Every listing was read from the business’s own public pages rather than from speaking to them, so check before you rely on it.

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Atlanta Doll Clinic

Snellville · Georgia · 20 years

A studio east of Atlanta restoring dolls, teddy bears and old toys, run by Linda Blase for more than twenty years. It repairs stuffed animals as well as porcelain, composition, plastic and vinyl dolls, offers a free consultation, and values dolls as a separate service. It takes cash or money orders only.

Getting hold of them

She would rather you rang. Email tends to sit.

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
  • Cleaning on its own
  • 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.

  • Restores to as-new unless you say otherwise
  • Won't quote from photos. Needs it in hand first
  • Doesn't say whether they take work by mail

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.

  • We do not accept checks or credit card payments. Only Cash or Money Orders. Preferably Postal Money Orders.

Getting it there

  • Doesn't say whether they take work by mail
  • You can bring it in

Money

  • Will not quote until it is in their hands. Looking at it costs nothing

Anything else they say

  • Also buys old dolls outright, which it calls an adoption service.
  • States a satisfaction guarantee.