Tonner Factory Sale 12/3, 10am-1pm Holiday Inn, Kingston NY

This is the funniest email Tonner has sent out in a long time.

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November 29th, 2011

Dear Collectors,

Hi!  Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know what to expect this weekend at the Factory Sale (12/3, 10am-1pm----> Holiday Inn, Kingston NY)!  After using the same space at the Holiday Inn several times now, it has been our experience that, due to the large size of the room, there is plenty of space to accommodate everyone entering at once. So, this year, we will not be handing out numbers in the morning, as we have in the past.

Here's some more guidelines and tips you might find helpful this weekend:

• Bring your own bag!  ....and the bigger, the better, we can assure you! 

• There will be a wonderful Holding Area, where you can sit with un-purchased items while you decide what you'll go home with.  To be as fair as possible to all our collectors, we will be asking people not to delay in making final decisions and completing purchases. So, encampments around the perimeter of the room will be kindly asked to disperse - no tear gas or law enforcement worries! 

• We accept many forms of payment for your convenience:  Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Bribery and Flattery.  Sorry, we do not accept personal checks, Diner's Club, your first born child, or the Discover card.

• No pushing, shoving, running, or kicking.  Or punching.  It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...

We cannot wait to see you this weekend!!  We will see you bright and early Saturday morning, and hopefully you'll follow us onto the Tonner Company Store, as Robert will be there to sign your latest and greatest finds!

Travel Safe,

Team Tonner

 *****

For those of you who have not attended a factory sale in the last three or four years...this is really what to expect:

1. The 'early birds' line up with the intention of getting anything they can lay their hands on before you.
2. The doors open and the first to enter grab anything and everything they can lay their hands on.
3. The shoppers accumulate in small groups around the room with their grabbed stuff to decide if they really want it or not.
4. Eventually they pay for it and leave the scorched earth for everyone else. (50 Harry Potter wands and another 50 Betsey anklet socks. ) They do put some stuff back. Hey, I still have an enormous bolt of apricot silk that cost me only $5. I have no idea what I will do with it, but it was quite the bargain.

5. You wander around looking at what's left trying to decide if you want it. 

I'm quite certain that there are at least three or four (and maybe more) fully armed and coordinated groups of buyers who plan their moves in advance. Their strategy is: one goes left, one goes straight, one goes right. Their theory is that if they grab enough stuff fast enough, they will get something they want. Do not, I repeat, do not talk to them during this maneuver as they will shoot you a dirty look and will not respond. Do not ask to see what they are getting. They are very secretive and suspicious of anyone who approaches. I swear this is the truth. I've been there and I know exactly who I will see at the front of the line if I go on Saturday.

The staff is extremely coordinated and helpful. They are always a pleasure to deal with and it is a relief to check out of the madness. There's usually a bunch of sale items at the store after a sale but don't quote me. It's just my experience. 

I wouldn't try to dissuade anyone from checking out one of these sales. It's much more fun than a cyber-factory-debacle. And you can meet up with the same addicted collectors you saw the last time to share tips and hints. Then, of course, you get to mingle with friends at the store and chat with Robert, Noreen and any other staff that might be around.

My favorite big sale was one that was at the store about 1-1/2 years ago. It was a little cold and there were tables set up outside as well as inside. It must have been early spring 2010. I got such nice things that day and I didn't have to rise at the break of dawn or get mauled while shopping.

True Confessions

In spite of all my good intentions yesterday, I managed to go back to Tonner Direct late last night to order Aragorn and Galadriel.  The grand total for the two gorgeous dolls was $86.40—practically free, right? Our addicted minds will tell us anything we want to hear. These had to be loss leaders or the dolls are less expensive to manufacture than I imagined.

*****

This past weekend we drove northwest to Canandaigua, NY to visit George and Tim at Angelic Dreamz.  We were treated to a grand tour of the fabulous historic firehouse that is the shop and residence. The weather was amazingly warm in the upper 60's all weekend. Rudy brought some poodle puppy love to the guys who, themselves, were parents to a toy poodle for years.

We stayed at a lovely, dog friendly hotel called the Inn on the Lake.

Rudy doesn't particularly like the water and I wonder what he is thinking as he looks out on the lake. Notice he's not that close to the edge. Smart doggie.

