Some
collectors are concerned about falling prices and large quantities
of products on retail shelves.
It simply means that collectors have become educated and
It really hasn't affected me
much. I don't get to Beanie hunt often due to work, so I'm just
hanging in there until I find the new ones by chance.
*****
The lack of availability in some areas of the May releases is
discouraging. We are very much looking forward to the May Buddies.
I think the market is a little soft right now. The prices for
the first generation buddies have gone down dramatically.
*****
Unfortunately, the store where we used to be able to purchase
ALL BB for $6.99 has now revised their policy-selling bears at
$10. Meanwhile, while many stores in other parts of the country
have had Clubby II and the latest round of BB, our stores in New
England have yet to receive a thing. I think overall it has gotten
easier to purchase BB, but the second hand market and authorized
Ty dealers have really let the market get out of hand.
*****
It's made it easier for me to find the Beanies I want, and even
to buy those elusive pieces to complete my collection.
I have been an avid collector
for almost 2 years. I can't keep up. Hobbies should not be frustrating,
and that's how I feel most of the time. In the central Arkansas
area, have not seen a slow down in demand for newbies and bears.
*****
I think it is much better because you can actually find more beanies.
We (myself and four children) buy them because we like them NOT
because we think we can get lots of money for them later. It is
still hard to find the new 99 bears and the buddies. Most times
if you can find them they are more expensive than the price TY
sets or you have to buy old stuff to obtain them.
*****
I am a secondary dealer with no sales right now of RETIRED TY
beanies. No one wants them.
*****
The current market is very hard for people like myself with a
small budget for beanies to get the older beanies. Our problem
is that the secondary market people always get where first. We
stop at 6 stores every day. BUT the people who resale beanies
here in Missouri have a cell phone network that is unbeatable.
*****
The current market, which is flooded with beanies, has made what
I thought was a collector's item worthless.
*****
... I do a lot of trading, buying and selling. I find most babies
are over supplied. The bears feed two markets beanies and the
bear collectors. This last group of new ones. Will be common stock
by Aug. I feel Ty needs to retire a large group and quit putting
out so many. It is getting expensive to buy this much for some
families.
*****
Beanie prices are stable. As a result, I haven't felt pressured
by rising prices to hurry and buy retired Beanies. I take my time
and think about each purchase before committing my dollars. At
authorized Ty dealers, bears are more available in my area. I
no longer have to buy 10 beanies to get a bear. At some places
people have to buy up to four Beanies to buy a bear, while at
other stores, no extra purchase is required to buy a bear (but
the bears do disappear quickly from those stores even though each
person may buy only one per day!).
*****
I have had excellent luck finding all newly released Beanies,
within 2 months (or less!) of them hitting my area's stores. I
look EVERY day, but my diligence pays off.
*****
I had the purchasing of beanies almost down to a science, calling
daily and keeping track of shipments and using a lot of my vacation
time waiting in lines so that I could trade the 1st newbies for
older ones that I didn't have. Now that more beanies are being
shipped, no one wants to trade because they are much easier to
get.
*****
Current Beanie Market. I only started on the Beanie hunt on April
5th, 1999 as my brother's birthday was the following day, and
he wanted a Peace bear. I managed to find it in the 7th store
I visited. I have been able to find all the items he wanted. I
learned over time not to purchase the bundled gift sets, and it
seems that stores have been doing less of that recently.
*****
I am not in this for "investment"
I just enjoy seeing all the little faces around the apartment.
I am glad the Beanies have been reasonably priced, and that there
ARE plenty on the shelves. What old time collectors forget is
that there are NEW people coming into Beanie collecting all the
time. For us, those are not "shelf-sitters" but a huge
treasure chest of goodies, and it's hard to decide which one we
want to get.
*****
I find this very much a concern. Prices are dropping, that's not
good for my investment! the local market seems to be "flooded"
with the same beanies. Just like last years Beanies. Too many??
*****
I view the current market as promising. I do not collect for money.
I collect because I LOVE BEANIE BABIES! I believe "They Will
Never Die"; at least not for me!
