Stuffed Animal Clinic of Madison
Madison · Alabama
Nicole repairs stuffed animals, fabric-bodied dolls and pet toys from a clinic in Madison, Alabama, taking work in by post and by local drop-off. She mends tears, holes, faces and limbs, cleans and brushes out matted plush, and makes memory bears and weighted bears, with prices published from $50 and free estimates.
Getting hold of them
- Their own site
- You can walk in at Madison
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.
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
- Restuffing
- Cleaning on its own
- Deodorising and allergens
- Fur restoration, de-matting and pile lifting
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
- Memory bears from clothing
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.
- 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.
- “The Stuffed Animal Clinic does not repair the following: Porcelain dolls, Mechanical dolls or toys (voice boxes, lights, etc.), Plastic toys, Barbies or other all plastic dolls and action figures, Cannot replace doll hair (we can comb and straighten doll hair)”
- “This service is only for dolls with a fabric body. We can re-attach rubber legs, arms and head to a fabric body, only.”
Their published prices
- Mending (repairing tears, holes, facial features and limbs)from $50
- Plush Cleaning (surface cleaning and good brush out)from $50
- Get Well Packagefrom $25
- Doll Repair (dolls with a fabric body only)from $50
- Memory Bearsfrom $75
- Weighted Teddy Bearsfrom $89
Getting it there
- Takes work by mail
- You can bring it in
- Comes back standard
- Takes work from overseas
Money
- Fixed menu of prices, so you know before you send it
Anything else they say
- Every patient comes home with their own prescription for continued love and care.
- Did your furry family member tear apart their favorite toy? Nicole can repair these too.
- What forms of payment do you accept? Credit cards, Venmo and cash (local only)
- Do you take out of town/country customers? Yes. Though the customer will be required to pay for all shipping costs.
- Contact address given as PO Box 134, Capshaw, AL 35742, while the FAQ gives the location as Madison, Alabama.