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Inquiry
My Build A Bear is getting a bit flat now and I’ve heard about BAB restuffing old bears and was wondering if BAB would be able to restuff mine or should I just buy stuffing and do it myself? If they can restuff it how do they do it? Like mine is pretty old (but intact, I should add) and so I do not have the receipt anymore. Would that make a difference? How to the workers even know a bear is BAB? Is the process even done in the UK?
I’m just a bit confused sorry,
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Q&A
bear builder here! not sure if there is any difference in the uk but i assume probably not. the bears basically have a lifetime guarantee on stuffing and basic repairs, so any BAB can be brought in and restuffed and you don't need the receipt. we can tell it's a BAB by the tags (the old ones have a tiny yellow tag along with the big tag on the butt) and the new ones have pawprint logos on their hands/feet.
we snip the strings that hold the bear's back together and then we add more fluff. we can take the old stuff out and replace it if you like or we can just add more, it's really up to you! and then we'll just stitch it back up for you :) i do recommend bringing it in instead of doing it yourself, that's what i always do when i rescue BABs from the thrift store because 1) i think you get a better distribution of stuffing with the machine and 2) the stuffing is higher quality than like polyfill from the craft store
I have a quick question, so I got a bear for my gf and it’s the same exact one she got for me, and now I’m considering going back and having them put the voice recording and heartbeat in a different bear??? Is that something that employees are able to do or willing to do??
yep they should be willing to do that for you!
Oh ok! Cool, I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to seem like a Karen or anything if I went in and asked ya know
Hi is it possible to bring in a bear that isn't a BAB and pay to get it restuffed. My gf has this bear since she was a child and it's been through the wars and wanted to get it done up for her birthday.
Here’s an idea might be a bit odd but if you want that good stuffing material that comes from BAB go purchase a cheap BAB have it stuffed and you can just unstitch the back and use that stuffing in her plush that isn’t a bab and restful the bab with a cheaper craft store filling! Super easy to hand stitch the backs right back up !!
Even if you offer to pay they only restuff Build a Bear products. You can find stuffing online or in craft stores though!
Just bring it to your closest BABW with you and get it restuffed. That’s it. All BABs have free healthcare for life.
I do this all the time, if you are shy about it I recommend going at a time when its not busy if you are able to, like a weekday afternoon. If they are busy and the store is filled with kids it can be a bit awkward especially if you sometimes, like I do, bring in a few bears at a time. The bear builders are usually very happy to see older bears come in especially if they are not busy and they definitely enjoy seeing the older bears.
If you have one bear though its usually not a big deal.
You can also print a new birth certificate for the bear if you need one.
I only have the one. Well, I have around 14 or 15, but it’s just the one that needs some extra care. I bought two at the same time (twins!) but Neil is in much better shape than Shep is. Neil is pristine. Shep is... well, he’s the first one I made (ever) and accompanies me almost everywhere. He’s dirty, matted and very flat (I am working on the matting!). He’s just looking a bit sad. I want to show him some love-in a different way than he’s used to.
Before pandemic I took my bear for re-stuff plus adding new scent. No problems to sort it. Only advice. They may not be able to do it straight away (they told me it may take up to 2h) if they are short staff.
Just bring it in! We’ll happily re-stuff it for you. We do it at my store (NC, USA) all the time.
They should be able to do it! My store does, but it varies by store. As long as it's identifiable as a Build a Bear plush (the old ones have the small heart tush tags) they'll restuff it.