We got there around 10:30 a.m., and the store wasn't very crowded. We were there for one hour or a bit more, and there was one rush of people in the middle of that time . . . but by the time we left at about 11:30 a.m., the store was not very full again.
The meet accessories are totally unimpressive and the only comments we heard were . . . "$30.00 for that junk?" and "That would be broken by the time she goes to bed tonight." Personally, I didn't look at them at all, but I heard a lot of comments.
It was interesting to see, but the area for Joss was very crammed and small, as Blaire still took up a lot of the room that she was occupying since last January. This debut day was a shadow of Blaire's debut day, and there were not very many dolls for sale on the floor (Blaire's day was packed with dolls to choose from, including a full conference table stacked with boxed dolls) or a large amount of any one item. A poor employee was stuck carting out the boxes of Joss' "Cheer Practice Equipment" three at a time, because there wasn't much room to display them. Without a big item her area definitely lacked the "oomph" that the GOTY area usually has. Joss was in a small corner behind the Historical Dolls, which is part of the Columbus' usual GOTY area. Blaire still occupied a good half of the GOTY area and had a lot of displays. Luciana was almost completely gone -- just a few dolls and some pajamas and something else that I can't remember.
Swap around to the back of the cute display above, and the photo below is what you saw (and this, sadly, was the most visible glass display for Joss in the area).
The sea lion pup didn't impress anyone we saw, mostly because they seemed to think he was too small. I didn't see him myself, because he was only displayed in the one surfing display against the window.
The $15.00 Cheer Team Jacket was quite a hit, because a lot of little girls who had a doll already chose to buy some outfits and the jacket, because they could make their own doll look like Joss.
The Cheer Competition outfit and Cheer Practice outfit were both a big hit with every little girl who saw them. Most little girls opted to buy outfits instead of a doll, because they wanted both of the cheer outfits.
A LOT of little girls there to get a doll or accessories, but they were all having similar reactions. While Elizabeth and I were picking out our dolls, a lot of little girls came over to look, and they all said "She looks just like Blaire". If they already had Blaire, they opted to buy accessories and/or outfits for her -- and if they didn't already have Blaire, they went and picked her instead. A LOT of little girls bought Blaire at AGP Easton this morning! I would say that her attraction will last a good while into this year.
The prices took a lot of Mom's by surprise. Everybody loved the Nfinity Backpack set-- but the price was too high. Almost every little girl who wanted it was told to add it to her Easter or Birthday list, because it was "too much money for today". It was definitely the makeup and the curling iron that were the big attraction in the set! They were a hit with all the little girls.
The Cheer Practice Equipment was one of the most popular sets with little girls. A lot of them took the $100.00 they were allowed to spend on a new Joss doll and opted for a combination of outfits and the equipment instead.
The Beach Vibes outfit didn't seem to impress anyone. The only comment I heard was:
Mother: Hey, honey -- look at that outfit!
Daughter: Oh. Those are some really ugly pants, Mom.
I think this covers all the pieces of her collection that were out today. If anyone has any questions, just leave a comment, and I'll answer! Review and photos of the dolls coming tomorrow!