Luvabella's Malfunction

You might think she's asleep, but she's not; her eyes will no longer open!

Less than two weeks after her box was opened and batteries inserted, Luvabella by Spinmaster malfunctioned! Her eyes now remain permanently closed.

Wanting to know if others had experienced a similar malfunction, I visited YouTube and Amazon to search for videos and to read reviews.  On Youtube, there was a video of another doll whose eyes would not open and the child's parent asking what should be done.  While reading the reviews on Amazon dot com, I was horrified by some of the things parents experienced. When one 5-year-old's doll stopped working, she ran to her mom and exclaimed, "Luvabella died!" She pleaded with her mother to make the doll come back to life. Mom purchased new batteries; the doll worked for a while but unfortunately, "died" again. How terrible!  That child will never forget that.

My experience was not as devastating, but I was as disappointed.  You can hear the disappointment in my voice when I recorded the following video on the evening of January 14, 2018, when the malfunction was discovered.


I called Spinmaster the following day to report the issue.  I was emailed instructions on how to get a replacement.  This included X-ing out the left-hand side of the doll's back, placing my initials in the center of the doll's back, and writing the last three digits of my claim number on the far right of the doll's back.  A permanent marker had to be used for this.  Afterward, I had to photograph the doll's back, "handwrite" the claim number on a piece of paper, and include that in the photo.  A video of the doll's malfunction was also required to be submitted along with photos.  I created a second video of the malfunction (which is not included in this post because it also contains the piece of paper with the entire claim number visible.)  The described photo, along with the first one in this post, and video were emailed to Spinmaster.

I had to use a permanent marker to X out the left-hand side of Luvabella's back, place my initials in the center, and the last three digits of my claim number on the far right.  Instead of handwriting the claim number on a piece of paper, I typed and printed it.

I followed all instructions, except, instead of handwriting the claim number on a piece of paper, I typed it using a large font (this was to ensure legibility -- not that my handwriting is poor because it isn't.  I just prefer typing and printing over using pen and paper.)

After a couple of days passed, I received an email from Spinmaster indicating my claim could not be proven because I did not follow the steps outlined.  In bold text, they explained that I did not "write" the claim number on a piece of paper.

"What?" I thought.  So I called Spinmaster and spoke with a very nice man named, John, who reviewed the photos and video and said, "You're fine."  He explained that they are not "used to people typing the claim number because writing it is easier."  Okay, I thought.  I jokingly told him that my [undiagnosed] OCD took over making me think it would be better to type and print the claim number.  He chuckled and proceeded to initiate the replacement.

The replacement doll arrived directly from Spinmaster in a Spinmaster shipping box inside her own pristine box.  The first doll's box was banged up around the edges, not taped at the opening flaps like this one was, and the first doll had a tiny black mark on one leg, which I ignored thinking it was a manufacturer's flaw.

Luvabella #2, shown above and in the photos and video that follow, arrived in less than two weeks. 

Replacement doll is still secured to her box in more areas than the first doll had been secured.  This doll also had a piece of plastic placed on the back of her head between her head and the headband.  The first doll did not have that.

She's free with all her interactive items and waiting for batteries to be installed.

As illustrated in the video, she works well, even better than the first doll. 

Luvabella #2 now wears the curly Afro wig (size 15) that I used for Luvabella #1.  I think she looks so much better with hair.

Here's hoping there will be no issues with Luvabella #2.


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Luvabella an Interactive Baby Doll by Spin Master, LTD.

Luvabella, "love comes to life," a doll by Spin Master, LTD.

Described as one of the hottest toys of the 2017 Christmas season, Luvabella by Spin Master, LTD. was a requested Christmas gift from my daughter.  I initially was on the fence about the doll but after viewing another collector's video, I asked my daughter to buy Luvabella for me.  She found it the same day on Amazon dot com.

Close-up of Luvabella's face while still in box.

The side panels of her otherwise see-through box illustrate the doll and describes a couple of things that make her interact:  Tickle her and she giggles.  Calm her with her soother (pacifier).

The back panel of the box illustrates a little girl holding the doll (cropped out of the above photo) and further describes some of the things Luvabella can do.

It took several days for me to remove the doll from the box.  The main reason was that I needed the four size C batteries required for operation.  After purchasing those, it took another 24 hours before I freed Luvabella from the box to test her functionality.


Before the test, her spreadsheet doll inventory description was recorded as follows:

17-inch tall interactive doll has silicone face over firmer material, hard plastic body, vinyl arms and legs, brown blinking eyes, black eyelashes.  Babbles and speaks 100+ words and phrases, has affectionate expressions and movements, responds to accessories of  lamb, bottle, and pacifier.  Chews when fed with spoon; can be rocked to sleep with  pacifier; makes drinking sound when bottle fed.  Can be burped.  Laughs when tickled.  Says "Mama" when top and bottom of feet are pressed.  Has an audible heart beat when chest is touched.  Moves eyes, head, and arms when responding and has many other interactive features.  Dressed in pink  dress with pink and white hearts on skirt, solid pink panties; has molded brown hair, pink headband.  My doll wears a short Afro wig.

Luvabella's back has an on and off switch on the left, which also adjusts the volume.  The switch on the right determines her language.  The A (left) position is for English.  The B (right position is for French).  When pressed, the large oval back button wakes her up when she falls asleep.

The above, out-of-the-box, first photo illustrates everything that is included with the doll:  instruction booklet, interactive "soother," interactive lamb, interactive spoon, and interactive bottle.  A card with the company's 800# was also included in the package.

Because I don't particularly care for molded or sculpted hair, I added an Afro wig, which improves Luvabella's appearance.

Pros

• Innovative, but similar interactive dolls have preceded her.
• Fun.
• Engaging.
• Her initial language is babble, but with time and human interaction it is supposed to advance.  (I have already realized her language progress each time she is turned on.)
• Available in blonde, brunette, and with dark brown molded hair.
• Moderately priced based on what an adult collector might pay.

Cons

• I do not care for the mechanical sounds she makes while interacting.
• Often seems to have a mind of her own, but eventually responds to her interactive toys and human touches.
• Molded hair -- good for the younger set, but she looks better with hair (or a wig).
• The retail price of around $99 might be cost prohibitive for some parents.

Watch the following promotional video, then watch my doll in the second video.



My first Youtube video featuring Luvabella:


What do you think of Luvabella?  Do you find her creepy or cute?

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