MSE News: Shopping centre chaos as Build-A-Bear stuffs up its 'pay your age' offer

jjj1980

My 8yr old daughter refused to go anywhere near Build a Bear for this offer as she heard the radio report in the car about the queue times. I then had an email the next morning with a voucher for £12 so where as I would have paid £8 on Pay Your Age Day, my daughter ended up with a free bear from BAB.

As the money for the BAB one had already been put aside, I told her she could still have it to spend. Ended up with two teddies from Disney Shop, a New Look headband, free pair of sunglasses, small Lego set, free Team GB lion and bought herself a watermelon!

Alexland

We took our 2 year old son and £12 voucher to a small BAB in a department store yesterday and despite directing him towards the £12 and £14 bears he decided he wanted the £19.50 cat because it looked like Mog from his books so that ended up costing £7.50.

The woman running the bear stuffing machine looked exhausted and told us the store made 700 bears on the first day. She didn't even bother trying to upsell the smell scents, voice boxes, etc. Thankfully we were not mystery shopping BAB this time. Last time we earned £30 but he wanted a Pokemon costing £29.50 so only 50p profit.

Alex

ska_lover

I don't understand the whole build a bear phenomenon at all. Must be my age.

I've been reading awful stories about how the workers (on min wage) were being abused non stop and not even allowed a break due to how busy it was

It sounds like the idea of the shop is for the bear buying to be fun for the child, like a unique experience. But I bet after several hours of standing and a packed out shop, it was no fun for kids whatsoever

Alexland

Went back again today to another store (we have 2 nearby) with another £12 voucher (in my wife's name this time) and he chose a bear which was under £12 so basically free but we bought a small accessory so we paid them a few pounds. Staff have recovered now so tried all the normal upselling this time.

gettingtheresometime

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I have a bear from Build a Bear and it wears Primark first size baby clothes far cheaper

Good idea....if I'd been shopping then that's what would have bought.

sheramber

PatricDavi said:

ska_lover said:

I don't understand the whole build a bear phenomenon at all. Must be my age.

I've been reading awful stories about how the workers (on min wage) were being abused non stop and not even allowed a break due to how busy it was

It sounds like the idea of the shop is for the bear buying to be fun for the child, like a unique experience. But I bet after several hours of standing and a packed out shop, it was no fun for kids whatsoever

 Me neither what is this build a bear phenomen!!

You are commenting on a 2 year old thread. Post building? 

Fireflyaway

You could buy real clothes for the price you would pay for a bear outfit. My daughter had a build a bear party once which she enjoyed but I couldn't tell you where the bear is now. Her favourite is a £6 teddy we bought at co-op!  It's OK if you can afford it but if you are struggling a bit it just makes you feel rubbish trying to speed past the shop, hoping your little one wont ask to go in.

PatricDavi

Bears are cutes but I prefer Unicorns.