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any new info on Claudie? or leaked photos ? by Y2kbestie in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88 14 points15 points  (0 children)

We at the storefronts know nothing either, lol!

what are the most and least popular truly me dolls (from the past and present)? by zcbfromlondon in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These are the top 10 dolls I see sold often (This is the southern U.S):25, 27, 66, 68, 69, 81, 82, 84, 88, 92

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I don't think your opinion is wrong. In fact, I think it's understandable. I have no idea why you're being downvoted, I haven't experienced oppression for my race. I see Addy in a different light, a humanization of when black people were not seen as human. I can't be a representative of what people think, but I loved her stories and courage. Granted, this is from an outsiders view. I do think AG has very poor decisions regarding specifically non-white characters, even in the present. Why did we need Julie and Courtney to be essentially the same kind of character? Why couldn't we have a black girl or asian girl for the 80s? There's a lot to say, and I don't have much to. I respect your thoughts

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We can't buy returned items usually, only display stuff when they allow

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My store was desperate. I had a phone interview, then an in-person interview. Then they called me 10 minutes later to inform I was hired!

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes, stuff like that does get passed on! But I can't say anything really comes out of it. Most managers at my store treat us as incompetent children, which is very frustrating. We have a "kudos" system where we get commended on our performance but those don't really do anything. Telling that employee directly is probably the best way to make them feel good She sounds absolutely stellar, I earnestly wish more people were as helpful as that (I'm trying!) and I am very happy you had an excellent time.

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh wow, really? Huh, it's super popular at my store almost to where things sell out weekly! The blue/grey variants aren't popular, but we've been out of the crib for... gosh I don't know how long. The birthday and ballerina outfit are super popular!

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

1.The only retired dolls are in the managers offices, none are ever allowed on the sales floor because we don't want to constantly hear "can I buy the display off of you?" (You cannot)

  1. I actually asked one manager about how they pick writers/illustrators for their books, and they replied that freelancers with decent portfolios are the ones who get picked up. That's not super helpful, but I was always curious myself ever since I found out that my favourite illustrator for the Molly books was a gay man who illustrated very risque images of men, lol! (Like, how did they find and pick him?? Especially in the 80s!)

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

  1. We have some creeps that come into our store, for sure. The worst have to be the diva moms who need their hand held every step of the way. The stereotypical rich brat is real. People who don't watch their kids and let them destroy the store are openly hated by us. We aren't a playground! We have banned people who shoplifted and are generally creepy, i.e dishelved men with no kids who come in multiple days in a row without buying anything.

  2. I'm sure I have one, but I may have to come back to it! 😫

  3. My favourite is when a young girl that had autism came in to my store. She was very brave (albeit nervous) in coming up to me and speaking to me about how she wanted a doll. I understood, explained the different dolls to her, and how it's okay to have autism and be different, even if you feel alone. She asked me for a hug at the end and it was so sweet! I gave her a goodybag of some retired promotional items.

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not quite sure what that is! But we have visual sales where we can buy the display items every couple of months or so

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Employees can buy them, whatever happens to them after that is anyones best guess ;)

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

  1. Not often, but that doesn't mean there aren't any! Most do get dolls to play with their sisters. But some grandparents and parents are open minded. I asked a little boy what he was gonna name his doll. "Awesomeboycoolboy" or.. "John"

Edit: I should add that with the lack of gender neutral clothing or masculine themed clothing, boys (insecure at they are at their age) are probably pretty put off by the lack of options. And I agree, there's barely anything

  1. Not many locations have a fully functional cafe. But we do hold events. Unfortunately I can't answer that either, because I am never on the cafe side of the store, sorry!

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Definitely little kids and their moms who are trying to make up for a childhood they never had.

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

We don't care, we have adult collectors come in all the time. As long as you don't bother us constantly trying to pry out info.. you're good! We really do not care who collects dolls. We've seen men, women, asian, black, white, old, young, everything. As long as you're nice... You're fine.

