Does Greenleaf still sell Dura Craft Dollhouses? Options

[doxielady1508]

I purchased the Dura Craft Heritage HR-560 from Evilbay and alot of the pieces are missing and or broken. (seller never mentioned this on the bid), but I think the Dura Craft dollhouse are miscontinue, am I right?

[wenlaine]

Greenleaf never sold Dura-Craft dollhouses. That company went under a while back. Others on here may know more about that than I do though.

[doxielady1508]

Oh, sorry I never knew that before. Thanks for the info

[Alamom]

You should contact the seller to let them know. Some don't really know anything about dollhouses to properly describe them or even know when the kits not complete. The sellers I've dealt with want to make their customers happy. You should let them know.

[justmesue]

I would most certainly let the seller know that the item was not described properly, and that you are not happy with the purchase. I've had problems in the past, and the seller refunded the full purchase price. You can also report the listing to Ebay, if after contacting the seller, a suitable agreement for compensation has not been reached. It really is not fair that you should be stuck with a dud. Occasionally the sellers, sell stuff for other folks, and are not aware of problems, unless the buyer informs them of such. My Orchid was one of these houses, supposedly new, but became a rehab job. I got a partial refund after sending pics of the problems with the kit, and went on to be able to build the house anyway, by making a few of my own parts.

[havanaholly]

Dura-Craft was a completely separate company from Greenleaf, and made a totally different type of dollhouse, construction system, etc; they tried switching from wood to MDF for their kits to reduce their costs, but didn't pass the savings along to their customers and they eventually went bottoms up. The kits that are available are overstocks that people were able to pick up CHEAP. I have built two Dura-Craft kits and have one more in the box for "some day", but I far prefer to build Greenleaf or Corona Concepts, both the actual building process AND the finished product are far superior.

[Wolfie]

Just to be fair, Duracraft had a few really nice dollhouse kits, and some that were quite child-like. But they were a separate company and did go belly-up. I wish I still had my Heritage....but it met a terrible end when a drunk/druggie tripped over it and fell on top of it and smashed it flatter that one of the houses that the big bad wolf in the three little pigs blew down....... Too bad. The Heritage was a lovely dollhouse!

[butlerestates]

There is a store on ebay that sells parts that can be used to replace dura-craft parts. I have purchased from them for a old house that I have. I believe they have a website as well. I do not have a link but the name of the store is Manchester Dollhouse and Wood Works.

You should be able to do a search for them. Hope this can help.

[doxielady1508]

I haven't filed a dispute yet, as I am waiting first to see how the seller is going to handle this problem. 5 full-sized wooden sheets are missing, plus 2 that are only half there, the redwood shakes are gone and 9 sheets of the furniture. This seller has a store in Tueson and his feedback was only 5, as he just started selling. He'll have to reinburse the price of the house, plus the cost of the shipping. I really wanted to build this house. If the main floor would had been there in the box, I would keep it, but that is gone. What a bummer. I love all the trim that came with it and that looks like it is all there, altho I never counted it. Maybe I can buy the trim..hehe Well, I will just have to wait until he emails me and lets me know what is what.
I'll keep you gals posted
Thanks for all of your input.

Barb

[Minis On The Edg...]

Oh How I LOVE the Heritage! Those Gothic styled windows are Awesome. Sorry you are missing parts since they are so hard to find now that Dura Craft is no longer in business. Hope the seller work with you!

Just to say again, just as Wendy & Holly, mentioned, Greenleaf NEVER was affiliated with Dura Craft.

[justmesue]

Best of luck! Hope this is settled fast and to your satisfaction. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Looking forward to hearing good news soon!

[tcmorrison]

Love the Heritage. Have one in the box that I got in a trade from another forum member.

Terri

[sommerstern7]

If you can't find the parts, maybe use a scroll saw to cut out matching pieces. If you don't have one already, they're @ a hundred bucks at Home Depot. I think Wolfie has one and named it Fluffy. I got one last spring when I was working on the spring fling (and NEVER finished). I don't know how to use it yet, but once you figure it out, you can make anything with it--furniture, dollhouses, trim, ANYTHING. Might be an idea that will pay for itself. This was actually my HUSBAND's idea, but I know that he's right on this one. I think the only thing that would top that would be a laser cutter.

[doxielady1508]

Yes, Robin, I thought of that too, but even the sheets that are half there haven't the lg piece that is gone off the sheet. Bummer...
I used to have a nice scroll saw, but yrs ago sold itl never thought we'd have any use for it anymore.

[chesterfieldzoo]

Good luck with the return.

[shannonc60]

I had the exact same thing happen to me - obviously someone had partially constructed it and had got as far as putting the walls up. I purchased replacement mouldings from Manchester Dollhouse on Ebay and they're really good. I have figured out many of the dimensions for the walls, now I just need to try to figure out the base/floor pieces. That's the hard part. I hope it works out for you. If you need some help, perhaps I can help you.

[doxielady1508]

The seller finally contacted me and told me to send the house back if I was unhappy with it. Appartently, he was unaware that the kit was incomplete. I emailed him back and said I wanted my money back for the kit plus shipping before I returned it. Now, I am just waiting for his answer....again. I was thinking the same thing, Shannon, but don't quite know how to go about making two bottom floor pieces that would splice together, but still very tempting...lol...I'd really love to keep this house, but the bottom floor is stumping me. Thanks for your imput.

[justmesue]

Best of luck! Still hoping all goes well for you! I wouldn't attempt something with that many major parts missing either. It's the principle, the price you paid was for a complete kit.

[Minis On The Edg...]

If you paid through paypal, you can file a claim with them and file it as "item not as described in auction" (or something like that). You will get your money back.

[doxielady1508]

Yes, I did pay thru PP, but I think I am going to keep it now. Many of you said how much you loved your Heritage and I can improvise somehow for the missing parts. I think I'll use foamcore for the main floor. That should work, right? The hardwood veneer flooring should stick to it, right? I'll keep you posted and probably post some pictures of my working on it. (I just hate to part with all of the moulding, flooring and trim and I really like the swing out windows, etc).
Thanks for everyone's input!!
Barb