What is your opinion of the Dallas Show releases?
*Cheezer, 2000 Lefty and Righty, Cashew, ext.: I think they are all adorable and I can't wait for more to come out!!!!
*No opinion! We have no choice!
*I love Lefty and Righty 2000 and Peekaboo, but he can keep the rest!
*Just loved them, especially the Lefty and Righty.
*Only bought Cashew, 2000 Lefty & Righty and the 2 dogs.Not excited about the others.
*Too many releases at one time! But the quality is very nice on everyone I have seen!
*I think that the new releases are better in quality and workmanship and are a step in the right direction to improve the interest in TY products.
*I really think this is a good line in that it offered some really catchy items like lefty and righty but I was disappointed that it only offered cashew as the only teddy bear. I think another true teddy bear or two would have boosted the public's confidence in Ty.
*My opinion of the Dallas show releases is that they're terrific, especially the 2000 Righty and Lefty. The new ones seem to be better made and better designed.
*I think it is great that there wasn't a whole lot of bears released as he had been doing near the end of last year. It also seems as though he is making a lot more "shelf sitters". I don't know if this is due to him running out of ideas or what, But as a whole I was disappointed.
*I JUST LOVE THE NEW BEANIES, ESPECIALLY LEFTY AND RIGHTY. I'D LIKE MORE USA EXCLUSIVES!
*I like them a lot. In fact, I had decided to collect only the bears because I am running out of room to display them but were so cute I just could not resist getting them all.
*I think Ty came up with some really cute new ones - I like Lefty and Righty 2000, they look so cute with Spangle. Over all I am very happy with them.
*They are much better than the past ones.
*I think Ty outdid himself this time in actually making the beanies resemble the animals they represent. My favs are Lefty and Righty 2000 but was a bit disappointed as there was no Libearty 2000 to complete the American Trio 2000. USA bear just does not look right with these newcomers. They look better in the midst of white faced Spangle and Glory than USA bear.
*I like all of them and am anxiously awaiting finding them.
*I am thrilled with the new beanie releases - I do not feel the introduction of some of the same buddies as the beanies a good idea though - even though I collect both beanies and buddies, I would rather just have the beanie than have both.
*I have not seen any of the releases except 2000 Lefty and Righty which I purchased. I am impressed with these 2 because of his use of the material that he has used before in the Spangle and Glory.
*The only ones I like of the new releases are Lefty righty 2000, and india. I have never been impressed with the material used on the Cashew or fuzz. The USA could have been more symbolic of our flag the colors used are not eye catching enough and it does not match well with the lefty and righty.
*I like this batch better than the last. I have bought India, Cheezer,Sniffer,Fetcher,Cashew.... I know they will not be worth anything cause I just went to a secondary show at a mall near where I live and they were very cheap...only a dollar over what I paid retail. But.... I love collecting. BTW I bought a Clubby II and a Flitter, cut off the wings of Flitter and sewed them on the back of Clubby II......it's looks great!
*I think some are very bright, colorful, and creative, but a few others could of been more thought out and different. My favorite is Peekaboo, who is very cute and bright, but my least favorite is Cinders, who is almost exactly the same as Aurora.

What do you think of Ty's new looking website; how appealing are the auctions on Ty Trade?
*There aren't too many auctions are there yet? I think I will stick to amazon.com and ebay for now.
*I like it and think it will be fun when all of it works. except the special ones, I will be greatly surprised if the auction site makes a go of it... except the special auctions... it is really to early to tell.
*I think his new "look" is just fine, but the auctions do nothing for me. I know of other websites where I can do much better if I so desired.
*Haven't really done the auctions, but do like the new website.
*Haven't spent much time there. I tried and tried and tried to order Speckles. I finally was able to order at the mall where there was free internet connections.
*Right now they are free. I will see how they compare in September.
*I like the new website now that it is working properly. I haven't been on Ty Trade much because of time constraints.
*I have not had time to visit the auction site very often but I do like the fact that the Ty Trade Board offered the special beanie and I just received mine yesterday. The celebrity signed items are really out of the normal person's reach but if the profits go to a good cause it is fun to watch those people who have more sense than money really make the prices skyrocket.
