Get a life!
Written: Feb 01 '06 (Updated Feb 03 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Dolls may be for girls but bears are for everyone.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: If the child really wants a BAB they will get it.
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| northeastgal's Full Review: Build-A-Bear Stuffed Bear |
Not just Bears.
The week after Christmas, I was asked to go to the mall. The children had no school and they had gift cards to spend at Build-A-Bear. I thought it would be fun since I heard so much about it and so I went along. The mall did not seem crowded.
As we get in front of the store, I noticed the store was filled with children and their parent/guardian. There was a line of about 20 children up to the entrance and the line did not seem to be moving along either. I’m beginning to get claustrophobic. As we’re waiting on line, there are these bins filled with an array of lifeless un-stuffed “bears”, rabbits, monkeys, etc. Not just bears. You have several furry friends I will call them “bear” throughout this review. Some more furry than others in many different shades of brown, white, pink and so on. Naturally, some cost more than others. They are all around 12”-18” I believe.
No one seemed concerned about the cost only the amount they have to spend on their gift card. I was hoping they would say let’s leave and go another time. No, no, they needed a friend for their other bear at home TODAY! One grandchild picked a bunny and the other picked a monkey. As the line moves, we now have this machine with buttons. I asked what it was and they were very eager to tell me now they get to choose a “sound” for their furry friend. You can press a button and sample the sounds to go with whichever you choose or they have one that has several sound for more money. Also, you can pick one that records your voice to make a sound. Ok, so now we are getting closer to the 2 technicians who sit and ask the child if they want it lightly stuffed or extra stuffed. This little lifeless animal has a little hole on the back. They insert that sound thing and then they hand a little stuffed heart and tell the child to hold it, make a wish with their eyes closed and insert it inside the bear. They insert the back opening of the bear to this fluffing machine that looks like large pop corn popper and you have given the bear A LIFE.
While they are waiting for the bears to be filled, I walked around to look at all the supplies available for these bears. All the clothing is made very well in quality to resemble real clothing; jeans with pockets, sweaters, sports outfits, separates and ensembles, coats, shoes, boots, bibs, diapers, socks you name it. A regular store for bears. I was amazed. I don’t remember all the prices but the outfits were approximately $12 each and separates $5-$6 each. The set of bibs were about $4. My one grandchild purchased a crib that day which cost $20.
After the bear is stuffed, they get to give the bear a bath which is air to remove any of the fluff. I’m thinking ok now we’re ready to pay and leave. Not finished yet. They go pick out any new outfits they choose or accessories they wish to add to their collection and then they move on to another line. They have these computers where they sit and you fill in a form for a genuine birth certificate for the bear. Now we are closer to the register. The birth certificate is sent to the register where you get to pay and you leave with the bear in its very own cardboard condo with windows.
If your bear should get injured (seam comes apart) you can bring it in to the person with the lab coat on and they will make it all better without a charge. Also, you can plan a Build-A-Bear party for your child which costs minimum of $10 for a free bear to each child attending but you can opt to spend more if you wish.
My job was to crochet a blanket for the bear’s crib. Not 1 but had to make 2 for the 2 grandchildren. But I enjoyed doing it with leftover yarn I had from afghans I made for
each before.
Their website is very interesting. I haven't studied it or ordered from there yet. You first must click on the map to pick your country. They have this promotion spend $15 get a free t-shirt. And the children's calendar is printable if you have a young child/grandchild.
http://www.buildabear.com/
I should have bought stock in this.
from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Build-A-Bear_Workshop
“Founded in 1997 by Maxine Clark.
It is a publically traded company, appearing on the
New York Stock Exchange under the
ticker symbol BBW.”
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): N/A
Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens
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