Build a Bear - how much does it REALLY cost?

[Cagliostro]

DD has been yearning for a BaB for a couple of years now, we've not been in as I've always said it's too much. But my parents are asking for ideas so I think this year it may be the time.

BUT I am concerned about the cost - I know the bears themselves can be around £20, but then there's all the extras. I'm not sure what's included, or if you can leave out things like the voice bit etc.

She's 9, so well able to understand she can't have everything in the store :o and I thought it may be good to set out what kind of things she would be able to choose from IYSWIM. As I'm assuming the present would be a voucher type thing to spend after Christmas (perhaps they have a sale?!)

So, can anyone please tell me how much we can expect an average visit to BaB to be...?

Thanks :)

[slkk]

We bought a lovely cuddly dog with a recorded voice no clothes (doggy no wear clothes mummy) and it cost £16

[CakeNinja]

I took my small godchildren in there a couple of weekends ago (twins, was their birthday treat), spent £130!! Wardrobes, costumes, sunglasses, Scented hearts?! Sounds, pyjamas, hats and scarves... I was fleeced!
£30 in some cases doesn't even get a bear, bought my nephew a chewbacca and he was about £40 before the extras.

[Cagliostro]

Thanks everyone.

I think we won't be going to the store until early January so hoping they will have a post Christmas sale?!

[Scotlass]

In my local one yesterday they had 2 bears they were selling at £7 for black friday, might still be on today. Plus BOGOF, definately a good saving

[AFawnDawn]

We are planning on getting our DDs BAB vouchers for Christmas. Are there ever any deals on vouchers?

It doesn't look like Tesco sell the vouchers otherwise I would get them from there to get clubcard points.

Do they ever do offline special offers? I've been keeping an eye out but haven't seen anything yet.

[Ilovenannyplum]

OP on the outlet section of their site, they have them slightly cheaper

http://www.buildabear.co.uk/shop/search/Outlet/_/

Or they are running an offer on the reindeer ones.
They don't have to cost the earth, they don't need to have clothes.
although DS's does have a fetching pair of pyjamas

[Cagliostro]

Just bumping this as my parents have said they'd prefer to just give me money so I can decide what to do with it. I'm wondering how much to put on a voucher? My plan is to then give her some cash as well so she can go over if she wants (as we won't be in the town much anymore, so there wouldn't be much point in spending less than the voucher IYSWIM) or she can spend that elsewhere.

£30 voucher? I'm not really sure what teddy she wants, I am sure she'd be tempted by the MLP, Toothless etc but they're £20ish on their own... she did say she's not fussed about the scents, voice box things etc.

[Freezingwinter]

You can get nice bears for around a tenner. A nice outfit for 20 quid. They try and add extras such as sounds and beating hearts but you can easily do it for thirty pounds. It's a lot of fun! I took my 18 month old and he loved being able to stuff it himself and play on the computer to name it!

[Smrendell]

I have brought about 20 over the years and they never came to more than £20.

[Omgkitties]

Last time I went we got the bear, 3 outfits, 2 shoes and a little backpack for the bear all for £30.

Not sure what's costing some people £50.

[verytiredmummy1]

What size baby clothes fit the Build a Bear bears? (Cheap mummy here!!) x

[TroysMammy]

I bought a mermaid costume for Panda from Wilkinson. They were selling them off and it only cost me £1.75.

[Cagliostro]

Love the story of the bear magically appearing in a santa outfit BTW! That's so sweet.

[Cagliostro]

Thanks everyone :)

Definitely up for second hand stuff in future, DD loves scouring charity shops for old baby clothes to put on her doll.

For this bear (or whatever the heck she chooses! Would possibly be a MLP) we will stick to the store as I think the experience is a big part of what she's really wanting, and my parents thankfully are happy to give her that, lucky girl :o but definitely with a voucher/budget type thing. And I'll definitely discuss in advance the idea that she can get more clothes later using pocket money on ebay etc.

[Thingywhatsit]

Have you thought about 2nd hand stuff???? I brought one outfit and a dog for my dd (she is only 2) and then I stumbled across a job lot on a local fb selling group. We got another 3 bears and about 25 outfits, 7 pairs of shoes and the plastic wardrobe for £30! I have no need to buy anything in build a bear now, after only spending £50!!!

[debbiewest0]

I got an email the other day telling me that they will be selling two of their bears at £5 at some point soon so worth going on that day! And outfits are on offer at the moment. I got two for £17 this week on an elsa dress up outfit and care bear pyjamas so maybe get the clothes now and wait for the bears on the offer. £5 seems great price. My care bear was only £13 the other day as they were on offer. I'd never spend £45 so look out for their offers....My kids just have the one bear and will buy outfits for that- we don't get lots of new bears

[CalypsoValdez]

I bought loads of outfits second hand cheap from ebay. Even included a Santa outfit which I hid and dressed the bear in it on Xmas Eve so when DD woke up to find Bear was now Santa she was absolutely amazed. Definitely worth a look on ebay for extras.

[almamatters]

I bought my boy a hulk one for his birthday last year, I wasn't even thinking, got the outfit and extra large "fists" and possibly boots but can't remember...it was £45-£50

[almamatters]

I bought my boy a hulk one for his birthday last year, I wasn't even thinking, but the outfit and extra large "fists" and possibly boots but can't remember...it was £45-£50

[OlennasWimple]

We've never had the pushy sales experience Even when DD had her birthday party there, they were really good a sticking to the price limit we set.

There are plenty of bears available for under £20, and things like t shirts are £5-7. It's when you get into branded outfits or loads of accessories (full sports kit, plus boots, plus ball, plus hat for example) that it gets expensive

[ChocolateButton15]

But if you was thinking of going term time after Xmas they will probably have a sale on so might be better to do that if she doesn't mind waiting

[ChocolateButton15]

£60 but that is the horse and then brush, hay bale, saddle and barn and horse sounds voice box. Absolute rip off I felt especially as the barn is just covered cardboard that pops open and stays together with velcro. But it was her birthday money! They do have two teddies for £28 at the moment. It's not the bears that are expensive it's the accessories, most of my local shop is accessories and a small section with the teddies bodies.

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

My local one the staff are lovely, ask a few questions but never been sold things we didn't want. Even looked out back for specific outfits/bears for customers.

It's also in a mall, really rammed in holidays and weekends but during term time pretty quiet.

[HeadDreamer]

DH just took our two in August. They were doing a deal for £26 for two bears. The bears they chose are normally £21 each. The price includes the bear, and some heart thing stuff inside, and a birth certificate. You can easily set a price say £30 and make them add accessories to within the budget.

[Floggingmolly]

But isn't choosing part of the fun? Knowing you're going to get the basic bear before you even step through the door is a bit pointless really. It looks like every other brown bear...