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November 14, 2007
Why Do Dolls Cost So Much?
This question gets asked over and over . . . we printed an answer a few years ago and think it bears repeating!
Recently we received a letter from an Elementry student telling us that she "loves American Girl Dolls but why are they so expensive?"
Here's our reply:
" . . . our company sells clothing and accessories that FIT American Girl dolls - we don't make the dolls. That company is owned by Mattel - it was originally called Pleasant Company (the woman that started the company is named Pleasant Roland). Now the company is called American Girl.
As we are in business too, I can try to answer your question regarding the cost of American Girl dolls. First, the dolls are very well-made of quality parts. Many cheaper dolls have eyes that don't open or close and hair that cannot be brushed or styled.
Secondly, a business has to pay everyone involved in the creation of the doll from the face and hands sculptor (really!) to the design of the body, the attachment of the arms and legs to the placement of the eyes and the wigs of the doll. Some of the work is done by machine but most is done with the help of people working in a factory.
Next we have the costs of dressing the doll ie someone researches and designs the appropriate clothing, others find the fabric and trims, and others cut and sew the garments. In addition, there are shoes, underwear and accessories that must be found or made. And a box is needed to keep her fresh and ready for someone.
If the doll is a historical American Girl doll, like your Kirsten, other people research the life she would have for all the fun doll accessories . . . plus an author is paid to write the books that tell about Kirsten.
In other words, lots of parts need to be bought and many people are involved that need to be paid. All of the costs are added up and then divided by the number of dolls to be made. The final cost is increased two or three times to allow the company to afford a building, phones and the beautiful catalogs they mail at no direct cost to you. All of those costs are figured into the price of American Girl dolls.
If they used less expensive materials in making and clothing the doll, and didn't have books and accessories for the dolls - then the dolls would be cheaper. And there are less expensive dolls out there that are the same size as American Girl dolls, but they are not the same. Hope that helps! Millie@DollCloset.com
The other side of the coin is people asking us if we have any dolls NOT made in China . . . Yes, but they cost even more than American Girl and Madame Alexander!
For example, the Engel Doll Company (their dolls are pictured on this page) has been making dolls in the Bavarian section of Germany for years - they are wonderful . . . but you have to pay for labor costs that are well over the 14 or so cents an hour paid in China. It's a catch-22 situation!
Posted by dollcloset at November 14, 2007 12:25 AM
Comments
This has nothing to do with this, but I thought I'd let everyone know! On Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving) they are having the first ever preview of the newest American Girl Doll. This will be on Oprah. They didn't say they doll's name, so I'm hoping/guessing that it's Mia!!
From Millie:
As you know now, it was!!
Posted by: Alexa at November 17, 2007 10:18 AM
Wasn't Mia cool? Did you see it Millie?
From Millie:
I didn't until our reader sent a link - she does look VERY desirable!!
Posted by: Jane at November 27, 2007 05:45 AM
Dear Doll closet,
I am an american girl maniac! I know every doll's name (except for the just like you dolls.) But, I think it is kind of expensive.
From,
Rachel Chan
From Millie:
It caertainly can be expensive to have more than one . . . and sometimes to have even one. Have you read the letter we wrote about why dolls cost so much? You can find a link to it on the right top of our home page: http://www.dollcloset.com
If you can afford one and WANT one, I think they are worth it!
Posted by: Rachel at September 15, 2008 04:17 PM