Disappointed with Build-a-bear

[DogCalledRudis]

We have 7 of them in our house. All kitted out with outfits. DC don't play with them so much, but rather have them as bedtime companions. And they all have gotten so scruffy. Their clothes are falling apart. They are certainly not cheap and their outfits cost as much as real clothes for DC.
Honestly, i expected a better quality for such extortionate prices.
What about if children actively play with them? As lovely as they look, they're... rubbish

I've had not problems with ours. DS1 is 15, and got his when he was 7. It has certainly been played with, and gone through the wash. It looks good as new.

I am still gobsmaked that I actually paid £5 for a pair of pants for a bear, though. And that was 8 years ago.

Ours are still going strong too. DS has one, DD has two. They've been played with, chewed on, dicked on (oops), dropped, kicked, and sleep-drooled on (and with all that they've been through the wash a fair few times). They still look good. Maybe it depends on the type of bear? I can imagine the ones with longer fur might start to look a bit matted.

We've got a couple of bears that have done well and are still in good condition.

We have a My Little Pony type thing and a unicorn that are looking rough though, and they are not as old as the bears.

I hugely resent the prices, ours have all been part of Birthday treats but even so it physically hurt me to put my debit card in the machine!

How much are they ?

Some could be better than others. Our Bearemy and Hello Kitty look fine, but Camo bear got very scruffy, Ice Age characters as well, Fudge puppy needed to be taken for repairs, Happy feet penguins look knackered (and they cannot be washed because of electric parts). Clothes are utter crap. Falling apart at seams, ornaments falling off. And they don't really participate in active play.

Ours have never ever been played with. Total waste of money. They like the shop experience but not interested in the bears or accessories after. Dd got shoes for hers, never been out of packet!

Namechangearoonie123 - initially they seem really reasonably priced....about £10...then you add the voice, the heart, buy the clothes. The shop assistants are very helpful. I put my foot down at getting the bears passports. I think I paid £35 per bear on average.

Quite expensive then.

Ours are all pristine despite the rabbit going everywhere with ds for years.

£10 are the cheapest ones. They're usually £14-£16. Limited edition characters are £18+

my DT loves theirs, bought as birthday presents over a year ago and still get played with, dressed and undressed .

they are a rip off - it is the experience you are paying for. We got a lovely bear (very similar to the BAB curly ted) at Wilko's the other day and he is all kitted out in Gingham Pyjamas and cost £2.50, much better value !

Dicked on :-)

Do people actually but these?

I see bab as a 'browse' shop, like harrods.

I accept that usually cool/fashionable toys by respectable brands will be rather pricey. But usually they are good quality as well (e.g. Lego, which can last for generations). BaB doesn't seem the case...

Ds has fudge the dog he goes to sleep with him it want till I bought a new one did I realise what it's fur ? Used to look like he could do with some more stuffing really and label as ds twiddles it but I'm not sure how long hell last and ds is only 2.5

He'll not hell

YANBU!!!

Dd1 (5yo) is fixated on them. I think she's more interested in the Build-a-Bear experience, iyswim.

Fucking things fall apart. were on the fourth toy where the stitches have come apart. Like you, OP, they're not even played with that much.

I've banned them before, but DH always seems to veto me. I'm adamant this time - no more Buid-a-fucking-bastard-Bear!

My DD has one of the disney princess pets one and it came apart at the back where they tie it with the string after stuffing it. It was fine once I sewed it properly with thread though. I wasn't that impressed either though after the price of it.

Tbh, I wouldn't consider them an heirloom item, just an overpriced american gimmick.

they are an insane waste of money, but then so's half the stuff DC want.

the dds have 2 each - one bought as a treat, one bought after they saved their pockets money. having to save for 50 million years appears to have put them off going again.

Ours is about 6-7 yrs old, him and all clothing etc still goinng strong and has been very well played with.

Wow for that price you can get a decent Steiff, which are way cuter and brilliant quality.

I have 3 dcs and have never set foot into a Build a Bear shop. I'm either bloody cruel or bloody savvy. However I generally hate dust catchers soft toys away!

Aww my soppy ds aged 7 loves his bear purchased as a birthday pressie from kind Nannie. That was on his third birthday and he's nearly eight. He had the heart,songs in hands and outfits with shoes.

Since then,he's had outfits as Christmas presents, and we recently took bear to get stuffed (heart still works) and generous Nannie treated him to another outfit.

He was over the moon and was like a towie person in Harvey Nicholls rushing around excitedly choosing matching accessories.

I don't pay that much attention to my own clothes

Bear still looks good, none of our clothes have fallen apart at all.

Well worth Nannie's money