— jamie bach Author (@jamiebach421) February 21, 2015
The American Girl Doll also know as Pleasant Company Doll is a very beautiful doll that most little girls desire! I know my three year old daughter wanted one but when I looked up the cost ($120 plus shipping) I was afraid to spend that much when she was so young.
So I put on my thinking cap and decided to figure out some way to save money. Here is the BEST method I came up with.
1) If you are somewhat crafty you can make your own American Girl Doll....What?
You go to Ebay.com and look in the search for American girl Doll head replacement part.
Believe it or not they sometimes have BRAND NEW heads on here and they cost anywhere from $20 to $80. They also have used heads in great condition or heads that need a lot of help, like missing eyes or wig. I do not mess with those. It is too much of a challenge. They even have the GIRL of the YEAR!
Next step once deciding on a head I go up to my local craftstore such as Michaels or Joannes. They have dolls there called SpringField Dolls for about $22 to $30. I wait until they have a coupon and get the doll for half price usually $11. Then I buy some zip ties in bulk from ebay or from local Hardware store.
Next is doll destruction time. The first time I did this I was so nervous but after making dolls over and over it comes easily. You take the springfield doll and cut the zip tie holding on her head. Then I string in the new zip tie and then place the American Girl Doll head into the opening and then pull the new zip tie tightly. Always put the head on backwards facing you it makes things easier. Once the zip tie is secured tightly turn the head around and voila! You have just made an American Girl Doll for Half price! And the Springfield doll bodies are strong and sturdy and seem to hold up well with younger children.
Look at the photos above. This first three dolls are REAL authentic American Girl Dolls the second photo above has the heads on Springfield Doll bodies. Can you tell the difference? Really to a young child there isn't much. The Springfield dolls are a bit thinner.
You wouldn't believe the selection Ebay has too! I have seen heads from Kirsten, Marisol, Kit, to the famous Kanani that everyone covets! The clothes from American Girl and Springfield Doll fit both bodies really well so keep that in mind to save you some money too.
Total spent on Kirsten $40 Total spent on kit $60 Total spent on Kanani $85 Total spent on Kaya $70 Total spent on Samantha $40 Total spent on Elizabeth $65 Total on Isabelle $90 on Marisol $45
So I saved ALOT of money. If I would have bought all the dolls it would have been.....$930 or more.... but buying only heads and then borrowing a body from another doll to make a complete doll saved me a lot.
Now if you plan on collecting them this isn't a good idea. They will sell but you must disclose that they have another body besides American Girl and they go for $50 to $100 depending on resale and which doll.
Other ways to save if you are not crafty or dont want to try option 1
2) Ebay.com You can buy brand new in box Dolls or used Dolls anywhere from $50 to $200.
3) Try going to yardsales! I have seen REAL American Dolls for $25!!! Barely played with. Also Estate sales
4) Try Craigslist in your local area. I have bought some from there for $40 to $60.
5) If you are one of those lucky people who live in Wisconsin they have a great American Doll sale annually it's like a giant outlet but... I live on the opposite side of the US!
6) Sometimes American Girl Doll website does Annual sales around spring time and THANKSGIVING! Sometimes clothes and mini dolls are half off! Never BIG 18 inch dolls though.
7) Sometimes at bookstores like BooksAmillion they actually give away a DOLL! Check it out and ask them for details. I was their and for Easter they were giving away the doll of the year Isabelle! For FREE just had to fill out your entry.
8) Etsy, you can type in vintage american girl dolls or pleasant company and sometimes they come up for around $50 to $100 depending on condition.
Any of the above options you have to BE QUICK these dolls sell/ resell like fire!
What about Doll Clothes?
Maybe you already have the doll you just want to know where to get American Girl Doll clothes for cheap?
Well the American girl store does have good sales! Just keep checking the website, sometimes things are 75 % off!
Also Ebay has used American girl doll clothes and they are usually half off the original price or more... but they can be missing pieces.
Also Etsy!!!!! This site is awesome for doll clothes! There is anything from look a like clothes where your child can match what her doll is wearing to disney princess costumes for your doll! Just type in 18 inch doll clothes.
There are other websites too like Amazon.com that has a good collection of doll outfits.
Don't rule out craigslist either! I have seen outfits on there.
Maybe you decided it is still too much money so what now?
Try other brand dolls like
Springfield Doll- They are pretty well made for around $22 to $40 dollars and are available at michaels and joanns craftstore. With a coupon.... even cheaper!
Also Target's brand Our Generation Dolls are around $22 to $40 sometimes they go on sale but are VERY similar to American Girl. They have jeeps, campers, salon chairs, pretend food, and more for these dolls.
Madame Alexander are great quality and usually available at Dillards.
