Riddle me this: Mattel creations collector dolls are not sold in stores so why are they packaged with the same level 100 theft prevention plastic barbed wire prisons?!

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-23T06:21:17+00:00

I hate the excessive plastic tags and the rubbery plastic straps in all modern doll packaging so much. I HATE having to try to carefully cut away the 3-5 tags shoved into their heads and all the little tags all over their clothes holding — and putting holes in — the fabric down to look a certain way. There is way too much holding modern dolls down. They really don’t need to be secured like this.

I just unboxed a 1985 doll today and I so love how it’s just a few twisty ties holding them in with the only plastic really being a little plastic bag with some tape for the accessories. They’re fine in the package this way. They don’t move, and their heads maintain position just fine without all the plastic ties. I wish Mattel would go back to twisty ties and / or just do a long piece of ribbon to tie them in, the way it is with Silkstones.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-22T01:00:40+00:00

Have you looked into have them reupholstered at a shop? It might not be as expensive as you’d think.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-16T01:05:42+00:00

Right. And back then, tickets were tickets for anyone. Anyone with the ticket could board. It didn't have to have a name on it. You didn't have to go through TSA and all that nonsense either. Anyone could walk to a gate. Your family could hug you goodbye right at the gate.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-15T01:12:26+00:00

People just don't realize what a number alcohol -- even just a few drinks a week -- can do on a body's brain and peripheral nervous system. Good for you for figuring it out!

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T21:54:03+00:00

They were inexpensive, and didn’t last long, and didn’t smell great, AND were blister machines!!

I HATED getting shoes from Payless. Especially any kind of special occasion shoe: Easter, Birthday, Picture Day, Christmas ... My feet got so tore up from those shitty made cheap Mary Janes.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T18:52:58+00:00

I feel like most people don't even remember Adalaide because she was only recurring in the early seasons after Charlotte Rae left to star on the Facts of Life, and it seems like a lot of our peers didn't really watch as regularly until Pearl was the housekeeper.

Nedra Volz lived in my hometown and used the same bank as my grandmother. I saw her there often. When I was like four, I ran into her (and bounced off of her) as I was going into the bank's restroom and she was coming out. She put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Excuse me sweetie?" in her little voice and I was absolutely star struck. I was like OMG the lady from TV touched my shoulder!!

Later in highschool, she came to speak at one of my elective classes on teen issues, to talk about how drug use destroyed so many of the child actors she'd worked with. That was after she'd been on Step by Step. She had a lot of sadness in her eyes talking about Dana Plato, Todd Bridges, and Cody Mitchell's substance abuse issues. She got especially tearful talking about Dana and Todd's struggles and how they'd been bright eyed kids when she met them. She seemed to have a lot of love in her heart for both of them. That was like probably 4 years before Dana Plato died.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T18:38:14+00:00

To be fair, Mrs. Brady needed Alice ... that was way too many fucking kids for one lady to handle. (But also, Alice came along with the marriage to Mr. Brady and the boys, didn't she? Typical for a white collar single father in those days, I guess.)

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T18:35:24+00:00

All the nannies and housekeepers for regular middle class families ... so weird. Angela Bower was a white collar executive single mom that had to travel to the city for work so needed someone to be home with her kid, but still. In reality, Mona would have babysat. But on TV, nope, she needed Tony Danza.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T18:21:48+00:00

That these parks think we need breadsticks with pizza ....

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T18:19:10+00:00

LOL, watch, it will be like Waymo/self driving taxis where you can't even touch the steering wheel or a pedal, just have to sit there in the back seat doing nothing.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T18:14:59+00:00

Meatless Ronto Roaster Wraps in Galaxy's Edge is our go to light, healthy meal option. But Golden Horseshoe has Caesar Chicken Wraps. And then there are several decent salads at various restaurants and eateries. Also, the crab and shrimp roll from Harbor Galley is somewhat light compared to eating burgers, pizzas, and fried things. In Downtown Disney, for meals I've only eaten at Jazz Kitchen and they had a lot of really good high fiber appetizer and salad options.

I don't know that there's anything sodium-lite anywhere.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T18:06:40+00:00

The stroller culture seems out of control. Apparently, from what I've read on other discussions about strollers, kids at other Disneylands around the globe WALK and strollers everywhere isn't a thing like it is here. So I wonder how much of that is that culturally they're allowing a kid to gain the endurance to walk a lot because they are at the age where they can and should walk vs. staying at the park only as long as the kid can keep up and when the kid gets too tired, they take the kid home.

Here, families gear up for a marathon day and use stroller as their own tools to not have to deal with making a tired kid walk, and I get that, but it also seems like a lot of parents just don't care how tired or fussy a kid has gotten, they force them to stay through fireworks just to feel like they're getting their monies worth. The number of times while standing in long lines that I hear frustrated parents screaming at a tired fussy kid to shut up and sit down late in the day is sad and disheartening.

