After a couple of weeks the first surprise was a little note in the post from Parcel Force informing me of ‘custom charges’ pus an £8 fee for the pleasure of ‘handling’ all this on my humble behalf! Now I have bought a fair few things from the US both via private individuals and companies and never have I had to pay charges before. Hmm perhaps it is something to do with our failing economy and every government agency grabbing money were it can? Even from poor unsuspecting doll lovers!

Well after getting over the shock of yet paying out more money my parcel finally arrived a couple of days later. Amongst the items were the Corkscrew Ally Diorama (now at a very reasonable price) and Jasper, my first Dynamite Girl (another snip at $20!). However when I got to the final item, my precious Gene, the box seemed a little… well… a little light. The tape on the outer shipper had also been tampered with and when I dove into the doll box proper… dun dun dah … Gene was missing! Nada, gone, nowhere at all to be seen! When I say missing, actually her shoes were there, her bathing suit was there, her towel was there, even her hairnet and paperwork were there. Just NO Gene Marshall! Poor Gene had been stripped naked and stolen away.

The packaging for the entire consignment was intact when I took possession so I couldn’t even blame this outrage on the evil border control or some disgruntled Parcel Force guy. With that in mind I emailed Integrity right away and they got back to me right away too and couldn’t have been nicer. A new doll was promised and to be sent as a gift in order keep the border guys off the scent. Honestly I cannot praise their customer service enough.

So today was the day I finally got my hands on Gene Marshall Calendar Shot!

P.S. I still had to pay more custom charges even though she was sent as a gift. Darn those border guys!

“From her cleverly styled sophisticated up-do down to her couture evening gown, Gene Marshall is a vision that would make the camera of any famous Hollywood movie director point her way! Butterfly Shadow Gene Marshall comes complete with a breathtaking evening gown made of hand-printed fabric. The fitted bodice nips delicately at the waist and has contrasting detailing at the neck and wrists. The gown’s full gathered skirt features a romantic organza overlay that creates sweeping volume. Two ‘flower’ corsages of pink roses used as a brooch and also in the hair give just a burst of color to offset the black and white print. Earrings, high heels, a doll stand and an exclusive certificate of authenticity hand-signed by artist and creator of the famous Gene Marshall Collection, Mel Odom, round out this fantastic offering.”