Dr. Toni's Doll Repair & Restoration
California · 15 years
A Southern California doll hospital run by a certified Dollologist, mainly working on vintage and antique dolls but also taking some stuffed animals and older toys. Visits are by appointment only, photos get you a ballpark figure, and a firm price needs the item in hand.
Getting hold of them
- (714) 785-6998
- Their own site
- You can walk in at 2114 Deodar St, Santa Ana, CA 92705
When they are open
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 10am to 5pm
- Wednesday
- 10am to 5pm
- Thursday
- 10am to 5pm
- Friday
- 10am to 5pm
- Saturday
- 10am to 5pm
- Sunday
- Closed
As published by the business on Yelp. Ring before travelling.
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.
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
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
Works in wool felt.
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.
- Quotes from photos, then revises it once it arrives
- Won't accept anything by mail until they give you a date to send it
Getting it there
- Takes work by mail
- You can bring it in
- Comes back standard
Money
- Quotes from photographs for a fee, then revises on arrival
Anything else they say
- My philosophy on doll repair and restoration is to do only what is necessary.
- The most common doll repair is restringing, which we can do on almost any doll including American Girl.
- If you live out of the area, I regularly receive patients via USPS, UPS and Fedex from all over the United States, so please call or email me to discuss the best method to handle your patient.
- I am a member of the UFDC and a past Vice President of the Doll Doctors' Association.
- We also make Reproduction Doll Furniture in 1:6 scale for Bleuette, BJD, and other play size 10-12" dolls.