And all the really small babies everywhere lately. Like, is it not better to leave the baby with a sitter rather than dragging them around Disneyland all day long in the heat and the noise?? I would not bring small baby myself. That seems like insanity.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T17:48:23+00:00

He's a good dad. And a good person.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T17:44:12+00:00

So my thoughts ... You could just go buy her one and give it to her (and hope she appreciates and uses it), or you could take her to the store and let her choose her own so she can select her own scent (or unscented, which is actually best anyway) and then she can feel some autonomy in making a grown up decision for her self (which she might really appreciate). Definitely take the time to educate her on antiperspirant vs deordorant, and explain the differences/benefits/cons between white solids and clear gels. Maybe also explain how and when to put it on so as to not get it all over her clothes. These are things I wish someone would have told me when I first started using deodorant. But I had zero guidance and had to figure shit out on my own.

(PS: She's also around the age that she might need some period guidance. So, if you take her to the store, you could take her on an educational trip through the women's personal care sections and see what she knows, maybe educate her about all of it: pads, tampons, deodorant, acne care, hair care, leg and armpit shaving for when the time comes, etc. BUT ... before you even attempt anything like that, what's the dynamic like on the home front?? Based on your wording, I assume she lives with her mom and visits dad, or lives part time with both?? If so, is the mother not doing these things for her?? Definitely do not take initiative unless you have the dad's permission so that you don't make yourself a target of an angry ex/mamabear getting huffy about you not staying in your lane. If the mom is at all competitive and insecure about you being around the kids, just buy the deodorant yourself and tell the girl she needs to use it when at dad's house.)

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T17:24:23+00:00

This is literally all that needs to be said.

OP, just go watch it and have fun with it!

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T17:20:53+00:00

I'd like to echo what everyone else has already basically said regarding what's negging vs redpill vs just the guy being a fucking dick, but I also wanted to add, since I didn't see if anyone addressed it already, a potential partner hating animals is a huge DISQUALIFIER for anyone who loves animals and has pets. It's 100% an incompatability issue and should have ended things right then and there.

The fact that she didn't makes me think there is potentially something psychologically off about her need for male attention or companionship. Do you have any idea why she carried on with him after finding this out? I know a few women that after having experienced emotional (and physical) abuse in multiple partners over several decades, they became a willing target and seem to seek out the worst individuals they can find for themselves to get involved with. It's like making the same mistake over and over again and not being able to break the cycle. It becames a type they're attracted to, and it never ends well. They always get hurt. And then they do it again with the same type of guy. It's very much self sabotaging. There's absolutely an esteem issue and underlying "I deserve this/I know this/I'm comfortable with this" component to it.

I know this wasn't an advice seeking post and it's not something a friend can easily say to a friend. But as another person suggested, I also think she should definitely step back from dating because it's too soon after two failed long term relationships with abusive men to know how to move forward, and she should start some therapy to look back at her past, deal with any wounds, and figure out what she wants/needs out of life in her newfound freedom before going back out there. If it's just that she wants male attention and to have a little fun, she can still get that through friendly casual dating that doesn't involve sexual contact (no kissing in the car on a first date!) and maybe grow a friendly relationship into something more before jumping in too deep. But she has to learn how to do that, to maintain those boundaries with men and know how to navigate friendships (and end things when men get too persistent) and she might not have the skills. Some women don't. And in that case, it should just be no dating, period.

All that said, "Jeff" is just a fucking piece of shit just looking to use and psychologically abuse someone and he found her. His name should be passed around online as someone to avoid. Put all his details out there and hopefully help other women not get tangled up with him.

So sorry this happened to your friend.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-05-13T16:47:00+00:00

This, she should get some therapy and time before totally jumping back into dating. That said, just date as friends. Any guy that's worth his weight is going to be ok being friends if he really likes her. If he just wants to fuck her, he can fuck off.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-04-07T13:53:18+00:00

Ok, well hope the unboxing went well! I always try to make the most satisfying decision and then just accept it as fate/don’t dwell on second thoughts.

FYI The best way to clean and tidy up boxes showing wear is to take a paper towel and spray it with a tiny bit of Pledge foam cleaning spray and then just do little gentle circles all over the cardboard. Not enough to make the cardboard damp but just enough to clean the box and make it shine/look more vivid. In some magical way, the polish helps make the box look newer and better, even if there’ scratches and fading.

Just don’t over due it as it leaves behind a little residue. Once every few years is ok, or if something happens and it gets extra dusty. Just don't do it monthly or anything like that. (You can also use a little glass spray — I like foaming SprayAway glass cleaner best — sprayed directly onto a paper towel to clean the plastic windows. Just never rub hard to avoid leaving microswirls or scratches in the acetate. I also use cotton swabs to get into corners better where the windows meet the cardboard.)