*****
My main concern is twofold. First finding bears for retail, under
six dollars. Usually takes about a year to not have a hassle of
waiting in lines. By that time, they are retired, case in point
Princess and Erin. I hope that for bears like Millenium, Valentina,
and Osito that Ty waits at least a year, and preferably two years
before retiring them. My second concern is how many releases TY
does. I prefer a limit of ten three times a year: Jan, May, and
Sept. He simply does too many. And this month was extremely difficult.
The may releases, Clubby II, TBB III, and the International Bears.
Overwhelming. My pocketbook is still whimpering. ;)
*****
Definitely promising! Secondary dealers and "investors"
are concerned. The average collector is thrilled! I can add to
my collection @ reasonable prices within a reasonable amount of
time.
*****
I am not really concerned, as I only collect for the fun of it
and am not concerned about turning them over.
I don't visit the board often,
but have been there. I view the messages from Ty Warner as good
PR.
*****
No, I do not interact with the Ty Cyber Board. Check it out once
in a while.
*****
Have looked at it one time. It's too cumbersome.
*****
Yes. I think it is great for him to read and reply to some of
the messages. I find some of the concerns has been addressed and
corrected.
*****
Yes, I do check the cyberboard daily for information. Mr. Warner's
seems to be paying attention and changing things as is possible.
Things in something this big cannot change over night. I think
all in all things are going well.
*****
I visit the cyber board for about 15 minutes a week. I think the
messages from Mr. Warner are encouraging.
****
Yes, I have visited TY Cyber board talk. I have left messages
good and bad. I left a message about a retailer in our area that
never got one shipment of Buddies. 10 That's ten day later she
received her first shipment of buddies. I don't know is it worked
but we got BUDDIES
*****
Yes they are mixed but looks like most people are getting very
fed up with collecting beanies.
*****
. I have only once. As for the messages TY Warner leaves who knows
if they are even from him.
For information I visit the top
beanie websites. They're on top of the news and have increased
their readership to a point where loyal readers feed them news
as it breaks.
*****
Ty beanieholics mary beth mag.
*****
I usually check out the TY webpage I don't rely on the rumors
*****
What other people say in the stores that carry beanies and first
and foremost, the Internet!! Usually check in with Randy and Theresa's
site, Beanieholics!
*****
I visit web sites like yours Ms. Janie.
*****
Several Internet sites, Ty's for one, Beanieholics and Mary Beth's
and yours too. I also have a few retailers that I talk with too.
*****
beanieholics, beaniemom, and the TY website, in that order
*****
I visit your site Ms. Janie every morning while having coffee.
It's the most eye appealing and professional. Thanks for bringing
class to Beanie collectors.
*****
What sources of information do you rely on for accurate Beanie
and Collectible News?
Beanieholics. They have the most up-to-date site for the adult
collector. Plenty of news and rumors, very well organized.
*****
I go to the following web sites: Beanieholics, Beaniemonioum,
Beanieworld.net, and of course, Msjanie.com. I also receive Mary
Beth's Beanie World Magazine. I have a HUGE list of favorites
for Beanie sites. Oh, also the most important one: ty.com :):)
*****
Depends on the beanies. Bears
no. Birds yes. Dogs depends on the type; Butch is easy to find,
Luke moderate, and Tiny harder.
*****
Not interested--TY took the fun out of it all--
*****
NO! Due to Ty's shipping policy it makes it very difficult. The
secondary market does not make it any easier.
*****
Now that I know who has what system! Cracker Barrel has a lottery
system every Monday morning, Noodle Kidoodle has a number system
on Tuesday, Toy Joy has sign up sheets and a random selection
every Monday, Forget Me Not (Hallmark) has their Beanie Hotline
each Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, etc. Many in our area just
put them out "whenever" and it only takes a couple of
collectors and their cell phones before they're history
*****
Just the common ones, bears are still very hard to find and I
have only come across two different styles
of the buddies in retail stores.
*****
Retailers are still requiring you to buy other merchandise, baskets
with beanies in them, older beanies or pay more that suggested
retail (over $7 for beanies in order to purchase the newest and
hard to find releases.
