The story sounds wild and about greedy kids, but at the same time, it’s good to know this many parents care about their kids that much. This is a lesson for marketers; sometimes it only take a simple idea, like the classic teddy bear to make a child happy. A real, three-D Teddy, not a video Avatar, not even a Holograph. Just a Teddy Bear, made of cloth, cotton and buttons.
There’s nothing simple or classic about Build-a-Bear. They’re grossly overpriced status symbols masquerading as toys.
My daughter worked at Build a Bear in HS. She loved it. The kids loved the teddy bears and she loved working with them. Enjoyed it far more than working at Express in college.
“... to make a child happy.”
An older lady gave my wife one of those bears as a Christmas present years and years ago. I had never heard of them, and I don’t think my wife had either. The lady was going on and on about them and her collection. At 52 pounds (almost $70) - I wonder how many adults were just using the kids to get a discount on a bear for the adult?
My son’s favorite stuffed animal is one I got him at the thrift store years and years ago! At 24 he still has it.