. These other kids, however, probably have the same love for their AG dolls, and they don't know or care about brands and how expensive it is: that's not why they like them so much. It certainly wasn't why I did, and my family was very middle class and I had two of them. I simply wasn't interested in other dolls. I never had the impression that AG was "an elitist crowd" or any type of "crowd", really, because honestly? When your kid wants something that badly, even if it's expensive, you do what you can even if you don't always have the means right away. My close friends all had one, and I can assure you that none of them were "rich". That being said, I acknowledge how much money my parents put away on them; but they were a really big part of my childhood at the same time. Don't deny your kids something they love because of stupid ass principals (based on one frankly, questionable story) that they won't even fully understand. All they'll see is you taking away their favorite toy for no reason. *rolls eyes*
So basically, I think the key phrase in all this should be "grain of salt."
Maybe I am an elitest snob b/c my own six yr old has 3 AG dolls. No, I am not rich just a regular "suburban" mom. My mom and I split the cost of her first doll. When we were in NYC my DD bought he 2nd doll w/her b-day and Christmas money she had saved up and this past Christmas she received her 3rd and last one. I did see the doll salon when we were there and I did think it was pricey luckily for me my DD didn't even acknowlege it. While I am extremely sorry this happened to Etta there are usually two sides to every story and I would like to hear the stylists and AG's takes.
Hey Melissa and the various hater anons (or maybe you're all the same person?): wow, way to go. Brilliant to side with a corporation over a 6-year-old.
This has nothing to do with *other* girls and their dolls... this was about one kid whose heart was broken in the name of branding. What parent wouldn't be furious? Perhaps you or a family member work for AG...? I hope so. Otherwise, your comments are really inexcusable.
"Learning that I make mistakes, lie, mean well, and would manipulate any situation in their favor if I could."
-Etta's Mom, Jan 22, 2007
I would love to see an update, or formal apology, by Etta's mom.
If she is an unsatisfied customer, I see maybe a coupon in store for her. But as to validating this story? Not gonna happen, because we can dig out the security cameras to see what happened.
And, did Etta's friend proceed to have her doll's hair styled while Etta watched? That was an interesting detail that could have been embellished to write an entirely different kind of blog.
Update, please!
"Learning that I make mistakes, lie, mean well, and would manipulate any situation in their favor if I could."
-Etta's Mom, Jan 22, 2007
Hmmm, LIE and MANIPULATE ANY SITUATION for your kids, huh, Etta's mom? That's a refreshing line of truth in your blogging.
Her child had been to american girl place before so this woman is hardly the innocent victim.
Read her other entries before being so quick to jump to her defense.
http://oneofthosehorriblemoms.blogspot.com/2006/12/is-for-awful.html
HAHA OH WOW.
I mean, seriously.
This is a message I just sent to American Girl via their website:
Re: American Girl Place and Etta, the Six Year Old
http://oneofthosehorriblemoms.blogspot.com/2007/03/fake-out.html
You should know by now what happened at your store. I am disgusted the actions of your "stylist" precipitated the cattiness of arrogant soccer moms in line with their own little American princesses.
The classism demonstrated in this scenario is exactly the opposite of what our country was founded on.
Your company owes this child an apology. Until then (and maybe indefinitely), I have decided to boycott your store.
Sincerely,
ARB
Human Being and Stepmother of 3 Year-Old
This blogger should be ashamed of herself. Yes, yes, the internets is serious business, but if you're going to accuse a major corporation of something like this, after admitting that you will lie and exaggerate to turn a situation to your kids favour, you should at least have the balls to name names and dates and what not. And it you really are so put out about all of this, let's see a follow blog where you send a formal complaint to the company instead of simply bitching away in your journal where you're sure to get lots of sympathy from fellow mothers.
-cassievalentine on livejournal (Where the cool kids are)
I can't believe people are actually falling for this nonsense. Come on, guys, grow some brains and learn to read things and think for yourselves!
This is fun. I can't wait to read the lawsuit by AG's lawyers. That will probably cost you, Etta's mum. Who will finance your trips and shopping sprees then? Probably your supporters here...
People, how can you be so gullible? Wait, don't answer that. You were AG customers in the first place, right?
Etta's mom really should pay damages to the company because of any MINOR problems they encounter because of this. You can't go around making false accusations like this, be it against an individual or a company.
Etta's mom, you've lived up to your self-imposed name. You are horrible.
"I LIE...AND WOULD MANIPULATE ANY SITUATION."
...but please believe my blog because my child had a tantrum in public and it was embarassing.
Sincerely full of lies,
Etta's Horrible Mom
I hope that Etta does decide to get a beautiful outfit from Emily Rose's collection. Those are some beautiful clothes and even the new Emily Rose was reasonable. I hope that she can design some clothes and win more clothes for Gracie.
You are very smart, Etta. I work with a second grader who can barely read. His mother wants him to be dumb and different. He's in my class because he is so far behind his classmates and special ed. Just keep up the good work. You will go far, Etta. You and Gracie can change the world. You got a start on it now.
Love,
Aharon and Eli's Mom and Cabbage Patch Kid lover, still today
My daughters have American Girl dolls. I am not against American Girl but I am against people being unkind to children and having all the anonymous comments that put down this post make the situation even worse. I am so sorry your daughter was treated badly and that you have had so many mean comments to the blog post. I blogged about this at my blog, whitetrashmom.com. I hope you get some good karma from the readers of my blog.
I was directed to your post by White Trash Mom...and in reading the comments I am appalled at the commenters who are giving you grief. I guess it goes to show you that the stylist is not alone in being an ignorant, elitist jerk.
I'm so sorry that Etta experienced this, as it will surely stick with her for a long time.
Years ago, I refused to buy one of these dolls for my husband's daughter, and will never buy one for my own daughter either. I always thought they were way overpriced for what they were (and at that price, I'd feel compelled to preserve the damn thing in an impenetrable lucite box) and all of the marketing that goes with it.
To see the elitism that they encourage is all the more revolting.
Best to you--and your sweet, resourceful daughter.
You've probably heard this a million times over, but I'm absolutely disgusted with the treatment your daughter received.
Like the bitch of a stylist, I also work in retail targeted at children, and we would never, ever have acted that way. It's absolutely natural to service products that weren't bought from us. Even if there's a policy against it (and there isn't to my knowledge), to deny a child would be so heartbreaking, I just couldn't do it.
I did tell my friends and family about your experience.
I hope your daughter is feeling better. Honestly, a doll she worked for and bought herself is much more valuable than any brand name.
Kudos to you for holding your cool. I wouldn't have been able to do that.
It embarrasses me that they are in New York.
Bastards.
I really hope you sent that on to the parent company, as well as calling and speaking to the manager of that "stylist"
I'm going to go ahead and guess that there isn't a company policy against doing a "fake" doll's hair, and that someone was just being a bitch, pardon my french.
And those other mothers? I hope their little girls are never made to feel the way they made your little girl feel.
Hmm, a likely story - but far too over-the-top melodramatic for my liking. Heck, it's worse than some human interest pieces in trashy magazines.
If the store tells you to bring your own American Girl doll - why bring another? Or are you deliberately looking to start an issue?
If what you are saying is true, then fine, it's terrible - but frankly, I think you're just piling on the drama.
To the person who commented on the fact this is giving AG publicity - too true! I'm in the UK and have never heard of AG until now. What beautiful dolls they are. Sadly, I have no children and all my younger sisters are older teenagers, so I guess I'll just buy the Victorian doll for myself...
...I'm 'poor' too. Would that make me elitist?
As an employee of a place with rules, I'm very disappointed in your reaction to a legitimate claim on the part of the AGP employee. It's our JOB to enforce the rules. If you don't enforce the rules, you get fired.
Not all doll hair is created equal. I have one of the Target dolls. I also have 8 American Girls. Would I take a Target doll to an AG stylist? Heavens no!!! Her hair would be destroyed because it isn't of a quality that can endure the sometimes rough treatment necessary to give an AG a beautiful hair-do.
How would you have reacted had the stylist said "Yes, I'll fix Gracie's hair", and then Gracie's wig proceeded to be totally ruined. The stylist knew that's what would happen because she's trained in the care of doll hair and she would know that Battat uses cheap materials that could never stand up to the process. How would you have felt if Etta had come back with a ruined doll and in tears because her beloved doll was ugly now?
That scenario is precisely why the stylist said no. Would you rather she lose her job?
Having been in AGPNY myself, I'm pretty sure you're exaggerating every single little thing that happened. Before you pass such blatant and harsh judgement, check the place out yourself and go see what American Girl Place is really all about. If you get past your silly little soapbox, you and Etta could have a grand time.
And AG's cost so much because they're made to last. I've had my first doll for 13 years with lots of rough play. She's still in wonderful condition. I would rather pinch my pennies and get my girl a doll that would last instead of a truly cheap knock-off who's hair is going to start falling out. My Target doll had such awful hair that I put a new wig on her.
And just FYI, AG clothes don't fit Target dolls. The Target dolls are too skinny and badly proportioned. Gracie would look awful in them.
(the price for styling at the AG salon has been $20 since it opened)
Thank god my Marbles don't want one of these dolls. I have been in the American Girl store in Chicago. It freaked me out!
I do have to agree that the Target dolls hair turn to dreadlocks in the matter of days....I threw away the two my Marbles had...
Without knowing all the details, it's hard to comment. Perhaps the doll's hair could not have stood up to the styling - but if that was the case, surely the hairstylist could have explained that. All it takes is saying, "I'm sorry, honey. You have a beautiful doll, but the hair is different from an "American Girl" doll's hair, and I'm afraid that styling may ruin it. I don't want to hurt your lovely doll." Then, if possible, offer something else that wouldn't harm the doll - either some token treatment on the house, or - hey! - maybe something else that's even profitable.
In any case, it sounds as if the situation was mishandled by a number of "adults" who should have known better. I just recently watched "Breakfast at Tiffany's" again, and the scene where "Fred" and Holly ask about getting a Cracker Jack prize engraved should be part of this (or any) company's training in customer service.
When the events are verified, I'll join in and say poor Etta. Untill then, I don't believe a word of it.
not only is "etta" a terrible name, i don't believe a word of your story, and all the idiots chiming in with "OMG i will destroy my child's toys" are even bigger morons than the OP.
WTF is wrong with you people, seriously?
They are all sheep-they'll believe anything I tell ya!
Pathetic! :-)
This is where I predict we will see this. If there are video cameras at the location, I Hope Etta's mommy doesn't get sued by the company.
Slander and libel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
“Libel” redirects here. For other uses, see Libel (disambiguation).
For "liable", see Liability.
In law, defamation is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may harm the reputation of an individual, business, product, group, government or nation. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against criticism.
The common law origins of defamation lie in the torts of slander (harmful statement in a transitory form, especially speech) and libel (harmful statement in a fixed medium, especially writing but also a picture, sign, or electronic broadcast), each of which gives a common law right of action.
"Defamation" is the general term used internationally, and is used in this article where it is not necessary to distinguish between "slander" and "libel". Libel and slander both require publication. The fundamental distinction between libel and slander lies solely in the form in which the defamatory matter is published. If the offending material is published in some fleeting form, as by spoken words or sounds, sign language, gestures and the like, then this is slander. If it is published in more durable form, for example in written words, film, compact disc and the like, then it is considered libel.