*The new Ty website is pretty to look at but confusing to use. Maybe that's only so for us old folks -- I'm sure the youngsters can run rings around me anyway. I'm not particularly interested in auctions generally speaking, so the addition of auctions on the Ty website don't excite me much. I am always interested in the final price though.
*The new website is great, I like the set up. As for the auctions, I don't really look at them and I think the CyberPoint system is set up unfairly. How are little kids (hasn't Ty all along said he wanted something for little kids) going to post items on the board. If you have (and I know you have) followed the "Big e" you will recall kids posting items and then not following through with the auction.
*Once it was finally up and running, it has been great--before going no where was very aggravating. Have not done the Ty Trade auctions yet.
*I DON'T REALLY LIKE THE NEW TY WEBSITE. I THINK IT IS CONFUSING. I DID LIKE HIS OLD GUESTBOOK AND WISH HE WOULD BRING THAT BACK, THE SAME WAY IT WAS.
*I like the new look of the website...it was about time they made a change! I have not tried the auctions at Ty Trade yet because of all the problems people are having right now. I would not want to take a chance on negative feedback due to their "bugs" in the system that have not been worked out.
*The web site is okay - I think for the amount of money Ty makes that they could come up with something a little more spectacular, I have seen amateur websites with more zing. As for the auctions - they really don't appeal to me - I still go to ebay. I cruise them once in a while, but you have no access to the sellers info, too many things are left for you just to take on faith - would be much too easy to scam off of his auctions.
*I like it.
*With all the horror stories about others' auctions showing they have more than what they actually posted and then have to explain this to the winning bidder I do not want to even attempt to bid. I have to admit I have never been brave enough to bid on any online auction as figure if I can't find a newbie at retail than must not have been meant to get it.
*I like the colorful web. I haven't been to the auctions yet.
*I like the new website - I have been able to get into it without the usual long wait, but I do not think you should have to be a member of the club to get to all the information.
*I like the new looking website and now the link from Ty to Tytrade.
*I only use the ty website to keep up with the news flashes. It is appealing enough.
*Sorry, I don't care what the site looks like anymore. The auction holds no excitement. I LOVE Tiger Woods......but $50,500 for his scrawl on an Ariel tag is ridiculous! I am however glad it raised sooooo much money for the aids foundation.
*I think TyTrade is a great source of news for collectors and has great features. I think the auctons are very appealing because it's for a great cause and and a lot of famous people have signed the Ariels. And it's also good because you can put your own beanies up to be auctioned off.

What do you think Ty Warner meant when he said he was working on something special for us?
*I think he meant a new product line or something completely unordinary that we have never seen coming from him.
*I think he is planning to release new products. I wish he would retire a bunch of stuff however, so they might go up in value.
*Have no idea!
*Something stupid I'm sure, they have lost their touch.
*Expect the unexpected, a new product line, or a new country added.
*Hopefully more beanies. I don't plan on collecting any new lines--I am not collecting the Beanie Kids or Baby TY and have limited my purchases of Ty plush. I do collect all Beanies and Buddies.
*Who knows with Ty but I think it had better be outstanding as the market really needs a shot in the arm right now.
*"Something special" could mean just about anything. I am past trying to outguess Ty. Several retailers have told me they think it means the start of shipping the Atlanta releases, even though most haven't ordered any yet.
*Some more new releases.
*THE USUAL, KEEPING US ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEATS. MAYBE SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW? MAYBE MORE NEW BEANIES OF BUDDIES? MORE CLOTHES FOR THE KIDS? YOUR GUESS IS BETTER THAN MINE!
*I think it will be another new line of toys or something to compliment the Beanie Kid line or Beanies. I think he will have more eBeanies to offer in the future. I'm sure it is whatever he had in mind when he had originally decided to stop making beanies, you know he had something already planned at that time.
*I have no idea - I have learned not to try and second guess him! LOL
*One never knows with him. He is full of suprises.
*Before he worries about something special or new, this time he should make sure the site can handle the number of hits, etc. so there is not another fiasco like with accessing Tytrade to register and order Speckles when the site first came available.
*I hope that it is good.
*Hopefully he is going to introduce more beanies that you can buy from his website instead of having to hunt through all the malls.
