Not good enough for American Girl

Normally I don't chime in about this stuff, but the American Girl Salon is for American Girl dolls. That's kind of that - nothing snobby about it. That's what it's for. It was rude for anyone to make a judgement call about consumers of any other type of doll, but not for the store to make the decision to offer a service to people who buy their dolls.

I happen to have fond feelings for American Girl in general. They do cost more, but as a company, their politics are pretty cool. In the face of all kinds of criticism, they continue to support Girls, Inc., and are pro choice and pro gay rights.

They're one of the few companies that market "lifestyle" stuff for young girls that's not demeaning and degrading, but educational and about healthy emotional expression, athleticism and academics.

Her friend's parents should have ensured that all of the girls attending the party at the American Girl Store had an American Girl doll (one of the trademark T's on my keyboard would be really helpful) or offered to lend one to the girls who were invited but did not have one of their own.

The embarrassment would have been spared had their been better planning on the part of the snobby parents.

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I am by no means wealthy, but my daughter owns an American Girl Doll. Actually, she owns several. Grandma bought her the Bitty Baby Twins for Christmas, we bought her one from eBay, and she is getting a Just like me doll for her birthday in October. We decided to invest the money for several reasons, they are heirloom quality dolls, American Girl has a "hospital" where they replace things like heads and limbs, and the American Girls are positive role models with a life drawn from an important time in American History and powerful messages.

We just decided to buy a couple more expensive dolls she could keep forever and pass to her children, instead of buying a bunch of $10 dolls that would easily be destroyed and forgotten.

I think it is appalling the way the little girl was treated by the stylist and the other girls and parents. I hope the girl's mother writes a letter to the company to let them know the kind of person employed at the salon. I do not, however, think the experience is commonplace or indicative of the kind of company that is American Girl.

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I bought my Molly doll in 1987 after what seemed like forever of saving my allowance and birthday money -- I can still remember that she was $68, astronomical for an eight-year-old. That doll was so important to me and the books that go along with them are well-written and let girls be girls instead of tiny pre-preteens. My Molly waits in case I ever have a daughter since she's still in great shape despite the fact that I actually played with her regularly. My mom and I sewed every outfit my doll had other than the one she came with. There are a lot of 18" doll knockoffs now, and I can understand a company wanting to protect their brand. The girl's parents could have called ahead to find out the salon's policy instead of subjecting their daughter to embarassment. The employee wasn't the kindest, but she's probably not allowed to bend the rules herself.

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WTF... there is an American Doll Salon? Too weird. I've only heard the name "American Doll" but have no idea what it is. My daughter, I'm sure, will never have one. The whole idea of taking your doll to a salon, well, that's just freaky! Aren't kids supposed to give their dolls makeovers at home? I remember dolls that got haircuts or makeup applied in my own room.
My daughter has an older brother who sort of tempers her "girlieness" and I don't think she'll be into these things so much (I hope).
I admit that I'm ignorant of the American Girl thing, so I apologize if I offended anyone.

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Their webpage doesn't say anywhere that their salon is only for American Girl Dolls. Until this story came out I have been told it said "bring your favorite doll to have it's hair styled", I've just looked and now they took out the "favorite" part, but it still just says "bring your doll..." I myself am not immersed in "American Girl" culture, and if I had only every looked at their webpage I probably wouldn't realise *any* doll wasn't welcome. They should really clearly say so if that is the case. Put some signs up at the store too if they are that bothered.

And as for it being a "service to people who buy their dolls" - they are charging $20, so it is not like this was some kind of kind act they were bestowing on people who gave them business. It cost $20! I don't think if they did that one girl's target doll they would have a flood of people running in with their discount store dolls as well. I persoanlly think if I was running that salon I would just tell the people working there that if people are willing to pay $20 to have a doll's hair done then do a freakin' Barbie's hair if the kid wants you too. I mean, for pete's sake, make the kid happy. Many different dolls will mean a lot to different kids.

