LOL doll barcode
Photo: Amazon

After your little one unwraps her surprise doll, what do you with the LOL doll barcode?

You just throw it away, right?

Well don’t!

The LOL Doll Barcode is Important

This LOL doll barcode is the KEY to returning your LOL surprise doll if there is a problem.

Here’s a BIG secret most people don’t know about LOL surprise dolls…

They have a 30 day manufacturers warranty!

That’s right! Your little one’s LOL doll is guaranteed by the maker, MGA Entertainment, for 30 days.

Therefore, the warranty is what makes keeping the LOL doll barcode and receipt for at least 30 days really important.

LOL Doll Barcode
Photo: Amazon

Before we look at the warranty, there are a few items to note:

  1. MGA Entertainment is the maker of LOL Surprise dolls but not all LOL toys so…
  2. This warranty only applies to LOL Big Surprise, Charm Fizz, Fizz Factory, Lil Sisters, and Tots
  3. The warranty is only valid in the US and Canada
  4. You need the original sales or gift receipt (start asking for a gift receipt will ALL LOL presents!)
  5. You need the original barcode from the ball to file the claim online

So, let’s take a look at this warranty…

MGA Entertainment LOL Surprise Product Warranty

LIMITED 30-DAY WARRANTY

We warrant to the original purchaser that this product is free of manufacturing defects (materials and/or workmanship) for thirty (30) days from the date of purchase. All claims must be made within the 30 days of purchase. A dated sales or gift receipt is required as proof of purchase, and no exceptions will be made. Defects in material or workmanship will be determined at the sole discretion of MGA Entertainment.

During this warranty period, consumers may return the product to the retailer, or contact MGA directly. At the sole election of MGA, the only remedies available under this warranty will be either replacement of the defective part, or product replacement of the same or comparable value.

The warranty is invalid if the product has been misused, abused, damaged by battery leakage or from causes not arising out of defects in material or workmanship. MGA cannot be held responsible for any subsequent damages that may arise from the use of this unit.

This is a limited warranty and gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

This warranty is valid in the US and Canada only.

What is NOT an LOL Surprise Manufacturer’s Defect

So, now that we know there’s a warranty ONLY FOR MANUFACTURER’S DEFECTS, what does MGA consider a defect?

MGA lists some of these frequently asked questions listed on their website. We get an insight into what can and cannot be returned.

Will the contents of each L.O.L Surprise! Big Surprise be the same?

LOL Big Surprise
Photo: Amazon

MGA: Yes. Each L.O.L. Surprise! Big Surprise will contain the same contents. So, if you purchase two Big Surprise products, the dolls and accessories will be exactly the same.

LottaLOL: MGA says that buying 2 LOL Big Surprises is not a manufacturer’s defect. You can’t ask for a refund for one of them.

What if my L.O.L doll is missing a specific accessory?

MGA: With exception of the outfit, there are no specific accessories that will accompany each doll every time. Colors and components may vary.

confetti pop tots
Image: MGA Entertainment

LottaLOL: MGA has cleverly said that your doll missing an accessory, other than the outfit (top and bottom or dress), is not a manufacturer’s defect.

How can I ensure I do not get the same exact doll twice?

MGA: There is no way to ensure you do not get a duplicate doll with a subsequent purchase. Part of the fun of collectability is looking forward to what might be inside the surprise ball. If you unwrap the same doll, watch out; MOST dolls have two different water surprises! Collect them both! Perhaps you can trade duplicates with a friend for one you do not already have.

Water Surprise
Image: MGA Entertainment

LottaLOL: The water surprise and color change is a hot topic with lots of LOL dolls lovers. According to MGA, dolls have 2 different water surprises (color change is considered a water surprise) but you may only get 1 on each doll. For example, if your Vacay Babay color changes, so may not do anything else. The same doll could also have a mystery water surprise (tinkle, cry, or spit) BUT NOT color change. According to MGA, if your LOL tot does 1 thing, it’s NOT DEFECTIVE.

Series 3 lol dolls on my way
Image: MGA Entertainment

Why does my doll not match my secret message?

MGA: Series 1: Secret messages are intended to provide a hint to your dolls personality. They do not reflect or provide a hint to the doll inside the surprise ball. They are included as a part of the special surprise.

Series 2 & 3: Secret messages now give a hint to which club your doll belongs to! They do not reflect or provide a hint to the doll inside the surprise ball. They are included as a part of the special surprise.

LottaLOL: Forget about returning your doll because her secret message doesn’t make sense.

What is an LOL Doll Manufacturer’s Defect

Since we know what MGA doesn’t consider a defect, what might count as a defect?

  • Your LOL doll is missing an outfit (for tots only since lil sisters don’t have outfits)
  • A body part is missing from the doll itself

That’s pretty much it! If there are any other possible defects you can think of, let us know in the comments.

How to File an LOL Doll Warranty Claim with Your LOL Doll Barcode

MGA Entertainment Contact Form
Image: MGA Entertainment

Assuming you have a doll that has a manufacturer’s defect as understood by MGA Entertainment, you can file a claim online. They will send a REPLACEMENT DOLL, not a refund.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Make sure you have your LOL doll barcode, a purchase or gift receipt within the 30-day warranty period, and a photo of the damaged doll with all her parts.
  2. Go to: https://www.mgae.com/en-us/section/customerservice/brandcontactform/
  3. Fill out the form with your contact information.
  4. Add the UPC Code from the LOL doll barcode on the ball.
  5. Add the Product Batch Code located either on the back of the doll or on the LOL Surprise ball.
  6. Upload your receipt and photo.

