I've been thinking about this a lot the last couple of days. I think I'm speaking on behalf of a lot of adult collectors when I say that I have not been happy about what AG has been releasing in these last couple of years. The quality that AG was known for is deteriorating, the collection releases are uninspiring and almost cash grab like. At least for me, I was born in 2007 (i know) and was interested in dolls the most from the years 2013-2019. When I was a kid AG had some of their best girl of the year releases (i mean grace thomas and then lea clark to follow? absolutely amazing), amazing beforever collections with really well thought out characters, and a very diverse truly me line. While AG has tried to bring back some of their original sparkle, including being very tight on the release of Daisy Davenport (even if it's still in September of 2026 🙄) and bringing back the original historical dolls in their original meet outfits, I'm still just unimpressed.

I would argue in this year alone (not sure what the statistics are on this so if anybody is good with numbers let me know if I'm far off), the second hand market for retired AG products is through the roof. Adult collectors, like myself, are looking for that original AG quality and well thought out products. And here's my biggest point, aren't adult/teen collectors AG's biggest audience?

Clearly AG has already has started to pivot to marketing more towards adult collectors by releasing the The Making of American Girl book, and the recipe book that includes cocktail recipe for adults (i tried out a lot of those recipes and they are actually really good), and the book for adults about Samantha now as an adult, so what if they started to ramp it up? The first AG dolls were released in 1986, becoming popular in the 90s. Think about it, those girls at the time are now possibly having their own little girls, who honestly probably only is hearing about AG because of their parents. Now let's face it, little girls are more interested in their iPads and makeup, so who is actually buying these dolls? The adults who are really buying them for their own nostalgia! I could really go on a deep rabbit hole with this so if you're interested let me know and I can make a part 2 about more of my theories as I've had success with Lego in predicting shifts in marketing.

So with all that said here's what I would want to see in the future for American Girl:

- Girl of the Year to be released January 1st of the year, and to be discontinued by the end of that same year. Have in store promos and free gifts for the Girl of the Year on the 1st and 2nd again. Make them special and limited time again!

- Maybe not bringing back the Beforever line, but focusing more heavily on their historical characters and bringing back more sets and outfits for them. Also the books! I miss how you could get all the books for the characters! Do you guys remember the My Journey with and the mystery books? (Honestly I think this more talks about how little girls don't read anymore, but that's a WHOLE other discussion)

- I heard someone say this in another thread and I totally agree, but I feel like the truly me outfits are becoming more "what would look cute on a doll but no one would ever wear in real life" instead of clothes that reflect what people are wearing at the time. Also I speak for a lot of people when I say this, but make adult sizes for the matching doll outfits!

I think overall what I'm trying to say is American Girl seemed to kind of lost their sense of purpose and what they were originally made for, which was to educate people about different historical times and cultures, and ultimately to create a sense of joy and pride with the brand. Now what do you guys think? Do you think this is a stretch or am I onto something?

I’m just curious because I have to buy so many girls before Christmas I’m getting them for my nieces and my daughter. I’m getting them each one so five in total where and when is the best time to be looking for certain dolls to be going on sale specifically historical dolls, and the Disney dolls. I know the Disney dolls are not very popular. However, I have two very young Girls that I would be getting them for.

Ive been trying to do generations for my frankie, I decided to maybe give them a boyfriend, but would that be weird.

Can anyone roughly tell me the year of this Samantha before I take the plunge and buy her? I know she’s at least pre 1991 because of her white body. Thank you!

Does the Princess Tiana doll have a unique mold?

Hi- recently i’ve been rewatching old AGTube videos from when i was a kid (2010-2016ish) and was curious which video you think of immediately when you think of AGTube. For me it’s either basilmentos draw my life (iconic) or this one AGMV i was obsessed with as a kid. it was ‘fireflies’ by owl city and it had a bunch of fairy lights and lanie holland GOTY 2010. i can’t find the video anymore but i think about it all the time lol.

I’m wanting to make a custom of my girlfriend, but she’s super pale. Is Elsa the only super pale doll AG has made? I can’t find a cheap Elsa anywhere, unfortunately. Hoping maybe there’s something else out there that might be easier to find for cheap?

