Many businesses cut back in hard times but when a very popular representative is let go, it affects customers' feelings towards the company.
No one can replace her cheerful demeanor and swift attention to detail.
I feel a personal loss as I met Noreen at the beginning of my collecting. I've written about it previously. The event was at an outdoor Tonner trunk sale. I only had Tiny Kitty dolls at that time. When I saw Tyler, I fell in love with her and bought several. Noreen predicted that it was "over" for me. If you don't get what "over" means...she meant the beginning of a joyous collecting adventure, which it was.
I still have many beloved Tonner dolls in my collection. I really wonder if I'll ever add more. Is Tonner done?
Waiting to see.
You can send Noreen a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nightdobes
http://www.the-doll-hospital.com/
Dr. Noreen's Doll Hospital
I know that she would love to hear from all the collectors she's met over the years.
Unbelievable ! Dr Noreen is indispensible to those of us who collect dolls. Her work is unmatchable. Please tell me she'll be setting up her practice elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI stopped buying dolls from some companies as their state-side operations and employees were cut, and most important--customer service was off-shored where customer service reps duties were not just to take your order, but to urge you to order more--as if they were on commission. If Tonner has to go to this as well, I may stop collecting dolls period.
ReplyDeleteWhat companies were those you are referring to?
DeleteI am very sad to hear this. I feel like we are, indeed, losing what Tonner was to us. Tom and now Noreen. :( Sad news.
ReplyDeleteWhat!!
ReplyDeleteAre they crazy, to have such a wonderful, devoted, customer appreciated, employee let go is just so wrong in so many ways. Shame on them.
I will follow her to the ends of the earth. She "gets it" and us as doll collectors. Dr. Noreen your are loved ♡♡♡♡♡
My guess is Anonymous is referring to The Franklin Mint.
ReplyDeleteAs for myself, the other day I stopped myself from commenting on the four unnecessary new male dolls. "Which one will go on clearance first?" Why bother? It was without point.
I was a loyal Tonner customer for many years but something went wrong along the way for me. The un-returnable dolls purchased based on pre-production photos that rarely resembled the finished product, the rising prices, the lack of stands with "basic" dolls, the (to me) odd, odd choices for doll lines...something had changed--and not for the better.
The final straw for me is hearing Noreen was dismissed after years of MAGNIFICENT service to the company. I have had very minor dealings with her (twice) and she was gracious, lovely and marvelous to deal with--she was a remarkable representative for Tonner. Someone who CARED, who wanted to correct a problem PROMPTLY--and DID. When someone extraordinary is let go while lessers are still onboard, that ain't a positive sign. Noreen will shine like the star she is in her next position. I cannot say the same for the Tonner company, which I have now lost all respect for. This is SHAMEFUL.
Your post ignores any other factor that may have come under consideration. Also, please sign your name when you post.
DeleteT
Dr. Morris is an expert doll repair professional and a most gracious individual. She made purchasing from the company's store a pleasure. I always hoped she would be the one to answer the phone. Dr. Morris is the best. Very sad that this company is losing its soul.
ReplyDeleteNoreen was such major asset to the Tonner "family". It is such a shame that such an integral part of the company can so easily be dismissed, consolidation or no. Not looking very good for Tonner's integrity as a company.
ReplyDeleteI really think there are other factors to consider as I'm sure Robert was not happy to let Noreen go. The people who worked or still work for Tonner always seemed like a family to me. I do not think Robert should be shamed for this outcome. Business is apparently very bad. It's sad, not abusive.
ReplyDeleteTerri, is her doll hospital part of Tonner, or is that business hers? My tiny Naripons could really use restringing, but I don't know how to do it, & I'm terrified of sending them off to some unknown place.
ReplyDeleteShe has her own private business. The link is on the blog.
DeleteTonner seems to be going in a new direction. Mass market??? When seeing the Tyler 1.0 sculpt as a ballerina, knew that line was over. No Tyler at the 25th anniversary? Wondering if the mid-range collectables bubble has burst. Either mass market, or high-end collectibles. Less and less fall in-between. Just a theory. But it does sort of reflect the economy of the world- rich and poor, no in-between. Of course, there are exceptions, but with the declining middle class, one has to wonder. Sad the Downton Abbey line was pulled. THAT would have sold. Not certain what happened- the state of The Tonner Company right now?
ReplyDeleteAs a side-note, hoping Dr. Noreen relishes this little the time off this provides. She was a wonderful person to talk to, and will be sorely missed.
I would think especially if you say that your employees are like family to you, and then let someone so crucial go, that says a lot about you. Does the bottom line trump family? Probably. I am sure a lot of people would argue it does. Personally, I think there is just something very off putting about bottom-line thinking. Unless Tonner is about to declare Chapter 11, I'm not sure I can look at this favorably and give them the benefit of the doubt.
ReplyDeleteFavorable? No. Unfortunate? Yes.
DeleteI'm attending the Tonner Convention this year. I'm a little bit worried now about what kind of experience this will be.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the waiting list to get in. We'll see. I was surprised that it could be sold out 6 months in advance.
DeleteHello Terri,
ReplyDeleteI saw your post on Prego and I'm sorry to hear about this latest cut.
I agree this a sad decision on the company's part, though not really surprising considering the recent sale/merger and the closing of their "brick and morter" site. That I think was the most obvious indication that "old" company was winding down.
The Tonner team was a very good one and I hope they all go on to terrific new projects.
I wish the new company and it's team the best and I look forward to seeing what they come up with.
As always love the blog.
Will C.
I agree!
DeleteVery sad news, I knew things were getting rough for doll companies, I guess it must be rougher than I had guessed.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to see her let go. She's always been one of the best parts of Tonner for me. Honestly though the last new Tonner doll I felt I really had to have was the first Precarious. Since then, meh. Nothing for several collections now and for the record I've been probably buying at least 2-4 Tonner dolls a year for at least 15 years now.
ReplyDeleteI did buy a few Wilde dolls last year because I had been wanting Evangline and company for a while and I finally got them on on deep discount . I couldn't hardly pass them up the discounts were so deep, but the main Tonner line dolls? The new collections? Not one. The only dolls I've bought lately are back stock from collections several years old. I'm way down on my Tonner collecting and it's not for lack of looking for something new to buy. I just don't seem to relate to much of Robert's work at all lately.