As I said, I am not really into the whole American Girl thing, but my impressions of the whole scene aren't that great. Maybe it was originally kind of a neat idea, albeit an expensive one.(Of course, if people want to spend lots of money on dolls that is up to them.) It just comes across as really materialistic to me anymore - maybe since Mattell took it over? I don't really know if it was better before or not. Aside from what I have read about the brand being dumbed down and quality on a lot of things going down, look at the webpage for the American Girl Place- http://www.americangirlplace.com/agp_ny_splash.php

I don't know, I just don't like the whole vibe I get from all that. I wouldn't personally want to go there, and it isn't the kind of environment I would want for my kids. (But then I wouldn't spend that much on a doll anyway. And there are a heck of a lot of great books about or by women out there to read that weren't written to sell dolls, so the whole "educational" thing isn't a big seller for me. That seems really commercial as well.)

I guess the main point is - who treats a little kid like that? The salon and those parents should all be ashamed.

This story has really upset me. Thank you for bringin this to our attention Roger.

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Beyond the snobbery and class issues, hasn't anyone heard of customer service? The "hairstylist" (can you imagine telling people your job is to do dolls hair. lol!) could have taken a MUCH GENTLER approach. Hello, you work with children. Explain that your tools do not work on Susie's hair, but you can put it in nice pigtails. Take 5 minutes (if that) and don't be a dick.

And other parents picking on a child? Who wants to bet their kids treat others the same way they have seen their parents act? *sigh*

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This the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Shame on that salon and shame one all of those mothers. That poor little girl, I can't imagine how she must feel. This is ridiculous and disgusting.

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I have a feeling that this is an isolated incident. Hopefully the parent and child will get an apology.

I would also hope that the mom would use this as an opportunity to teach her daughter what's really important in judging people's value versus ignorance. Aside from protecting her self-confidence, this will teach her empathy too - after all, if she could afford a $30 doll, there are lots of kids in worse shape who will need some empathy from her, too.

I always liked the American Doll stories, but there is no way I would spend that kind of money on any doll. I would rather teach my daughter the difference between value and pretention. She would know before she ever entered an American Girl store (if that ever happened) that anyone who acted that stupid about a material thing has an extremely small mind.

Frankly I'm glad that I never have to shop in New York City, which is a completely different experience from shopping almost anywhere else I've been. I have multiple times as much money as most of the shoppers there, but that doesn't stop them from looking down their nose at me because I'm not wearing the right clothes, shoes, coat, and accessories. That is why most of them will always struggle to afford a fraction of the living space most of us enjoy, or to set aside a little money for charity, or to put multiple kids through school. I'm proud of my priorities and will teach my kids to be proudly practical.

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Am I the only one who wonders if this is what *really* happened? And no managers stepped in to stem the fiscal crisis brewing on their floor? Really?

I'm thinking that either this story has been blown entirely out of proportion, or it's been made-up, and the "Fakeout" title is entirely appropriate.

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Uly,

That was my first thought too. However, I suspect there is probably some truth and some exaggeration mixed together here - as is often the case when we only hear one side of the story.

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I'm *hoping* that there's truth and exaggeration mixed together, and that the title is a coincidence. That's the most likely possibility, honestly.

But I'm a cynic, and my views seem to be the minority, at least as far as people are willing to *express*, so I'm also keeping a very open mind to the idea that this is a hoax for whatever reason.

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And exactly how much does it cost to get a dolls hair styled? I had no idea that such a place existed. I think it is really rude- more than rude- for people to say that she couldn't afford a doll. Alot of people are lucky to get 3 meals a day, and there are terrible people who would put someone down for not spending $100+ on a doll? Unbeleivable.

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My daughter owns an internet company (http://www.dollsclothes-emilyrose.com) that sells AG stuff that is more affordable specifically so that kids can add more to their collection without spending a million. They actually offerred Etta to come and shop with them and get free shipping on all her orders.

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I can't believe this! It costs a fortune to buy an American Girl doll, much less get its hair done. I know because I wanted one when I was 9, and never got one because of the price. (I made do with the books and Barbies; my niece's father got her one last Christmas) I'm disgusted at the attitudes of the parents involved. SO WHAT if the kid didn't have an American Girl doll? All she wanted was to be one of the girls, and they chided her because she doesn't have the 'real' doll! This story proves that snobbery is alive and well in this world; what a terrible thing to say to a young child.

