Build A Bear - any tips?

The bear itself usually around 20ish its all the add ons... IF you get those ie the outfits the smelly inserts the sound bits etc that bump the price up. But they are totally optional. I was looking in ours last week and they have a birthday bear where you "pay your age" so a 5year would would pay a fiver etc etc. Websites should have the prices on so you can prepare yourself!

Also argos do their own build a bear type range and their outfits are loads cheaper and they fit the proper build a bears... i found loads in the clearance one year for xmas bits

Buy the bear.
Ebay for the accessories - bargains galore!!

Hi OP I took my 3 year old DD for her birthday. I'm in the UK, they do a pay your age bear! I think it's called "count your candles" or something.. I paid £3, and extra for a noise.
Was brill she loved it, plus it didn't break the bank!

Ok! This all great. Thanks everyone. Starting to breath again. Had visions of being stung for something stupid like £80 or something. eBay and Argos sound like great ideas for the accessories. Had not thought of that. What a rookie!

The pay your age bear is just one specific bear so I would show your daughter in advance in case she has her heart set on a particular one (if that’s the route you go). They usually have sales items on accessories. They also do a deal where if you pay over £25 in one transaction then you can get a £20 voucher for £10. The lovely sales assistant put through the bear and the cheapest accessory so I paid £26 then another £10 so the £20 gift card paid for the rest

Might be some good tips on this thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_product_tests/3207797-Find-out-what-MNers-and-their-DC-s-got-up-to-at-the-Build-A-Bear-Workshop

Oh and sign up for the build a bear club- you sometimes get £5 off vouchers

Bears don't need shoes

Buy a bundle of clothes from ebay. Bear factory also fit.

Then have it ready for her and you just go and buy the bear. Take your time doing the "grooming" and it all turns out quite fun.

DD much older now but still loves hers. Specially the Sloth!

If you're anywhere close there's a Build a Bear Outlet at Cheshire Oaks everything is reduced in there, bears, clothes etc.

We went to one of the designers Outlet ones yesterday.

30 percent off everything

Dd made her bear and chose outfit for total of 16.00

Bargain

Brilliant. Thank you everyone.