There is also brands available at Kmart and Walmart, pretty much everyone has their own knock off 18 inch doll.
Good Luck! Make your little one happy!
So I put on my thinking cap and decided to figure out some way to save money. Here is the BEST method I came up with.
1) If you are somewhat crafty you can make your own American Girl Doll....What?
You go to Ebay.com and look in the search for American girl Doll head replacement part.
Believe it or not they sometimes have BRAND NEW heads on here and they cost anywhere from $20 to $80. They also have used heads in great condition or heads that need a lot of help, like missing eyes or wig. I do not mess with those. It is too much of a challenge. They even have the GIRL of the YEAR!
Next step once deciding on a head I go up to my local craftstore such as Michaels or Joannes. They have dolls there called SpringField Dolls for about $22 to $30. I wait until they have a coupon and get the doll for half price usually $11. Then I buy some zip ties in bulk from ebay or from local Hardware store.
Next is doll destruction time. The first time I did this I was so nervous but after making dolls over and over it comes easily. You take the springfield doll and cut the zip tie holding on her head. Then I string in the new zip tie and then place the American Girl Doll head into the opening and then pull the new zip tie tightly. Always put the head on backwards facing you it makes things easier. Once the zip tie is secured tightly turn the head around and voila! You have just made an American Girl Doll for Half price! And the Springfield doll bodies are strong and sturdy and seem to hold up well with younger children.
Look at the photos above. This first three dolls are REAL authentic American Girl Dolls the second photo above has the heads on Springfield Doll bodies. Can you tell the difference? Really to a young child there isn't much. The Springfield dolls are a bit thinner.
You wouldn't believe the selection Ebay has too! I have seen heads from Kirsten, Marisol, Kit, to the famous Kanani that everyone covets! The clothes from American Girl and Springfield Doll fit both bodies really well so keep that in mind to save you some money too.
Total spent on Kirsten $40 Total spent on kit $60 Total spent on Kanani $85 Total spent on Kaya $70 Total spent on Samantha $40 Total spent on Elizabeth $65 Total on Isabelle $90 on Marisol $45
So I saved ALOT of money. If I would have bought all the dolls it would have been.....$930 or more.... but buying only heads and then borrowing a body from another doll to make a complete doll saved me a lot.
Now if you plan on collecting them this isn't a good idea. They will sell but you must disclose that they have another body besides American Girl and they go for $50 to $100 depending on resale and which doll.
Other ways to save if you are not crafty or dont want to try option 1
2) Ebay.com You can buy brand new in box Dolls or used Dolls anywhere from $50 to $200.
3) Try going to yardsales! I have seen REAL American Dolls for $25!!! Barely played with. Also Estate sales
4) Try Craigslist in your local area. I have bought some from there for $40 to $60.
5) If you are one of those lucky people who live in Wisconsin they have a great American Doll sale annually it's like a giant outlet but... I live on the opposite side of the US!
6) Sometimes American Girl Doll website does Annual sales around spring time and THANKSGIVING! Sometimes clothes and mini dolls are half off! Never BIG 18 inch dolls though.
7) Sometimes at bookstores like BooksAmillion they actually give away a DOLL! Check it out and ask them for details. I was their and for Easter they were giving away the doll of the year Isabelle! For FREE just had to fill out your entry.
8) Etsy, you can type in vintage american girl dolls or pleasant company and sometimes they come up for around $50 to $100 depending on condition.
Any of the above options you have to BE QUICK these dolls sell/ resell like fire!
What about Doll Clothes?
Maybe you already have the doll you just want to know where to get American Girl Doll clothes for cheap?
Well the American girl store does have good sales! Just keep checking the website, sometimes things are 75 % off!
Also Ebay has used American girl doll clothes and they are usually half off the original price or more... but they can be missing pieces.
Also Etsy!!!!! This site is awesome for doll clothes! There is anything from look a like clothes where your child can match what her doll is wearing to disney princess costumes for your doll! Just type in 18 inch doll clothes.
There are other websites too like Amazon.com that has a good collection of doll outfits.
Don't rule out craigslist either! I have seen outfits on there.
Maybe you decided it is still too much money so what now?
Try other brand dolls like
Springfield Doll- They are pretty well made for around $22 to $40 dollars and are available at michaels and joanns craftstore. With a coupon.... even cheaper!
Also Target's brand Our Generation Dolls are around $22 to $40 sometimes they go on sale but are VERY similar to American Girl. They have jeeps, campers, salon chairs, pretend food, and more for these dolls.
Madame Alexander are great quality and usually available at Dillards.
There is also brands available at Kmart and Walmart, pretty much everyone has their own knock off 18 inch doll.
Good Luck! Make your little one happy!