There is no need to voice my own personally opinion; I feel that the following retailers have expressed themselves very well.
The following are comments
submitted from retailers throughout the country. It would be impossible
to post all of the responses; therefore I have selected a mixture
in order to give you an idea of how they feel.
*******************
The choice Ty Warner made
to cut Florist out was Wrong! We have bought from him before he
made it big with beanies. Now that his pockets are running over
he CUTS us out! That's wrong!!!!!!!
*******************
Unfortunately I am a small shop because I have yet to receive
any of my February shipments. The merchandise that has been sent
is being sent in pieces. I have now gone to two shows to order
TY products and haven't gotten any show of those items. I would
just like to know why a lot of people can find the Beanie Kids
and no one will say when I can get them.
I have been a good TY account for many years and right now I am
getting less than the big stores. My customers are looking for
new product. Let me know what else I can do besides calling every
day about shipments.
*******************
HELLO....
I AM A TY RETAILER IN PASADENA,, CALIFORNIA...
WE ARE RECIEVING ALL OUR SHIPPMENTS. THE NEW ATTICS ARE CUTE.
THE BUDDIES ARE WONDERFUL. AND THE CLASSIC ARE PRETTY SWEET. ARE
BB CUSTOMERS ARE AWAITING THE NEW ONES. THEY ARE BUYING BUDDIES
AND ALL THE REST. OUR TY REP. CARI IS GREAT. WE SEE HER EVERY
MONTH AND SHE KEEPS US UP TO DATE. I AM HOOKED TO THE COMPUTER
EVERY MORNING AND EVERY NIGHT LOOKING FOR MORE INFO. WE ARE A
VERY HAPPY STORE AND LOOK FORWARD TO MORE TY 2000.
*******************
My sales are less than half of last years without new Beanies.
In January the new Buddies helped, but did not receive all styles.
Ty's marketing practices are dictatorial and verge on the illegal,
but most Ty retailers are too small to do anything about it. I
didn't mind their pricing guidelines most of the time because
they fit our regular mark up. But I have gone along with some
of Ty's rules because there is no choice, but I don't like it.
We are currently on Ty's low priority list because we didn't jump
fast enough or high enough when the rep told us we were not allowed
to have Ty products anywhere in our store except the approved
Ty area. We have always displayed items of merchandise around
the store in themes, such as, bears, cats, dogs. etc. For example
one table had calendars, books, mugs, stationery, towels that
all had bears on them. We included several Ty bears which fit
right in. For some unexplainable reason this type of merchandising
is against the rules. This is something we have always done and
the rep had been in the store monthly for at least a year, until
in January we were told it was not allowed. I asked for her to
go higher and ask why they would mind having extra merchandise
on display instead of in the back room. I guess her superiors
took this question as insubordination and we were put on the low
priority list without any warning. It was several weeks before
we even found out the reason our supply of product dried up.
My wife and I were dumbfounded, as were our loyal customers when
we explained why everyone else in town was getting product and
we had nothing new in over a month. The rep came in almost two
weeks ago to verify we had changed to Ty's approved display criteria.
(I think we put 25 Ty products in the back) She said she would
tell her boss we should be put back on the A list or whatever,
but as of today she can't tell me if we are or not. I don't know
if this is the kind of thing you were looking for, but there are
allot of retailers out there with similar stories.
*******************
Hello,
Just to let you know. I am extremely pleased to have a Ty account
as it really has enabled my business to grow. I have recently
moved to larger premises. I was quite pleased that Ty retired
all the last lot of Beanies and that he starved the market as
it has enabled me to clear my old stocks of Beanie Bears at the
regular prices, therefore undercutting all the dealers in my area..
I really like the new product line as do my customers. I have
just received a big order of new products and my customers were
ecstatic about it. One lady was so pleased that she said I had
made her year!
I like the Beanie Kids and I had an interesing chat with a man
called Danny (he accompanied Ty Warner) at the recent Spring Fair.
The rep in my area has been very supportive. I have had a number
of serious problems with dealers conning, in my area and also
my shop's merchandising after Christmas. Throughout all my moments
of panic, my rep has provided me with great and normal money spinning
solutions.
If I have one complaint, it is that accounts close to my shop
but outside my reps area are not treated consistently. They continually
sell Beanies at half price and less and destroy the local market.
Secondary dealers are also rife in my area and it would be nice
if Ty took action against them as they use the Ty logo and continually
con innocent customers. It makes me cross as lots of the genuine
customers who have paid crazy prices, come into my shop in great
distress.