I would say libel and I hope it happens. If this happened to my business I would take legal action.
Etta is only 6 and American Girl Dolls are for ages 8 and up. She should NEVER have been put in that situation BY HER MOM! I do feel sorry for Etta, but not because of what the stylist said. And dramatizing the situation to the point of LIBEL, SLANDER, and DEFAMATION? Bad move, Etta's mom. I foresee more angry blogs in your future.
i did not even know what an American Girl doll was until i read this story. i like your blog 'horrible mom'. i am a new mom and like reading about other experiences. But damn, how crappy this sounded. I'm sorry to hear about this and hope Etta feels better soon. i know i did not grow up having all the 'in' things and there were 6 of us siblings..but i grew up into a pretty good person :)
asll the best,
jenne the Niftywench
Yup, this is classic libel:
1) it's false, and the writer knows it.
2) it's malicious (the writer wrote it to cause harm)
3) it's damaging (AG is clearly being damaged by this claim).
Oooh, the dollie defenders are out in force! And insulting a kid's name...that's just too low. Etta is a great name and she sounds like a great kid. Why "must" this story be false? Because *GASP* American Girl Place wouldn't ever? Yeah, right.
Who the hell gets online and makes fun of a little girls name? What is wrong with you? You are a terrible person.
We all know that people who are mean to children have a very special place...in hell. I choked up when I read this. What a worthless bitch that stylist was.
I want to know the end of this story. Did the store do anything when you contacted them? DID you contact them at all? I believe more and more that this is extremely exaggerated, since you are not updated us. It is irresponsible to post such a fiery blog, and then not follow up.
Shame on that stylist and on AG!
a girl posted this response on facebook... it makes a lot of sense to me.
"yes...There are actually a lot of unanswered questions to this...Turns out she is actually quite sarcastic and dramatic (read her other posts...and doesn't her "title name (screen name or whatever)" say that she is sarcastic or whatever?)..
She was never at the birthday party, so how did she quote those mothers? Highly doubt it was from her 5 year old who was so distraught from the stylist who didn't want to take her doll...
The reason WHY AG cannot take another form of a brand doll and do their hair, is because it is a different make...a different head, different hair, different way it's made, etc. Therefore, AG is not trained to do other dolls hair...what if something goes wrong when styling the hair? Lawsuits, perhaps? Arguements? Most likey, because apparently this lady never stops!
The mother is blatenly holding a grudge over something that wasn't really all that bad...A child can quickly get over it...
But people shouldn't say that they are going to stop buying AG products, when they really haven't sought out all the facts over this ONE ordeal. It would be more idealisitic to state such a decision if it happened to many, many people. But AG is actually rated one of the best Customer Services in Retail (and I know this because I work in Retail and I see the stats).
Just something to think about before you (or anyone else) regrets their purchases! :)"
I doubt this is the whole story, and I think it was totally blown out of proportion. Hopefully AG will look into this and sue her ass if its not.
American Girl Dolls are ugly and over priced ,(This comming from a person who owns dolls that cost over 800 a pop ) Volks super Dollfies.
Of course American Girl dolls are not as ugly as their customer service and retail employees attitudes.
That's terrible what happened at the store. But I must say, I LOVE American Girl dolls and own many of them. I think they are beautiful dolls, and expensive. And don't think I'm a rich snob. That is very rude and untrue.
Uh, actually I don't believe all that happened. I don't think the woman at the doll salon said that. If she did, THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD HATE THE WHOLE COMPANY!!!! It was that one women. And I know it's a fib that all the women behind you in line said those things. Now you should not think that American Girl Dolls are bad and everyone who owns one are brats. THAT IS UNTRUE AND THE MEANEST AND IDIOTIC THING TO SAY ON THE INTERNET!
I hope soon you post that most of what you wrote were lies.
And it's sort of hard to understand what you said...did you WANT your 6 year old to know dolls weren't real? If that's true, you're a bad mom. She's 6 and has a wild imagination. You shouldn't ruin this now. There's absolutely NOTHING wrong for beliving.(sorry if I read the story wrong and you were just exaguarting)
For you naysayers, she most likely got the quotes via the mother of Julie, her daughter's friend and the birthday girl, who chaperoned both girls.
It's obvious there were many exaggerations to this story (even if the friend's mom was the source, I'm sure emotion was the fuel for this fire). But I can understand your anger. Who wants their child to be disappointed and their feelings hurt? However, as it has been pointed out many times here, why didn't you call the store ahead of time to make sure they would service a non-American Girl doll? If the store did not have a clearly stated policy on this matter, they should defintely do so soon and post it where people could see it coming in the door. And also, I didn't read where you personally called the store to speak with the store manager. That should have been the first thing you did, and your starting point for your complaint. If the store manager did not handle your complaint to your satisfaction, you should ask for their supervisor/regional manager and so forth. It is so easy in this technical age to just type a complaint on a blog and do nothing else, when you haven't given the company a chance to make this up to you. Teach your daughter to stand up for herself and the proper chanels to do so! Please update us on how this has resolved.
Alicia
Please note the words you are about to read are coming from a 8 year old child!
Etta's mom is such a liar. She shouldn't have lied to Etta about the doll was a real American Girl doll. The stylist said the truth. It was all the MOM's fault. She shouldn't lie to her daughter. What if the doll's hair fell off when the stylist used the wig brush? You would have to spend another $29 to get another doll. Those who say American Girl was wrong YOU were wrong.
Good job intentionally setting your poor kid up to be traumatized, if this even happened at all and the stylist wasn't just avoiding turning the doll into a bald $30 mildew pie.
Wow, I'm personally amazed that Etta "taught herself to read" and could remember everything that was said, not only by the store employee, but by the mothers in line. What a smart child for six years old!
I can understand the store's refusal to style a doll's hair that they did not manufacture. Doll hair can be made from a variety of substances and will react in different ways to shampoos and setting gels (this is from the woman who had several green-haired Barbie dolls as a child).
Instead of sending random complaints about your poverty level and treatment at the hands of a corporate employee who probably gets less than $10 an hour for her work, teach your daughter how to send a complaint letter to the proper authorities instead of whinging on about it all over the Internet.
Finally, I hope your next trip abroad is much better as your next trip to the spa. Please don't 'poor mouth' me and talk about your poor kid wearing hand-me down, thrift shop clothes as she clutches her 'not-an-American-Girl-Doll' to her chest and cries bitterly as she parrots everything said over an hour's trip. I don't buy it. But, I don't seem to be gullible either.
I feel sorry for little Etta and can quite believe the mothers story.
I am so glad I am British, we tend to have a different mentality to Americans and reading some of the nasty, spiteful comments left by people claiming Etta's mother is a liar and making degrading comments about Etta's name etc just makes me understand WHY most of Europe think the way they do about American women.
Wow!! Notice all the mean comments come from "anonymous" lol! I believe your daughter. My Older son was able to read at 3 1/2 and memorized all the cars and makes. He is 12 now and highly gifted.
Maybe Etta can teach some of these "anonymous" parents a thing or two about compassion and the true riches in life. All these women who are being spiteful, including the stylist probably live poor and poverty level lives in intellect, feelings and spiritual. So they deserve the pity not your little girl. Now if you want I can always some deck them one ;)
~Yara from Cali
Wow Yara from Cali, it is funny to note your post is anonymous also. or do you consider it not anonymous because you put Yara from Cali? I'm Jan from S.C. and I know this woman is full of crap. It is good you live in Cali it is where you belong. As far as Etta and her lying mom goes she would have posted an update to the story if there was any truth to it. You see letters from AG saying they never heard of this. This lying wench of a mother is just trying to get you morons that believe everything you read to feel sorry for her.
This story hasn't been verified by anyone. The owrd on the internet is thatr it's totally fake. Read the rest of her blog and you may get a feel for whether or not this story is all real. I don't doubt the possibility that they turned her away for not having a real doll. I mean would we ask Louis Vitton to repair a fake purse and expect them to do it??? My doubts lie in the idea that so many grown women and an employee of such a respected store would treat a small child this way.
Also, no one knows Etta and everyone is saying how amazing and wonderful she is. Does everyone beleive everything they read?? If so, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
And I can't wait to see how long it takes her to remove this post. She hasn't replied to reporters or to the stores requests to make good.
Some of you are ridiculous!! Do you really think that AG would tell you that it IS true whether it is or not?? NO!! They arent going to let their GREAT reputation ruin b/c of this!! lol.. What if this is true?? Would you feel the same way? CRAZY PEOPLE!! What if this were YOUR daughter. Bet you would think differently then!!
To the poster who stated "what if this were your daughter... how would you feel"... I would never have sent my daughter to the AG store without first finding out MYSELF if they would in fact service a non-AG doll.
I posted previously (Anonymously, too... gasp!) where I stated that there was a better way to handle this disappointment for her daughter. I don't doubt that the basis for this story happened. Her daughter probably did bring her doll to the AG store and was turned away. How rudely she was turned away and how other mothers reacted is what is not factually known. And this mother cannot control that aspect of this situation. I don't think she realizes this, and that is what has her on this bent to do damage to AG as a whole. And that is wrong.
She can control this: her reaction to her daughter's disappointment and her handling of this situation. She should show her daughter to not just sit at a computer,and rant and exaggerate over life's little disappointments. She never did state if she actually called the store and spoke with the manager, or if after that failed to work if she tried the regional manager and so on. There are proper chanels to go thru to enter a complaint. We can all scream and cry and type complaints online... but only actual conversations with the parties involved will lead to a resolution.
It just seems that her story is based mostly on guilt that most moms feel when their child's feelings have been hurt and they weren't there to protect them. Its not her fault, that is so not what I am saying here. I just feel more prep work could have been done (and an FYI for the future) and more proactive steps could have been taken after the incident.
And for the poster hating on the anonymous posters on here.. anyone can sign a name, it does not mean that is their true name/identity nor does it validate their post more than others.
To Jennifer and all the others attacking this mother on her reaction to the situation:
Grow Up.
She has already stated the fact that it was advertised to bring your favorite doll - not a AG doll, just "your favorite doll". That would read to me and every other parent out there that it would mean *any* doll.
Comparing Coach purses to a doll is rather stupid, Jennifer. That's like comparing apples to oranges. How many kids do you have? None, I'll wager or else you wouldn't be so apt to attack this mother for doing the right thing by her daughter.
There was no need to humilate this little girl no matter how much you'd like to rationalize the behavior of this stylist or the mothers in line.
By the way since you're all willing to compare coach purses to dolls, my daughter has 4 build-a-bears and is still welcome to bring her well worn well loved "fake" build-a-bear in to have his fur brushed and dressed up in an outfit.
There is no need to bring down a child, and no matter what any of you think, yes, a 6 year old will remember this for a long time and it will affect her for a long time.
The people that are claiming that it's false advertisement and whatnot, it doesn't say to bring in your favorite doll on the American Girls website. According to the poster herself, it was said by 'Frommers Guide to New York'. Learn to read please.
Seriously. There hasn't been a follow up to the 'incident' and the story was highly sketchy in the first place. Why do poeople continue to believe this?
Louise said... - Well louise said we also know how the citizens of Northern Ireland feel about Britans. Not to mention the FACT that Plenty of Brits feel compelled tocome here to NY to shop so that they can get more bang for their hard earned buck, since you are all over taxed.