*****
Yes, as I said above they have been a lot easier this year to
obtain at retail without having to wait a long time. Although
it is amazing how the secondary market still manages to have all
the new ones first, before retail.
*****
I have no opinion as we have
yet to receive any platinum club kits in our area!
*****
I love Clubby II. It's a very pretty and unusual color. I have
heard it referred to as light blue, silver, and lavender. When
you can produce a color that is so hard to tell what color it
actually is, then you have accomplished something. I will admit
that one thing I didn't like was opening up my kit to remove Clubby
II and the band that binds it had made an indention on its leg,
which brought out the collector side in me, but I was more happy
to get it, so I can deal with it.
*****
Haven't seen Clubby II in person yet. The scans I've seen and
what I've read are impressive. Will be buying one.
*****
Cute! Now if I could only get one!
*****
I haven't seen it yet. I am still waiting for my first Clubby.
*****
Haven't seen one. (Kits sell out immediately). Would like to own
one.
*****
I was very disappointed to find out I have to get a new membership
to purchase the bear was under the impression that once a member
you would be able to purchase all new bears with out getting whole
kit again.
*****
Haven't seen it in person yet. Love the color, but disappointed
no emblem or patch on it.
*****
Clubby II has yet to arrive in my area. The only opinion I can
give is that I'm so GLAD that we won't have to mail away to get
the Clubby II bear. My youngest daughter found it unbearable (pardon
the pun!) to wait so long for her Clubby I bear.
Yes we are putting together 15
sets. It's pretty easy because they don't seem to be going quickly
at all.
*****
That was most disappointing as well. Since McD anticipated great
demand, they overproduced. In our area the stores are selling
one by one in terms of style. Yesterday, (5/28) we FINALLY found
a store-selling Strut. We won't finish our collection until the
4th of July!
*****
Yes I have participated in the TBB 2 offering this year, as in
past years. I have enjoyed not having to fight a big crowd in
order to make a set too. I have not enjoyed taking so long to
do it, but you take the good with the bad. Of course, the Int'l
Bears have not started yet, and like most people I am anxiously
awaiting that event. I feel that it will be the frenzy of past
TBB promotions. I also feel that the reason we are not seeing
that same frenzy in the TBB 3 promotion is due to having made
enough TBB's this year to meet demand. Which is how it should
be in the first place!!
*****
Am collecting TBB 3's. Found a local McDonalds that offers a new
one each day, so I know that if I go by at least once a day, I
can get them. Have through #9. Am a bit worried about the International
bears though. Bears are usually a different story.
*****
Yes, two set for me. One to stay in the bags and one to open to
set on the shelf with my beanies and buddies. I looking for the
international bears too. I am going to get 4 to 6 of each. I'm
going to have extras for trading.
*****
Yes ,One to open and one to save.
*****
Yes. But last year I bought four of each style...plus a few extras
of the first three. And, this year I'm only getting two of each
style...plus a few extras of the first three.
*****
I think I want to slow down on
my collecting and maybe sell or trade some of beanies and a few
other Ty products while I still can, I haven't decided yet though.
The current market doesn't look too great at least in the near
future or even in 10 years. I am afraid beanies are "dying".
I think, for the most part, Ty is making more products than there
is demand, even though "Ty" states otherwise on "his"
website. For example, Snort has been retired since last September
and there are Snorts everywhere you look at authorized Ty retail
shops. Except for the bears to some extent, the Jan 1999 releases
are everywhere you look and not too many buyers (kids or adults).
*****
In Rochester, Mn. there seems to be a real varied pricing policy
for beanies, some store sell them for $6.00, while other stores
sell them for $10.00-$20.00 for the bears and still other stores
sell the new ones with an old one to clear their shelves of the
older ones. One store has a sign up sheet and if you come in when
the sheet is there, then you can get on it. I really am disappointed
in the beanie market and have considered getting rid of the ones
I have, over 200. The attic treasures are cuter and easier to
get. The McDonalds beanies are really in short supply and you
have to be there e in tem minutes of the time they start or you
are out of luck. I get my beanie info from ty.com, or beanieholicks.
