Comments on: The American Girl Naysayer: A Disagreement with an Academic on Doll’s Value http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/american-girl-naysayer-disagreement Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:51:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Rebecca West http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/american-girl-naysayer-disagreement/comment-page-1#comment-92713 Rebecca West Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:18:51 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2490451#comment-92713 It was so interesting to come across this response to my presentation! I appreciate the feedback. I do think that there is an issue with different approaches here: my research has focused on the idea of collectibles as something that people share with each other in a community, rather than being focused on the price points and relative value. I am certainly not an expert on prices or even buying trends; what I have looked at is the meaning people attach to the objects they collect. If you'd be interested, I'd be happy to share to my work with you - I can be reached at rwest1@luc.edu. I do also have to say that I certainly did not mean to say that it would be "impossible" for people to buy and hoard American Girl products. It is certainly difficult; the company maintains a tight rein on purchases and maintains records of buyers back to their first release of products. But even within the communities I have studied, I have encountered a few individuals with frankly astounding collections. However, none of these collectors seem to be buying for speculative purchases. Again, we are approaching this topic from a different angle. (I did try to post a comment here earlier, but it did not appear. My apologies if I submitted it incorrectly!) It was so interesting to come across this response to my presentation! I appreciate the feedback. I do think that there is an issue with different approaches here: my research has focused on the idea of collectibles as something that people share with each other in a community, rather than being focused on the price points and relative value. I am certainly not an expert on prices or even buying trends; what I have looked at is the meaning people attach to the objects they collect. If you’d be interested, I’d be happy to share to my work with you – I can be reached at rwest1@luc.edu.

I do also have to say that I certainly did not mean to say that it would be “impossible” for people to buy and hoard American Girl products. It is certainly difficult; the company maintains a tight rein on purchases and maintains records of buyers back to their first release of products. But even within the communities I have studied, I have encountered a few individuals with frankly astounding collections. However, none of these collectors seem to be buying for speculative purchases. Again, we are approaching this topic from a different angle.

(I did try to post a comment here earlier, but it did not appear. My apologies if I submitted it incorrectly!)

]]> By: Nick Ryan http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/american-girl-naysayer-disagreement/comment-page-1#comment-12364 Nick Ryan Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:15:35 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2490451#comment-12364 Excellent article Harry, Ms West's “Mattel tracks the sale of American Girl dolls and accessories.There is a limit to the number any one individual can buy.It is impossible to hoard.” Does she not realise any member of the public can buy or sell as much as they want. Once Mattel sells they are on the open market allowing hoarding for speculators. To my mind, Limited Editions are just manufacturers ways of creating markets in tough times. Regards, Nick Excellent article Harry, Ms West’s “Mattel tracks the sale of American Girl dolls and accessories.There is a limit to the number any one individual can buy.It is impossible to hoard.” Does she not realise any member of the public can buy or sell as much as they want. Once Mattel sells they are on the open market allowing hoarding for speculators.

To my mind, Limited Editions are just manufacturers ways of creating markets in tough times.

Regards, Nick

]]> By: Mike Wilcox http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/american-girl-naysayer-disagreement/comment-page-1#comment-12271 Mike Wilcox Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:02:06 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2490451#comment-12271 Hi Harry, I have to agree whole heartedly. I've watched many of these bubbles come and go since the 1960's. Ready made "collectibles" and limited edition dolls, plates, chess sets, decanters, hockey cards etc...... They all implode over time, there is money to be made there, but like the stock market you have to buy at the bottom and sell out before the pop ;~) Hi Harry, I have to agree whole heartedly. I’ve watched many of these bubbles come and go since the 1960′s. Ready made “collectibles” and limited edition dolls, plates, chess sets, decanters, hockey cards etc…… They all implode over time, there is money to be made there, but like the stock market you have to buy at the bottom and sell out before the pop ;~)

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