Europe is what happens when you thin out blood lines - All sorts of Nasty things happen.
Like Ettas Mom I am also a New Yorker, so I can spot her line of Crap a mile away.
Do I like American Girls - You Bettcha - They are well made and more then a little rugged. Do I wish they were a little more affordable yes, but un-like all the left wing nut jobs that are out in force I am willing to pay for quality items on my own dime and not someone elses.
I have been to AG Place - After my husband survived cancer and we thought my daughter deserved a treat - Best time she has had.
It probably should have been handled differently at AGP but this still doesn't deter me from going to the store and enjoying American Girl dolls. When I was at one of the stores, I never had before seen such nice, well-mannered kids in my life. I'm not a big fan of shopping around a lot of kids (I'm an adult doll collector) but the girls at AGP were sweet and polite and even said "excuse me." The moms I encountered were equally polite.
I honestly don't feel that AG should have to give Etta anything except maybe an apology from the stylist would be nice. I would have been more upset with the people in line though. The stylist was just doing her job and obeying the rules of her workplace. Sorry if I don't sound as sympathetic as the rest. Etta sounds like a great kid and her dolls are every bit as real as any dolls.
Etta's mom,
You have the strength to make this all right for Etta. She'll be fine, because you have the power of your convictions and are smarter than AG. Your story is totally unfortunate, but TYPICAL of the way Americans treat each other. AG is just a disaster of an idea if you have any hope of developing self-worth for your children. And I hope you are not a fake.
I am getting more and more upset with American Girl. My mom has a thrift store and I have several of the dolls, clothes, and accessories since they came in and I got them for free. Well, one of their outfits turned one of their dolls skin pink. I also saved up my money so I could purchase Elizabeth, the new doll and a friend for my thrift store Felicity. Elizabeth has pierced ears and she arrived with green ears from the earrings. I emailed AG about both of these things, and they did nothing about it. They never even responded. I am very disappointed and will probably not buy anything else from them. Thank you for telling your story so that others can beware. I am so sorry that it had to happen to your daughter though.
Has it occurred to anyone that all these people "calling bullshit", "LOL internets", "this obviously didn't happen", etc., might be Mattel moles? If this did happen exactly as written, or even not exactly as written but the essentials being true -- neither of which I would doubt for one minute -- don't you think they'd do everything they could to cast doubt on the story? In short, you've got no more reason to think it's bogus than I do to think it's plausible.
Why do I think it's plausible? Let's just say, without going into too much detail, that I've seen that upper-middle-class world up close (as in family), and there are plenty of people in it every bit as over-the-top nasty as OOTHM portrays, with the exclusionist values passed on to the children. And OOTHM wouldn't be the first affluent parent to be so because she saves, economizes ("thrift shop"), and gets special deals.
Why don't you contact snopes.com and ask them to investigate the story if you're so sure it's bologna?
M.N.
Whether you're being sarcastic or not is a mystery, but Etta's doll is anything but FAKE. Yes, it is not an American Girl, but it is (or at least was) her companion, her friend, almost like a real little girl. Any doll like that is defaintly not fake, or at least in my book.
Second, I am extremely disapointed in American Girl. Where is lovely, educational company it used to be? The world may never know. Shame on them for treating little Etta (a six year old!) like that. I know for a fact she worked hard to get the doll(s) she has, and that greedy, money-thirsty worker just said "This isn't from OUR company, so I refuse to serve you". That person's mind is full of screw-up and pure shit.
I am getting more and more upset with American Girl. My mom has a thrift store and I have several of the dolls, clothes, and accessories since they came in and I got them for free.
"Shame on you" for taking the dolls that people donate instead of giving a NEEDY CHILD the opportunity to own one.
Ettas MOM - YOU DO KNOW YOU are infringing on COPY RIGHT laws using those pictures don't you.
I love that people are taking the chance to tell Americans once again how lousy we are. I will remember that with the Next Tsunami, Earthquake or Volcanic Eruption etc etc etc. We are the first re-building and not expecting re-payment.
SHAME on all of you, but then you are all in the same class as Osama
Actually, my thrift store dolls were paid for at thrift store prices. The clothes and accessories were free because they were her payment. She worked there for free at the time. She deferred her payment to go to the school the store benefitted. And shame on you for making me try to feel bad. How do you know that I am not poor as well? I mentioned that I had to save for a long time to purchase Elizabeth. Please don't try to make judgments on situations you know nothing about. When you look for the bad in people, you will surely find it.
**peeks in**
Hey, anyone want to let me put a ring through your nose and lead you around? I heard there were tons of likely candidates here.
**crickets**
Ah, well. Be sure to let us know when you're getting rid of all your kids' AG stuff. Dates, times and dropoff locations would be most helpful. Thanksabunch. :D
Nimrods.
"She worked there for free at the time. She deferred her payment to go to the school the store benefitted."
Every other person I have know that worked in a Thrift Shop di so on a volunteer basis - If it was SA or GW they don't ALLOW workers to pick through the items. SO KMA.
For the people who complain about the price of AG
Look at how long people have had the dolls - They last forever. Long enough for more then one person to love them. Be it via E-Bay or THRIFT shops.
I love that we are called moles since we are defending the Company.
What are you all Mindless trolls. Ettas mommy came here to stir the pot. and to get all THE WORLD OWES ME nut jobs out.
I am so SICK and TIRED of gimme gimme gimme
I think she is, no I know she is Full of Bullshit.
My heart isn't broken Ettas mom is rasing another little lovely that believes the world owes her something just for breathing
"This doll is fake!" ... No, this STORY is fake.
Not all of us nay-sayers are Mattel moles (lol, as if the company cares). We just happen to use our share of common sense.
Also, note on the blatant consumerism this blog story reveals- no wonder the world approval rating of the US is so low. Do you really want this to be the image you present to the internet world at large? Spend less money at AG, and give more to the people who need it.
Who are you kidding with that 'the world owes me' stuff? If you are the capitalist you pretend to be, you should read the story more carefully; the kid earned and saved the money to buy the doll.
Until you can show me proof that this is a fake story, your lolz are meaningless. M.N.
Growing up, there was a time when my family was helped by unemployment and the WIC program, and my mom always even shopped around to find the best price on ramen. I'm in college now, and my mom passed away a few years ago. I still work hard, and am happy when I have a little bit of money left over after paying the rent. But apparently I'm one of those spoiled, snobby, elitist children, because I got to have an American Girl doll growing up. As a child, I loved learning about history, was enchanted with the stories of the historical American Girls, and decided to save my money so I could get myself one. My big brother, in the process of running away, broke into our house one day and stole, among other things, all the savings of his eight-year-old little sister. I was heartbroken. I think that is one of the reasons that my mother- a single parent who taught at a Catholic school- decided to scrimp and save and got me that special doll the following Christmas. I still cherish my Samantha doll. When I was in high school, I was proud to be able to add a Molly doll to my mother's collection of childhood dolls, since my mom loved how Molly's story was so much like her own.
Even now, when I have to walk a few miles into campus instead of paying for the bus, or wash my clothes in the bathtub because I can't afford laundry prices, I like to imagine I'm like one of the AG characters who lived during the Great Depression. Inherently, I think the values in the stories are good- it just stinks that obnoxious people have to ruin things. But I just wanted you to know that we're not all the snobby, elitist meanies that Ellie had the unfortunate experience to have encountered.
This past summer, I had a job offer at an American Girl place store, but, mainly for travel reasons, was unable to take it. I would like to assure you that, had I been at that store that day, your daughter would have gotten her doll's hair done. I believe that the company's founder began American Girl with actual principles in mind, and, though I'm not a huge fan of Mattel's takeover and subsequent shift of focus off of reading and history, I hope that the good values I see in the company's founding are what I reflect to my own niece as I read her the American Girls' stories and teach her about history- a subject that I love. I hope that whoever refused to style the doll's hair gets fired.
Oh, and, frankly, I do find the "fear of damaging doll hair" excuse just a bit ridiculous. Just run a search on youtube and you can see how brutally some of those "stylists" (most likely college-aged) treat the dolls' hair. Yes, with the way some of them yank, I can believe that the rooted Saran hair of a doll from Target would be yanked out and destroyed. But their methods are not particularly gentle to the American Girl dolls' wigged hair, either. If treated properly, there should be no problem styling a Target doll's hair with American Girl doll products. I've even used the wire wig brushes to make my niece's preschool-years dolls look like new again. The "stylists" are just in too much of a hurry to service everyone in line at those stores, though, and I'd advise not getting any doll's hair done there.
Oh, and a secret for Ellie: If you look in the collection of any "real" doll collector, you'll find many other dolls than just those American Girl dolls. Real doll lovers know that dolls aren't special just because a company tells us they are. Dolls are special because we, their owners, make them special. But I think you already knew that.
Another few books to add to others' reading suggestions for now and the future:
"Hitty: Her first Hundred Years"
(It's a doll story...really cute)
"Caddie Woodlawn"
(I second the suggestion of the Little House series- and all its spinoffs)
The Boxcar Children series is also wonderful.
"The Secret Garden"
The "Anne of Green Gables" series
Oh I am just so disgusted with the behavior of those women. Your poor daughter. I have 2 boys (one is 6, the other is 2) and I am pregnant with my first daughter and was considering buying her an American Girl doll to put away until she is older, but will not be doing so now. I will not give my money to a company that would allow their employees to treat a child that way and that would act so snotty. That is dispicable. That woman should be ashamed.. and should be FIRED for her behavior.
If that had happened to MY child, I would have raised holy h*ll. No one has the right to treat a CHILD that way no matter what the "rules" are. What ever happened to compassion and kindness???
BTW, I own more than 300 "real" dolls and not one of them is an American Girl doll.
I can promise you - I will never buy an American Doll.....
I agree that what happened to your daughter is unjust and patently ridiculous. I DON'T however think that Mattel or the American Girl company as a whole would condone or promote what the "stylist" said.
I would urge you to contact them directly. It sounds like one bad apple, rather than a company policy geared towards breaking childrens' hearts.
Etta is a spoiled brat. No means no. Take your shit doll elsewhere.
It is so sad. My duaghter has two AG dolls and went to the American girl place in Chicago. She had a blast, But she has to friends who have the target dolls (called "OUR GENERATION" and they are SOOOOO cute. I would just LOVE to punch that hair stlyist in the face. You should tell Etta that it dosen't matter ALL dolls are reals that women just wanted to have your doll be cuase it is cute. Thats how every one does things according to my duaghter. I hope you can get Ettas spirit up.
Read the blogs. Really. The other entries she's written make little mention of financial challenge and much of biweekly manicures, trips abroad, SoHo shopping, and trips to the spa. One even cited a birthday party at AGP, and the tone was that it was both done and overdone, a yawn at best.
One cannot both vouch poverty and live consumerism and expect to be seen as either consistent or honest. At least one of those conditions must be false, period.
I'm not claiming poverty. I have both kinds of money and they spend equally well, and I damned sure don't tie it up on biweekly manicures while calling a ninety-dollar doll expensive. It's inconsistent. She states that she just doesn't feel like responding to the brouhaha she has created. I wouldn't either, if I had to find a way to reconcile the whole implausible situation she's set forth.
