Robecca, Robecca

I was disappointed with Robecca Steam's basic doll. Well, more specifically, I was disappointed with the basic Robecca Steam doll that I happened to get. You can read about that here. After hearing people rave about Mattel's customer service I decided to give it a try myself, hoping to get a higher quality doll. I called the number on the bottom of the box and was surprised at how quickly I was speaking directly with an agent. I told her about my problems with the doll and she asked me a few questions, including where I bought the doll and how much I payed. She also had me read her the item number on the box. She took my name and address and I was put on hold. Literally less than a minute later the agent was back on, telling me a new Robecca doll would arrive at my home in five to seven business days. And that was it! She was incredibly friendly and the call took less than five minutes total. I was impressed by how easy the whole process was, and even more impressed when the doll showed up just two days later. All those raves proved to be quite accurate!

Robecca one, Robecca two

So how about the doll? Well, the biggest problem with my first Robecca was her limited head movement, and the new Robecca honestly isn't a huge improvement. Her head still feels a little stiff and up and down movement isn't much better. Am I the only one having this problem with Robecca dolls? Am I being overly picky? Maybe I'm just not meant to have a rubbernecking Robecca.

Robecca one

Robecca two

If the dolls have too similar necks there are other, unexpected aspects that are markedly different between the two. The new Robecca's hair is far less wavy than the first Robecca's. Although I like the big, unruly waves in my first Robecca's hair I have to admit the straighter tresses of Robecca two appeal to me more. She looks sleeker, more sophisticated. Intrigued by this unexpected difference I also checked out the amount and location of the doll's blue streaks, but that seems about the same on the dolls.

Two, one

One, two

Another difference was immediately noticeable as well but the cause isn't quite so clear. Robecca two seems to have a slimmer face. The two doll's eyes seem to be the same size; ditto their lips. It actually looks like it may be in the cheeks but wouldn't that basically mean one of the heads is bigger than the other? Is that even possible with mass produced dolls made from molds? Both were made in Indonesia but have different batch numbers. I guess it's possible but it seems unlikely. Whatever the case, there's definitely a difference I'm picking up on.

Can you guess which is which? It's pretty easy, right?

The final difference is subtle but one I'm pleased with, and that is that the paint on the face of Robecca two isn't quite as thick as it is on Robecca one. This was a minor complaint I had with the first doll so I'm glad to see an improvement here. Come to think of it, maybe the thinner paint is creating the slimmer look in the face. Hmm...

Overall I prefer Robecca two, but just barely. The straighter hair and slimmer face give Robecca two a sleeker, more glamorous vibe. Robecca one comes across as unruly and wild. I'm disappointed my biggest complaint -- the neck -- hasn't really been improved upon, but Robecca is a gorgeous doll that I liked anyway. It's cool to have two of her now. I have Robecca twins, one a sleek glamour queen, the other an exotic wild beauty.

Glamour queen, wild beauty.

By the way, feel free to comment on any other differences you might notice between the dolls. Or to tell me the dolls are exactly alike and I'm seeing things. Lord knows it's not outside the realm of possibility.