I think that Signature2000 will be a best seller this year judging
by my customer feedback, along with Scorch the Buddy. I am an
avid Ty supporter. However, I was skeptical about what he would
do in
2000 and whether or not it would be successful. I am pleased that
I am now classed as a priority account and I shall continue to
purchase from Ty as long as the product remains good and I receive
backup from my rep. Many thanks for taking the trouble to ask
the questions. Hope this is helpful.!
(I did actually email Ty inc last week to thank Ty for what he
has done for my small business. This is amazing for me as I don't
normally feel the urge to do such things!!!)
*******************
the lack of new beanies has definitely slowed sales and customer
appearances for the time being. I have been using the ty-retailers
site to order and check on my account but unfortunately, today
I was informed on my site that my account was inactive and to
call customer service for more information.
When I called I was told that my account was closed on Thursday
2/24 based on a corporate decision. No further information was
given to me other than that eventually I would receive a letter
signed by Ty Warner himself and if I had any problems or questions
I could respond to a P.O. Box # and Oh, have a nice day. On following
up with my ty rep (who I have an excellent relationship with)
I was told that a fax was just received informing of several accounts
that were closed (mostly florists) because ty had made a corporate
decision to only sell to gift shops. what a way to treat faithful
retailer accounts and especially the customer who frequent them.
Ty definitely has a great relationship with it's accounts. "Not
a happy camper"
*******************
Yes, lack of product has hurt. I'm a small retailer but I will
no longer carry Ty products for the following:
I have no other company that says I must attend certain shows
to buy new items. The show I attend; Ty does not show there. I'm
not going to incur travel expenses for Ty. I did not have a rep
in Dec. and placed my order with the main office. I did't get
it and they have no record. I didn't get my Jan. order either.
My old rep was back and I was told I was low priority. I have
to order items I simply can't sell! If I could sell them I would
order. I reported to Ty legal office three times a mass merchandise
store (20 stores) that advertises Beanies for sale.
They are new and old ones. I never heard from the legal department
and they still sell them. I also refused to sell to the flea market
dealers.
I have done everything Ty has asked but I am not ordering what
I can't sell from anyone! I don't think any of the shops in my
area are going to carry Ty product. The flea markets are full
of Ty products.
*******************
Has the lack of Beanie products affected your sales and customer
volume?
Boy has it!!! I have a small family-owned gift shop & the
reduction in income is about 50%. However, I find that my other
merchandise sales have increased due to the "beanie"
people buying other products.
Has Ty become more important to the smaller retailers now that
product is still pending? If so, how?
Yes, it seems the really small shops do not get the product as
soon as some of the larger ones. This is the case here although
I order all TY products.
As a retailer, which one of Ty's Products do you believe will
be most popular in year 2000?
Tough question - buddies (new ones) are very strong right now,
of course the bears are biggest sellers as usual. I went to the
LA Gift Show & ordered the kids but haven't seen any of them
yet. Plush doggies have been doing well, haven't received any
new plush ordered in L.A. either!?!? New attic bears, especially
Gwendolyn has been a big hit. Overall I can only guess beanies
will once again be the big TY seller.
It would appear that the Beanie Kids line is becoming popular
and appealing to collectors. What is your opinion of this line
and do you believe it will be a hot selling item?
My customers haven't seen them anywhere but on the net & the
pics aren't as cute as the kids. I saw them in L.A>, think
they will do well, especially the girls as their outfits are cuter
& there is more to them. If the boys had T-shirts or some
kind of top on they would do better I would think.
I found Ty Reps to be very friendly at New York Toy Fair, what
kind of relationship do you have with your Ty rep?
My previous rep was a Godsend, Jay was the best of the best!!!
My new rep Lisa is wonderful too. I was concerned I wouldn't have
a "comfy" relationship with someone new, but she is
A1!!!
What features would you like to see displayed on the on-line Ty
retailer order form?
Gee, I have no idea - have never seen it.
Do you order products/check shipments using the online Ty-retailers.com?
Nope, not sure why I haven't been included in the "list".
Have been buying TY products since long before beanies. In fact
took me a year to even consider ordering them - didn't think they
would sell - funny huh?
******************
Ms. Janie, hello. This is my first time to send you any info.
I'm a floral shop in a small town just east of central Ohio ,
I had many loyal customers that came from all around this area
to purchase Ty products . They have not been very fair to us as
far as shipments go. We have not had any buddies since August.
I placed orders in Jan. & Feb. but has received nothing not
even plush or Attics. I have 10 times more ty merchandise than
any of the Hallmarks in our area. I have a new ty rep as of November
but can't get her to visit my shop.