This is a woman who can cite a Frommer's guide for effect, yet hasn't contacted management? This is the same woman who calls to order and have delivered curbside her purchases- yet we're expected to believe that she would tolerate piss-poor service?
Read the blogs, really. Etta's mother does well state her will to manipulate a situation for her own benefit. She's doing a wonderful job with the written word but needs to brush up on math. Her stories just don't add up.
It seems the Queen of Bullshit has abandoned her worthy subjects.
People wanted an update because your story was clearly an embellishment of an occurrence at which you were NOT present. You wrote the piece with a particular brand of soft hysteria and energetic hyperbole. Of course people would react - the situation you described was worthy of reaction.
Many people contacted the American Girl company - the reaction from them painted a much clearer picture - the customer service was not the problem, the "hyping it up" was. You told a second-hand account of something that can never be verified, then left people to wonder what the hell happened.
Grow up - even now you're ignoring the situation and taking a CYA attitude.
Love the poor little me attitude of I didn't know how to stop it from getting so big - of Course you took none of the freebies - you are probably trying to get over the whole slander/liable case AG is getting pre-paired for you
Wow. That is just awful. I am only a teen myself and I remember reading every one of those books and wishing that I had the Samantha or Josephine American doll even though I was more of a tom-boy. Many of the "popular"girls at school had them, but I knew that we did not have much money and so I never asked for one. I did not need one of them anyways for it was a material item and at that time in my life the only thing that I cared about was my dog, and I knew that nothing would of replaced her or my favorite stuffed animal in which every child has a favorite something. As long as you have that favorite something, who honestly cares if another girl has a better favorite something then she would definitely not be your friend and honestly who cares. You have your favorite and that is all that matters. It does not have to be something overly expensive to be your favorite.
Indeed, the "It's not my fault" excuse is ridiculous. Etta's mom wrote the thing and sat smugly by while it received mounds of attention! Things could have been done to control it. I hope there are some kind of legal consequences because of this. Sure, Etta's mom can rant on and on about whatever she wants to; it's her blog after all. I think the best thing Etta's mom could do now, at a minimum, is to edit her blog and insert "Doll X" or some such name in place of American Girl. Go ahead and rant and rage; but don't cause harm to people, groups, or companies while you do it. And I'd make sure to document the whole fiasco in Etta's scrapbook. It will provide endless amusement when she's older.
Just because it is your blog it is still posted publicly and cannot be used illegally...like for libel.
Take some responsibilty for your actions, Etta's mom. I'm amazed at how you've convinced yourself you are faultless for the AG fiasco as well as the blog fiasco. YOU made them both happen - own up.
I may be a little behind in posting, but reading so many of the responses I felt compelled to comment. We live in a world of "have" and "have not", it doesn't matter whether you feed into the materialism or not. Many of you have children in a similiar age range, as you can read from the responses. We all draw conclusions from what we have read. Obviously as a mother of three Etta's mother stays home with her children. It may be that is the only financially feasible option for her family. Day care costs unbelievable amounts of money. As a mother of two girls (11 and 7) I know the lessons that I want to teach my girls, but they get a whole different set at school. Children are mean, think about how the smart kids are poicked on, or the ones that wear glasses etc. The parents are often worse, pushing thier children to be something they want the child to be. We buy things for our children, but it is ever enough to "keep up with the Jones"? Name brand sneakers aren't enough, they have to be "real" wheelies. Limited Too outfits instead of the Target knock off. Kids comment, and they learn this from thier parents. I am not surprised at the reaction of the other parents at the Salon - I have seen many parents behave like children when they are among the "have" group. Many of you may not think $90.00 for a doll is excessive, and the doll itself is not, but these dolls can't wear anything but the AG clothes. The overall package is what is excessive - clothes, cribs, dressers, etc. You should not be boycotting an entire company over the sophomoric actions of a hand full of mothers. The company stands for something, the strength of females. They do not stand for the have or have not parents of the world. They want to instill in girls that they can be independent, strong, individuals. Whether you believe the story or not, many of us have heard parents comment regarding what they have and what others do not.
This story was unbelievably unfair for someone Etta's age to experience.
I am 12 years old, and I enjoy my four American Girl dolls. I had to earn three of them with Straight A's. My first one is a just like you doll, and I got her at around age 9.
What's wrong with a Target doll? They're still beautiful, and it's only a substitute for the American Girl Dolls. They are the same height, the same quality. They are almost the same thing!
Etta's dolls are beautiful and FINE, and Etta, hopefully, understands that her dolls are not "fake".
Another thing is that American Girl and the other doll brand are TOTALLY different from eachother. The other doll brand is not a copy of American Girl, AT ALL. American Girl and the other brand are made from different times, from different people.
I hope Etta understands fully that American Girl dolls are just a little pricey and that her dolls are differently unique and that they are problem-free.
This story relates to my cousin. She does not have enough money to afford an American Girl Doll, and since my mother just got a low-paying job, we will not be able to afford much more American Girl dolls, either. In fact, on my wishlist for my Kaya doll is Steps High, her horse, and that is probably all I will be able to have for Christmas.
Thank you and hope Etta's feelings get patched up real soon!
Geesh, take care of your child! You don't send a little urchin and a Target doll to an exclusive restoration salon! And then you blog it like this? The dormant attitude you describe in relation to your weight in the latest addition sheds a lot of light on your parenting philosophy as well. No, you don't have to run a marathon but lay off the cheetos and take a walk with your kids. Even bring along the knock off dolls if you want. But is it really necessary to continue on with this public whining and "look at me, I'm average" stuff? And buy an AG doll. It will be a keepsake your child will cherish. I bet the Target doll is a mess by now. $5 says its hair is a permanent tangle or the limbs are broken.
Before you call bullshit at OOTHM for doing obviously $$$ things while claiming to dress her kid in "thrift store" clothes and making her work to buy a cheaper doll;
I have an extremely wealthy relative. She has two lavish homes, belongs to two fancy country clubs and has a fancy car. You know what else she does? She flies coach. She shops at Costco and TJ's, and she buys a lot of her designer clothes at, yes, thrift shops and yard sales. She showed me a beautiful coat with some excruciating name brand, $500 new, she got it for $15. That is how she STAYS rich - by economizing, and investing. She also taught her daughters the value of $ in the same way this woman's doing. When I am rich, I will do the same. If this woman's story is false, her claiming to economize is not one of the things that gives it away. That's perfectly believable to me, because I've seen it. M.N.
It is so funny that a little girl's story has become about corporations, coffee, and blaming the mother ....wake up america....a little girls feelings were hurt ...think of the basics of life and how you felt when some thing like that happened to you. If we all took a little more time...we would see the real story but as usual everyone has to take something so simple and make it bigger than the simplicity of the story. Just move on and for get about the little girl who's feeling were hurt as she is the one who wanted to go.. Make sure america that you do not do the same to the little girl sitting next to you. take time to get to know everyone.. life passes to quickly
mom, i hope you talk with the supervisor. ask him for his supervisors name and his suporvisor. Take a note pad and take notes. tell them nicely and calmy what happened. Tell them how heartbroken you are and how people like that should not work there. The nerve! then star going up the ladder! go in and see if she still works there. get her name and file a complaint. They are recources online on "how to file a formal complaint" I'm so sorry your daughter had to go thru that. Be sure to tell the supervisors the hairstylist job was not to enlighten your daughter but to do her dolls hair!!! You do have a voice, and if the 1st supervisor dosent care, see if HIS boss cares and so on. Someone will eventually listen and do something. Take your daughter be nice and i hope they fire her ass!!!!
Maybe you should have checked with the store BEFORE you took your sweet little girl there...to see if they styled other brand dolls. It is the American Girl Place -- for American Girl branded things. You wouldn't ask for a Whopper at McDonald's or Gap clothing at Gymboree. I think the stylist was completely out of line -- as were the other mothers waiting -- but I wouldn't have taken my daughter to a store, knowing it sold only their brand dolls and expected service on another kind of doll.
BTW, I called AG in NY (out of curiousity) and the very nice operator explained that they are taking other types of dolls now...but they have to assess whether or not the doll can actually "handle" the hairdo without her hair pulling out.
you SHOULD read this
http://www.snipeme.com/rants.php?rant=american_girl
I feel more sorry for those girls in line who have MOTHERS like that! Those women are raising a generation of stuck up, rude, over materialistic little snots who will be a scar on the earth and a waste of time. No, I dont feel so sorry for Etta because she has a good mother who has given her the life tools to hold her head up high and not allow middle aged old bags to get her down! This isnt a time to feel sad or sorry for Etta, this is a time to be proud of her strength and grace that will always be more cherished that some stupid 'real doll'.
As this sweet girl's mother, I hope that you stood up for her as the situation unfolded- calming but firmly telling the hairdresser she was out of line, then asking to talk to a manager RIGHT THERE- telling the manager what the website said etc. And for the other moms, I hope you told them they need to set a better example for their daughters. Ranting on a blog after the fact really doesn't do much more than get poeple to hate this store because one of their employees was rude or because some of the shoppers were, too. You should have set an example for your child to stand up for herself if others try to put her down, to reassure her that her doll was not inferior and that no one could tell her otherwise. THAT would have been a wonderful lesson to learn.
I personally appreciate AG products because it is hard to find wholesome and age appropriate dolls that aren't draped in make up and adult clothing an encourage reading and history. This company has amazing customer service and if you were to actually contact them or a store manager, you would know that.
American girl is a great company, but if there was a genuine concern about styling Gracie's hair they should have said so nicely. I have a Tolly girl and I would be concerned if someone wanted her styled at AGP… nevertheless, Etta you have my sympathies.
I am getting very insulted here… just because I own an AG it seems (to at least 200 people who replied to this) that I am "Snooty" "elitist" and that my MOTHER is too. How dare you say this! If I buy a mini-doll from AG, am I a snob or something?? I just like AG! They are over priced but sweet, and so are Gracie dolls (which, I really want one by the way). I'm sorry this happened to Etta, but I am NOT elitist. This is a great company with exceptional service, and this incident is not excusable, but ELITIST? I got my doll as a gift, and now I'm elitist??! AGP makes a nasty mistake, and 150 people boycott the company, costing lots of $Ks…. alright, that’s fine. But because I stick with company (albeit hoping they fire this stylist) I am elitist. And neither is my mother…
This is awful!!! I am a huge fan of american girl dolls...but i am just appaled by this! Thats horrible that the stylist wouldn't even style your poor Etta's doll's hair for her. Thats stylist should be fired because the american girl workers are supposed to be respectful to the dolls and their owners. she should NOT have pointed out that the doll was a fake. i mean...who cares!!! I buy "fake" outfits for my dolls all the time!! Tell your Etta that her doll is just as good as an americn girl doll as long as it's loved be her. ~chelseap122791@aol.com
I fell awful for what happened to Etta. I do think people might be angry at the wrong party. I have always found American Girl to be excellent when it comes to customer service. Having a doll as a child, if any of my doll's items broke for any reason, they were always happy to replace the item. I believe that it was terrible the way that the stylist treated her. It is reasonable that they wouldn't style that dolls hair in fear of ruining it, but the stylists reaction was awful along with the other adults present. I have faith in American Girl that they will do the right thing given the opportunity. I just hope that the quality brand won't be confused by an indiviudal who has never had a lesson in kindness. To Etta, love your friend Gracie. Some of may best memories were spent with my doll Michelle, and no matter what anyone else told me about I still love her to this day. Given the chance AG will make it right, its the way the company is.
just found your blog by accident-- but I wanted to tell you that your Etta's story (and your lovingly well written missive) touched my heart. I can not believe the adults in this event were so heartless. Shame on them! Nothing else i can say except I am so sorry this happened to you all
Stumbled across this story by accident and it nearly reduced me to tears at work!! I've never heard of this company or its dolls (I guess we don't have them in the UK) and I can't understand the shameful actions of the mothers in the queue, some people are just plain horrible - I hope your daughter gets over this and gets far more enjoyment from toys that don't require this sort of branding.