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WHHOOAA I haven't yet read the comments - I am so pissed off by this post I have to reply NOW. Why are you calling owners of American Girl dolls brats? How is that any different from someone calling a little girl names because she has the knock-off version. Both ways, it is the parents who chose which version to by, and that choice reflects in no way on the child.

On another note, American Girl salons exist to serve American Girl dolls and their owners. This should be reason enough to understand why the stylist wouldn't style the knock-off's hair. ALSO...liability. The stylists cannot be sure about the make-up of knock-off's hair, so they don't know how it will respond to particular treatments.

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Like Brynne, I got my AG doll (Kirsten) in the 1980s, when American Girl was owned by Pleasant Company. It was a combo b-day/christmas in 1985, I begged and begged for it. My best friend had all three dolls, she was the niece of Pleasant Rowland, the founder, and I got my doll just before the first catalogs were distributed. I got Kirsten since I was a huge Laura Ingles fan and Kirsten's story was the same era. I got the doll with the understanding that it was a SPECIAL doll - I never messed with her hair, never took her outside, was very gentle with her. I was also 7, so it wasn't like I was dragging my doll around by her hair. I have very fond memories of playing with Kirsten, recreating the stories. I eventually purchased all of her outfits and accessories, making my last purchases with baby-sitting money 6-7 years later (yes, I was still buying doll clothes at 14!)
All that said, what AG has come since Mattel took over disgusts me. It is all about consumerism, constantly adding new lines, new stores, never allowing a collector get it all. I like the company's politics, but their "pushing" consumerism on very young kids turns me off. Hair salons for dolls creeps me out. I still think a $70 doll should be treated as a collectors item, not a toy. Something to be respected and admired, handled with care. For me, my doll taught me a lot about respecting my toys.
I'm disappointed that I won't be sharing AG with my daughter. She'll play with my doll when she's old enough, but we won't buy into the hype.

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"ALSO...liability. The stylists cannot be sure about the make-up of knock-off's hair, so they don't know how it will respond to particular treatments." Miss

OK, this is the craziest thing I have seen today. You cannot be serious. Liability relating to a freaking doll's hairstyle? What kind of a world is this where we are more worried about getting sued for a doll's hair not looking perfect than a child's feelings. Give me a break, can you see a court case with doll's in it? There are people in this world with real problems and we are talking about TOYS!

Give the child a smile, take 2 seconds to fix the doll's hair & get on with everyone's lives. Instead
American Girl tm looks like a bunch of idiots and I know I would never buy a child an American girl doll.

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Move that employee to a position where she has no contact with customers, and profusely apologize to the family.

If off-brand dolls are prohibited, the doll should have been spotted long before the child got to the stylist. Once there, the company has a human obligation not to crush a child's spirit.

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"American Girl dolls seem to be for rich, spoiled, brats whose parents have more money than brains and don't care if their kids grow up to be just like them. I know that American Girl dolls aren't for my kids."

So my daughter must be a rich, spoiled brat and we must have more money than brains because she has an American Girl doll. Interesting. Never mind the fact that she got it for her sixth birthday from her grandparents, and never mind that I don't let her buy clothes for the doll from the American Girl catalog because they're too expensive. It must be nice to make broad generalizations about people. I don't like Bratz dolls but I don't say bad things to people who let their girls have them.

If that incident did, in fact, take place, I think the salon was in the wrong. And the parents who made comments to the little girl were wrong, too. My daughter and I would have left had we witnessed such a thing.

Now, if the American Girl company doesn't make restitution to that little girl, we won't allow our daughter to get any more of their products. But Roger, please don't resort to name-calling again to make a point.

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"American Girl dolls seem to be for rich..."

Sarcasm extrapolated from the comments and apparent attitude made by and exhibited by the stylist and other customers.

As it turns out, my wife read this story, turned to me and said "You know, Sara has an American Girl doll. It's up in the attic. Mom got it for her."

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