Saturday, November 2, 2013
What happened Mattel!
Did anyone else notice how the quality in the barbie line has been really bad as of late. I went to my local TRU to look to see if any new barbies came out and i was hugely disappointed in what I saw. They had some of the new dolls but it seems like to me that Mattel is recycling their designs and also their materials. I remember when they use to make clothes that actually looked like clothes a person would wear but now they are cheap looking and i never see any kind of jeans or pants for barbie its always those short little skirts. I usually don't get many Barbie things because of this reason.
Don't get me wrong I mean I plan on getting three of the new hunger games dolls when they come out but that's probably it. I remember reading somewhere that Mattel was actually going to be giving ken an all new body which was a little more masculine and articulated but the only one i have seen so far is the one they used for the Harley Davidson set and Jack from Pirates of the Caribbean or how ever you spell it. I know that Mattel is trying to appeal to little girls but there are older girls who don't like barbie because of this reason. Sorry for my ranting but I use to collect Barbie dolls but I have now switched to mostly action figures because I love how they are more realistic and have more articulation. .......OK I'm done.......LOL
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Hello from Spain: I agree with your approach. Mattel's latest collections are of very poor quality. The clothing is very ugly with bright colors. In my country hardly Barbies are sold in stores. All Monsters toy sold. I think Mattel is leaving the Barbies second. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteIt is sad and I have to agree. Much of my stuff is handmade and I often buy dolls, just for the sake of the doll and not all the other crap.
ReplyDeletei hear you on that one Duke but when i buy a doll it has to have a certain characteristic that sticks out and most of Barbie dolls have this blank look in their eyes. I just wish Mattel gave them facial expressions or something to liven up the line!
DeleteI have actually been looking for Mattel products to purchase of the past few weeks, and I have been very disappointed. I haven't seen anything that I want to take home. I've been looking for Ken and Barbie clothes, or even dolls that would appeal to me. No luck. The Ken clothes are horrible. I'll keep searching...
ReplyDeleteMattel has really dropped the ball when it comes to the Barbie line. Even some of the collector line has bas clothes which is horrible for the price you pay for the doll. Dont get me even started on the ken clothes!!!
DeletePoor Ken, I think most of the time I see his clothes. Do the littlest children really like the stuff Mattel puts out for them?
DeleteI so agree!! I am sick of the little skirts Mattel has put out for its playline dolls! Why do they always have to be so sparkly and short!! Is it because little girls find pants and casual clothes too boring for their liking??!
ReplyDeleteMarta is right, here in Australia also the craze are on monster high dolls. But hey barbie has lived for 50years, monster high dolls will be another phase.
I so wish Mattel would actually make more effort in their barbie playline dolls and clothes... They just cant rely on a brand name to let it pull through its profits year in year out, they need quality where people are going to remember!
Christine
http://champangebarbie.blogspot.com.au/
yes Mattel has been placing all their focus on their Monster high dolls which is very sad. I think Mattel would do an awsome job if they would design real clothing. Plus I don't see to many little girls wearinf short skirts that was full of glitter.
DeleteThere really isn't much on the Barbie shelves in my area. I'm not even sure where the products are these days. So I agree they need to put some more attention on Barbie.
ReplyDeleteI will say that they are probably on target with the pink and the glitter where girls are concerned. I recently spent a weekend with a 6 yr old. OMG, she loved pink and glitter. I was just taking it all in, and pretty surprised. My 14 yr old granddaughter's favorite color is hot pink. She has hot pink Jordan tennis shoes, hot pink jeans, hot pink shades, the list goes on. So contrary to what we adults want to believe, a lot of little girls are still into the pink.
It would be nice if Mattel had an adult focus group and a kid's focus group.
Ironically enough, I had an argument with a doll dealer at the show yesterday. She believed that Barbie was just for kids, and some of the adult themed Barbies shouldn't have been produced. This from a doll person! I understand that coming from a non-doll person, but not from an adult doll person.
I think Mattel feels they are reaching the adults with the Barbie Look line. I disagree. They keep putting out the same looking dolls with different clothing. Just put out the clothes, without the dolls! If they were smart, they would put out a basic line of Barbie dolls, dressed in a simple adult approved outfit, and then make the Barbie Look clothes available at a reasonable price. We, have better ideas for their products than they do! How is that possible? Why aren't they consulting with us, so they can put out better products? See you got me started.
well said Vanessa! I agree with you 100% when it comes to the clothing and not the dolls. I havent seen a decent barbie in months and i was thinking of buying the So in Style articulated girls but they didnt have them in any of the stores in my area. Also I just wish that Mattel would stop and realize that the Barbie line is suffering greatly and probably will end up dieing. If any new companies make any new fashion dolls then Mattel goes after them and tries to ruin them which is also sad. The action figure world doesnt have to worry about this but it is hard to find clothes for them as well since alot of them have different bodies.
DeleteI agree. Whoever draws up a virtual letter, let me know so I can "sign" it.
DeleteI agree totally with your post! The quality has seriously gone downhill. And whatever happened to being able to buy the clothing sets separately? You know the good quality ones?
ReplyDeleteThis does open up an opportunity for new doll companies. I purchased Pretty Girl doll Lena and I am glad I did! Mattel only reacts to spending patterns. When people switch to something else Mattel changes it direction. I have started supporting Esty shop and doll clothing makers from China on eBay ( a good deal with free shipping). We have to vote with our feet or our mouse.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ms. Leo. If enough of us take our money elsewhere, Mattel will pay attention. Or lose their name in the big toys game.
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