Is it me or is Build a Bear a bit...well....

[Clary]

Icky? And expensive?

DD got a very generous (I thought) gift from two pals of £20 to spend there. We got there at opening time and there was a queue (including some 20-odd yr olds, most bizarre).

DD chose the cheapest bear in the shop (she happened to like it best) and added a voice saying "let's go shawpping" in lovely American accent.

Then she chose perhaps the least hideous little outfit for it - and shoes? No, they were £6 and we only had budget for socks.

So one teddy cost £19.50! Lucky she didn't like the pink leopard at £18 unvoiced.

wtf? I was not impressed (DS2: "You look sad mummy" as I gazed in horror at teddy's outfit options) but also could not believe the prices.

There is No Way I would have done this if it hadn't been a b/day pressie. And yet DD loves her now bear so much she hasn't put it down all day. Mind you I've seen the same effect with a home-made rag doll. Only time will tell if it has Staying Power.

(Sigh. late-night rant over)

You got away lightly, clary.

It's a long storty how we ended up in the build a Bear Workshop, so I won't go there now!

2 bears ended up costing me over £70.

1 bear even has pants

The shop assistants are very helpfull!

I refused to buy passport, and a tent, but I have to admit the sketchers trainers are quite cool.

I my build-a-bear as DH took me there on our first trip to the US. I brought it home on the plane in its carrier-box . In my defence I was very loved-up!
Since we've had the DC, DH has been there by himself to make bears for DS2 and DD. I think they came home in his luggage though.

DD has a monkey from there and she loves it, takes it everywhere. Newborn clothes fit it so I buy them from Asda or the charity shop.
The monkey has more clothes than me

DS1 and 2 have a bear each from a party they went to there. Every time we go into town they always want to buy some clothes for the bloody things but I always manage to persuade them that it is a waste of money. The bears are OK but all the stuff that goes with them - complete rip off

The manager of our local one is a prize numpty. He thinks he can get people in store by jumping out at them and trying to be funny. He's a loon and has scared my dd on a number of occasions.

There is never anyone in our one. DD2 likes to go in to look at the stuffing go round and round, and to press the (incredibly loud and annoying) sound buttons. She hasn't really expressed any interest in the bears tbh.
I have to admit buying one for her before she was born when we were in Cyprus. It doesn't have a voice or clothes though...

It pisses me off that the damn bear is the best dressed in our house......