*****
I think that the beanie market is on a downward spiral.... Due
to the greediness of Ty Warner and the fact that he already has
more money than he can spend in this lifetime, he has essentially
ruined the market for collectors, retailers and secondary market
dealers. No one but Ty is a winner in this fiasco. By flooding
the market with retirees literally months after the retirement
date, he has forced retailers to sell for as little as $3.99 to
try to get rid of mass quantities of beanies. The collector who
formerly counted on obtaining retirees in hopes of good trade
value has lost as well. We have all learned not to buy any retirees
which fall after the May '98 lot. Some of us have learned the
hard way. Ty has taken all of the fun out of it. Clubby II is
adorable -- it will be frustrating trying to find one. I believe
that all of us were under the impression that by buying Clubby
I, you would be placed on a mailing list to order the second one.
*****
Hi Janie! I really don't see the current market as a concern due
to the fact that I collect beanies for the fun and challenge of
it instead of the profit.
I just started collecting about a year ago and have already built
my collection up to 132 beanies without spending more than $10
each. I know that I'm probably more fortunate than other collectors
because the beanie craze did not really catch on here until around
November of 1998. Now you have to stand in a line at 9am to even
get in a Hallmark store even if they don't have anything new.
As for the cyber board I think Mr. Warner tells us want we want
to hear. I check various web sites daily to see the latest news
and rumors. There are a few retailers in my area that TY should
check up on!!!(Re: buy 2 old style then you could buy a new release
or buy $50 in merchandise and get a ticket to stand in line for
a chance to get a new release!)As for the new club kit I think
$20 suggested price is steep! Some of us don't want coins or trading
cards. It has been very easy to get the new teenie beanies here
and I think they are the best ones yet. Can't wait for the bears!
*****
I have stopped collecting Beanie Babies. They have become more
trouble than they are worth. There are too many and the retailers
are just not fair to the public.
*****
I am sad that the market has drifted down. But happy to have an
easier time finding the new beanies.
There are always surprises from Mr. Ty Warner so I can never predict
his next move or next beanie or buddy. That is a part of his marketing
that I really appreciate. The surprise element.
Yes, I visit and post on the cyberboard. The messages Ty posts
are short and sweet. For children that is great. For the adults
it is a bit boring. I wish he would grant an interview each month
and really address the issues that keep on popping up on the board
and in most adult collector's minds. The price, retail stores
that have unusual rules to get a new beanie, stores that sell
out the back door. Home-Shopping has access to new styles before
most stores. How and when he will react to these and many other
questions.
News is easily found on this web site, Msjanie. Ty's web site,
I like watching Rosie's show and on occasion she gets products
early, then Beanie Mom's site has some news.
Yes, 1 retailer makes purchase simple. If they know a shipment
is due they tell everyone when the store opens, we get a number
and return when an UPS truck is seen near-by. Every-one is friendly.
The Hallmark store is rude, with lots of changing rules and requirements,
without the beanies I don't think they would still be in business
in our small town. Too much negativity has been built up there.
The new Clubby has not shown up in my area yet. But it looks great
on the Internet and on Rosie's TV show.
I am not collecting any of the McDonald beanies this year. But
my 2 sons are gleefully eating Happy Meals, tearing open their
new Teenie Beanies, and playing with them. I do plan to buy a
few of the International Teenie beanies and hid them.
*****
The current beanie market confuses me completely! I will never
understand why people are not interested in adding rare retireds
to their collection at a fair price, but they are willing to spend
a fortune to obtain a brand new release! I feel this is a direct
result of thousands of retail accounts entering the secondary
market directly. I know for certain of 5 stores in my local area
that auction their new releases on the Internet or attend local
flea markets. Around here, the new releases do not hit store shelves
until they have been in distribution for at least 3 months. The
primary market has virtually been eliminated as more and more
stores directly enter the secondary market. In the long run, this
will kill the Beanie Baby market. Not only will we, the consumer,
suffer, but also Ty Warner, himself will feel the effect. I no
longer collect new beanies. I refuse to do business with my local
stores who pride themselves on back-door business. I do still
collect old retireds!
