$30 is still a lot of money for a toy, right?

Yesterday I received an unexpected bonus so I decided to spend some of it on a new doll. First stop was TRU with quite a selection of dolls, the shelves haven't look this good in ages. They had all six dolls from 13 Wishes, the Werecat two pack (remember when that was HTF), the new Scaris two pack, most of the other Scaris dolls (including Rochelle Goyle, HTF around here), all three new Music Festival dolls, Picture Day Abbey, and Spectra from Ghouls Night Out (plus more dolls from last year's lines like the roller derby ghouls, etc).

This was the first time I saw Ghouls Night Out in person, so I almost bought GNO Spectra because her face paint looked great and I still don't have a Spectra.

Side note: I've passed over at least twenty Picture Day Spectras since they were released due to BAD face paint or unfortunate rooting at the hairline. Maybe an eyebrow was smeared, the lips were slightly fuzzy, or there were stray marks that may or may not be easily removed. Listen Mattel, I will not spend $20+ on a doll with wonky paint on their faces. I don't care if you can't see the flaws from a few feet way, there are flaws! That's something I expect on a doll at the dollar store. This has been a problem with MH dolls since I started collecting them. I don't remember consistently bad face paint on playline Barbies when I scrutinized them for my collection 10-15 years ago. Anyway... that was a pre-rant before my main rant. :)

I had GNO Spectra in my hands ($22) but then spotted Ghoulia with her scooter for $30 and quickly decided the scooter was worth another $8.

Apologies for using a promo photo, my camera batteries are dead and it's 2 AM

I've been wanting this Ghoulia since she was released last year but $30 is a lot for me to drop on one doll, even if she does have a kick ass scooter -- and those boots, drool. The bonus money made it easier though, GNO Spectra went back on the shelf.

Before I left the store I got a good look at the 13 Wishes dolls. Notice the two different prices.

WHY? What makes the three "Haunt the Casbah" dolls worth $30?

Compare 13 Wishes Clawdeen and 13 Wishes Howleen:

13 Wishes Clawdeen ($30)

13 Wishes Howleen ($22)

Click on these two pics to make them a lot larger.  

What's going on here? Clawdeen's small lamp isn't all that special, it's plastic and doesn't light up. Clawdeen's skirt has multiple layers, I'll give Mattel credit for a fancy skirt (which isn't exactly a skirt, maybe it's called a wrap or whatever, I don't know these things). Howleen has a hat, a hedgehog pet, a bag, tights (!), awesome boots, a jacket, and a journal. I wish more fashion dolls came with tights. Clawdeen has a layered skirt and a lamp. In my opinion Howleen wins this one, no question.

Now consider Ghoulia with her scooter. TRU has the scooter without a doll priced at $20.

 

For another $10 you can get the same scooter with a doll:

Why is a doll w/ vehicle the same price as a 13 Wishes Casbah doll? This seems ridiculous to me, but Mattel will sell thousands of Casbah dolls at $30 just because Monster High is so popular. It's a playline doll, not a collectible!

As I sit here I wonder if Ghoulia and her scooter cost more when they were new at TRU. That's possible, but it doesn't change my opinion that the 13 Wishes Casbah dolls are overpriced.

By the way, I checked the 13 Wishes prices on Walmart's website and they are identical to TRU.

I love Ghoulia and her awesome scooter, this set was even better than I expected. :) I think spending the same amount of money on a 13 Wishes doll would've left me feeling ripped off. Now I feel like a granny who complains that candy back in the day cost a penny -- or a nickel for the good stuff.

Good thing we can vote with our wallets! In the end, these are just toys, and there's nothing in the toy aisle we need to be happy.