5/27/2015

Sybarite Gen-X Mansion and Barbie-like Packaging

Much to my surprise Mansion was delivered by DHL on Memorial Day! I immediately opened the shipper box and was somewhat dismayed to see an angular plastic box wrapped in cellophane.

I know that Superdoll is attempting to stay in business and has produced a vinyl doll to appeal to those who will spend about $400 (give or take) for a doll instead of $700. But, packaging the doll in a plastic fronted box was going too far. At least with Barbie dolls, the box is wrapped in tissue and not cellophane.

Of course she is impossible to photograph through the cellophane. Frustrated, I took it off and the results were not much better.






The box itself has a bendable cardboard back and insert with a cardboard top and bottom that slip in and out of the plastic casing. The flexible plastic casing itself slips off easily.

$400. is not a cheap doll. Integrity packages it's $100. dolls better - so does Mattel.

My doll arrived in an extremely awkward-looking pose (see the third photo above.) It was very distressing and I had to examine her although I did not wish to debox. I straightened the limbs before taking these photos.





I certainly hope Superdoll rethinks their packaging as this is really unacceptable.

Regarding the doll herself, she has a great face and the screening looks very good. Her handbag is adorable and so is the outfit.




16 comments:

  1. Wow, that is some crap packaging there! I guess they are trying to save some $$ but I am not suprised so many dolls arrived damaged...

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    Replies
    1. I had not heard that many dolls were damaged.
      T

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  2. I agree with you on the packaging. That is alot of money for a doll and she doesn't look like she is fixed too securely, it is a good thing she arrived safe. She is lovely, though. Your photos are stunning of Chicago, especially of the Thorne rooms and the sights!

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  3. Maybe it's purposeful to the story? The box might represent this doll's world. Celebrities have very public lives, as represented by the plastic front piece. Her posture is representative of celebrities who actually look half passed out, with legs akimbo, barely standing! Maybe this is an art piece that is making a statement on the young and rich? I don't know. It just seems purposeful. The first Syb with this new material came boxed nicely, or from what I could see from photos. If this is the new standard, it will be disappointing for their collectors. Don

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    Replies
    1. I think you are being generous to come up with a "purpose."
      T

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  4. Hi Terri, have you deboxed her yet? Are the manic-cure hands hidden? Thanks! Chris in Md

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  5. Oops, just saw KiwiFi's post on Sybomania, about the packaging/ hidden hands.

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  6. She is a beautiful Sybarite, and I'd love to purchase or at least see one of the Gen-Xs in person. However, this packaging is not up to par and there's no way I would pay what some people are asking for her on eBay. I don't have a place to display my dolls, so after a day of enjoying them I put them back in their nice safe boxes. This looks like something a play doll from Target or TRU would come packaged in, and I would not want to store her in that. Hopefully in the future it will be better quality :D

    Slade in Charlotte

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    Replies
    1. I have a feeling they will improve the packaging after this doll.
      Thanks for your comments.
      T

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  7. I figure I could deal with less beautiful packing for a $300 price cut for what is still a really nice doll.Unless she arrived with her knees up around her shoulders there would be much less chance of damage in vinyl vs the filled resin of the old girls.I dont buy for resale though and dont consider my dolls as investments just fun for playing with.I love her,cheap box and all.

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  8. In the past they have been very purposeful in their packaging. I wonder if this isn't an example of a "interesting" idea that didn't play out. The "look" of the packaging seems aimed at the nostalgia crowd and calling it collectible on the box itself suggests a joke to me.
    Still it falls flat.
    as always love the blog
    Will C.

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  9. I really LIKE the box. One can display her in the box. I hate recycling glossy, expensive cardboard boxes, yet one can't keep them all, too much clutter! And...I really like the doll. I guess she s sold out, though? So she's triple the cost on E-Bay? Not much of a savings for the peasant masses, LOL!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lucinda, for your comments. Yes, she was sold out rather quickly.
      T

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  10. Given how Sybarites usually are boxed, I'm hoping that Don is right and there was a purpose behind the packaging. Will you be deboxing her? Or are you still trying to see if you are bonding with her?

    It does appear that either people aren't bonding with her or they bought her for the purpose of reselling. There have been at least three of the dolls already sold on eBay for $1,000+. Same for Cameo, who is selling at even higher prices (deservedly so).

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