Alternative to American Girl Doll

Same dilema at our house (4 year old asked Santa for an AG doll)...I went ahead and bought the Target doll ($16.99) after reading all kinds of reviews online. My Mom picked up a doll made by Battat (sp?) at Farm & Fleet that looks to be similar quality, I think it was $19.99 (and I haven't read any reviews of that brand doll online). My thinking - if she trashes a $16.99 doll I won't be as upset as an AG doll getting trashed. I also want to see that this isn't just a passing fancy - received a Bitty Baby when she was 2 and that doll gets just as much love as the cheap baby doll (hardly any).

My daughter loves doing all her dolls hair - we do have the styling heads - but I already know she is going to brush this Target doll's head until she's completely tangled (we have many Barbies that are already wearing that look). In a few years, if she's still loving her Target doll we'll consider the AG doll.

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My sister was just telling me that Sears launched a new doll to compete with the American Girl dolls...I think it's called Dolly and Me and is around $30.

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I too wanted to go to AG without having to purchase the doll and my daughter had no clue the doll existed so I waited. Just before her 7th bday she discovered the "doll" so I told her if she wants the doll she would have to save her b-day and christmas money to buy her very first doll. Within 6months she saved her money and had enough for her to buy her very first AG doll. Her and I made it a mommy and me day and spent the whole day downtown. We purchased hr doll, had lunch at AG and went on a carriage ride. It was worth the wait.

Try to get one on ebay or something like that. Sometimes you can get them cheaper, if they are not the retired ones. Good luck.

J.
My girls have AG dolls and styling barbie heads if your daughter is really into doing hair then get a styling head instead. IF your daughter is really into dolls the hair is really that much nicer at AG I also have looked for an alternative but only come to similar priced dolls with as nice of hair. Good Luck and happy shopping.
J.

Hi J.,
My thoughts were the same as yours a few years ago about the AG dolls. I had bought my daughter a Madame Alexandar doll instead, and I have to tell you, there is no comparison. The cheaper doll had horrible hair that could not be combed and looked trashed after a short time. Even when she was brand new, you could lift the hair up and see huge spaces where the hair was glued on. We ended up getting the AG girl doll later. The quaility of the doll is amazing. The hair is the most noticeable charicteristic-- the AG dolls have rooted hair, which means you can comb it and fix it in different ways, and it will not ruin it or look bad. They are truly heirloom quality, and although very expensive, I think they are definitely worth it. If the doll is not in your budget right now, you might be able to find a pre-owned one on ebay or craigslist, and your daughter probably would not know the difference. As long as you spritz their hair with water before combing, the doll should be around for your daughter's daughter some day. Also, if the doll does have any accidents, they can be sent to the doll hospital for repair. Good luck!

they have a salon at AG. Maybe you can take her there to get her dolls hair done.. I think it cost like $20.I don't think they are worth it my daughter has 2 dolls and I've only seen her play with them twice.

Every summer Madison Children's Mueseum has an American Girl doll warehouse sale that makes the dolls affordable. You can sign up to be notified on their website of when tickets go on sale for this event. Dolls are at least 1/2 price and they have PLENTY but the earliest time slot you can get to enter the warehouse the most likely it is that you'll get what your daughter wants. They also have all sorts of other accessories and merchandise that is deeply discounted as well.
It was crazy hot the day I went with my niece (7 years old at the time), mom and sister in law and I said I'd never do it again so I bought a doll for my newborn daughter and another niece and put them in the closet until they are 4 or 5 years old.
I would definitely not take your kids being as young as they are if you were to go.
Obviously, if you were looking for a doll for Christmas, this won't work for you but if you can wait, it is worth it to not spend over $100 for a doll. My niece had saved her money for a year to get an American Girl doll and I heard about this sale and told her mom. We got the tickets and she was able to buy so much more than just her doll which is all that she would've been able to get by going to the store. She got a doll, a baby and some other things.
I've gone down for lunch in the city and it was so much fun but crazy expensive! It's definitely something that should be a special event.

I know Toys R Us has a doll that has a similar look, but I am not sure about the hair. The American Girl dolls are amazing in comparision to the Target doll. But I think that is a ton of money to spend on a doll for a five year old. I am making my daughter wait until she appears responsible enough to take care of one.

I was in Joanne one day and my 4 year old said "Are those American Girl dolls?" I thought, why not let her think that, I can save a lot of money! They sell about 4 different dolls for $16 (but they always have coupons too), and all of the clothes come separately. I don't know about the hair quality yet because it's going to be a xmas gift. I did notice that the hair is very long, so I will probably braid it, since my daughter likes her own hair braided. Michaels also carries these dolls and has a better selection of the clothes. AG clothes will fit them too because they are the same size. Why spend $100 if the child doesn't know the difference!

I've heard American Girl dolls can be sent back to the manufacturer for a "makeover" when their hair gets yucky. I don't know if this is at an additional cost (probably) but may be worth it if they do it for free. Just a thought.

Go for the American Girl dolls. By the time we discovered them, my daughter was almost too old for them. You can buy matching dresses for your daughter, and accessories. It's just a lot of fun, and the books are great.

The American Girl Doll's hair can't be played with much either except by an older child (which is why they are suggested for 7+) You can style it and comb it but you still have to take good care of it. A 5-year old is much too young and would trash the hair. My stepdaughter has some (bought by her great grandma) and she knows to play nice with them. You can't throw them in a closet like she does with her other toys! Styling the hair is fun but it's just fake hair so you have to comb it with the special picks and brushes.

I'd go with the Our Generation or the Michael's dolls and have her be more careful with it. I'd avoid American Girl until she gets much older and can take care of it and play gently with it.

Madame alexander has nice dolls, hair seems better then the target dolls- I think they are sold at costco and on-line

HI J.!
Target has a set of dolls that are VERY similar to the AG dolls but MUCH cheaper. They have 4 different girls, themes and many outfits. Even beds and horses, etc. I'm getting one for my oldest for Xmas bc I refuse to pay for an AG doll, while I know she will take care of it, I'm not so sure about her younger 2 sibs! LOL!
It's worth it to check them out. My daughter LOVED them! Good luck!
K. :0)

Dollie & Me available at SEARS!!! Just got one for my daughter and yes you save sooooo much money!!!! :)

American Girl dolls hair gets trashed too. You can pay $15 & up (I think) to get the hair done at the salon, but it still gets messy. We bought the dolls for my girls and I wish we didn't.