Build-A-Bear ‘Pay Your Age’ Deal Ends in Failure
Today, Build-A-Bear Workshop halted its first-ever “Pay Your Age” sale and it ended in complete chaos. Build-A-Bear was forced to shut down a deal that allowed customers to pay their age for bears after chaos broke through stores and malls across the United States and the United Kingdom.
With each bear retailing between $25.00-$55.00, this was a steal. Children were able to pay only a few dollars for bears, and adults being capped at $29.00, this drew crowds of families alike. The long lines posed a safety hazard to many malls, and they posted an urgent alert on social media halting the sale altogether.
**Urgent Alert:
Per local authorities, we cannot accept additional Guests at our locations due to crowd safety concerns. We have closed lines in our stores. We understand some Guests are disappointed and we will reach out directly as soon as possible. https://t.co/aSFfPCcfsG pic.twitter.com/WZJ53tOAEH— Build-A-Bear Workshop (@buildabear) July 12, 2018
Parents were obviously furious to find that the “pay your age” event had been canceled only hours after its launch, especially with many waiting in lines for up to six hours, and then were turned away.
Many took to social media to vent, especially since this was ill planning on the companies part, not expecting this many people to come to their stores.
IHOP: We have developed the most disastrous, yet successful marketing campaign of 2018!
Build A Bear: Hold my bear…#Ihop #Ihob #BuildABear #PayYourAgeDay
— kerry b (@gwynzach) July 12, 2018
My kids love Build-A-Bear.
When I saw they were having a "pay your age" promotion I thought to myself:
"I'd rather have someone cut my chest open with a spork and insert a plastic heart that makes a fake heartbeat noise" than be there for that.
It was a good call.
— David Wade (@davidwade) July 12, 2018
My Dearest Love
The fighting is intense, and the wails and cries of the women and children can be heard from far and wide. I despair we shall never see a resolution to this dreadful conflict.
Take care of Fluffy for me, for I fear I shall never return#buildabear
— Ludibriumventis (@ludibriumventis) July 12, 2018
Parents frustrated by the long lines at Build-A-Bear's 'Pay Your Age' sale can cool off with a "Pay Your Age' margarita at Camino Real Kitchen & Tequila on Stine Road. #BuildABear #BuildAHappyMargarita 🍹 (Example: If you're 35 years old, you pay $3.50) pic.twitter.com/LZrRKPUn5R
— KGET 17 News (@KGETnews) July 12, 2018
It's Pay Your Age day at Build A Bear.
Queues are reportedly seven hours long.
Bet it's like the Hunger Games… but fluffier.
— Papa, Eden and Me (@PapaEdenandMe) July 12, 2018
For those who waited in the excessive lines, the toy company handed out vouchers that could be redeemed until the end of August, having $15.00 off all bears.
The company released a statement saying “Build-A-Bear Workshop takes seriously the privilege of providing our valued Guests with an opportunity to make a furry friend… It is our sincere desire for all of our Guests to enjoy the best Build-A-Bear experience possible. As such, our goal with the voucher extension is to enable us to better flow traffic to the stores over the next several weeks to avoid long lines and wait times as much as possible. Therefore, we strongly encourage Guests to consider delaying their trip to Build-A-Bear, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience in this matter”
