I think you may have stumbled onto one reason why 15.5" dolls may ultimately be a difficult sell for the long haul.  I know when I buy a bigger doll I do have to think long and hard about where the doll is going to be displayed or stored.  And they can be 'spensvie, too.  The problem I have with smaller dolls is that they ARE too easy to buy.  Well, not high-end collectible dolls, but many of the ones I like to think about buying for creative expression are as easy as going to the Goodwill and spending $3 for a nekkid one.  Though I won't do that because for an extra $2 I can get one fresh in the box and the hair isn't wrecked.  Still, $5 or $3, a whole lot can start to accumulate in my basement...I am a lot more restrictive about my purchases when there's more money involved in the investment.  REgards, Pat
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Barbara
To: Pat Brown ; Candi Chat List
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2002 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: I am surprised at this price on Gene

these can be pricey, so I tend to limit myself to only buying dolls or outfits that I really, really like.  After all for a $100 MA or Gene, I can buy 4 or 5 new Candi's, Alyssa's, Janay's or Lollipop girls that I really like.
 
Barbara
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Pat Brown
To: Candi Chat List
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2002 10:35 AM
Subject: I am surprised at this price on Gene

I thought I'd make a foray over to ebay to see what the prices are on Genes these days.
Definitely still in the basement, if not through to the root cellar. 
 
There was a time, a couple of years ago that the Premiere Gene was fetching, easily
$500.  I was expecting to see this price to remain steady.  But if I go by the one listing for this doll, the seller was willing to sell the doll for the "Buy It Now" price of $399.  What a drop!  She started the bidding at $49.99 and I guess bidders think they can beat the $399 price because no one took the offer. 
 
Has Ashton-Drake practically killed this doll line with their over-zealous over-production of newer dolls?  Or has Ashton-Drake managed to cheapen the Gene image in ways I can't articulate?  Then again, is it possible that the doll's genre is so limiting that other 15.5" dolls, like the Tonner dolls, relate better to collectors because of their current fashion statements?  I just don't follow the doll trends as closely but from what I read on this List, Tonner's larger dolls do seem to have a greater appeal than the Genes.  Is this correct?
 
What is the perceived state of interest for Gene-line dolls?  Pat Brown