FURIOUS parents have lashed out at Glasgow shopping centres as unprecedented demand for cut-price teddy bears at a popular shop saw stores forced to turn customers away.
Customers have reported massive queues and “crying” children as Build-A-Bear closed off its queues for the day amid “security” concerns.
READ MORE: How Build-A-Bear’s Pay Your Age Day promotion fell apart across the UK
Build-A-Bear, which has branches in Buchanan Galleries, Silverburn and intu Braehead - said it has not seen queues like it has today “in our 21-year history.”
The company launched a promotion called “Pay Your Age Day.”
On July 12, customers have been able to pay their age for any stuffed animal.
It has been the biggest in-store deal for the company ever.
Massive queues have formed at the Glasgow stores throughout the day, so much so that the stores have been forced to turn hundreds of families away.
Customers have been blasting the company on Twitter, blaming bosses of “poor planning.”
@buildabear Not amused at this promotion...since my 3yr old came home crying because we were asked to leave because of the lack of bears. Braehead jammed packed from both ends of the mall plus no vouchers for us & I'm reading that ppl were giving vouchers!!
— Tee (@TrulyScrummy79) 12 July 2018
One customer said on social media: “Just a heads up to anyone who’s thinking of taking there little one to Build-A-Bear in Glasgow City Centre today. Shambles, not to mention the effort that my better half put into getting our little girl ready and out early this morning.”
The queue for Build-a-bear's 'pay your age' day stretches to the other end of Braehead and back again. 4 hour wait and the folk at the end have been told the… https://t.co/w5p3MQI7Or
— Gill Rockatansky (@GillRockatansky) 12 July 2018
@buildabear Did nobody realise the massive effect your event would cause if you ran out of stock for customers who live in or near the City of Glasgow !!!!!
— Peter pattison (@Peterpattison6) 12 July 2018
Another Twitter user described “absolute scenes,” as another raging dad said: “Build-A-Bear not being able to supply the demand on Pay Your Age Day is bad. Making kids have to attend and being turned away at the door is disgusting. #promofail #angryparent.”
“Can’t get over how busy Braehead is for the Build-A-Bear offer. Parents, grannies children everywhere, Queue is nuts,” added another.
@buildabear queue @shopsilverburn has been closed but we arrived before the store was stated to be opened online. Two very disappointed boys at home 😢
— Fiona Spooner (@MrsFiSpooner) 12 July 2018
Reading about the build a bear carnage and omg... Are people for real?
— Sandra (@TheBlackPearlB) 12 July 2018
Imagine queuing 5 hours or more to save £10-15 on a Build A Bear. What is wrong with people?
— JK (@karta_13) 12 July 2018
One Glasgow mum fumed: “Build-A-Bear Pay Your Age, what an absolute joke. Didn’t expect the demand?! Are you serious? Explain that to all the kids crying because there’s no stock left. Should have planned it better.”
Braehead bosses said in a short statement: “This event has prompted unprecedented demand from customers, and our security and customer services teams have been assisting with the queues since early this morning.
@shopsilverburn is a disaster area this morning due to the shambles that is @buildabear promotion being badly managed
— Paul (@tahomabold) 12 July 2018
Guess the marketing team are getting sacked at #buildabear what a terrible advertising campaign not thought through poor kids and parents crying and screaming what a total disaster guess administration next for #buildabear
— Mrs B (@Opsmerlin22) 12 July 2018
“This has been an extremely popular event and due to this higher than expected demand, we’re sorry that the queue for Build-A-Bear is now closed and no-one else will be able to join the line. This is to make sure there are enough bears available for those already in the queue.”
Buchanan Galleries bosses added: “Unfortunately, the queue has reached capacity and is now closed. Please keep an eye on Build-a-Bear’s social media for updates.”
My thoughts and prayers go out for everyone working in build a bear today cause in Breahead there’s over 1000 people queued up and that’s just on the inside there is also a queue on the outside anol!!! So rip build a bear works @kayleighmclovin 💜💜
— Rebecca Halbert (@RebeccaHalbert1) 12 July 2018
Build A Bear queue at Braehead and Silverburn has now closed! Those already in the queue are expected to wait several hours. #buildabear #PayYourAgeDay #braehead https://t.co/m7EI85xdBp
— Renfrewshire Tots (@RenfrewshireTot) 12 July 2018
Build-A-Bear headquarters in London also issued a statement
It said: “The response to our Pay Your Age Day event at all of our UK locations has been overwhelming and unprecedented in our 21-year history.
“The crowds have greatly exceeded our expectations and, per local authorities, queues are at capacity and we cannot accept additional guests due to extreme crowds and safety concerns.
“We understand our guests are disappointed, and we are working to address the situation.
“We will reach out directly to our valued guests as soon as possible.”
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