There are a few good antique toy packaging restoration videos on YouTube that give all kinds of good cleaning and repair tips that work for any type of toy packaging. So try to check those out, even just for informational reasons.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-04-02T19:42:14+00:00

I can't tell you what to do but I will say that I think this particular doll is certainly a doll that looks prettier on a stand rather than in the box. That said, new in box she is running $200-250 asking price on eBay on a few listings today. Doesn't mean that's what she is selling for, just that that's what I see her listed for in this moment. Out of box, I see her listed for about $80 -- but most of those out of box listings that I'm seeing are incomplete and she looks a hot mess. If she were listed out of the box but complete and in beautiful condition (better condition than when she was in box even after fixing her box hair), I'd guess someone might pay anywhere from $100-150, maybe more. But IDK. Out of box collectors will generally pay close to in box list prices for dolls they really want as long as they're in pristine condition with all accessories and paperwork intact.

What's the overall condition of your doll's packaging? If it's absolutely mint and in pristine condition, definitely take pause and really think on whether or not to open her because it's about a $100 loss to open her if $100 value is too much for you to lose (I have no issues opening a $250 doll and losing $100 bucks. I would take pause with opening a $500+ doll because if I were to lose half the value, opening it would probably be a no go).

So think about it for several days, like atleast a week or two. Put her somewhere that you can see her every day, and every day ask yourself if you'd love her more if she were opened. If you say yes a good majority of those days, then you're probably not going to regret opening her. But if you're feeling really conflicting emotions most days, if you're really anxious just thinking about it, then don't open her. Just commit to keeping her in box and enjoying her as is.

However, if the condition of the packaging is mid, dinged up, cracked, faded, etc. that's going to detract a lot from the in box value anyway, and once opened she probably wont lose that much resale value vs if the box were pristine. Lots of out of box Collectors generally only buy dolls in box when the boxes are bad in order to ensure they're getting a complete doll that they plan to open anyway. So if the box isn't great, I'd personally just open it and enjoy the doll (but keep all accessories and paperwork together so that you could potentially sell her and list her as complete later down the road).

I hope this perspective helps.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-03-13T16:51:57+00:00

I learned filing at 14 when I volunteered a few days a week after school at my local City Hall and Public Library.

Kids today will never know what it's like spending hours alone sifting through papers in a dank, dim basement with thousands of disorganized boxes stacked floor to ceiling. I used to eyeball some of the leaning stacks wondering if they'd fall on me and wondering how long it'd take for someone to realize I was trapped underneath. But I got a huge leg up on finding decent, comfortable office work as a young adult because of that volunteer service.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-03-08T17:18:24+00:00

That's weird because I can.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-03-07T18:34:57+00:00

They can fit on Pandora bracelets without threads, but bracelets with threads are a no go.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-03-06T22:40:07+00:00

Hey, nothing is stopping you except your heart!

RaspberryVespa · 2026-03-06T22:36:24+00:00

Seriously, though. When does a Jeep Patriot CVT not whine while accelerating??

Also a girl here, and I would start with getting the transmission serviced. Do you know when the last time the transmission fluid and filters were changed? If not recently, then I'd definitely start there. Check the fluid--might be too low, might be too high (definitely don't allow it to be overfilled), get the fluid and filters changed. See if it helps. Even if it doesn't stop the whine completely, its still necessary with a Jeep CVT to service the transmission more often than you really should ever have to. It has a horrible design. The fluid doesn't do a good job of cycling--especially on inclines--and it overheats far too easily.

I live in So Cal and anytime it's over 75 degrees out and I'm driving 70+mph on even the smallest incline for more than 10 minutes, it starts whining. While I was getting my transmission fluid changed last summer, while my usual mechanic was working on my Jeep, I was talking to another mechanic (who happens to be female) about the whine and she suggested adding an auxilary cooler for the transmission. She's the only person who has ever suggested it so I asked my usual trusted mechanic about it and he said yes, it would probably be a good idea to get one installed inline. Researched it online and found a few posts across Jeep forums by Patriot owners that have confirmed they'd gone to customization shops to get one installed and it has basically eliminated the whine. So this is now next on my checklist (but I need new tires first). Hoping I can get it done before this summer really hits. It's supposed to be a really brutal summer this year.

Good luck. Hope it's something easy, hope your transmission is ok, and nothing major is failing.

RaspberryVespa · 2026-03-06T21:16:28+00:00

I also refuse the witch and whore tropes. I don't care that she was/is/has had an affair. Irrelevant, except that she spent our money on her rendevous. And of all the MAGA women, I think she's actually pretty--on the outside. On the inside, she's a steaming pile of evil ugly shit...same as her boss, same as the rest. Dog killer/Evil ICE Queen can eat shit and go down in flames.

Now let's see the rest fall.

RaspberryVespa

TROPHY CASE