I guess TY has already made their decision on the status of our
type of shop but I think they should do them on an individual
basis . If I don't have the merchandise I can't sell it. Any other
large company would not be in business if they treated there small
retailers like this. Hope I didn't bend your ear too much. Love
your web site. Great to have someone that is really on top of
things. Thanks!
******************
I am a Ty retailer in Maryland. The lack of beanies has affected
my business greatly. Although I have an over abundance of beanies,
people always want the new beanies up until a certain point and
they become over saturated. Either way, we lose money. No product
or overabundance. I am lucky enough to still have an account and
carry all the other product lines. Baby Ty has been selling well
and has been a hit with customers looking for a baby gift or with
small children. I have not received the Beanie Kids yet, but am
anxious to see how they will be responded to. Ty is still a great
company and my only hope is that they will help accounts with
overstock in finding solutions to sell their products. It will
benefit us both.
*******************
I very much like the retailers page because we can order and not
be on the phone all day trying to get through or rely on our rep.
My last rep was awful about not getting my order in. I really
like my rep that I have now. I like to come in and pull up my
page and see if I had any shipments and I can also check through
UPS tracking when it should be delivered. The only thing I want
to change is TY using RPS. I hate RPS they are contract drivers
and if they want to go home instead of finishing their truck they
do it. Everyone one of my UPS drivers are very professional. My
sales have kinda slacked off but I can tell you the Buddies are
generating almost as much attention as the beanies did. I am excited
about the kids because I believe the children will like these
more than the adults. I am very much a child advocate when it
comes to TY product. Thank you for your survey.
*******************
AS A SMALL RETAILER AND MAKING THE KANSAS CITY TRIP AND THEN BEING
DROPPED A AM A LITTLE IRRITATED THAT I MADE THAT TRIP ON THE ICE
NOT TO BE TOLD I WAS BEING DROPPED. HE DIDN'T SEND A REP TO SEE
MY SHOP. JUST BECAUSE MY
STORE IS CALLED MYRNA'S FLORAL AND GIFT HE CANCELLED. I HAVE MIKASA,
ENESCO, LEEBER, ALL SORT OF GIFT COMPANIES I DEAL WITH. I GUESS
THE PART I WILL MISS THE MOST ARE THE DEAR PEOPLE I GOT TO KNOW.
AND THE HAPPY FACES OF THE CHILDREN. THANKS FOR LISTENING!
*******************
You appear to have very good information on the Ty marketplace.
Are you aware of the recent cancellation of many Ty accounts?
Complaints abound on the Ty "grins and gripes" news
board. Although most of those writing in are florists, Ty has
also cancelled the accounts of many independent gift shops with
a very terse letter and very little explanation. These were not
due to violations of Ty's policies but to some kind of change
in their marketing strategy to sell in "specialty stores"
only. The choice of accounts to cancel appears to be somewhat
arbitrary and according to the board many unlikely locations such
as hardware stores and drugstores kept their accounts while gift-only
stores did not. Franchises such as Hallmark were not cancelled.
Ty once made a big deal of selling through independent retailers,
but this has changed.
I would love to see you do a story on this very emotional issue.
Ty's rude handling of the notification and unwillingness to provide
phone numbers or addresses for retailers to contact them for clarification
of the new qualifications is remarkably poor treatment of their
long-time "customers".
Thanks for listening. Good luck with your future projects!
*******************
I have had an account with Ty for over four years. I started out
with the plush and Attic Treasure lines. The rep begged me to
try the beanies. I made my first beanie order in December of '97.
I quickly increased my beanie orders and spent at least $5,000
a month on Ty products. I was featured in three antique malls
throughout the state. Needless to say, I did very well. I followed
all of Ty's pricing policies and always made the products easily
available to my customers. I did everything according to their
rules - and my account was closed! Their explanation, my location
no longer fit the "Niche" of where Ty wanted his product
sold. A lot of good it did me to play fair!
Now I'm stuck with three dozen cases of common beanies that I
can't sell, even at my cost.
I feel like I was used by Ty to promote his product and have been
tossed aside now he is # 1. As far as I am concerned, I hope he
falls on his face. You don't treat people like this and stay on
top. I have told my customers just what happened, even showed
them the letter that I was sent to say that my account had been
closed. Many of them are more upset than I am. He has made a lot
of people mad at him through this thoughtless, greedy action.
He has closed 1/3 of the accounts in my state. This will make
a popular product that much harder to come by. Will the new items
ever reach the children they are intended for? I don't think so.
Will his actions win him a whole new group of collectors? No way.