*I do not know but I do know that I had no trouble getting into Tytrade today and ordering Speckles. I thought I had ordered a month ago but had never received an email back. I did have my order number so now I don't know if I have ordered 2 or 4.
*Ty Warner is coming up with some type of new product which I feel is needed to boost interest. With the interest in the beanies and kids at an all time low I feel the end of the beanie craze is near.
*The last surprise was such a disappointment that this HAS to be better. Just have to wait and see.
*I think it means their could be a new line of products or they are making lots of new, and improved beanies and buddies. But only tyme will tell, and only 1 person knows...

Now that Ty has introduced Ty Trade to their site and it offers news, pictures and auctions, how will other websites serve a purpose to you?
*Like I said above I think I will stick to other auction sites for the time being and continue to visit the websites I always have counted on for information.
*I will always go to other websites for the varied opinions and different ideas. As far as news goes it will probably be biased.
*I still will get most of my information from other websites. I like a few beanie sites better than the Ty site!!
*Have more fun trying to get on it so give up most of the time.
*Still prefer your site to Ty's for news. On Ty's site the news comes when he wants it to. On yours we hear from other sources even sooner.
*I get my info form Ms Janie, Beaniemom & Smart Collecting. I haven't really checked out Ty Trade and I have never bought any Ty products at auction.
*I will always need other news sites for information from other collectors. Ty doesn't tell all.
*It seems that the other websites will continue to offer their own special interest and news so I don't think that they will be adversely affected.
*Ty Trade will not effect the other websites in my opinion until they iron out all of the kinks in their site and make it easier to access and use all the time. The few times I have logged on there it has really been a pain.
*Other than Ty Trade and newsflashes, I don't seem to have much use for the website
*Honestly, it is just another website to look at everyday. I am not going to stop using other sites because of this one.
*Have not done Ty Trade or other online auctions. Although it looks like Ty is taking ideas from other webmasters he could never replace the ones like Ms. Janie/Beaniemom/Beanieholics and MBBBW
*I NEVER CHECK TY'S PAGE FOR NEWS, I DON'T HAVE TO, I COUNT ON YOU! YOU ALWAYS BRING ME THE NEWS, FAST AND ACCURATE, THANKS! :-)
*I will still use eBay for my non-Ty products because I feel more people will be looking on eBay for everything. Also, if one is not a Beanie collector, I'm not sure how many even know about TyTrade.
*The introduction of Ty Trade will not affect my receiving newsletters from other websites - I have found that the other sites are more up-to-date, have more info and have unbiased opinions.
I like keeping up on the Ty news - good and bad. That's why I subscribe to so many online newsletters.
*I still like to hear what others have to say. One might think Ty will sway to his side where others have a larger picture of just what is going on.
*Well, seeing as I do not visit the other auction sites this will not affect me. Yep, in this day and age of computer fanaticism I am still a dinosaur and may be the only one in the beanie loop to have never even been to ebay or any of the other auctions and would not know where to begin if I did go there, lol.With the Ty Folio I was to the point of just giving up when it came to listing all my collection and trying to change the number per style. Had to do each one individually, hitting save after each and every change rather than be able to go all the way thru then hit save. With 500+ Ty styles, etc. you can imagine how long this took.
*I enjoy the variety that I get from going other places. Ty doesn't cover all. Like the Fakes.
*I like to look at all the websites and especially enjoy the auctions and trades on yahoo - Ty trade has added a new dimension but has not replaced the others.
*I will use it as an informational site.
*Ty Trade only serves one purpose for me...exclusive offers. The rest I don't care about. Other sites will continue to offer what they offer and that would be news, updates, special offers, etc.
*I don't think I will be using other sites as much any more, because they have a lot of the same things that Ty has now.

How important is it for you to stay abreast of Ty News?
*I like to keep track of whats happening, but if I miss a few things here and there it doesn't affect me.
*One of the things that keep me going... I love the news and its up's and down's.
*I still check for beanie news everyday. I was quite busier earlier this year and almost missed important news like the e-beanie Speckles!!
*I try to check up on what's happening by reading my email everyday.
*Not as important as it used to be, but I like to keep up with the retirements.
*I try to stay as current as possible.
