Build-A-Bear Turns Normal Summer Thursday Into Worst Black Friday Ever
With chaotic, never-ending lines at places like the Cherry Hill Mall, the store’s “Pay Your Age Day” promotion came to an early end on Thursday. Sorry, kids.
It was too good to be true.
Parents trying to take part in Build-A-Bear’s one-day-only “Pay Your Age Day” celebration — a simple concept allowing parents to pay their child’s age for one of the retailer’s build-your-own stuffed animals — flooded stores in the Philadelphia area on Thursday.
In fact, things have gotten so bad across the country that (as requested by local authorities) the company has ended the promotion early and closed its lines at all U.S. stores “due to crowd and safety concerns.”
https://twitter.com/BrendanSWAG/status/1017441680507785216
It was supposed to go like this: You sign up for a Build-A-Bear Bonus Club membership (which is free and was required to cash in on the deal), then you visit a Build-A-Bear location tell a store associate how old you are (or how old your kid is), and you pay your age. So a 15-year-old would pay $15. Or you would pay $3 for your 3-year-old. That’s it. No ID required. The minimum price was $1, and the maximum price would be $29 (regardless of age).
Who knew such a charming concept could spiral into complete chaos?
Behold, the Cherry Hill Mall Build-A-Bear at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday:
As you can see, apparently a lot of people really don’t want to pay full price for their Build-A-Bears, which typically cost between $12 and $16 for a minimally stuffed/dressed bear and $65 to $75 for something like a blinged-out Pikachu, a Jumbo Rainbow Friends Bear, or a giant personalized rabbit.
Build-A-Bear offered the following statement/apology on Thursday:
The response to our Pay Your Age Day event has been overwhelming and unprecedented in our 21-year history, and the safety of our Guests and associates is our top priority. The crowds have greatly exceeded our expectations and, per local authorities, U.S. stores cannot accept any additional Guests for this event and are limiting lines due to extreme crowds and safety concerns. We understand our affected Guests may be disappointed, and we are working to address the situation. We will reach out directly to our valued Guests as soon as possible.
Cherry Hill Mall wasn’t the only local mall seeing crazy lines. Oxford Valley Mall in Langhorne, Bucks County, had a queue outside the building.
The line outside the Oxford Valley Mall as parents take their kids to "Pay-Your-Age Day" at Build-A-Bear Workshop https://t.co/dnieCYPdQC pic.twitter.com/An5uocDkKK
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) July 12, 2018
Things were hectic at the Springfield and King of Prussia malls as well.
Thanks @buildabear at the @SpringfieldMall for making my kids stand in a long line for hours just to be told we wouldn’t be able to participate. You truly disappointed my 2 guys along with thousands of other children. Shame!
— Martin VB (@VanBboy) July 12, 2018
The line around build a bear is Soo long at Springfield mall. It is so long, it wraps around the mall inside. Wow @SpringfieldMall @buildabear #BuildABearWorkshop #PayYourAgeDay
— William Hernandez (@harveyrabbit) July 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/sarahdalessio/status/1017449769847926785
Looks like you should’ve planned this one a little better, Build-A-Bear.
https://twitter.com/BigMouthPrincss/status/1017365632675926017
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.
— Laura (@laurac_2602) July 12, 2018
I wish people lined up to vote like they line up for build a bear pay your age day.
Bonus: voting is free.#PayYourAgeDay #buildabear
— OneOrganicMama (@OneOrganicMama) July 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/danjmh/status/1017365466711560192