I love the way the geese closest to the approaching dog have taken flight. He's quite the hunter. Hehe.

 

The pictures above were taken with my iPhone and processed with filters using an app called Snapseed.

Shop 'til your mouse breaks!

I was so tempted to put Strider, Ranger of the North into my shopping cart today. This is one seriously hot doll and he is on sale for $50. with free shipping! But then I remembered that all these $50. (cheap) dolls add up to a goodly amount and I am trying to stop doing that. 

However, you can build your Lord of the Rings collection for a small investment.  Arwen, Strider and Galadriel are $50. each.   

LESS 20% which comes to an incredible $40 per doll. OMG.

Several other dolls are also reduced but these three are the best deals of all IMO.

When you're finished at Tonner's sale, head on over to Angelic Dreamz where you can find many Gene Marshall dolls (Integrity and Ashton Drake) at way less than retail! "Shop til your mouse breaks, " says George.

Angelic Dreamz' price is only $49.99 compared to $100.79 at Tonner Direct on the 13" Wonder Woman doll.

****

Shop around girls and boys and shop wisely. Everyone wants your money!

Remember, there will always be another doll and another sale. Skip 5 sale dolls and you will probably be able to buy one of your grail dolls with what you would have spent on little stuff.

****

Time to confess...I did succumb to an outfit at Superfrock today. I bought the crazy "Burning Cookies" ensemble.  Luckily I arrived too late to purchase some of their other sale items as they had already sold out. 

And last night I ordered a Madame Alexander Cissette Christmas Trunk Set. It was a great price with free shipping and no tax.  Trunk, dressed doll and two complete additional outfits. Yay! 

Oh yes, did I mention that I snagged Geometry last week? Hehe. As a result of my own sales and not buying every sale doll that came along, I was able to purchase my second Sybarite. She should be here any day now.

Egyptian Props

I dropped my mini Egyptian throne and could never put it back together properly.

 I've been hunting for a replacement. Tonight I came across a similar chair and other Egyptian miniatures that would be great for dioramas. This is a lovely throne for your royal characters.

It is for 1/6 scale dolls and the measurements are listed as 4.5 x 4.5 x 7.5. That is perfect for Barbie, Fashion Royalty and similarly sized dolls. The price is $23.96. That's the lowest I've seen however they are charging an additional $7.95 for shipping.


The cabinet is very cool. It is called The Goddess Hathor Wooden Curio Cabinet. You can keep all of your miniature embalming supplies inside.

The dimensions are 8 x 12 x 20. It can be used with your larger dolls. Priced at $31.96 with $8.95 for shipping, it is a nice addition to an Egyptian setting.


Click on any image to go to the page where these are described and offered for sale.

Of course you will need canopic jars if you are going to do any real miniature embalming. This set of 3.5 inch resin jars are sure to do the trick.  I think they're pretty cute. The tops do come off. They're only $19.85 and if you order through Amazon with a $25. or higher total, shipping is free.

Finally, the ultimate accessory is The Ark of the Covenant. This one is a perfect size at 5 x 3 x 7.5. You can get this gem for $20.

I don't know what the strap is for. Could it be a yoke for tiny oxen?

 

The description says it opens to hold your treasures, however I would hesitate to open anything called the Ark of the Covenant.   

Didn't you see the movie?

More Ways to Spend Money or Not

Black Friday Sale at Tonner Direct

20% off and free USA shipping with international discount as well. 

Promo code GOBBLE88!

Pre Order Items are Not on Sale: product exclusions:

Madame Bovary, Platinum Luxury, Allure, Simplicity, Cami Wigged Basic - Too, Jon Wigged Basic - Too, Central Park, Chelsea Look, Washington Square, Christmas 1863,  16" Anna Karenina Outfit, Ready to Dress Carol Barrie, Ready to Dress Diane Evans, Matinee Luncheon, MIdnight #83, Roayle #82, Dazzling Tyler Wentworth®, Velvet Dazzle, Silver Shimmer, Midas Touch, Evening in Paris, Betsy McCall Prints Prints Prints Gift Set, MALLYMKUN THE DORMOUSE, 12" DRACO MALFOY™, SLYTHERIN ROBE™, VIKTOR KRUM™, 7" SMALL DOBBY, Deathly Hallows HARRY POTTER™, Deathly Hallows Hermione Granger™, and ALL TONNER 2011 HALLOWEEN CONVENTION PRODUCT.

