Salon
Pet Boutique
Jewelry Counter
Yes, they all look incredibly cheap, but frankly, they are not that far off from what Mattel has been putting out lately at double or triple the price. 0_o Since there was a 20% off sale and I was curious about the quality, I took one home. I got...
A Music Station!
I have seen various playsets of the other themes, but never a music centre, so this one really caught my fancy. Be careful if you get this one though because in the store I noticed some CDs missing from one of the boxes. Note how on the top right side there is one blank space where a CD would go and it's actually included in the middle along with discs. However, one of the boxes I saw had 3 blank spaces on the right side and since the set itself is glued down I could tell that they hadn't just fallen out, but were gone.
The graphics on the back are great. I'm keeping this panel to add to my collection of packaging art. I would like to have dolls that look like this artwork!
The plug on the headphones is taped to the back of the set. There is a hole underneath the headphone hook where you can insert the plug. Because the wire of the phones is very stiff I'm just going to leave it back there for storage because once you start playing with it I bet it wont wrap back around again so neatly.
The included doll is the same size as a regular playline Barbie. Compared to a $5 Barbie that has the same un-movable neck nob, there are a few differences. The clone has a nice swivel waist, however, her legs cant open unless she is seated. They both have arms that just go up and around with no outward movement.
I think this set works best with a teen body instead of an adult and I wanted it to be a kiosk that could have a worker standing behind it. The Bratz body is perfect, but the Monster is a little too tall. The Monster also cant place her hands on the counter top without bending over at which point she hits her head. If you use a real Bratz head on the Bratz body then her eyes and half of her forehead will clear the opening.
The Monster would have to sit to man this booth.
The Bratz body is perfection. If I could tolerate sewing I would modify this dress to fit her, 'cause it looks adorable on her. I have to say that the quality of the dress is no different than the $3 half print dresses Mattel produces.
A look at the awesome CDs and magazines you are selling!
Considering I paid $8 for this, which I really didn't want to, I kinda think it's worth 10 bucks. Yes, the kiosk is made of the thinnest plastic and the doll is questionable, but c'mon, overall, everything is hecka cute! To be so cheaply made they put a lot of detail into this. Would I go back and pay $8 or even $10 for the other sets? Ehhhh, probably not, but only because I already have a Salon and a Jewelry kiosk and I don't like Pet Boutiques. If they were $5 though, I'd snap them all up, regardless.
I know my last posts have all been, BUY BUY BOUGHT, but that's because it's my busy season at work. While I have time to stop and pick up something and snap some pics, I don't have the creative craft time I would like. So, I'm making do with finding cute, inexpensive stuff to play with and satisfy my cravings. ^_^
YAY! Great unexpensive purchase! The CDs and the magazines are amanzigly detailed! WOW!!
ReplyDeleteHey, Sergio! I agree, to cost so little they put some effort into it.
DeleteI love these kind of "clone" sets. We get a lot of them but not all are this nice. The doll looks a lot like Defa Lucy. I would definetly get the salon and the jewelry shop.
ReplyDeleteAda, I had to do an image search on Defa Lucy because I had not heard of her. You are right, they do look like the Defa doll
DeleteGreat purchase, and greater price! Here I can't find that kind of clones, they are normally just the dolls or the dolls with lots of crappy dresses. I like the four sets, but for sure the music station is the most original!
ReplyDeleteRossetti, I've mostly come across the clone fashion packs. These were the first clone sets I've noticed. I hope they make more.
DeleteHey Muff :) I saw these a few days ago at my Big Lots and they are really nice, but I couldn't decide on which one I wanted. May have to go back and snatch up the salon. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteHi, Adrian! The Salon set has a nice chair in it and that hair dryer could always be converted into a lamp if someone didn't need salon equipment.
DeleteP.S. I went to 2 Targets and they still don't have those cool erasers you found >:|
These dolls have some pretty cool accessories. The accessories and the fashion alone are well worth the $10, especially for those who enjoy extras like these. Great find.
ReplyDeletedbg
Thanks, DBG. I think a collector would get more longevity out of the accessories than say a kid playing with them, but for either $10 is worth it.
DeleteWow! These are the coolest clones I've seen! The accessories are awesome and will make for great diorama fun. I might have to go and check this out! (Even though I'm on dolly buying lock down from the FR convention lol) it does not hurt to take a peek right?
ReplyDeleteChynadoll, don't even. With the damage you did at the FRC you better stay out of Big Lots.
DeleteAll the playsets look really cool but the one you bought its the best :) I love the music station.The magazines and the cds that come with the music station they look totally real! Overall a great find!
ReplyDeleteAsmita, I think the Music Station is the best too! Or at least it's something different than the usual. ^_^
DeleteHmmm, tempted to go to Big Lots now. Espicially to see if I can find the first girl. Haven't seen her there before.
ReplyDeleteVerona, Big Lots got in a bunch of new toy lots in the last month or two. I guess they are getting ready for Christmas.
DeleteNice recap Muff. I saw these sets last week. The music station and maybe the salon are the two that I may consider purchasing. It is good to see/know that the taller dolls won't work. Maybe the dio could just show them sitting or standing outside assisting the customer. Lol! Overall seems like a nice play set. By the way, I was not aware of the 20% off.
ReplyDeleteHey, Georgia Girl and thanks! I signed up for the Big Lots Rewards program so they email you when they are having a Friends and Family weekend which is always 20% off.
DeleteThanks for posting this Muff! I like them all! I will most likely end up with just the salon and music center but who knows at that price...very nice. You're right about Mattel's junk lately for crazy prices. The sets are worth it and there's noting a lil' paint job can't fix. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Hiya, Tracy India! At one point I had all four in my basket, lol, but finally I was like, "Girl, settle down!" If they had been cheaper I would have been like, "Glomp!"
