Can you imagine near hysteria, five-hour waits and mile-long queues all in the name of a teddy bear?
It sounds bizarre, but this is exactly what happened this week at Build-A-Bear stores around the UK and the US, thanks to a one-day promotion that caused so much chaos that customers - many of them now angry - were told not to visit stores yesterday while organisers recovered from the event gone awry.
The bears, considered childhood staples for many, are extremely popular and customers were told that they could Pay Your Age for any teddy bear in stores for just one day, so any furry friend could be picked up at the store for the price of the age of the child purchasing it. The bears typically range from 20 and up.
The rumors are true! July 12 is the first-ever Pay Your Age Day at Build-A-Bear Workshop! For one day only, you can pay your age for ANY, we repeat, ANY furry friend at the Workshop*! Full Details US/CAN: https://t.co/NumcznV7vt UK: https://t.co/hHhpIi9F6s pic.twitter.com/UWXyMDm4x6
— Build-A-Bear Workshop (@buildabear) July 9, 2018
Some customers went to great lengths to purchase a bear but due to unprecedented demand, many were left disappointed as stores were forced to close and lines cut off on the day due to health and safety concerns. In some locations, police were called and fights reportedly broke out.
No, really. This is the line at Mall of America, where Build-A-Bear-Workshop is promoting their "Pay Your Age Day" deal, which was so popular they eventually had to cut off the line. | https://t.co/kJ9Mhu6u2h pic.twitter.com/1PPDrKUbir
— WCCO - CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) July 12, 2018
5 hour queue for @buildabear in @mallcribbs. I’d rather pay full price!! pic.twitter.com/Ma9IQ4NmpV
— Kathryn (@tweetkattweet) July 12, 2018
"The response to our Pay Your Age Day event has been overwhelming and unprecedented in our 21-year history," Build-A-Bear said in a statement. "The safety of our Guests and associates is our top priority."
According to reports, local authorities told Build-A-Bear that its stores couldn't accept more customers, and said "extreme crowds" made it unsafe for the event to continue.
**Urgent Alert:
— Build-A-Bear Workshop (@buildabear) July 12, 2018
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
"We understand our affected Guests may be disappointed, and we are working to address the situation," Build-A-Bear said.
The company attempted to appease customers by handing out vouchers but plenty of angry parents were less than impressed, taking to social media to express their anger.
@buildabear @emma1885 angry and fuming, we are working parents, my wife is having to drive 100 miles after work to get to a store to take up the offer, and now we have a 2 year old in meltdown she's not getting a bear, perhaps your MD wants to consul her @BBCWatchdog #buildabear
— Dave A (@geekonaleashuk) July 12, 2018
I didn’t go, anticipating the crowds. But, to everyone putting down the parents that went, some parents cannot afford Build a Bear. Some parents saw this as an opportunity to finally give their kids a Build a Bear experience. Tons of moms left crying.
— Melanie Simmons (@shotgunsimmons) July 12, 2018
