Arlington Composition Doll Repair
Arlington · Washington
Listed by the Doll Doctors Association. That is a membership, not a qualification. The association says itself that it makes no assurances about any member’s training or experience, and every member is an independent business. It does mean somebody other than us knows they exist.
A composition doll specialist, formerly trading as Arlington Doll Rescue, who also sells restored antique dolls. Composition is the sawdust-and-glue body material used before plastic, and it crazes and lifts in a way almost nobody else will take on. A Doll Doctors Association member.
Getting hold of them
Email is the way in. They do not take cold calls.
If it gets lost
Not stated
This is a blank on their page, not an answer from them. We have never asked anybody in this trade the question. Of the 185 businesses we have read, 4 have written anything down about losing an item: 2 say it is insured, 2 say the risk is yours. The other 181 are silent, and silence is not a policy either way.
If you would rather not have to phrase it
“Before I send it, can I ask what happens if it gets lost or damaged while it’s with you? I’m not trying to catch you out, it just can’t be replaced. Whatever the answer is, could you put it in an email so I’ve got it in writing?”
“No, we don’t cover it” is a fine answer to get. It tells you to insure the mail yourself for the full amount, both ways.
If it is lost or damaged
Their website does not say what happens if your item is lost or damaged while they have it.
Ask before you post anything you could not replace. Only four of the businesses we hold publish an answer to this.
What they take on
- Full restoration and rebuilds
- Mending and seams
What they won’t do
The part every other directory leaves out. None of this is a criticism. It is how you avoid three wasted weeks.
- Doesn't say anywhere whether you send it by mail or bring it in. Ask before anything else
Getting it there
- Doesn't say whether they take work by mail
- Doesn’t say whether you can bring it in
Money
- Fixed menu of prices, so you know before you send it
Anything else they say
- Distinguishes 'Restored' from 'Conservative Repairs' on its own stock, which is a distinction most of this trade never makes explicit.