Etta was smarter than all of them.
She not only didn't cough up her hard earned cash to the rotten rich people when buying the doll, but she didn't give them a dime to style its hair.
Don't give your money to the elite, Etta! Keep it for yourself.
Wow, look at all the mean comments by the anonymous American Girl employee. Nice one. Even claiming the story is a fake? Y'know what, I believe it and American Girl probably want this hushed up as soon as possible.
I understand Etta's feelings were hurt, but just because of one bad stylist doesn't mean you should hate the whole company! I LOVE the american girl company, really i do. It was that one stylist, not the company that did this.
I saved all my money up to buy an american girl doll. And you call me a rich snob?
Everyone who buys an AG doll is suddenly a snob?
You all should just let it go. AG is a great company. They have great service. And because of one stupid mishap we should suddenly stop appreciating AG?
Let it go people, let it go.
-AG'S #1 FAN
AMERICAN GIRL ROCKS!
Just had to say that, get that across.
i'm fark diplhimer
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND
baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND OF COURSE,
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Etta's doll is nothing but fake. FAKE!!!! ETTA'S DOLL IS A FAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE PLACE IS CALLED AMERICAN GIRL PLACE. DOESN'T THAT TELL YOU ANYTHING?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
FAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for reading my comment
SPELL IT OUT FOR ME!
F
A
K
E
F
A
K
E
ETTA'S
DOLL
IS
A
FAKE
*STICKS TONGUE OUT*
NANANANANANA
FAKE
DOLL
AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS AREN'T FAKE
ETTA'S DOLL IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BLECH
HA
HA
HHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA
FAKE
SPELL IT ONE MORE TIME!!!!!!!!!
GIMME AN F!
F
GIMMMEE AN A
A
HOW BOUT A K
FAKE
FAKE
THIS STORY IS FAKE TOO
EVERYTHING'S FAKE EXCEPT FOR AG DOLLS
NA NA NA NA!
FROM,
WHOA NELLIE
P.s I was steamed. sorry for the troubles. It's just, i love ag and this story made me p.oed. please, let it go!
Thanks!
I have 8 AG dolls and love them. I understand why the stylist did not style your Daughter's doll's hair.Because it was not an AG doll,the hair could have gotten damaged. Still, the stylist shouldn't have been rude. But it isn't like American Girl knew the stylist would do that. Please don't blame the whole company. As for those women, American Girl couldn't control what they said.
dear etta,
i wanted an ag since i was six. i used to carry the catalogues around and look at them. i used to pretend i could pick out anything i wanted. i never asked for one. i knew they were for rich girls. you cantell by the styles of the today dolls clothing, and the way their models look. i got a doll when i was sixteen, for a collectors item. of course, it was too late to enjoy it. i had a generic doll, ironically named grace, who i also thought wasnt "real". i was never happy, then, but life has taught me that, without the silly accesories, they are just regular dolls, like without wealth or with, are girls are regular little girls, who deserve a dream come true. when you think about it though, if you get an ag when you are older, like me, which doll will you have the memories of? no name, or ag?
As a lifelong customer of American Girl, I have to say I am appalled by this story and saddened by what the company has become.
Back in the 90's when I was growing up, there was no doubt that American Girl was a luxury item; but they were also a special, educational, high-quality product that girls carefully saved their money for to enjoy and not take for granted. (In fact, I remember AG used to offer girls free kits about how to save their money for a doll, teaching the lesson of the value of a dollar and how to work towards a goal).
Unfortunately, this homegrown company from the Heartland of America has grown into a multinational machine churning out cheaply (and questionably, knowing Mattel's practices,) made, overpriced products with severely reduced educational value and encouraging elitist, haughty, and inconsiderate attitudes in their consumers in order to maintain their brand image. I admit that that's what keeps out economy rolling - but I'm not okay with seeing the maker of my beloved, valued dolls, that used to have a more careful, considerate, educational focus with their image turn into nothing but a corporate profit-generating, heartless, elitist machine.
It's still up in the air whether I'll someday buy AG for my daughter(s). I'll pass on my AG's from the 90's but unless AG changes in the next decade, I'd rather not support what AG has become now.
My condolences to the little girl in this story, but I hope she will move on with her favourite doll (whatever the brand) and her head held high.
My condolences as well to the loss of a once beautiful and carefully crafted company known as Pleasant Company that we have lost to the stink of Corporate America.
your story made me sick to my stomach. I can't believe your sweet daughter was treated like that. And her doll is not a fake, it was a doll that she lovingly chose out and bought with her own money. Worth much more than 10 of those AG dolls!
I think you need to chill-out and quit being so dramatic about everything that happens in your life. I have 3 daughters and have had events happen like this, as have thousands of other moms like us, over the course of time. Life's lessons happen everyday and they do not need to be blown out of proportion for the entire country to hear about. I think if you would have expained what happened to the company, when it happened, they would have dealt with it in a timely and compassionate manner. I am not rich nor poor either and my dealings with the AG company have been nothing but first class, including several complaints on my part too. I do sympathize with you for what your daughter had to go through that day but a simple explanation ("Honey, I'm sure the employee did not mean to hurt you like that and I'm sorry she did, but everyone has bad days") would have been fine instead of dragging it into something entirely too big. My kids' go to public school also and I know that kids talk about materialistic things and who has what, but believe me, it is a lot worse at the private schools too. A good lessoned was learned. When my kids have a bad or rude encounter with someone I always tell them sorry it happened to them, but people are human and they make mistakes, and everyone has a bad day now and then. You need to get over this and quit whining so much......Fondly, motherly advice in Cincinnati
ok....for one thing....heres the thing..do you think that american girl would style a barbie's hair??? sure it doesnt matter what brand..but its not the target doll store or the doll store..its the american girl doll store..just for AG dolls....seriously you crazy moms out there .....get a life...crying over this....come on...ok hopefully nobody will get mad at me......
im 11 and have an american girl doll named emily i used to have one from target to and a woman did the same thing to so i threw the doll out and walked out of the store
im 11 and have an american girl doll named emily i used to have one from target to and a woman did the same thing to so i threw the doll out and walked out of the store
Yo, Yo, Yo!
I love AG. I feel very sorry for Etta. Her doll is special and real. I also hope that she likes dolls still. I hope she still loves Grace.
I'm sorry for what happened to your little girl. I am a huge fan of American girl even though I've never been to an American Girl Place. No child should have to experience something so horrible when it should be so much fun. If I was the hairstylist, even knowing that the doll was not an American Girl doll, I would have done your little girl's doll's hair anyway. Besides embarassing her like that plus, $20 is $20 and if American Girl is suppose to represent American Girls all American Girls should be represented no matter what some stuck up lady who has enough money said . Keep teaching your brilliant daughter about the value of money and that you have to work hard. She'll be able to get her own authentic doll one day or maybe even buy her daughter one. I still love my all dolls and I'm 22 years old wondering will I ever get to go to the American Girl Place! I bet you those daughters of all the big mouth mothers have no clue and end up becoming snobby dopes.("Can Anyone Say Paris Hilton!") --God Bless
Excuse my mistake "I mean all of my dolls."
I'm sorry for what happened to your little girl. I am a huge fan of American girl even though I've never been to an American Girl Place. No child should have to experience something so horrible when it should be so much fun. If I was the hairstylist, even knowing that the doll was not an American Girl doll, I would have done your little girl's doll's hair anyway. Besides embarassing her like that plus, $20 is $20 and if American Girl is suppose to represent American Girls all American Girls should be represented no matter what some stuck up lady who has enough money said . Keep teaching your brilliant daughter about the value of money and that you have to work hard. She'll be able to get her own authentic doll one day or maybe even buy her daughter one. I still love all of my dolls and I'm 22 years wondering if I'll ever get to go to the American Girl Place! I bet you those daughters of all the big mouth mothers have no clue and end up becoming snobby dopes.("Can Anyone Say Paris Hilton!") --God Bless
What A Rude Bunch Of Phoneys. I Wonder How Much Value Those Mothers Would Put On These Dolls If They Knew How Easy They Are To Come By At Yard Sales. My Six Year Old Granddaughter Has Three American Girl Dolls All In Excellent Condition That Were Purchased At Yard Sales I Invested Exactly $6.00 In All Three Of These Dolls. I Wish I Had Been In That Line I Would Have Told Those Snobs And The Hairdresser Just How Easy These Dolls Are To Come By For Dollar Store Prices.
i like american girl. i do not believe all aspects of this story. but i d believe in the snobbery this company projects. this story is exaggerated, but i admit it is disturbing how this doll company can be so damaging to a childhood.
to all you people out there,
I see you are super educated
"libel" is spelled L-I-A-B-L-E,
and they are called "american girl dolls" not "american dolls"
also, to etta's mom: who says 'well, american girl dolls arent for everyone'. give me a break.
what i want to know is... what did brave etta do that was so courageous? provided this is true, it sounds as if all she did was save awhile for an AG, get impatient, and blow her savings on something cheap, go to AGP, and throw a fit, holding up the line and hindering business, then cry to mommy, who wrote a blog. yeah.people. give the kid a parade, cause thats courage.
Thank you for helping me determine what will (a home-made dollie) and will NOT (AG) be on my shopping list this season.....any season, for that matter!
"to all you people out there,
I see you are super educated
"libel" is spelled L-I-A-B-L-E,
and they are called "american girl dolls" not "american dolls"
also, to etta's mom: who says 'well, american girl dolls arent for everyone'. give me a break."
Wow you are stupid. Libel. It's a word.
aCTually, thats really sad. Why she wouldnt do her hair? I dont know. But thats not right because some people arent rich to buy those dolls and do the hair and eat with it. And buy clothes for it. The least american girl could do is let her get her hair done. No where does it say american girl dolls ONLY. Thats very mean. =[
I think it's horrible that that hairstylist and those mothers were so rude to Etta. Maybe it was right that they didn't style Gracie's hair, but she shoul'dnt have been so downright rude about it.
I am appalled by this on so many levels.
Most of all, I am honestly dismayed at how easily so many commentors here let themselves be manipulated into boycotting and even harassing a company - based on nothing more than a story, told by someone who admitted they were not present when it happened.
None of us have any way of verifying who the person telling the story really is; whether they are who they claim they are or are an invented persona, whether they´ve got their facts right or accidentally or even purposefully wrong. There are even obvious contradictions between this story and their other blog entries - as have been pointed out above.
Yet so many of you are willing to take their word for granted and take action purely on that base. That´s how witchhunts begin.
That is so evil! I am so upset at AG.
1) People who work with little girls should KNOW that they can be hurt VERY easily.