Angelic Dreamz has Free Shipping on all USA orders over $100. Check the cool Deal of the Day feature on the website front page. There is a new offer every hour. 

Barbie Collector is offering free standard shipping through 12/12. There is a selection of dolls (Doll-idays Discounts) as well. 

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If you are on every mailing list like most who shop online, you are getting tons of email from stores about Black Friday sales. I want to share an experience.

I ordered two items from Betsey Johnson's site two days ago. The items had been marked down from the original prices and I thought I was getting a good deal. Today I got an email from them announcing a 40% off sale for Black Friday. That meant a big difference in the price I paid.  I called and because the items had already been discounted off the original prices, they could not do a further adjustment. I re-ordered anyway because even though I would have to pay the shipping back and forth on the original order, my savings came to more than $40.  I think it was worth it. If you want to check out the Betsey Johnson site which is not doll related, here is the link. I love her jewelry!

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 Back to dolls:

A new product from Wilde Imagination caught my fancy. It is Evangeline's Mourning Hat & Wig Set.

The wig is tacked to the hat but can be removed for separate use. Price $36. 

There's a note on their site that a special holiday offer is coming on Saturday.  No date given, just Saturday. 

A fabulous new fashion for Evangeline is called Graveside Picnic.  I love it and wouldn't mind having it for myself although I rarely go to picnics graveside. In fact, I can't remember the last one I attended.

I wonder if this would fit some of my other dolls. Hmmm...I really like it. Comes with the jacket, belt, skirt and hat The hat is the clincher. It's wonderful.  LE350  Price: $110.

Maryann Roy and her wonderful "Welcome Home" website will be unveiling her holiday window display photos this coming weekend: 11/25/11. Check here for the reveal.

Last but not least, Integrity Toys has a selection of 2011 convention dolls and accessory packs remaining in their store for sale to the general public. Prices have not been reduced but if you didn't get them at the convention, you can get them there at a price very close to that which convention goers paid.

Happy Shopping and Happy Thanksgiving.

Radio City Rockettes - Dolls

The Madame Alexander Doll Company has a history of producing Radio City Rockette dolls in an assortment of costumes in which they performed over the years. Here are several. All of these dolls are currently available on-line. To find an individual doll's best price do a search using the doll's exact name and then just look for Rockette dolls or Madame Alexander Rockette dolls. The prices will vary and of course, you want the best price! Some of these dolls are on sale directly from Madame Alexander.

My favorites are the Cissy Rockettes followed closely by Dancing Diamonds. Cute, cute, cute. I do like cute. I think MA needs a more creative photographer. Almost all of their dolls appear to have the same pose. In reality they aren't the most flexible of dolls. It's interesting to note that among 16" vinyl dolls, up until about 6 years ago, the Alex line was the most articulated of all including Tonner and Gene. They had articulated wrists and feet before everyone else. And MA dolls have always had gorgeous eyelashes (as did Gene.)

Dancing Diamonds 1982 by Bob Mackie Cissette 10"

Radio City Rockettes Pink Tuxedo Cissettes 10"

Christmas Harolders - 1994 Rockette Doll 16"

 Gold Tuxedo Rockette Doll 16"

Radio City Rockette Doll Holiday Trunk Set  10"

Shine Rockette Cissy Doll 21"

Carol of the Bells Rockette Doll 10"

Toy Soldier Rockette Doll 8"

1999 Reindeer Rockette Doll 16"

 Happy Feet Rockette 1990 Cissy 21"

Rag Doll 2007 Rockette Cissette 10"

Candy Cane Bizzazz 1982  Wendy 8"

Do you have a holiday collection of dolls? Perhaps you have one special doll you display at holiday time. Will you be adding a holiday themed doll to your collection this year?

I'm sure my readers would love to read about your holiday dolls. I would!

Tomorrow I'm going to pull some outfits and get a couple of my 16" dolls out of storage to put on display. It's play-time!