The Doll Cradle
Shawnee · Kansas · 55 years
A long-running doll hospital in the Kansas City area that also repairs stuffed animals of any size, including deep cleaning, sanitising, and replacing old stuffing with new hypoallergenic fiberfill. Repairs are booked by phone, take at least 60 to 90 days and sometimes more than a year, and they do not touch mechanical or electrical parts.
Getting hold of them
- (913) 631-1900
- sales@dollcradle.com
- Their own site
- You can walk in at 10910 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS 66203
When they are open
- Monday
- 10am to 3pm
- Tuesday
- 10am to 3pm
- Wednesday
- 10am to 3pm
- Thursday
- 10am to 3pm
- Friday
- 10am to 3pm
- Saturday
- 10am to 2pm
- Sunday
- Closed
As published by the business on Yelp. Ring before travelling.
She would rather you rang. Email tends to sit.
If your case is urgent, say so in the first sentence. They make exceptions and they will not think to ask.
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.
Nobody has told us who covers the outward leg. Ask, because that is the half people forget.
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
- Restuffing
- Cleaning on its own
- Deodorising and allergens
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
- Valuations
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.
- Replaces the old stuffing. Whether they will make an exception is not stated, so ask
- Won't quote from photos. Needs it in hand first
- Nothing with a mechanism inside: no growlers, squeakers, music boxes or batteries
- Won't accept anything by mail until they give you a date to send it
Their exact words on what they refuse
Quoted from their own pages, unedited, because a paraphrase of a refusal is the kind of thing you find out was wrong three weeks in.
- “Unfortunately, our expertise doesn't extend into the mechanical or electrical components of dolls or collectibles. There are no replacement parts for Chatty Cathy or Mrs. Beasly, sorry!”
Their published prices
- Appraisal, base pricing per dollfrom $25
- Appraisal, per hour, includes multiple dollsfrom $75
- Service call, appraiser comes to your homefrom $75
- Hour lecture, Q&A session, and Doll Displayfrom $150
Getting it there
- Takes work by mail
- You can bring it in
- Comes back standard
Money
- Will not quote until it is in their hands. Looking at it costs nothing
Anything else they say
- A contract will be signed and the repair will be paid cash, check, or charge.
- All repair is done on-site by hand!
- Free Repair Consultations: Monday-Friday
- Please include a slip inside your box that includes your name, email address, return shipping address and a phone number we can contact you at! Once we receieve your doll we will call you to discuss details.
- There is a fee for appraisals but we can advice you on whether an appraisal is worth it without any charge.
- *Our doll hospital is only open Monday-Friday but you can pick up repairs any day.
- The Doll Cradle owner Connie Harrell is a certified appraiser, one of the few specializing in vintage and antique dolls.
- Please text us pictures at 913-522-8552 of what you are offering so we can tell you if we are currently interested.