DeleteI loved all your "buy buy and bought" posts,Muff!!;) It's so much fun to see what other doll lovers are buying these days,I have never seen a music station play set before,I liked it!:)
ReplyDeleteHope you find some more cool stuff soon and we get to read a lovely post abt new dolls or dolly stuff!!;);D:)
LOL, Thanks, Pam! I feel like I'm pushing spending versus creating with all these, "Look what I bought posts!" But when I find something inexpensive I like to give people a heads up so they can get these good prices too.
DeleteWow, these are actually really cool. For what the sets include, the price seems fantastic. Might have to swing by Big Lots soon and see if they exist at mine.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alura! These are being made for and distributed by Big Lots so hopefully they will be available nationwide.
DeleteHello from Spain: I love these sets are not of high quality. These are the coolest clones I've seen-. All this furniture is very original. The kiosk is a great buy. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteHello from Florida, Marta! ^_^ These sets are pretty neat. I bet they would fit it with your awesome collection.
DeleteThe accessories are great to be displayed in dios!
ReplyDeleteHi, Acerico. Even you if don't like the doll you can always use the sets and clothing.
Deletewhat a lucky find! this Music Station is great, I'm sure you'll find some good use for it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jewel Snake! I love finding neato stuff!
DeleteUGHHHH!!! Why do all the good things be in stores that are no where near me!!! BigLots is like an hour away from where I live. But anywho great finds for your doll kiddies.I love the dress, didnt notice it until it was on your bratz, I was like "Where did she get that?"
ReplyDeleteJay, I've got binder clips in the back to pull the dress to the Bratz's shape but the Monster is so skinny I had to use safety pins. I like how nice and long the dress is on the Bratz.
DeleteGreat accessories and definitely worth the money you spent. I've never seen clones with playsets here in Australia, only with clothes and usually the faces are very ugly.
ReplyDeleteCarrickters, lol, yes, the faces are rather "interesting," but they are not that bad for clones.
DeleteThe music center is really cool. I have never seen one of those, so definitely worth bringing home. I'll keep my eye out for that one.
ReplyDeleteVanessa, if you, with your years of collecting haven't seen a set like this before, then it must be a rare design against the norm.
DeleteWow, a really nice set with lots of details! Not something you would expect from these cheap sets.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the pet boutique! It looks like you could turn the little wheel underneath the aquarium to make it rotate, awesome!
And I love guinea pigs so the pet boutique would be perfect for me I think :)
Also, I must say the body of the doll doesn't look as cheap as some bodies of other clone dolls!
I think you got a very good deal on this set.
Hiya, Tali! I think the doors on the pet set open and close but I'm not sure if the aquarium can be rotated. The doll's body really doesn't feel any different than a Barbie and her hair doesn't feel bad either.
DeleteWell, looks like Mattel has some new competition xD
DeleteCool! I can't remember ever seeing a music kiosk before, and hooray! It's not even pink! Man, I miss having a Big Lots around, seems like people find so much great doll stuff there. Sometimes the clone faces end up growing on me, just because they're so... unique, lol. I'd say this is a great buy for what you paid, lots of goodies. Have you tried raising it up on a box or riser of some kind to alter the height? If you could find/make something coordinating, that might work.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy living vaciriously through your shopping posts-- since you're just as cheap as I am! Yours are never "I just dropped $500 on a doll that's going into storage." I love hearing about a great deal! :)
Smidge Girl, I feel as though I got something special since no one has seen a music kiosk before! It's like I was first in line for the lastest iPhone.
DeleteIt never even occurred to me to raise the set so an adult could stand behind it, lol. The simplest solutions are always the furthest from my mind.
Cheap and proud, sister! Fight high prices! *raises power fist*
Personally I think your purchases are excellent. Krylon paint and a cunning design work wonders. Besides, for $10 you can’t go wrong with however you decide to use the pieces. I particularly love the music kiosk.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roville! These inexpensive sets and dolls are perfect for testing out ideas on.
DeleteThanks for sharing this information. I was at a Big Lots recently. Don't remember if your music kiosk was one of the playsets available, but that is a cool one ;-D
ReplyDeleteThe pet boutique is cute also. Awww dee bunny ... and the hairdressing one ... nice. But yes, the music kiosk does stand apart.
Did you see any Power Team guys out your way? I did and wrote a quickie post on them.
Hiya, Dana! The Pet Boutique also has a kitten in that blue bin at the top so it's chock full of animals.
DeleteI did see the new Power guys that day and picked one up for $8 with my coupon!
Ohhhh... Beautiful dolls!!!! I like very much!!
ReplyDeleteA greeting from Spain!!!!
Thanks so much, Chabel! ^_^
DeleteMuff you been quiet for awhile now are planning something good?
ReplyDeleteHey, Jay! I wish I had been planning something good, but nope, I was just working. The real world had the nerve to interfere with my doll life. No blogger and no shopping for almost 20 days! The horror. But I'm taking a break this weekend to catch up on all the blogger goodness I've missed and then I can get back to my dolls. Yay!
DeleteI (and many others) are glad to hear that Muff :D
DeleteAh, thanks, Tali, that's so sweet! ^_^
DeleteThe stuff with the dolls looks really nice. It's more detailed than Mattel's accessories lately. I don't like pet shops either, but I'd love this one, cause it has rodents. Yup, I'm obsessed. ;)
ReplyDeleteIHime, now that you've said that, I don't recall seeing many pet sets that have rodents in them. Now that you've pointed that out I might get it the next time they have a sale.
DeleteThe girl with sunglasses on the upper left in the packaging photo is unusually named "Chole." Google Translate informs me that this is Swahili for "edible fish."
ReplyDeleteLOL, Leilani. Thanks for that info.
Delete