Build a Bear

RosiPossum

Hi! Just been reading on another site about Build-a-Bear, and thought I'd see what the law says about their selling technique.

Basically, a couple went in with their child to get a bear and an outfit. The shop assistants really include the child and ask which bear, which voice, which smell, which outfit etc.
The problem was that the voices and smells are extra, but they don't tell the parent this. They just ask the child which smell do they want, then add the cost on without asking if it's okay.

One mother said that in their local one, the parents choose the leaflet of the package they want and then the child gets to choose based around those things, which seems sensible.

It sounds like it's kind of flirting with the law as far as their sales technique goes, and that they're playing on parents getting to the checkout expecting a £40 bill and getting a £50 bill and paying it because they don't want to make the child send the bear back.

Are they doing anything wrong here or is it just slightly immoral sales techniques? Thanks!

RosiPossum

Someone also said that the Disney store will ask the child which carrier bag they want then charge a few quid for it, rather than asking "do you want a bag, it's £3".

browneyedbazzi

It could be argued that this is an aggressive commercial practice under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations in that getting the child attached to the product before advising the parent of the costs exerts undue influence and impairs the parent's freedom to choose whether to proceed with the purchase.

Hintza

Parents seem to have lost the ability to use that magic word:- "NO!"

RosiPossum

I don't think it's as simple as that though. If the assistant said "can the bear have a smell for £2.50?" the parent has ample opportunity to say no. If they just ask the child which smell they'd like, then the bear is built, the child already sees it as their toy when it's handed to them all complete.

WestonDave

Probably depends on which store you go into - (are they franchised?) - on the two occasions I've been dragged in there the staff have been very clear about what things cost as we went along and were happy to help us set limits.

quidsy

Parents have the option to say no, I have a 7 yo & he often "wants" something as that is the nature of kids. I have had the hard sell in build a bear too but told the assistant, in front of ds, that weren't buying extras. Occasionally w browse so he can add something to a birthday list & I explain that certain things cost extra & that he might not get that too. It's an ancient technique called parenting that I have found to be very educational to my child

deanos

We went to the Meadowhall one earlier in the year with my 2 daughters , don't remember them trying to sell any extras, we just bought the bears and nothing else, they seemed expensive (£15 ea.) but the overall experience was worth it

OlliesDad

quidsy wrote: »

Parents have the option to say no, I have a 7 yo & he often "wants" something as that is the nature of kids. I have had the hard sell in build a bear too but told the assistant, in front of ds, that weren't buying extras. Occasionally w browse so he can add something to a birthday list & I explain that certain things cost extra & that he might not get that too. It's an ancient technique called parenting that I have found to be very educational to my child

But that is a different situation. In your example the prices are clearly marked and your child knows beforehand that he cannot have them. In the example in the OP the child is told to choose a smell rather than "would you like a smell?" and the parent is led to believe it is built into the price.

Normally going to build-a-bear is for a special occasion (well at those prices it is for me!) and to have the bear created and handed to the child, to then force them to give it back would be cruel and put a downer on the day. This is what that sharp practice preys on.

BTW I am more than happy to "parent" my child and say no to treats when there is no just cause, but I also like to treat them.

quidsy

Then surely the parent should be asking, is that included before little precious has a chance to decide?

Last time I was in our local one, last month to chose my sons bday bear the prices & add on were all clearly marked. Maybe I am more savvy than than other people because I never assume anything is free or included, especially when a trained sales person is doing the offering.

The secret is in the job title, Sales assistant. Their first & foremost job is the make more money for the company. And any one with kids knows it is up to us to play the "bad guy" on occasion & deflect the stuff these companies aim at our kids in order to open our purses.

I personally don't think the shop did any wrong, parents need to be more aware.

OlliesDad

quidsy wrote: »

Then surely the parent should be asking, is that included before little precious has a chance to decide?

Last time I was in our local one, last month to chose my sons bday bear the prices & add on were all clearly marked. Maybe I am more savvy than than other people because I never assume anything is free or included, especially when a trained sales person is doing the offering.

The secret is in the job title, Sales assistant. Their first & foremost job is the make more money for the company. And any one with kids knows it is up to us to play the "bad guy" on occasion & deflect the stuff these companies aim at our kids in order to open our purses.

I personally don't think the shop did any wrong, parents need to be more aware.

I appreciate your point about the parent should have asked, but when it is stated as if it is included in the price, then it is easy to see how a parent could be misled. I definitely think that the shop has done wrong by targeting the child rather than the actual customer (the parent).

It seems like your local shop is laid out differently than what is mentioned in the OP, which is good to hear.