Most of my customers have had enough of his games. Their lives
will go on without beanies. As for me, know any one who wants
to buy three dozen cases of beanies, cheap?
********************
Thank you for having this survey, Maybe you will be able to tell
us what is going on. I called to check on my Ty account Feb 13.No
product available, nothing shipped. I went on vacation and called
today , I was told by Lynn , I no longer have an account, Letter
is in the mail .Any insight into why this is happening will be
appreciated. I paid by credit card before they were shipped always.
As to the survey,,,1. Yes, if there is no product to buy,A collector
just needs one or two of the beanies, if you do not have what
they need, they don't need it. 2.Marketing Practices. Once I put
12 eggberts in an egg carton with Easter grass and was told by
the rep I couldn't do that , only 6 out at a time. It was Easter
time and they looked so cute. oh well, I don't want this to sound
bitter, I have enjoyed the friends I have made having ty product
in my store, Only because of them do we drive to Atlanta to wait
in an unorganized line of madness to order something because that
is the only way you can get it, and then tell all the customers
that you did go and get your order in.. Now to have it cancelled.
Thank you for letting me send this and feel like maybe somebody
will read this and care.
*******************
Ms. Janie,
As a Ty Retailer for 4 gift shops (includes 3 hospitals) I have
a few comments to make concerning your questions.
Has the lack of Beanie products affected my sales and customer
volume?
YES it certainly has but isn't this what we all needed to get
ready for something new and exciting? I most certainly think so
and THANK YOU Mr. TY Warner.
Which one of Ty's Products do I believe will be most popular in
year 2000?
Everything he brings out and THANK YOU Mr. TY Warner. It would
appear that the Beanie Kids line is becoming popular and appealing
to collectors. What is my opinion of this line? My husband and
I attended the show in Washington, DC and when I got checked in
and made my first stop at the TY Booth, I had chill bumps on my
arms. The new products were wonderful and everyday I say THANK
YOU Mr. Ty Warner.
I found Reps to be very friendly at the New York Toy Fair and
what kind of relationship do I have with my Rep?
Very informative but never tells what's coming out because he
always enjoys me calling and screaming in his ear...Have you seen
the new products???? They're beautiful!!! He also does my ordering
for me every month and this in itself is a big help to me. He
also shares with me different ways to sell items and also how
to use different displays. He ALWAYS returns my phone calls and
I say THANK YOU Mr. Ty Warner.
What features would I like to see displayed on the on-line Ty
retailer order form and do I use it???
I forgot my password and it has been sent again to me and I say
THANK YOU Mr. Ty Warner.
Needless to say you probably think I have lost my mind, but when
I was informed two years ago that I had been approved for a TY
account at my gift shop I could not believe it. I recently took
over the 3 hospitals and it has been like a dream come true for
me. I give the children of the hospital, not only new babies,
but pediatrics as well, old Beanies that I have on overstock plus
the Platinum Kits as well, as just a way to say GET WELL and WELCOME
TO THIS WORLD. I have been most fortunate in making friends with
so many people that now you must understand why everyday I pinch
myself and say THANK YOU Mr. Ty Warner. I sometimes wonder if
he really understands all that he has done for the people of this
world.
I didn't mean to write a letter but with so many negative things
I have heard and read on the Ty pages, no one understands just
how much love and friendship he has brought to me and my employees.
Thank you for reading.
******************
Hello,
I do feel that the return of Beanies will be good for retailers.
When my store doesn't have the newest Ty products it makes a very
noticeable dent in my sales. I know you don't want "Ty bashing"
but I can't help but notice that Ty is supplying the franchise
type stores and not the true independent retailers with it's newest
products. They will not admit this directly to us. Our reps try
to be of help, but I really don't think they know much more than
we do. I am very grateful to what Ty has done for my business,
however I feel they need to come clean with what stores they are
really supporting the most. Ty tells the public they support those
who follow their pricing policy, etc. Reality is they support
the chain stores where they can ship to several accounts by means
of one central shipping location. I see the reason they would
do this from a business standpoint. I'm not sure they realize
that retailers such as myself are approached by customers on a
daily basis who think that because I have not yet received the
newest Ty products that I must be doing something wrong - since
I am obviously not being shipped as a priority store. Ty needs
to verify what a real "priority" account is, and stop
making honest retailers look bad.
