Deals on American Girl doll?

[DebbieBofJC]

My DD wants an American Girl doll for her birthday (she's turning 6 next month).
They are $95!! Does anyone know of a way to get a better deal on one?
Seems like ebay has them even more expensive (collector's item I guess).

[Latonya]

No!!! Sorry!!

[Mrs. B]

No, I don't know of any discounts and they are very expensive. I just wanted to let you know that if you want to take your daughter for the best birthday EVER - take her to the American Girl PLACE in Chicago and go to the adorable cafe' and let her shop for her doll there along with clothes for her and her doll. Check out the website. I have four daughters and we have been twice. It is so much fun for the girls!! The cafe' is my favorite! All the girls matching their dolls and the dolls get their own place setting and a seat that hooks them on the table. The food is so cute - heart shaped ravioli, pudding that looks like dirt with a flower in a little flowerpot, scrunchies for the girls, the dolls, and the moms. It is just the cutest, girliest thing you've ever seen. But, it will cost you. The cheapest we've ever made it out of there is $200. per child. But, oh my, is it fun. I may enjoy it more than the kids even.

[2sillybugs]

I don't know which AG doll your daughter wants but check out QVC shopping channel website. They had some really good prices on doll packages right before christmas. QVC.com
Hope this helps.

[DebbieBofJC]

Thanks Mrs. B.
Maybe someday we'll do that.
A friend at church went there with her Grandma and loved it.
Our Barnes & Noble used to have an American Girls Night once a month,
but I don't know if they still do.

I looked at the Our Generation dolls from Target. They cost half as much, but judging from the reviews, they are just not as good quality.
American Girls have rooted hair, and you can send them in to be repaired if anything ever happens to them.
Maybe we can get some of the OG clothes and accessories, I'm sure they are cheaper than the AG stuff and the quality doesn't matter as much.

I told DD that if she gets an AG doll for her bday we will not be able to have a big party. She seemed ok with that.
She wants Molly. Her friend at church has Julie, then 2 other friends at church got Kit and Kaya for Christmas.

[lmarie]

Don't know where you can get a deal on a doll. But if you knit there are free patterns out there to knit clothes for them. I saw an adorable cardigan pattern where you could make a matching sweater for your child and their doll.

[DebbieBofJC]

I don't knit but I can sew and I am sure there are patterns out there for that size doll. In fact she would probably enjoy making clothes more than buying them ready-made (and it'd be a lot cheaper than the AG brand clothes).

[salsmom]

Both of my daughters wanted an American Girl doll so I got them one for their birthday but I sew doll clothes or get them the Our Generation Doll clothing. They don't seem to mind. I have never seen the dolls on sale just the clothing or accessories.

[livingfree]

I've never been able to find a deal on them. A friend of mine told me she found some used ones on Craig's List. My daughter has the bitty baby, a Just Like Me doll, and Kit. Her grandma and aunt were in on this, not just me. They are pricey, but they quality and beauty are fantastic. I will keep these dolls even once she is done using them for my grandkids I have no doubt they will last and still look great. They are kind of a classic toy.

[Lynne 39]

Hi--I finally just got on this forum and may not be able to help out in time for the birthday but....My daughter saved all year to go to the sale held in Middleton, WI which benefits the childrens museum. It is all AG stuff that is at least 75% off. The items are mostly new and some slightly damaged. The AG stores do not restock returns or any damages but send them to WI. The volunteers put everything in working order and have a huge 2 day sale. Go to Madison Childrens Museum site for dates and tickets. It is an incredible adventure and well worth the time. Bittys were $20, Historical AG $35-$45 and clothes, furniture and trunks were about $1-$20. Book are .50-$1 and girls clothes were all $10. Even the beautiful winter coats. If you want more ideas on how to negotiate the sale, let me know. We went there for 5 summers in a row and I would buy for others and gifts for all year long.