If your claim is validated, you will receive a replacement doll within 3 weeks.

Anyone have a success story about receiving a replacement ball? Leave it in the comments!

Can You Use the LOL Doll Barcode to Return In Stores?

Maybe you bought your LOL doll in Walmart, Target, or Kohl’s and want to see if you can return the defect doll in the store BEFORE trying to get a replacement from MGA. We studied the return and exchange policies of these 3 retailers. Here’s what we found:

Target Return Policy

Most unopened items sold by Target in new condition and returned within 90 days will receive a refund or exchange. Some items sold by Target have a modified return policy noted on the receipt, packing slip, Target policy board (refund exceptions), Target.com or in the item department. Items that are opened or damaged or do not have a receipt may be denied a refund or exchange.

LottaLOL: Target may give you your money back but it’s unlikely since you would have opened the LOL doll to know it’s defective and they can’t see it once it’s opened.

Walmart Return Policy

Normally, items purchased in our stores or on Walmart.com may be returned or exchanged within ninety (90) days of purchase with or without a receipt.

Items purchased at Walmart.com may be returned either to a store or by mail, unless stated otherwise in the list of exceptions below

Items must be returned in the original manufacturer’s packaging. We strongly recommend you keep your packaging for at least the first 90 days after purchase.

LottaLOL: As with Target, we’re not sure but maybe. The store manager will have the decision as to whether you get a refund.

Kohl’s Return Policy

  • With an original receipt, you’ll get a refund or even exchange. If you paid with a check, you may get a Merchandise Credit, cash or a Corporate Refund. With a gift receipt, you’ll get an even exchange of a Merchandise Credit.

  • Without a receipt, our stores offer great prior purchase look-up options. If we cannot locate your original purchase and/or for non-receipted returns, information from your valid ID will be stored to monitor your return activity. You will receive a Kohl’s Merchandise Credit based on a discounted lowest 13-week sale price of the item(s). Additional processing may be required.

LottaLOL: Kohl’s has one of the most liberal return policies out there, so if you bought your doll from Kohl’s, you have a good chance of getting your money back.

Why It’s Hard to Get a Refund Even with an LOL Doll Barcode and Receipt

Two reasons…

#1 We know you are honest, but the person claiming the refund could be lying.

LOL dolls are popular around the world and tend to sell out quickly, so people not able to find a doll in their local market could claim the one they bought was defective and get another.

There is also a huge reseller market for LOL dolls and accessories. Just check out the growing number of Facebook groups for trading and selling. Someone could get free replacement dolls and resell the parts for profit.

#2 LOL dolls aren’t extremely well made and packaged…

We’re sure you’ve noticed, but LOL dolls aren’t the result of fine craftsmanship. There are made primarily from plastic and rubber…and not the best versions of those two components either.

It is easy for LOL dolls to get damaged during manufacturing and with so many small parts, it’s also easy for accessories to get lost. MGA doesn’t want to have to pay for every little mistake.

Here’s Our Final Advice

Series 3 Wave 2 Tots
Photo: Amazon

Be sure to keep your LOL doll barcode and receipt. Ask for a gift receipt if your little one is getting LOL dolls for her birthday.

If you think your doll is defective, try to return it in the store FIRST. If that doesn’t work, start trying with MGA.

Above all, be upbeat if your doll is defective so your little one doesn’t feel that bad about it. She will most likely forget about that one small problem and enjoy playing with the doll anyway.

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9 COMMENTS

  1. one ball has(548430X1) above the bar code . the other ball does not have X1 on the end (548430 ). what does this mean

    • These are both series 2 wave 1 dolls. The different bar codes can mean they are different dolls or from/for different manufacturing/retail locations. It is also possible that the X1 bar code means a re-release after the first manufacturing. Either way, both are for LOL dolls so you should be able to claim a refund if you need to.

  2. My daughter opened a Bling Series ball the other night which contained 2 surprise bags of shoes but no outfit. (Bon Bon was the doll.) I have contacted MGA but have not yet heard anything. She was really disappointed as this was the first doll she purchased with her own money. We have never had this happened so I’m hoping MGA will, at least, provide us with the outfit. I will keep you posted.

  3. My daughter opened a Glam Glitter from Khols and there was no outfit, but everything else was there-one bag was empty. Khols took it back and refunded me with my receipt.You may want to try returning it first where you bought it. She was sad because it was a really cute one!

  4. My daughter just purchased the lol surprise pop up store with a Christmas gift card from Target. The included doll came with two of the same outfit but no bottle (she is a squeeze and cry doll) that she is clearly supposed to have based on product images and function. Is it worth trying to report this as a defect?

    • Hi there, you could try returning it to Target first. They are more likely to work with you than the manufacturer. Let us know how it turns out!

  5. I bought my daughter a L.O.L. Surprise! – Amazing Surprise Dolls – Blind Box, ( from target) for Christmas, and one of the LOL OMG Doll doesn’t have a hand ! My daughter was so sad. Can the manufacturer send me a replacement or send me the missing hand? Of the doll

  6. Got my granddaughter the box of surprise LOL dolls – however Bon Bon surprised us all when she arrived with 2 right legs – I don’t know how they managed that without noticing – everything else was perfect – just Bon Bon can’t wear her show on the leg that facing backwards 😞

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