2) The stylist was a freaking idiot on all counts--she could have made $20 for her company and instead threw a spoiled-princess fit.
3) In the AG books, Samantha earned her doll. So did Etta (btw, tell her she's smarter than a honors student, I never made money when I was 6--or saved it). So what is the big deal?!?! OMGWTH.
4) What freaking buisiness was it of the other moms? The whole thing was between you, Etta, and the evil stylist. And that *censored, for sake of children reading* who tried to say she couldn't afford it--I HATE and would do unspeakably awful things to people like that.
I know what it's like to be the middle class girl among the spoiled princess brats who think they are better than you all because they are rich. Etta is a much better person than them. Tell her that from me.
Yours Truly,
~Victoria-Anastazia
By the way,
I still like AG. But everyone has their favorite doll, and I know from personal experience that the best dolls are the ones you buy yourself. I don't intend to boycott AG, however, I will think twice before venturing to the Doll Salon.
Also I'm definately not saying ALL rich people are mean. I have a lot of upper-class friends who are not like that. I only am refering to that small subset that thinks that money makes them better than all other people.
(Sorry for any spelling errors. My average spelling test grade is a 92.)
those people are cold hearted monsters. those mothers would be angry at the people insulting her daughter.that so called "stylist" is a rude women and truly how are their dolls better unless they use the most amazing rare plastic with the shiny gorgeous hair or the cotton is the fluffiest ever. those dolls are just a bunch of plastic, hair, and some cloth and cotton and they just rip off by jacking up the prices. so those hacks can shove it. those are cruel people, who can truly have the heart to make a little 6 year old girl cry and pretty much are telling her with out money she's nothing.Etta your smart and i bet your the prettiest thing. you and your dolls are great i have a doll thats not the best thing and i still love it so be proud that you r who u r.next time some one does something rude tell them "shut your mouth you don't know me or how i live so leave me alone and walk away" be proud don't neglect the dolls you love and you should sue them for false advertising and verbal abuse
I don't believe that all of the details of this story are completely true. I think that several crucial details were exaggerated. Nevertheless,I do believe that this doubtless sweet and intelligent girl was treated much worse than she should have been. I am 11 years old, and I told my parents I would like an AG for Christmas, but I am definitely going to reconsider my request. Plus, they are very expensive, and there are several other companies who manufacture dolls. I don't care if it's "real" (meaning AG). I still like American Girl dolls and probably always will, but there is no reason to put down a six year old because she doesn't have enough money for an AG.
Etta:
Don't you worry about what some rude people tell you! Your doll is REAL, and she is special!
-Libby
Little Etta, don't you worry honey. That wasn't a "REAL" stylist. Its unfortunate that her insufficient training didn't prepare her for a more diverse career. I'll bet you a volvo that there is a decent, well trained stylist out there that would be more than happy to give Gracie a fabulous do.
Alecia in VA
Oh, and Whoa Nellie, you'd better run along to bed dearie before your mommy catches you at her computer.
Alecia in VA
I gasped loudly and repeatedly. Deeply, deeply shameful. I'm beside myself. I feel thorough revulsion and shock.
American Girls Dolls, the stylist, and those mothers in line deserve the last farthing of shame that can be dealt them in relation to this. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I don't know. Very APPALLING. How completely heartless are the people cutting down this little girl - over a doll! Tell me they have their heart set on the good and the cares of little children, and not the trifles of riches they use to measure themselves one above another. It's very gross that adults do that to each other, but cutting down children over it?
p.s. PLEASE delete the post by "Whoa Nellie!!!!!!!"
well ladies, you are pathetic....crying over this.... american girl place....get it AMERICAN GIRL....it ain't no target doll place.gosh and the 'emily rose customer care' person......the girl and her obbsessive mother knew it was american girl place ...did u really expect them to do the hair of that 'cheepie'?? well anyways, don't gte mad at me...i have opinions just like u guys do,too
horrible.......oh well....not everyone has the money..but if i was the mom boy oh boy that stylist would be in for it!
American Girl Dolls are the Fake ones for heaven sakes American Girl dolls are made in CHINA!!!!!!! The American Girl Doll company should be ashamed of itself. I dont know of any doll made in America anymore. I am a doll collector, I collect hard plastic and/or vinyl dolls of the 1950s-1970s unfortunately I missed out on the greatest childhood dolls since I was born in '81. I am also an artist and I make my own dolls. I find that if you want something done right youve got to do it yourself. Any doll as far as I am concerned is better than American Girl. I enjoy making wooden and stuffed dolls with disabilities in various sizes and colors. I think every girl could create her very own doll out of any fabric such as old clothes. Nobody could tell her that her hand made doll wasn't special or worth anything because something made from the heart is priceless.
you should be VERY ashamed of yourself ettas mum. are you sure this isn't a load of horse crap? I mean really. I am very proud to say that me and my sis own 5 AG dolls and will own more.
as 4 Etta, if u can save up your own money, buy an AG doll! ps tell your mum this is blog smells like fish. really nasty , month-old , mouldy fish.
It sounds to me like mom is trying to make a big sob story to hopefully get some free stuff from the company as an apology. This should have been dealt with that day with management. What kind of person is the mother who brought the girl to the store- she should have addressed the other moms tactfully- and stood up for Etta- if this actually happened. To badmouth the company is in poor taste. This is an isolated incident based on one hairstylists' poor response. My daughters all together have 20 dolls- and the customer service has been outstanding. Your letter seems just as judgmental and uncaring as you say the company was. We're all parents- we all love our kids and don't want them to get hurt- but we also teach them by our own examples how to handle a problem. Don't teach your daughter to be a victim... empower her by showing her how to CORRECT or at least ADDRESS a problem. You could have called the manager- and if he/she was apologetic- which I'm GUESSING he/she would be.. then you could have arranged to bring your daughter back to receive an apology. I read no mention of any action taken on your part to correct this. The last I knew- the hairstylist didn't run the company- and we are all human- and we all have bad days- and we all make mistakes.
yes, it was me who said that about the fishies what do i no im a kid.
just because i got an ag doll for a bday present and worked VERY hard all year for the others makes me *etlist*? lighten up peeps.
I cannot believe anyone posting comments here that deride the mother and can't feel the pain of a little girl hurt like that have such hard hearts. Whether the mother planned ahead or didn't, reported to store managers to complain or didn't, whether Etta's doll was an AG doll or wasn't is not the point..What IS the point is that Etta is a CHILD, and NO adults should be SO insensitive to treat ANY child even half as terrble as to hurt his/her feelings and ruin a dream.... or disillusion innocence..What is the matter with all of you posters who say this is acceptable, as it was not an AG doll, or her mother did not do this or that, etc. etc.? Regardless, a child was hurt.... Isn't that enough? How well some people rationalize unkindness... WE ALL should write AG and protest and support this little girl! After a heart is broken, however, how much will apologies count? Little... and all this child did was learn a lesson, perhaps too early, about the lack of charity and unkindness in adults who should be trusted, and who are supposed to do the RIGHT things.. I know Etta has a better sense of fairness and judgement than those people even though she is a small child..... I hope her heart has healed and she has learned that some people are just bullies, and to be pitied, and we need to stay away from them as they are NOT nice people! No doll is a 'fake' doll, are those who think it is insane to say if it is loved it is? Nothing like dolly racism! It should be the heart that counts, not the exterior appearance.. Etta has heart!
HI Etta my lil 6 yr old daughter Aujza has an store brand 18 inch doll and a Molly we got second hand from ebay and she loves them both equaly. She asked if she could share with you some of her doll clothes since her grandmother makes many beautiful ones for her and her dolls . and i bought an extra trunk to hold a doll and her clothes by accident if you would like it as well. we also have two hair styling chairs for the dolls and a wire brish and curlers. so if you would like to share with my lil princess we'd love to . Ettas mommy you can contact me at anorkist@hotmail.com.
I am so glad this site popped up on cyber Monday while I am researching American Girl dolls. After watching Oprah I thought my granddaughter should have one of these doll. After reading your blog I believe I will not buy one of these dolls. My son is a single parent and could never afford this doll himself. He provides all except the cost of daycare for his almost 9yr old daughter (mom pays daycare). He is just realizing why his dad and I had to buy toys and clothes at Kmart when he was young. This doll would go against those lessons. I will be going to Target to get a "fake" doll which in all truth is a "real" doll. I guess American Girl dolls are like Paris Hilton of dolls and I don't want my granddaughter eumulating that life style.
Gamie(nickname from granddaugher)
I am so glad this site popped up on cyber Monday while I am researching American Girl dolls. After watching Oprah I thought my granddaughter should have one of these doll. After reading your blog I believe I will not buy one of these dolls. My son is a single parent and could never afford this doll himself. He provides all except the cost of daycare for his almost 9yr old daughter (mom pays daycare). He is just realizing why his dad and I had to buy toys and clothes at Kmart when he was young. This doll would go against those lessons. I will be going to Target to get a "fake" doll which in all truth is a "real" doll. I guess American Girl dolls are like Paris Hilton of dolls and I don't want my granddaughter eumulating that life style.
Gamie(nickname from granddaugher)
Yes, cyber Monday. Even before I read all this, I didn't want to buy one for my daughter. But how do you explain it to them? Everyone else has one! Not really, but certain girls do. I enjoy buying for my son, no real competition there- all cars are created equal(in their eyes).
I was searching for a deal (hahaha) for an American Girl doll for my daughter and came across this story. My daughter is in first grade as well and this story made me absolutely furious! I hope you sent a copy to AG and to the store manager and company president! How disgusting. I think I will buy a fake for the holidays too. My best to you and to Etta. Being a mom is one of the most difficult and amazing things in the world. Good luck!
The creator of American Girl dolls lives near here. Their factory was here and I think still is,(now Mattel). I applied for a job there once and was treated so severely by security I just left. I would have had an easier time getting on an airplane today.
There was a story here recently how Pleasant Rowland (AG creator) went back to her small college town and bought the place up and rebuilt it all to her liking. A ton of carnage was left behind too. A lot of split friendships and even families split irreparably in the process. Then she got pissed off at it all and didn't finish the project. Her husband, Jerry Frautschi, took her 700 million dollar buyout from Mattel and became the hero of Madison Wis by donating one million, then another one million, for a performing arts center, all basically in his name but with the cash his wife earned on the backs of little girls. What a motley crew these two are. It's no surprise Etta was treated the way she was in their store. It accurately reflects the creator to a T.....Hugs to Etta!!!!
See the article:
From dollhouse to doghouse
American Girl founder's makeover of upstate N.Y. town rankles some locals
By BILL GLAUBER
bglauber@journalsentinel.com
Posted: July 22, 2007
at this web address:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=636279
I called the AG HQ...they will happily accept any doll in their store for styling/dining. A waiver for a non AG doll must be signed.
The mother should have asked to speak to the Manager. Some sales girl (aka stylist) making a decision makes the whole company bad? YES absolutely this woman represented the company....but certainly we have all worked with people who speak w/o thinking?
At minimum Etta's experience taught the company a lesson! Don't pay the consumer lip service do the right thing.
