She arrived on Friday...I just got around to de-boxing her and she is marvelous. It looks like Mattel tried to iron out the seams on her and fix some of the problems on the joints. She comes with earrings and a purse. Ialso included some photos here of my Barbie collector membership chair with Mops sitting on it. Mattel had put a big ugly tag on it that I had to cut off and I still haven't got the residue tag off of the back of the seat which spoils the look of the chair. I like the black and white look of it and may look for others to match it. I know there are people who spray paint them gold but it is striking to see them black.
The gold stands in this picture are actually candlesticks that I purchased at Goodwill for 1.25 and make great stands in this scene for flowers and a statue. They will be used in an upcoming diorama I am planning for much later, but look marvelous here- it looks like she is shopping.
She is really a great doll and well worth whatever price you end up paying. I adore that little leopard skirt!
~Lisa
For over a week, on BarbieCollection.com we had the sneaks of Classic Camel Coat Silkstone, the 2nd in the articulated series. She's cute with the coat and the leopard, and there was even a pre-order period on 3/31 for Barbie Collector members. I ordered her and she is already backordered until April 5th.
Even better, her price was $50 ! I knew what I was ordering, even if my next reward wasn't going into effect until April 1st. I decided to save my reward and not wait until April 1st, as from the wording, the public was allowed to order on April 1st and the members allowed to preorder. I figured at that price why wait.
Well, Mattel pulled a fast one. She was ONLY $50 one day - 3/31 and then they tried to say they made a mistake with the cost and say her price is REALLY $75! on April 1st of all things.
People swamped the phone lines. Mattel finally gave in and honored the original cost price of $50 but only if you called customer service.
Just when you think Mattel is finally beginning to connect with the adult collector and is finally getting it....they pull something like this. It really makes me shake my head at how long they think they rely on playing with the loyalty of customers of a brand. Eventually we are going to end up like the poor 12 inch GI Joe guys with Hasbro.
Right now she is on the site as Classic Camel Coat Barbie Silkstone and she is a whopping $75 . I don't really have a problem with the cost if they had advertised that ahead of time, but to change it or not word it correctly.
They should have worded it- Pre-order 3/31 for Barbie Collector members only at $50 and to the public on 4/1 it will be $75 and that would have made being a member more special. Someone in the marketing department should be fired.
When I placed my pre-order I knew something was wrong because I could not find the doll in the shop nor was there a pre-order link in the forum, as there was with water sprite, I had to do a search for this doll and she came up with the $50 price tag. I'm glad I didn't try to get her at $30 with my $20 reward like the rest of the folks who are still arguing with Mattel customer service, even now.
I have watched the Facebook groups and doll boards light up over this issue, which in some ways I agree with, and some I don't. No I don't agree with bait and switch, but if you're looking for something for nothing, -and this doll is worth way more than $30--- (which she would be if you used your $20 Barbie Collector 2nd quarter reward which was activated on April 1st, alot of people wanted to use that to order her with) than you assuredly need to lose out on the deal of $50 . Mattel royally messed up big time on this one, and in all reality, they should just eat it to keep their customer base. If they priced the doll at $50 she would sell a lot more quickly and there would be a loss, but I'm sure they would make it back on Glam dress who is coming out in April.
And by the way---- I am not a big April Fool's day fan...it is one of the most hateful days of the year with the practical jokes. ~Lisa
