When was the last time you went into an AG store? Did you notice anyone missing? Maybe not... yet . For the past two years, there have been very strong talk about Addy retiring.. Some of the claims even coming from those who work for AG. Those of us who love Addy have been living on pins and needles for the past two years.. watching her slowly disappear from the catalog and wondering are they telling us the truth. A petition was even created and signed by many of us who feel Addy's story is a necessary part of American History. Well about a month ago. I was able to get some inside information about Addy and if and when she is retiring .. and of course I feel I should share it with you all...
Well the key word is retire. Everytime I call AG and ask them if Addy is going to be retired, they tell me NO. That appeases me for a little bit then a few months later we hear another rumor.
This is what I learned.... American Girl does not typically retire a doll what they do is archive a doll....so wording is important when asking a question. That means they can take the doll off the shelf and not sell or produce her ..but they always have the option of bringing her back. We recently saw this with Samantha. BUT DOESN"T RETIRING MEAN YOU STILL HAVE AN OPTION TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT?
As far as Addy is concerned, the plan is to only sell her now in the Flagship stores ONLY.. ( the big stores that where first opened.. Chicago, New York .. I think there are only 5 Flagship stores). This means you will not be able to walk into an AG store in Houston and find Addy on the shelf .. you will have to order her via catalog or go to a Flagship store...
With that being said.. I'm not happy at all. How can a doll sell if she is not available or on the shelf. How can a doll sell if they are not marketing and adding to her accessory line. From my understanding the BEforever line does not sell as much as the Truly Me dolls. It could be... Many of us will always have a love for Addy and items from the original dolls... simply because their is a direct connection to our childhood growing up. So, my advice would be to continue to add to your collection before we wake up and she is archived.... and items are then very expensive.
I hope I was able to clarify somethings concerning Addy retiring. More importantly, I hope you have a better understanding next time you walk into an AG store and she is not there! Keep supporting Addy and join our Facebook Group, American Girl Addy Collectors.
Well the key word is retire. Everytime I call AG and ask them if Addy is going to be retired, they tell me NO. That appeases me for a little bit then a few months later we hear another rumor.
This is what I learned.... American Girl does not typically retire a doll what they do is archive a doll....so wording is important when asking a question. That means they can take the doll off the shelf and not sell or produce her ..but they always have the option of bringing her back. We recently saw this with Samantha. BUT DOESN"T RETIRING MEAN YOU STILL HAVE AN OPTION TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT?
As far as Addy is concerned, the plan is to only sell her now in the Flagship stores ONLY.. ( the big stores that where first opened.. Chicago, New York .. I think there are only 5 Flagship stores). This means you will not be able to walk into an AG store in Houston and find Addy on the shelf .. you will have to order her via catalog or go to a Flagship store...
With that being said.. I'm not happy at all. How can a doll sell if she is not available or on the shelf. How can a doll sell if they are not marketing and adding to her accessory line. From my understanding the BEforever line does not sell as much as the Truly Me dolls. It could be... Many of us will always have a love for Addy and items from the original dolls... simply because their is a direct connection to our childhood growing up. So, my advice would be to continue to add to your collection before we wake up and she is archived.... and items are then very expensive.
I hope I was able to clarify somethings concerning Addy retiring. More importantly, I hope you have a better understanding next time you walk into an AG store and she is not there! Keep supporting Addy and join our Facebook Group, American Girl Addy Collectors.
Mini Addy
Thanks for inquiring, for sharing AG's intention for Addy, and explaining their practice of archiving versus retiring.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Addy should remain part of the original Historical/BeForever line of dolls. Her presence/ availability should remain in all AG stores so girls and others interested know she is still available.
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