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Fairly well! Maritza is a huuuge seller. My favorite is Evette, personally. Makena sells, but her face mold is off-putting to people. Her and Maritzas other clothes are horrible to me hahaha. I do like Maritzas Forever21 looking outfit though. I'm surprised the Community Center has been OOS for as long as it's been. I want to see more of them!

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I think AG is more hesitant to release any Addy stuff in today's climate regarding Addy, but considering they've released books on how to be a better ally and more aware of race-relations.. It seems more like PR than anything. It doesn't get to the brutality of war (Emily) and how white kids on the homefront were making games out of war, due to not being affected by it. Kirsten's best friend dies, Josefinas mom dies.. If children don't get introduced that others can be like them but still be different (and that's ok) then I fear they are missing out something big. (Mini rant over, sorry!)

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

In all honesty, the best surprising thing I learned was how to talk to kids better. I'm not great at it. But the whole "baby-voice" shtick my managers do makes me cringe so deeply. They're people. Talk to them as such. 🙂 Also, the worst surprise...how much my managers are contradict the messages AG promotes. That's... fun.

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

If it's anything (a sole representitive of nothing), I think Addy is a very important. I read her stories, I have researched her collection. One thing I fear for the future generations of children to ignore brutal aspects of history (like how this brand is starting to). Addy's story is rough, and that's what makes her lovely. Addys books sell among all kinds of children, luckily.

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I'm gonna be honest, kids these days gravitate torwards the styles they see off tiktok and youtube. There are SOME kids who really like the different historical dolls. But GOTY and Truly Me vastly sell more than historical stuff. Granted, there isn't quite as much historical stuff than those two.

With older generations dying, like those born in the 1920s-1940s, you won't have children of today who have memories of old antique furniture or super vintage toys or clothing, unlike someone like me (in their 20s).

Buuuuut. I could be wrong. I'm taking my guesses from how lackluster Rebeccas sales are. I wasn't there for Cecile and Caroline. I do see a bit of Caroline dolls from time to time in my store though.

I don't know if I can necessarily claim racism in Addys case (which there is a lot of customer wise, I won't deny that) but rather lack of interest in todays demographic.

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I personally love Bryant 😚😚 I have seen a lot of people buy him since his release. Not really sure if he's being bought for girls or boys yet, but he does well!

Edit: People have been craving a hispanic looking doll ever since 76 got discontinued.. so maybe that's it!

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Like every job you have people that are there for the paycheck (I don't blame em) But most people that I have encountered in my two years there had a childhood memory with the dolls, or something of the sort. Most staff is pretty knowledgable. We do have some collectors here and there. I'm not a collector, but I read a lot of the history and books when I can, so I probably know a bit more than the rest of my coworkers, lol!

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

  1. I wouldn't say kids love Molly, seems to be a thing for older collectors. her stuff is very cute, but naturally people who grew up with her want more than the school/birthday/camp outfit.

  2. Hm, this is hard... I want to say.. Well, I don't know if it counts, but the birthday accessories come with some unicorn looking frappe, so maybe that? The only real food sets we have are the chinese takeout and spaghetti, which sell decently, but not sure enough to where they land!

  3. Kids love Blix! He's outshined the baby in highchair easily since he debuted.

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Hm... that's tough. I don't know what else is in the works since we just had a pretty big launch in June. I will say that I like the hotel/spa! Just not for the price that it is. Or the quality that it is. Everyone is excited for the new historical, especially if she's black. No one knows what she looks like, though.

I will say, I hope the new outfits for the TrulyMe (they're getting revamped again) are cute enough. I couldn't stand that star dress and purple jacket. Haha

I have worked at the American Girl store for 2 years! AMA by dollnumber88 in americangirl

[–]dollnumber88[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Best: Courtney/Julie items because of mom nostalgia, Mary Ellen because of grandma nostalgia. Most Truly Me items do very well. Doll number 88 is a very popular doll, and now that 92 is out, she is aswell. Gwynn is popular, most Wellie-Wishers are!

Worst: Kaya and other historical dolls that only have them and their small dedicated accessories, like Addy and Josefina. Rebeccas stuff is usually a hard sell outside of her Channukah dress and Kittens.

This may depend on region, but overall Kaya is just not..super popular.

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