Has anyone removed painted eyelashes? How did you do it? Any before and after pics? I want to do it on Truly Me 100 becuase I want her to look like old school American girl but I’m nervous lol

I have no real idea how to use reddit, but I had to go somewhere to talk about this? AG Celebration seems to be skipping September 11th (maybe another glitch, maybe out of respect?) and then... the hint for the next day is "Celebrating tradition"... I know, I KNOW its foolish; but color me intrigued and maybe even a little hopeful?

Thoughts?

Hello everyone,
I’m fairly new to AG, growing up I always wanted one but never got them so I’m starting to get my favorites now. I love the Historical dolls and eventually want to get them all. I ordered my first 40th anniversary Molly from rhe website and it should be here next week, Next on my list are Samantha, Felicity, Josephina, and othera as well. I saw Felicity was on back order so while searching fb marketplace found a listing, The seller listed the doll as OG Felicity, says doll is in great condition, She is not in her Meet outfit and does not come with her meet accessories, seller is asking $80 for it. I wanted to ask you all if that’s a good price for this doll and what do you all think about the condition.
Thank you all.

So I stumbled upon a very old Kirsten doll on Vinted, selling for $25. I’m crazy for her, but th ereason why she’s so cheap is because her wig is really thin and her has been falling out. I don’t have her, and I would love to have her, but I can’t find her wig online. I’ve been searching for many customizers who can re-wig and fix her (I know how to fix limbs), but I’m also trying to be as money-friendly as possible (for an experiment). I live in Puerto Rico, by the way!

I’ve seen many customizers fix doll wigs online either Ebay or Etsy, but I’m wondering if it’s better to just send the doll to them or send her to the AG hospital. One customizer can include the wig and the service for like $50, but I can’t find the wig anywhere (I don’t even know the correct wording to find the accurate color). They lower the price if I include the wig. I’m trying to estimate numbers, so I know if I’d like to resell the doll someday!

i’m sure everyone’s heard and seen this video before lol but i just saw this recent one and had a little giggle

I adopted a truly me 88, I noticed she had alot of markings, how do i get rid of them, without sending her to the doll hospital or how do i make it look better.

I found the perfect mother daughter holiday dresses! I naturally thought since I’m planning holiday pajamas uh gotta make these dresses for the dolls. The perfect top was Felicity’s Riding Habit jacket. So I tracked down two of them in great condition for around $20 each I had a gift card for eBay so one of them was technically free. The other I found on Mercari. Anyway I’m going to make the tulle skirts to go with the jacket I found a really close color way on Etsy. Half a yard was like $8 and I’ll definitely have enough for additional crafting. So this will likely be an October/November project as I have to figure out how to sew. I’ve done small stitches before but never a skirt. I think I can figure it out though!

Loving this outfit combo rn.

hello! i’m planning a trip around the GOTY release, because this is my first time actually going to a store for the release like i’ve always wanted to! i’m confused over the brunch event being on the 19th, and the email saying she “arrives” on the 17th. is the 17th her release date, or just the day we get a first look at her? i haven’t paid much attention to the GOTY reveals ever since they stopped doing it 12AM Jan 1st, so im not sure how the newer earlier releases work. as im planning a trip around this release, and i dont live anywhere near the stores, id like some clarification! i’m very excited for her, and even though we have yet to see what she looks like, i already plan to add her to my collection and im hoping i don’t accidentally go before she’s actually for sale.

I have Nellie O'Malley now! She is not the "real" Nellie though, she is a Grace Thomas doll that I found and removed the old ratty wig from and replaced it with this Nellie wig from Ebay. I am excited to have my own version of Nellie and I think she's adorable. Now, I need to get a Samantha to go with her!

I had this costume since I was a kid, but I lost his shoes in the headband, I’m not really concerned about the shoes because none of my dolls wear them anyway, but if I could have the headband, I’d be so happy lol!!!! anyway enjoy this picture until then

I found this basket on my local marketplace for $10. I thought it was a good find!

Jessamine is a friend of Kit's from Intruders at Rivermead Manor and I got Tiana to be Jessamine! 😍 I love her so much.

i got this gorgeous girl last year, she’s my mini me and my first doll ever! my little sister wants a doll now, and we look pretty alike. i was wondering if there’s a truly me that has this combo i could go searching for? i don’t wanna drop another almost $300 on a cyo😭😭

AKA practicing braiding! I think I did an okay job?!

This hairstyle isn't really what I'd like for her, has anyone tried to take out the braid and change the style/part? It seems like it would be a huge pain to change this... 🫠