This story is very sad...however, as a manager in customer service for many years I find it hard to believe this story. The little girl was crying in the store and no supervisor or manager came to check out the situation. I have been to AG Chicago several times with my daugher (8) and two nieces (9 & 10) and there is so many staff workers there, every where you turn there they are. As a manager I can't imagine the store didn't take the time to consider this little girls feelings. The mother should have asked for a manager if one wasn't already involved. Once you didn't get the answer you wanted, you should have contacted the corporate office to find out the "rules" of the store and styling non american girl dolls hair. As we see from another blogger all you would have had to do was sign a waiver, I am sure the manager could have told you that if you'd asked. I am sorry for your daugher being upset, but as a responsible parent you shouldn't have put her in that situation. My daugher has 4 american girl dolls and she will get more. I thing the company has a great product and teaches girls a valuable lesson with their product. Curious if AG called you? Did you get the free product you were hoping for?
I think the poster who stated her children have4 American Girl dolls an will get more has a nasty attitude.. maybe that's why the little gir, Etta, cried, from Mom's like her... To ask at the end of her comment "Did you get the free product you were hoping for?" is dirt mean..as if to imply this mom complained for Etta just BECAUSE she wated something free and didn't have a real issue with AG... True, there were things Etta's mom COULD have done, but to be snotty just because maybe those things WEREN'T DONE is riduculous... Prove's Etta's mom's point.. snotty women in line, lots of money with their FOUR dolls and 'going to get more'.. What an elite-ist attitude. If she'd been there, that poster probably would have yelled to Etta to get out of line too! Oh, and by the way, Ms. Snotty poster, the rule to sign a waiver to have the other brands of dolls hair done at AG? That policy was adopted ONLY AFTER the incident with Etta, and because of ETTA that was why the policy was put into place, as AG got such negative publicity on this site and others about how they treated her..! (Research it on the 'net to prove it, I it's there!) So you see, even a child, Etta, can affect the snobs in life to do the right thing.. she's a tiny heroine, and you are dead wrong.. take that, MS. SNOBBBY NOSE IN THE AIR! What a B person you are!
When I first read the posting I felt bad for the little girl, But then I thought about it and I agree that the mom should've checked with the store regarding what kind of dolls they care for.
Then I thought who in the world would send there daughter wtih $20.00 to have it's hair "done" and with the same mouth complain that the dolls are too expensive and that they are elitist. You are the one that was about to pay $20.00 for a dolls hair.
Then to blame the company for how the people in line acted. How can a company be blamed for how thier customer behaves. I would love to see a company that has control over everyone. I can see the error in the say the sylist spoke to the girl, but to hold them responsible for their patrons thoughts is out there.
As the mother clearly stated, Etta was there as a guest of her friend, Julie. It was Julie's mom who took the girls and offered to pay for the hair. Etta's mom was in a no-win situation. Either she told Etta she could NOT be Julie's guest or she could let her go with her doll.
Julie's mom should have stood up to the hairdresser immediately.
I was in the NY American Girl store in August and I can see how this could happen. The hairdressers were swamped. There were plenty of crying girls about.
When I was there, I had just had a cast removed from my leg and was still on crutches. Waiting for the tea to start was terrible. There was no way they would seat me before. There was no place to sit while I waited. The line, even with reservations, was long. And, yes the other moms were snotty and pushy.
Thankfully, my daughter and her friend are 14 years old. They are really not interested in their dolls anymore and just wanted to have a tea for fun, so I am done with AG. And really, these dolls many, many times are a status symbol for the parents.
I was online preparing to order an american girl for my nine year old for christmas when i accidentally stumbled upon your blog. After reading it aloud to my daughter, she decided that she'd prefer to have something else for Christmas this year.Hope that you both have a very Merry Christmas. I'll gladly spend my $86.00 elsewhere.
First of all let me address the amazing amount of B.S. I have seen from some of the posts on here.
As a mom who has well enough money I find it ridiculous that these other "yuppie" mothers are trying to make excuses for this pathetic company.
"What if you bought a knock off version of "____ purse" and tried to have it engraved at the real place?"
The doll isn't "4 Real American Girl" It's a DOLL...Knock offs are false representations of a product and are ILLEGAL..
But Target dolls are LEGAL Dolls in a LEGAL brand name.
You know all I can say, is I hope one day these "parents" trying to justify this company has a change of fortune and is forced into a lesser lifestyle.
When their children still insist on these marked up yuppy dolls and they can no longer afford them...
Maybe then they will see the world from a normal viewpoint.
I am sorry your daughter suffered through this, but in a way I am proud.
That real parents are still out there, and refuse to allow this type of behavior to continue.
It makes me proud to be an American.
Thank you Etta, for restoring my faith in America.
Are you kidding me! Yes the story is sad, but this kind of stuff happens when you lie to your child. If you are up front with your child then they wouldn't be shocked when the truth comes out. If you want your child to not care about name brand then you explain that and then your child life lessons will be taught by you.
First to the last person who posted - Sam, the point is not what her mom told her about the doll - it's how the child was treated by so-called grownups.
For Etta - there is a wonderful book that might still be in print -The Best Loved Doll. I read it when I was a child and I still have the very same book.
This makes me feel so horrible for feeding my neice's American Girl obsession. It's a DOLL! How ridiculous! Emphasizing status and money when we're talking about children and PLAY!
This makes me feel so horrible for feeding my neice's American Girl obsession. It's a DOLL! How ridiculous! Emphasizing status and money when we're talking about children and PLAY!
I had managed to keep my daughter (now almost 9) in the dark about the existence of AG dolls until Thanksgiving when she saw the segment at the tail end of an Oprah show featuring Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana. Now she talks about nothing else.
I had always thought of them as overpriced, superficial status symbols (and yes, I can afford them), but once I saw the show and learned about their "message" and educational value, I was intrigued. While searching the Internet for more info, I came across this posting and all the responses. Looks like my first instincts were right all along.
I'm not sure why so many of you people posting are assuming that Etta's mom was at the store with her. The way I read it she was there with her friend and her friend's mom. I'm sure that if Etta's mom had been there things may have turned out quite differently. Not that I'm trying to blame the friend's mom for not doing enough, but in reality its your own Mother who most heartily defends you, and I'll bet the stylist and the other mothers in line would have had their heads chewed off right quick. I think its conceivable that Gracie may even have gotten her hair styled - for free!
I wish there was some way I could help Etta with her hurt feelings. My daughter has a Target doll, and even "gasp" a Wal-Mart doll that are knock offs of American Girl dolls. She doesn't love them any less because of that. And I can say that in the financial place we are in I doubt I will ever be able to afford a trip to The American Girl Doll Place. I guess that's not such a bad thing, is it?
And to you idiots who are trying to be funny by continuing to pick on Etta, hey - get a life. You are pathetic worms.
Etta, if your mommy will read this to you I want you to know that I think you are a very nice little girl. You did not do anything wrong hunny, you are special and your doll Gracie is special too. The people who were so mean to you were VERY WRONG to be that way, they are the ones who were naughty, not you. You and Gracie are good friends and that is what is important, not whether or not your doll was the kind of doll the other girls had. I'll bet none of those other little girls are as sweet and loving to their dolls as you are to Gracie. And I know that Gracie loves you very much and does not want you to feel sad. You are a good girl and your mommy is proud of you for being such a good Mommy to your dolly. I hope you are feeling better. There are a lot of mommies and daddies that are thinking about you and they all hope you are feeling better too.
Here is a hug and kiss for you from my little girl and her special dolly that she got from Target too.
XOXOXO
I wonder how Pleasant Rowland feels about this? I sure wish she hadn't sold her beautiful idea to those who only care about money, not people.
This is mind-boggling to me. How could anyone act this way??? I had gone online tonight to purchase my 3 year old granddaughter her first American Girl Doll for Christmas. After reading this there is no way, no how I would buy a doll from this company! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
WOW... I can't understand how people could be so cruel to a 6yr old! There's nothing wrong with dolls, horses, or accessories from Target! I personally chose a Target horse over a AG horse because it was cheaper and to this day, i still LOVE that horse (it was even more realistic than the AG one). I was given Addy when i was about 8 (I'm 16 now). I will NEVER spend my hard earned money on AG things again. Now I can see how girls these days have such a bad self-image if this is all they see when they go to stores like the AG Place!
I was so sad to hear about Ettas story. I hope Etta will visit us at http://www.americandolltreasures.com and we will ship any order she places for free. We offer High quality affordable clothing, accessories and shoes for the 18 inch dolls, we are proud to offer the BEST customer service!
My little girl has ~gasp~ three American Girl dolls. All have visited American Girl Place at one time or another, often with other favorite non-AG dolls. We have visited the hair salon and had a stylist put a bow in the non-AG doll's hair while explaining that they didn't want to damage the doll so they couldn't work on it. While I'm sorry that Etta had such a bad experience, it sounds like it is simply a case of a stylist mishandling the situation. I personally think that the store's management should have been contacted immediately and given the opportunity to address the situation. But no, let's all just say AG is a HORRIBLE company and boycott them. Because really, that will make everything better, right?
After very recently learning that my daughter is expecting again, my love for dolls has been renewed. The American Girl dolls seemed so very sweet and honest. Actually, I found this comment about Etta while surfing the internet looking for the perfect AG to buy for my new grandaughter. Well, this has absolutely changed my mind about buying an AG. It seems as though the true "American Girl" has become more like the trashy Brittney Spears mentality. Last of all, I hope AG reads these comments.
Read about this on Brambletonian.net. I'm so sorry that you had this experience. I ditto the idea of bringing the doll to a real stylist!!!
I understand that the hairdresser was wrong, but American girls are cuter than Target dolls, and they are worth the price. I've had my 6 American Girl dolls for years and I play with them practically every day. Sorry Etta, that you came upon such a mean old person. And $20 for a ponytail!!?? That is Ridiculous!
But just because some people in that company are mean, doesn't mean that I am going to trash my beloved dolls!
I understand that the hairdresser was wrong, but American girls are cuter than Target dolls, and they are worth the price. I've had my 6 American Girl dolls for years and I play with them practically every day. Sorry Etta, that you came upon such a mean old person. And $20 for a ponytail!!?? That is Ridiculous!
But just because some people in that company are mean, doesn't mean that I am going to trash my beloved dolls!
This is such a long discussin already, but there's one aspect of everyone's entries that's really bothering me. "The hairstylist" and her behavior. This implies some sort of professional background, a certain income, a certain work setting. This is an hourly employee working in close quarters with several other employees in a crowded store filled with loud children. Like the cashier or any other customer service sort of employee at any basic retail establishment. A lack of training in how to describe dolls, or even a bad attitude that day, does not mean she was evil. Wrong mayber, rude maybe, but not evil. And NOT part of a wealthy establishment. Not in that job. No way.
This made me cry. I have been on the fence about buying an AG doll for my daughter for 2 years. She carried around a couple of catalogs. Her 8th bday is this month and she wants a party. I was going to propose that she could either have a party or a doll. But having been undecided for so long about it and now reading this, I am not bringing it up. She has an 18" doll that we bought unstuffed and stuffed together. Her face is way cuter than the Black Addy doll and my dd and I made clothes for "Katrina" together. I may consider buying this doll if it is ever manufactured in the US and if they ever get a cuter face on a dark brown doll. I'm sorry for little Etta. As her mom, it must have been heartbreaking.
