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Original poster

Build a Bear - how much does it REALLY cost?

97 replies

Cagliostro · 04/09/2016 22:25

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 :)

OP posts:
Gyderlily · 04/09/2016 22:40

Not 4 pairs obviously .. 4 skates/shoes Blush

Haudyerwheesht · 04/09/2016 22:40

They put stuff in kids hands? They don't do that here that I've seen and if they did I would be furious.

ijustwannadance · 04/09/2016 22:41

Subscibe to their emails. They do offers every so often.

imwornout · 04/09/2016 22:41

They're quite variable in price, sometimes you get some good deals like 2 for £26 ( inc some branded bears), have you any friends who may like to join up and split the cost?

DS is BAB mad, depending on how much money he has he he knows that if he chooses a branded bear then he may not get an outfit and will have to save up, or he could choose a cheaper bear and get a full outfit. I've never spent more than £30 on one though!

Personally I think they are massively over priced, my mum is regularly having to patch them up when stitching has come undone!!

applesvpears · 04/09/2016 22:43

Shitloads!!!

Puzzledbubbles · 04/09/2016 22:45

We took DD today to choose her 5th birthday present, there was a £3 voucher in the magazine so made the magazine 99p and she got a bunch of plastic tat she is still cherishing a month later.

DD chose a honey girl, beating heart, scent, skirt and top, headphones with music box. Also with the honey girls you get a different box you can convert to a stage ...

Came to £46, minus the voucher £43. They don't seem to have much of a discount, but they do have sale outfits in there.

This is DD's 3rd, she was able to rationalise 1 outfit and 1 accessory which helped.

Be careful of roller skates, they have to have shoes as well or they are not usable. If you can stay away from the silky outfits, they come off too easily. If your DD wants the fold out bed and wardrobe look in eBay or charity shops as we see them quite often.

Now I sound like I spend way too much time in build a bear ...

MacTaylorsSecretWife · 04/09/2016 22:45

We've been to Build a Bear today and didn't find it too bad although it was an outlet store. DD got a stuffed doll, 2 dresses, 2 pairs of shoes and a pair of pants (can't go without the pants) and it was £30.

talksensetome · 04/09/2016 22:48

We got a MLP one for DD with a dress and two pairs of shoes, a scent and a sound it was 50/55 pounds.

Dsd Choose a teddy bear, a dress,a crown, shoes and a scent. I think that was about 50.

AtSea1979 · 04/09/2016 23:04

About £20-£30 for us each visit

Bastardshittits · 04/09/2016 23:07

I would say about £40 ish. Last time we went the sales assistant pointed out that our bear didn't have any pants or socks on and DD started to cry!

Alibobbob · 04/09/2016 23:11

We have far too many of those bears lying around our house - my daughters tend to be given vouchers quite regularly.

I am not impressed with the quality sometimes the stitching becomes undone.

I would suggest getting a loyalty car we have received numerous £5 vouchers which can be used at the same time so can offer quite a saving.

It's easy to spend a small fortune in there.

I love the small bears they are about £8

Someone asked about build a bear parties. We did one a few years ago for my daughter's 8th birthday. It is expensive. They go in a party room off the shop floor and play some games. No food allowed but if you ask they can have a small bottle of water and a cereal bar each - which didn't cost us anymore.

TroysMammy · 04/09/2016 23:16

I bought my niece a panda when she was born. Every Christmas and Birthday Panda has an outfit and some accessories. I've had to take photos of him/her in a new outfit to avoid duplication. I easily spend £30/40 each time. I don't have children and she is my only niece so I don't mind the cost. Panda has a better wardrobe than I do!

My niece loves him to bits and takes him everywhere. Disneyland Paris in a Rapunzel dress, Sing-a-long-a-Frozen in his Anna dress, Spain with his bathing costume, sunglasses, suitcase and passport. He hasn't been to an Arsenal match yet, wears an elf costume at Christmas, a witch's outfit at Hallowe'en and I also made him a Welsh costume.

LittleCandle · 04/09/2016 23:21

I worked in BABW for 18 months and at Christmas time, it was quite usual to see people spending upwards of £100 or more. I think my top sale was £400 and the people could barely walk under the weight of the tat stuff they bought. There wasn't a child in sight, by the way. There were just the presents from Santa and the child was brought in after Christmas to buy more tat stuff with their Christmas money.

