Laura's Doll Hospital
Location not stated
Laura, who has written the clearest explanation of the process of any listing here. She prices every task separately so you can choose by budget, asks about deadlines up front, tells you there is usually a short waiting list, and says outright that she knows it feels daunting to hand your doll to a stranger.
Getting hold of them
- Their own site
- You can walk in at
They work from their own form, so start there.
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 post yourself for the full amount, both ways.
Getting it there is on you, and the cover above may not start until it arrives. Send it tracked and insured, whatever it costs.
If it is lost or damaged
Their website does not say what happens if your item is lost or damaged while they have it. Return postage is paid by you.
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
- Cleaning on its own
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
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.
- “I'll need to see a photo of the doll or to see the doll in person before I can estimate the cost of repairs.”
Getting it there
- Takes work by post
- You can bring it in
- Comes back standard
Money
- Quotes free from photographs, and that is the price
Anything else they say
- Also offers something called doll therapy, which is not explained on the crawled pages.
- If you're planning to post your doll rather than bring him or her in person, please have a box and packing materials ready.