*Very important as I sell beanies on the secondary market and depend on Ms Janie especially as I know I can depend on getting the up to date news instantly almost! Keep up the good work Ms Janie, as for the ty web site I don't bother going there as I guess I am lazy and know you will deliver the news with no hassel.
*I feel it is VERY important to stay abrease of Ty news, and am especially thankful to Ms. Janie for that. I also check a couple of others periodically.
*I LOVE your news letter and it is one of the 1st e-mails I read every day. As a matter of fact, it was YOU that tipped me off that Ty Trade was back up and running, I was able to order my Speckles (I ordered them 7-27 & received them 8-14). Then I received your update that Ty Trade was back down. So Thank you
*Very.
*I LOVE TO BE THE FIRST TO KNOW! IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON ASAP!
*Very important! Thanks Ms. Janie for keeping me abreast! You are the best!
*VERY! VERY!
*I like to be able to know abuut when we can expect retirements or the shipment of newbies and also to know when Ty is planning to release new items. Get tired of going to his site though and seeing the same lame posting or nothing. Would like to see an update as soon as it happens.
*To me it is very important.
*It is very important to stay abreast of the new information, as I am an avid beanie hunter and seller.
*It is not very important but I just do it for fun.
*It is important since I have a large collection and I need to know what is happening so I can trade or purchase as needed.
*On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd say about 7-8. I like hearing what's going on and I try to be aware. If I'm not I have several others who tell me
*It is very important to stay up to date with Ty news because he could retire things, announce new products, or change things on the sight at any time.

What in your opinion can Ty do to make his product more collectible and enjoyable?
*I think Ty should keep doing what he's doing.
*Have the beanies readily available. Quit putting out so many at a time, so they are more affordable for the rest of us.
*I know cats and dogs are immensely popular, but I'm tired of penguins, owls, cats, dogs and beanies like that. I think the mustelidae is stupid. I'm very disappointed in Cashew and USA, but as I stated earlier I
love Lefty, Righty, Peekaboo. I wish I had the answer to make beanies as popular as they used to be.
Maybe more early retirements (like after only one shipment to stores). Maybe some advertising on TV to get some people back. I'm the only one left of about 10 people I know that is still an avid collector. Some are "if I get them I get them" attitude and one or two don't even collect at all anymore!
I do have a little 6 yr old nephew that is just now getting into beanies. He never leaves my house without a new one!!! He's the only new collector I've come across in a very long time!
*Have no idea in that department.
*We collect Ty because we like it and we only collect the product that we enjoy. Sometimes I get frustrated by the availability of items but I have found that if I am patient I can usually get what I want.
I love your newsletter and I enjoy all the news not just the Ty news. I had never been to the Boyds Bear site until I read about it in your newsletter. I also collect Boyds and I am looking forward to getting Lizzie.
*Not make a million of of each kind. It would make them more collectable. Ty lost the market last fall, he has gotten some of it back, but not all of it.
*I think that TY needs to make his product more readily available. Let the Dealers have an adequate supply of the new Beanies as they come out and not dilly-dally around with them. They should also be able to get any product that they have ordered even though they have been shorted at some time.
Their orders should not be canceled at the end of the month. also, they shouldn't have to order as many of the old ones just to be able to get new product. After all, they are the ones that know what will sell in their
area.
*More styles and maybe a little harder to find. More country exclusives!
*A lot of the fun has gone out of collecting beanie babies -- that's not to say I'm not still chasing them down, but perhaps Ty could engage in a little less game-playing. The beanies are still wonderful, and I very much enjoy adding new ones to my collection, but the excitement has tamed down considerably. I believe this to be due to the on-again off-again manner in which the business is conducted. On the other hand, I don't totally blame Ty for the confusion as I think consumer greed played a very large part in it
and perhaps the company was just overwhelmed by the demand.
I am a 65 year old grandmother who became very popular with her grandchildren -- all 14 of them at the time -- because I could afford to provide them with these wonderful toys. When it became a primarily secondary market purchase, I could no longer afford them. Next came the "will he or won't he" season and several of my grandchildren gave up collecting as they tired of the wait. I am now down to three collections with an occasional "I'd like that one" in addition.