I just wanted to mention that I agree on how expensive AG products are, but you do not need everything the catalogue offers (and thats when things get ridiculous anyway) but when you buy an Ag doll, you get an offer to subscribe to a (free) magazine,called "imagine" who's sole purpose is not to sell products, but to encourage girl's and parents to make their own doll stuff, and it's really good! it comes out every few months, with activies that coordinate with the season, and always comes with a "real" cut -out doll accessory. They also sell kits to make doll accessories like clothes, and a hair style kit with hair stuff, a dvd and a brush (a great alternative to the hair salon). I don't wan't you to get the wrong idea, of course. My girls each got an american girl for their birthday and some stuff for christmas (90% of their doll stuff is found around the house or handmade)and they are not spoiled. We are not "elite" either, as I am a happily single mother, and I saved since their birthday the year before, and the sacrifice was worth three deserving girl's happiness. But the point is... with some imagination, you only have to make one investment, and the extras will take care of themselves. Of course, there is a reason to American Girl's precautions: Non Ag items can damage a doll, for instance, a dress we bought from the craft store stained one doll's underpants pink, and some things could permanently stain the doll themselves, so it is not outlandish to assume that authentic AG items can damage non-AG dolls.
Wait, was the mom being sarcastic? (I think she was but it's hard to tell in writing) Anyway, that's not right! The styist should be fired! So what if it's not real? It's not like you can't do a doll's hair if if it's not an American Girl! I sorta feel ashamed I have an american girl doll, myself. But I'm not rich, at all! And I don't think I'm better than everyone else. If I was there, I would try to comfort the little girl and say "It's okay." Or something like that instead of being rude like those moms!
I am so sorry. I have an american girl doll and so do my two sisters. They last well and are quite fun but because of the prices me and alot of my friends use clothes and accesories. It is extremely rude for someone to say that to a 6 year old and because I am 13 and remember being 6 I know I would have bawled my eyes out. Poor Etta, I would hate to see my little sisters treated like that!
What did you say to those mothers? The time for standing up for her and to the stylist was exactly when it happened and the person to be arguing with the stylist was the mother, not the 6 yo. The lesson there was for the mom to go to management and right the wrong. To stand up for the daughter who needs to learn to be assertive.
To trash AG dolls because of one stylist's comments and some trashy parents isn't logical. My daughter loves her dolls and the books that come with them do not model that behaviour at all. It is foolish not to buy an AG for a girl because you've read this story. Just my $.02
It is sad if the stylist really refused to do ettas dolls hair but its your fault that this whole thing happened what mother dosent realise that its a AMERICAN GIRL STORE not TARGET where the doll was purchased so why would a american girl store do a dolls hair that is not in there line of dolls its just common sence. You said that etta was invited by her friend so you werent their. No six year old can stat a large conversation like that without exagerating or leaving things out. i struggle to believe much of this as it sounds like a mother whom is upset that her daughter was upset that her daughter was unable to have her dolls hair done and then exagerated the story to get some pity to help her feel better about the situation. Even though i disagree with most of your story i feel its great that Etta bought her own doll but you should be able to explain to your children the difference between less and more expensive items and which means more to her. I myself am a fan of the american girl dolls and before you think im a snob i bought all but 1 myself. When your daughter asked for an american girl doll she was six american girl dolls are for over 8. This whole story shouldnt have ever been posted just because your annoyed about something that happend and want to get back at a whole company when it wasnt there fault.
first of all what you are doing is no better than what you "claim" American girl did to your daughter. You feel stereotyped as not rich enough to afford an American Girl Doll, yet now you're stereotyping back at customers. My daughter has six American girl dolls and over and thousand dollars worth of accessories, but like most customers who spend hundreds of dollars at the store, she sacrificed her allowance and all of her birthday and Christmas presents. You need to get your story straight. You make it sound like you know exactly what was said by mothers in line, but also say that your daughter was with another mother. American girl has over thousands of employees and your daughter just got one of them so don't blame the whole store. And yea it is a store for American girl dolls, so bringing in another doll to get styled is like going into starbucks and asking them to put sugar in your Dunkin Donuts Coffee. Im sure you exeraggerated and are just looking for free products. So stop the whole sob story and just suck it up
Even though I hate how the people at AG acted, I'm not going to keep on buying AG dolls and stuff.(What did the dolls to deserve this?!?)
I'm an American Girl employee (not at the hair salon) and I have several thoughts on this. First of all, I am very sorry poor Etta was hurt. Girls often bring other doll brands, but we cannot fix their hair due to liablity issues because it is not our product. I don't know the stylist in question or what exactly was said, but I have a hard time believing she was intentionally rude. She was wrong in that she should have just given Gracie a hair ribbon or bow for free and called it a day, and i'm sorry that did not happen. But all you self-sitious parents belittling an employee calling her job "worthless" are just as disgusting as the company you claim to hate!! Nobody's job should be belittled, weather it's a garbage man, a teacher, or a doll hairdresser. You guys are hypocrites for thinking you are so much better than "overpriced dolls" but stick your nose up at a person making an honest living. I don't understand the idea of boycotting an entire company because of ONE possibly rude employee, but if that's what makes you feel better, so be it.
My seven year old daughter and I read this blog, and many of the messages. We then went to the American Girl doll site and sent them an email requesting clarification of the policy for bringing in other non AG dolls to get their hair done. We said in our email (very politely) that we were awaiting a reply before we would go to an AG store or purchase any items. We are sorry, Etta, that you were so poorly treated when you should not have been. We are sorry your doll was poorly treated. It is not the way we wanted anyone to be treated in this world, nor is it the way we would treat anyone. Love your doll and enjoy her. Love your family. Love life. But don't give this bad experience much more thought except to know that they were wrong and that you don't need to be around such rude people. We hope you had a great Christmas!
I was just googling American Girl Place because my daughter, who turns 8 in a month, was interested in a visit for her birthday. I clicked this link instead and I'm glad I did. I don't think my brilliant, yet shy and sensitive daughter needs to be exposed to that kind of ridiculousness.
Thankfully, she's equally interested in a trip to the American Museum of Natural History. I think it will suit her better than an expensive lesson in snobbery.
listen up dunnies....... you should not be dissing the anerican girl place. i dont blame them for not doing you stupid kids dolls hair because that is a high class place. those dolls are important. look at felicity she saved an abused horse and that was in the 1700s they teach a child how to care about stuff. and there is no way you can put american girl put of buisness theres no way.
ok you ppeople do not know how to wok it . one they are not dumb u are not them the ppl who said ther good thnk u very much. there not deumb there cute there not wierd there not ok there not stupid there not rediculase ther not dissapointing there notmiley and ther not fine there GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!!!!! i have one all mt friend have one well im done are you happy know i told you qwhat i felt weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee U R THE FAKE ONE SO
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
OMGOSH! If it wasn't for the Fact that my AG doll is a Pre-Mattel (from before MATTEL took over) Samantha would be on her way to Goodwill! Oh an BTW this company never got a cent of my money. My Samantha is from EBAY! I also have several non-AG dolls and I love them! As a matter of fact my first 18 inch doll was a "fake" one! Etta shouldn't feel badQ
Tutu-Bella.com Sales Department read your entry is is very hurt by this story. Please email us if you would like a tutu specially made for your sweet and loved "fake" little doll with a larger child's size tutu to match that will fit your daughter. We would be happy to assist you free of charge. Identification will be required.
What a horrible sales policy from said store...if that is indeed their policy. How anti-girl!
Obviously with the amount of good wishes being sent to you and your daughter...there is still good in the world. Thank gosh for that!!!
Horrible!
poor etta! there may have been a reason for the sylist not to do the hair. Some other dolls have hair that breaks easier then american girls.
I am an american girl doll fan my self. Saved the money to Buy samantha when I was no older then your Etta. Ten years later, I have added Kirsten and Josefina to my colection. and all three dolls remain mt friends.
I have a fiften incch doll who is not form american girl. She is worth as much to me as the amercan girls. It's not the money but the things you share with your dolls that count.
A real doll is any doll a girls can cuddle with when she reads, hug when things go wrong and use in imaginative play. You Yourself wer out of line with the other mom's there. Don't they know that love is what counts.
I'm sure you've gotten plenty of comments already, but i thought I'd add my two cents. I just bought a doll for my daughter for her birthday. It was from Target. It was $20. My daughters do not have any idea what an american girl doll is. I try to keep them away from all the consumerism--hannah montana, american girl..etc. I just want them to be thankful for what they have and not covet what their friends have. The doll I got her was $20 and she loves it. Her name is Alexis. She isn't fancy. She's a doll...from 1934 that comes with a handbag. I know, big whoop. But my daughter adores her. I looked at the website for American dolls today and googled something about American dolls and came across your site. I am sad that your daughter was made fun of and that her feelings were of no value to the employee. I hope she isn't scarred from this experience. Her doll is special because she loves it. THat is all that matters.
My daughter carried around a stuffed bear until she was 5 that costed me $10. Do you think she really cared that it costed me $10 or 1 cent? She didn't know. She didn't care. I think society is way too competetive and we have lost the values of long ago. I do hope that your daughter gets over this experience and that she is able to appreciate the value of a dollar, having spent her own hard earned to money to get it. Thats the real lesson.
I knew there was a reason I was allergic to these stupid, over-priced dolls...I just couldn't put my finger on it until now. Thanks for the enlightenment. May we all ban them together.
American Girl Place should fire that hairstylist!!! Thats just plain old mean and rude! I think Etta should get her $20 back!
I have to say that this must have been a very bad expierance for poor little Etta, yet the world will go on and people like me will constinue to buy American Girl products. I am very ashamed of that stylist, and I am glad that the people at the american girl store in Chicago are much more nice and they actually have hearts. I am the proud mommy of 9 american girl dolls and over 65 outfits. I will remember little Etta as i enjoy my lunch in the american girl cafe in April
Ciao,
Agdfanatic18
Assuming this really did happen- this story broke my heart. I googled "American Girl" after seeing the dolls on Oprah, and seeing people Craigslist their used AG dolls and accessories for RIDICULOUS amounts of money. I really don't understand how people come to invest hundreds of dollars into dolls like that.
And what exactly is AG place doing to dolls hair that they have fear of damaging others? Perms? Chemical treatments? It doesn't grow, so I'm assuming they don't cut it. For 20.00, brand name or not, lightly brush it, throw a few barrettes in it, and make the kid feel like she got her money's worth. The stylist could've discreetly explained why it was not safe to wash her doll's hair.
Wow!I'm a eleven year old on the net,
looking for American Girl Dolls.I would have NEVER thought American Girl could be that cruel!Tell Etta that as a girl myself I will NEVER go to that dumb store again!!!!I'm going to tell ALL my friends!I feel bad that I have an American Girl Doll:(I'm going to see if that emily rose place is cool!Thanks 4 telling me...
Wow!
I love my AG dolls and I am 42! I love the educational aspect as well as the collectible accessories. Snobs are everywhere, however, and this representative of AG is only one. My little boys attended a visit to Chicago with extended family and they too were drawn in by the experience. As the mom of boys, I try to equalize the "power" messages that little girls in our society get. Where are the "American Boy" dolls, they asked.
I didn't feel badly at all for taking them to Target the next week and getting them an "American Boy" and accessories for the price of one of my "real dolls."
It's not about the status, it's about the experience. Don't write off AG because of one snob and a bunch of cowardly snob moms.
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