Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Dolls That Arrived For and Near Christmas and Some That Almost Didn't



I participated in two Christmas doll exchanges.  Through my online Yahoo Group, WeLoveBlackDolls, I received Fashion Madness Dwayne, TJ, and Mini Kenya Music Girl. We were to exchange small dolls with the dolls being 12 inches or under.  When asked what I desired, I replied (paraphrased), "Fashion Madness TJ and Dewayne; and if you can find her, Keyshia."  These big headed guys, which have been elusive in my area, were readily available in the sender's area.  I am so glad she asked what I wanted.  Thanks again VW!



 
In another doll exchange, I received So in Style Kara and Kianna.  I just love Kianna's Santa fashion.   These two dolls were immediately incorporated into my Christmas doll decor.   



Totally Coolness Lizette, featured in yesterday's post, was my Christmas doll from me to me.

Doll gifts from Debra R:  Circa 1950s Stockinette Doll by Martha Chase; Guys and Dolls Club-exclusive Celebrate America Ginny from 2009 is redressed for Christmas; her original stars and stripes fashion and shoes were included in the box.  Debra also sent a red Christmas dress for Tonner's 14-inch Dru.
 The above doll-related items in addition to several others that were non-doll related gifts from my "bestest" doll friend were contained in a package that I almost did not receive due to UPS negligence. 

Upon discovery of the missing package, my friend Debra and I were both heartbroken, thinking that the package and its contents would be lost forever.  Expecting the package to be delivered between UPS's estimated delivery window of 3:00 and 7:00 p.m., around 6:30 p.m. on 12/20/2014, I decided to check the UPS website to track the package and was shocked to read their information that it had been left at my front door at 12:48 p.m!  I immediately called UPS to report it as missing.  A nonchalant customer service woman proceeded to tell me what I had just read at the UPS website:  that "the package was left at your front door at 12:48..."  I interrupted her and in a louder-than-normal voice said, "Lady, stop reading off to me what your system shows you.  I know that it says the package was left at my doorstep at 12:48, but I have been here all day.  No one has been on my front porch; and if a package was delivered, and I doubt that it was, your driver did not bother to ring the doorbell as instructed to alert me that he was leaving a package!"  Without an apology or an inkling that she cared, she went on about what steps I and the shipper needed to take to file a claim.

The next afternoon the doorbell rang.  I waited in the bedroom while my husband answered it (hoping it was my package).  I could tell he was speaking to another male.  Finally, he returned to the bedroom holding my package from Debra.   UPS had delivered the package to the wrong address!  Our neighbor, whom we had not met previously, lives three doors down.  Because of the size of the package, he drove it to our house and explained that he received several packages the day before and assumed my package was his, too, until he looked at the label.  Thank God for honest neighbors!  In addition to the dolls shown, there were several other very nice gifts from Debra.  Thank you again and again, Debra R.!


Not a Christmas doll or Christmas present, but Glam Convertible So In Style Trichelle arrived during Christmas week.  She is an appreciation gift for my sending an elusive-to-the-sender, S.I.S. Baby Phat Kara doll.  One act of kindness that did not expect anything in return, did, in fact, generated another.  Thank you again SS!

I hope your Christmas was doll-lightful and uneventful (with reference to gifts that almost did not arrive).

dbg

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14 comments:

  1. Very nice gifts Debbie! The Fashion Madness dolls have disappeared in my area. I am thinking it is partly due to the holiday shopping. I only saw them at one store here. Hopefully, the will bring them back. The SIS dolls are lovely and so are your nice gifts from your friends. Doll people are the best!

    Happy New Year to you!

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    1. Thank you, GG. I agree: Doll people are the best!

      Happy New Year to you!

      dbg

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  2. Yay and glad that your package reached YOU. Happy New Year!

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  3. Firstly, your dolls are amazing. And wow, glad you got your package, that was too close of a miss. Enjoy your dolls. And have a Happy New Year

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    1. Hi Eve*Sparkle,

      The discovery that the package was missing and the duration of time that lapsed between the discovery and the neighbor's presentation of it, wreaked havoc on my nerves followed by a sense of calm about the situation. Somehow I knew all would turn out well.

      Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  4. You have the greatest doll ever. Lizette is just pretty. Happy New Year!!

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    1. Thanks, Brini! I love my dolls.
      :-)

      Happy New Year to you!

      dbg

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  5. Kianna little dress is adorable!! Was that made or did it go with another doll? Very nice gifts. Will the men stay in the box or are the for play? You Scored!

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    1. You know what, Ms. Leo? I wondered the same thing about Kianna's dress. I will have to ask the person who gave it to me. It seems that I vaguely remember seeing it on another doll, but I can't put my finger on it. All I know is is fits Kianna to a "T" and she looks so adorable in it!

      I had been contemplating on whether or not I should remove the guys from their boxes. I like the fact that the side of each doll's box contains the doll's silhouette. Just yesterday I discovered these and other males are available at the Kenya Online site. I may order two different ones to debox, but that all depends on how much they charge for shipping. Right now the dolls are $9.99, regularly priced $14.99. I need to investigate this now before the sale ends.

      dbg

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  6. Congrats on all your Christmas gifts and on getting TJ. LOL at the lady at UPS. You would think she would be kinder consider how they messed up this year with deliveries. I think Kianna's dress is from one of the Target exclusive Shelly dolls. I'm not 100% sure. Happy New Year!

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    1. Hi Vanessa,

      I think some people just need not work in customer service. You have to be a special kind of someone in order to serve customers in person as well as by phone. She obviously does not fall into that category. She was not rude; she just acted robotic, uncaring, and never apologized for my obvious possible loss. I did receive a followup call from someone far above her pay grade after I reported the package had been misdelivered and returned to me. The second woman reassured that the driver had been counseled and that I was "lucky, because most people would have kept your package," she said. I agreed with her.

      It has been confirmed and you were right, Kianna's dress, according to Suzy (who sent it), "is from a doll that was a Target exclusive" (a Christmas Kelly.) I saw one on eBay this morning.

      Delete
  7. Love seeing all the goodies! You are very lucky your neighbor returned your package because mine did not. The same thing happened to me this week. UPS delivered my package to the wrong address and refused to go get it. When I went to knock where they did deliver it, the person didn't answer their door and pretended they weren't home, but I could hear them inside.

    Amazon was nice enough to credit my card, let me reorder the item again and waived a 1 day shipping fee and also gave me an extra month of Prime. I had the package sent to a work address and it was supposed to arrive Tuesday. I check the UPS website and it says the because of carrier issues my package was delayed. I check again a few hours later and it said they had attempted delivery but no one was there. It's a freakin' business and it was open, not closed! When I called to complain they basically said, tuff, you'll get it Thursday.

    UPS sucks!

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    1. That's crazy, Muff. I'm sorry this happened to you. The thief who kept your package will experience something even worse. What goes around comes around and often it hits harder on the come around. I am glad Amazon.com did the right thing and gave you extra Prime time. UPS on the other hand is a piece of work. I still have my packages delivered to my home address because someone is always here, but that won't prevent them from delivering to the wrong address again in the future. I just hope it never happens.

      dbg

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