********************
I am a PA Retailer. I am very pleased with my relationship with
TY. I can not begin to thank Mr Warner for what he has done for
my store. To answer questions, what I remember, 1) Yes, the traffic
and sales are down as there are no new beanies. 2) My favorite
product of 2000, so far, is blush the attic treasure. (She is
too cute) 3) Beanie kids I can't wait for. I ordered back in early
January. I think they will be very HOT! 4) I have not ordered
on the Retailer site, but I love to check shipments on it. It
is GREAT! 5) I get along fairly well with my Rep. He is new to
Ty and the prior rep was FANTASTIC! Hope this helps you!
*******************
Has the lack of Beanie products affected your sales and customer
volume?
Yes. Since October the Beanies which arrive disappear in a day,
and since nearly all of my customers are aware of this, they do
not frequent my store as often.
How do you view the marketing practices of the Ty Company?
I believe Ty is taking advantage of the demand for their product.
They know that if they do not ship often and in large quantities,
people will be all that more willing to apy high prices and buy
whatever they come across. The success of Beanies is also being
used to promote their other, less successful lines.
Has Ty become more important to the smaller retailers now that
product is still pending? If so, how?
Being that I own my own store, this question applies to me exactly.
I have seen the profits drop in the weeks when Ty products are
not available for my customers, and pick up dramatically when
they are in stock. Ty is very important for my income at this
time.
As a retailer, which one of Ty's Products do you believe will
be most popular in year 2000?
Definitely the Beanie Babies with the Buddies coming in a close
second. The reason Buddies will be behind Beanies is they are
already more expensive, and less children can afford them on their
allowance. However, some people collect only Buddies, while most
people collect both lines.
It would appear that the Beanie Kids line is becoming popular
and appealing to collectors. What is your opinion of this line
and do you believe it will be a hot selling item?
I believe that this line is a capitalization on the success of
Beanie Babies. Ty hyped the product in their "Newsflash"
by stating, "the Beanie ____ will be released". Many
people, including myself interpreted this as one Beanie Baby to
be introduced. When it was Beanie Kids, well, people were already
excited, so why not run to the store and try to purchase them.
I plan to stock some immediately, but not to go overboard. I also
will charge the minimum suggested price.
I found Ty Reps to be very friendly at New York Toy Fair, what
kind of relationship do you have with your Ty rep?
My Ty representative is pleasant when available. He deals with
many stores, and being that I am not a Hallmark or the like, I
am not too high up on the priority list. However, when I have
questions he always returns my calls within a somewhat timely
manner.
What features would you like to see displayed on the on-line Ty
retailer order form?
This question does not apply to me as I do not use the online
order form. I don't like giving personal information on the Internet.
Do you order products/check shipments using the online Ty-retailers.com?
No.
*******************
Has the lack of Beanie products affected your sales and customer
volume? --
Definitely!!!! I am in a very small community and feared I may
even need to close my doors in January when sales volume continued
to tumble after a dreadful fourth quarter spurred on by the August
"shock announcement" from Ty.
How do you view the marketing practices of the Ty Company?-- I
think if a product is truly good it will sell without all the
gimmicks. I cannot deny that Ty sells, and that he has some good
ideas that work, but some of the latest requirements about stocking
shelves, etc. (hiding most product in the back room to give the
illusion of demand....) Leave a bad taste in my mouth. It just
feels dishonest.... and yes, some of us are not those "dishonest
retailers" and have a conscience!!!!!!
Has Ty become more important to the smaller retailers now that
product is still pending? If so, how?.... I need the sales, but
am not holding my breath.....I learned with the kits, the cards,
and even the main line products that promises are just that...promises.
I need to base my business
on realities.
As a retailer, which one of Ty's Products do you believe will
be most popular in year 2000?
Beanie Kids
It would appear that the Beanie Kids line is becoming popular
and appealing to collectors. What is your opinion of this line
and do you believe it will be a hot selling item? -- I think they
are fantastic!
I found Ty Reps to be very friendly at New York Toy Fair, what
kind of relationship do you have with your Ty rep? --she only
showed up two to three times when she was on commission over a
two year period. Now, that she is an employee she suddenly is
"playing" rep. When she first took over the territory,
I gave in and allowed her to place an order for me. I usually
called in my orders. That order was never called in, and I went
back to the old tried and true.... Also, she shows up unannounced
and expects me to drop everything at that moment. I usually work
alone and this is not always possible. All other reps from other
companies call and make appointments. It would be the considerate
thing to do. She is also often oblivious to promotions...even
those announced by Ty on the Ty site! She insisted there were
no "preview" stores selling Beanie Kids! Other than
that, she seems like a nice person........
What features would you like to see displayed on the on-line Ty
retailer order form? _ I am new to the system and have not yet
tried placing an order there......
Do you order products/check shipments using the online Ty-retailers.com?...but
I do check shipments this way......