*More collectible than it already is? Nothing. I don't think anything has ever been more collectible. For me, I stopped collecting ALL of them when Ty was introducing 5+ bears at a time & you would finally find the "Newbies" a week before the New "Newbies" came out.
*Keep coming out with new, cute designs. Not so many at a time so they are more affordable.
*INFORMATION OF ANY CHANGES TO ANY OF THE TY PRODUCTS, REASONABLY PRICED BEANIES OR BUDDIES/
*The latest rumors and news, first of all. Second, current price lists are very important. I like to know which beanies, buddies, and kids are gaining value and vice versa.
*Keeping the Ty products more collectible and enjoyable? I think they are doing fairly well - however his practices with his accounts need to be cleaned up. I have heard many horror stories of how bad Ty and his reps treat the people who sell the beanies to us - not very good public relations for him or his company in my opinion.
*Ty is doing a good job. We need to keep the shipments up so the secondarys can't get them and keep us from getting them at a reasonable price.
*Instead of being so secretive about what he has already shown to the public at the summer and fall shows, immediately post the names and pictures of these new products. And the fact that our country exclusives are not worth the beans they are stuffed with when it comes to trying to trade with other countries for their exclusives is the pits! They are able to get our exclusives at online auctions or Metaexhange for about what we pay in our area stores. Yet when we are trying to barter with them for just one of theirs, they are demanding 5 or more of the new or even older ones for their one.
The fact that he is closing down shops that he does not feel fit his idea of a Ty dealer when these retailers are always fair in their selling of the products, treat their customers with respect instead of rudeness, go out of their way to help regulars as well as newcomers in obtaining the new products, jump thru HIS hoops so to speak as to where they have to display items THEY have bought in their OWN store, etc. yet other retailers who are still backdooring or bundling, etc. do not lose their accounts.
Also the fact that he only allows 6 of each buddy style to be shipped per month makes it extremely difficult for all of the devoted collectors to even get 1 of each style before he does one of his "quickie" retirements. And the way he has been flooding the market with so many of each category at one time more than once a year is a bit much. I have talked to quite a few fellow collectors who are fed up with Ty's shenanigans and secrecy, etc. and are getting rid of their Ty collections and going to Boyds or something else entirely. It does tend to leave a bad taste in your mouth at times the way he does certain things. Some shops never ever receive certain items and they are already retired so their customers miss out on a chance to obtain these.
I am to the point that I think this will be the last time that I get all of the buddies in a new release as there are just getting to be far too many of them and with their larger sizes they take up too much room so that there is no place to actually display them and they are hidden away out of sight in
boxes (after being lovingly wrapped in acid-free tissue, of course, lol.) And I do not even collect the larger sized ones he came out with just the original regular sized buddies.
And what is with his going to so many of the newer Attics without moveable arms/legs? That is part of what attracted most people to the Attics along with their darling little costumes. Now he seems to be regressing to the uglier, non-jointed, naked styles of yore.
*I would like to see the bears easier to find, but if this was so they probably wouldn't be as collectible.
*Make them more readily available to the public by supplying the stores with more product!!!
*I really don't know but I think Ty lost a lot of collectors when he retired all the beanies and didn't have any more for a few month. I think he has saturated the market, it was more exciting when we had a hard time finding the beanies we wanted and would have to go searching. Many stores got fed up with the mass of people just coming in for beanies when they put them out, and many people got fed up with the people who would buy many of the same item for the secondary market.
*He needs to limit the amount made. If he made it harder to obtain and kept production levels down interest would remain high. Look at the wingless quackers buddy, ty dyed digger buddy Twigs buddy, the Beginning, 98 teddy these are low production product and there will always be a demand on them.
The common everyday beanies that were massively produced are worth nothing on today's market. He flooded the beanie kid market and all are sitting on the shelves even after the announcement of retirement.
*Keep the prices low and send MORE products to the stores. I don't have time to check everyday or phone beanie hotlines. I don't collect as an investment.... besides the beanies that were so hard to get 2 years ago are selling for $3-5 now and you can get them anywhere. I don't foresee them as any kind of investment value. Britannia went from $300 in 1998 to $45 in 2000.....no value there.
*Contests, and other peoples beanie hunting stories,mostly.

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