Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Sparkle Girlz at Walmart


I was travelling all weekend and came across a Walmart that was selling dolls that my local stores don't carry. Well, I haven't been to my local ones in a while so maybe they do and I just don't know it yet. They are called the Sparkle Girlz - and don't get me started on this insistence to add "z" to the end of everything. Moxie Girlz, Bratz, Just Dreamz - enough.


Anyway, they certainly caught my attention. I was all, "Ooh, black dolls." Then I saw the price and was all, "$4.97?! Say, whut?!" The quality of the doll and its clothing is why it's $4.97, but still, that's a price point I can get behind.


I was pressed for time so I didn't fiddle with them as much as I wanted to, but I dunno, I think they are rather cute. They are very similar in production to the $5.00 Monster High clones you can get at Family Dollar. Could be the same company for all I know because I didn't check the back of the box. While I think there is a definite market for these dolls and the price is good, I still didn't buy one and probably wont. I just like that they are available.

33 comments:

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    1. LOL, Sergio. I don't get why they are in those cones, but maybe less packaging means a lower cost to them and us.

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  2. I like that they are available, too, Muff! I also like their features and the fact that a different sculpt was used for the black dolls. The tan one appears Hispanic but could also be considered black. Are they playscale?

    I have been to Walmart twice this week. I didn't see these. I would have scooped up a couple at least.

    dbg

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    1. Debbi, I think that the tan one is Hispanic. As you can see there were multiple variations of the Caucasian dolls so I highlighted the ones distinctly ethnic. I thought they were 11.5 inch playscale, but Limbe Dolls says they have teen bodies. I cant tell at all since they were in those cones.

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    2. Thanks Muff. I knew Paulette would find these interesting if she wasn't already aware of them.

      dbg

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  3. Deals, a chain related to Dollar Tree had these during the Christmas season only they were called Glamour Girlz. I bought a few for the ballet costumes and for their "teeny bopper" bodies. The faces are very pretty but I don't like big headed dolls so I re-bodied all of mine and made a clique of junior high school girls.

    The torsos don't have pivotal waists but they are fairly sturdy and the arms rotate to the sides as well as forward and back. The dolls can sit without spreading into a straddle split but their soft vinyl legs don't have click knees. The ankles tend to get bent at an un-natural angle in the cone-shaped package. I suppose I could soak them in boiling water and then splint them until they straighten out but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

    Only one of the Walmarts in my area has these and none of them are darker than the Hispanic looking one in the pink tutu on the far left in your picture. This is infuriating because that particular Walmart is in a census tract that is 90% African American. In addition to the individual ballerina dolls in the cone package, they also have some in princess gowns packaged with a horse and some in fairy costumes. They have packages of 3 or 4 dolls for about $20 as well. I would be all over these for the costumes which are relatively well-made and affordable if the store would stock the darker-skinned dolls.

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    1. Wow, Limbe Dolls, thanks so much for all this information! We don't have Deals here in my area but I was sure I had seen that mold somewhere before. I did give the heads a squish to see if they were candidates for head shrinking and the vinyl had some give in it, so maybe.

      I want to say there were 3 skin tones of the black girl and 1 Hispanic at this store, but the outfits could be throwing me off and there were just 2 black skin tones.

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  4. Maybe the z is an American thing - you spell a lot of words with a 'z' which we spell with an 's' like 'realise/realize, organisation/organization? Seriously, they do have cute faces.

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    1. Carrickters, I guess it is an American thing to add a Z but its still annoying to see it, lol.

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    2. Carrickters - In this case the 'z' is just a marketing ploy, not anything related to real spelling. Bratz was probably the first to do it, and because of their success, other companies have decided it's worth a try. I don't blame them.

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  5. those are really cute they have cute dresses and hair styles,there so cheap too!but why didn't you buy from them?

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    1. Hi, Jassica! I have purchased so many dolls from the thrift store that I really don't need so I'm in no rush to pay for even more I don't need, lol. I'm spoiled by thrift store prices anyway.

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  6. I saw then at Deals also, I wanted know what their body looked like because I have a swap in mind. I started to take it out of the carton to look at it but I got one of those looks from my hubby. That is why I don't take him any where.

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    1. Ms. Leo, since I didn't take one out the box I'm not sure of the body type. Now that Limbe Dolls says they have chicken feet I'm kinda interested to see what's going on down there.

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    2. LOL dont take him anywhere ahahaha.

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  7. Hello from Spain: I like this collection of dolls. They look like flowers. This collection is cheap in price. I like their faces. Very lovely. Keep in touch

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    1. Marta, you think they are supposed to be flowers? I really couldn't tell what they were going for with the packaging. They are still cute though.

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  8. Thanks for the pictures. That's a decent price point. Cute faces.

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  9. Nice variety of faces and complexions, Muff. Always fun to see new series. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. These are cute! I doubt I will buy any though . Thanks for sharing :-)

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    1. Hey there, Chynadoll and you're welcome!

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  11. Hola, me gustaron mucho, voy a buscar en el waltmart, aunue casi siempre hay rubias o castanas, casi no venden dolls negras, soy de Mexico.

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    1. Hola, Linda y un placer conocerte! Es una lástima que las muñecas más negros no se venden en su país. A pesar de que nuestra variedad se limita aquí al menos tenemos un buen número para elegir.

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  12. Well, don't knock the knock-offs! :) (That's practically my motto.) I would have gotten one with the blue and pink dress with hearts, it's really cute.

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    1. Anderson, that's an excellent motto! ^__^

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  13. My daughter loves the doll. She wants an American girl doll but they are so expensive I told her she had to wait. She saved up $10 and bought this big one she says is like American girl but a pretty princess (and much cheaper quality) her baby sister hi jacked the doll so now I have to buy another. I'm thinking this will be something I can buy a few of and send them as gifts to birthday parties for other little girls

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    1. Hi, Laurie! I think these would make great party gifts or even though it's early yet, stocking stuffers. Some little girls are very discriminate about their Barbies, but the really younger crowd will just want something to play with.

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  14. I think of these as"parts" dolls. I like the one with the bun and would use her head. Then I would spruce up the dresses and use them. Stuff like that. :-)

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    1. I hear you, Grandmommy! I purchase so many dolls that are really just for parts, I would much rather they be inexpensive since I know I'm going to discard pieces.

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  15. I spotted these at my local WalMart and my daughters each picked one of the small 2.47 ones. I believe they are actually made in the UK if I recall correctly from the back of the box. I was happy to see these and the new Positively Perfect collections for multi cultural dolls. This was the first time I had seen more than a couple generic black baby dolls at the Amherst NH WalMart.

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    1. Hi, Megan! Sorry for the very late response but I was on the road for my job and am finally back and can catch up on the dolly world, including my own blog, lol.

      Since I first saw these, every time I pass by them in Walmart I always pause and smile at them. I just really appreciate such an array of ethnicities being represented on a very nice budget.

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