Actually, despite my snarky asides, some of the stuff is really good and you did get the children who played with their bears a lot! But it isn't cheap!

Titflaps · 04/09/2016 23:21

I swear I spent about £65 on a bloody Thor avengers one as a special treat after ds had an operation. Went all out and got a sound, a beating heart and bubble gum scent ((which lasted all of 3 days - so don't bother with that!!)) he sits on a shelf untouched and his pyjamas have never been worn. Hmm

LittleCandle · 04/09/2016 23:25

If your bear comes undone, then it is free to get them repaired and restuff at the store. They will also repair (if they can) other bears, although they might ask for a donation to charity to do that. Always feel along the seams of each bear and feel the quality of the skin. There was one terribly popular bear that regularly ripped whilst being stuffed and we loathed them, but they were the ones that always sold at parties.( Not all stores have party rooms) There was also the dreaded Daisy bunny, who was made of toweling material. As we stuff the very first one for display, we were chatting and not really watching what was going on. Daisy stretched and stretched and stretched until she finally exploded! There were no 'firm' filled Daisies!!!

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 05/09/2016 00:01

I would say at least £40 if going all out in store. However im mean and i've always let them choose the bear, groom and name in store then bought cheaper outfits online. Last year I got the wardrobe full of clothes/shoes and much wanted skates for £10 pick up only on ebay :)

Do price up online first and sign up for the rewards club as they regularly send vouchers/discounts. I think they also send a birthday voucher too.

If you have a wilkinsons nearby they sell outfits that fit for around £3 each last year I got dd the ice princess (elsa) and a mermaid. Also do matching outfits for child to wear Grin

memyselfandaye · 05/09/2016 00:09

We were in Chorley Lancashire last week, we went to a place called Bottany Bay, they had a similar thing to Build a Bear, it was called Your Cuddly Creations.

My 5yr old chose a panda, I think it was £10 including a voicebox.

FrameyMcFrame · 05/09/2016 00:20

About 17 quid last time. DS just chose a bear with a voice recording and didn't want clothes for it.

CotswoldStrife · 05/09/2016 00:28

DD used to be terrified of BAB! She's obviously got over it now because she spent some of her own money in there - two stuffed animals (not bears) for £26, I allowed her one scented heart in only one of them and no clothes, so two for under £30. I must be mean! I promised to make the other animal a bag with lavender in for scent and haven't done it yet

No songs, sounds or anything like that though - luckily she doesn't like them! She loves the animals and I can see it becoming a more regular thing. I'll make the clothes or scour eBay though!

Pipsqueak11 · 05/09/2016 00:33

I have just sold some bab stuff on eBay .about 10 outfits 3 pairs of shoes a bed for around £30 , washed it all and its like new , maybe buy the bear and get the rest on eBay?

CatchingBabies · 05/09/2016 00:33

I went once with a 3 year old who didn't understand she couldn't have the whole store. I came out £63 poorer and with a crying DD because she'd have doubled that easily! Rather distressing experience and never plan to repeat it. And the flaming bear NEVER even gets played with!!

OhThatThingAgain · 05/09/2016 00:38

Cost me (well actually my SIL with my money) £100 for two at Westfield. They are not even bothered about them now. DD1 prefers her little Jelly Cat rabbit and DD2 likes the teddy she got for free when in hospital from the local Rotary Club.

They do remember the day out though, and thought it was special. I wouldn't do it again, I could take them to a show for that money.

DropZoneOne · 05/09/2016 00:40

We spent £25-£30, can't remember exactly. Pink bear, chocolate smell and a sound button saying "I love you". No clothes or other accessories. DD made it just after starting school to take to CM as she was struggling and the CM thought having her own special toy there would help. That was 4 year ago! Smell and sound still working even after going through the washer/dryer a couple of times.

BadToTheBone · 05/09/2016 00:40

Dd got a toothless (a dragon) so little opportunity for an outfit, £23. I thought that was reasonable.

LauraAshleyDuvetCover · 05/09/2016 00:48

If it helps, my Bear Factory (forerunner of BaBW) bear is tucked up in bed next to me now! I got him when I started senior school and I'm now doing a PhD, so he's pretty good value for money - he does tend to live in his pyjamas now though Grin

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