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Toolkit for Collectors
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www.beanwatcher.com
Bean Watcher
News and Reports for Collectors!
This site exists for your enjoyment. My goal is to make your beanbag collecting experience more enjoyable. I focus on Ty products
-- Beanie Babies, Beanie Buddies, Beanie Boppers, and more. I do not receive any financial compensations whatsoever --
I prepare it because of the joy that it brings to me and others. I hope you'll enjoy the news, photographs, and articles that you see.
So grab a beverage, sit back, and enjoy the read! ~ Bean Watcher
Do you have a news story, heard a credible rumor, want to share a story, or want to brag about a lucky shopping find?
Share them with others by using the contact link above. Feel free to drop me a line, even if it's to say "hello!" ~Bean Watcher
Worldwide News and Reports
March 2007 Archives
March 31: News and Reports Updates
 As I expected, this week was a busy week for Ty and collectors. I returned home late Friday night (March 30, 2007) and will be providing updates until I can catch up. Additional news and reports will be posted in the days ahead...
March 30: The April 2007 Introductions
 Today, Ty officially announces the April 2007 introductions. There is a little of something for everyone, young and old. A total of 23 styles among three different product lines are available. Here they are:
March 30: Officially Announcing Hallmark's Latest Exclusive Bears
 Today, Ty officially announces the latest Hallmark Gold Crown Store exclusive bears. As reported in my February 21, 2007 column, the bears are Dear Dad and Dear Grandpa. Here is my original description of both Beanie Babies:
* Dear Dad is a new style of Beanie Baby bear. He is a natural-brown, sit-up teddy bear with a pronounced muzzle. The cap on his head has #1 Dad embroidered on it. Also, he is wearing a blue polo shirt with a single gold star on its chest.
* Dear Grandpa resembles last year's Honors the graduation bear. Dear Grandpa (compared to Honors) is the same style of bear (even the fabric looks identical) and wears the same type of wire frame glasses. Dear Grandpa, however, wears a plaid bowtie and has Grandpa embroidered on his right foot pad.
To view the official announcement on Ty.com, click here. To find a Hallmark Gold Crown Store near you, click here.
March 30: Say "Farewell" to Clubby VII
 Ty finally retires the Beanie Babies Official Club (BBOC) exclusive, Clubby VII the bear. This Beanie Baby, introduced on October 2, 2006, was part of a BBOC offer that was intended to last until December 1, 2006 (click here). To view the official retirement of Clubby VII, click here.
March 27: Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
 Ty has responded to this week's Ask Ty question. Would Ty like to see a ballerina dance on a television program? Just ask Ty!
Q: If asked, would you agree to participate as a dancer on the TV show Dancing With The Stars? (submitted by searching)
A: Hmmm . . . I'm not sure about me, but Arabesque might be a good choice !
March 27: The March 2007 Retirements
 Today, Ty announces the March 2007 retirements. A total of 15 different styles spread among three product lines say "good bye" to us. Here they are:
March 27: Two Silent Ty Classic Retirements
 Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe, has posted news of two Easter-themed Ty Classics that have been silently retired: Bramble and Harewood (Large). To view their retirements on Ty.com, click here and click here.
March 26: On the Road Again....
I will embark on a business trip, beginning today, and return home on Friday, March 30, 2007. During my absence, I will not be able to update this site. If you have a passion for reading more about Ty products, please check out the column to the left and find the table with the header, Beanie News Sites. All of the listed sites are worth visiting, each catering to a slightly different audience.... While I'm away, I hope you will find the beanies you want. And as always, happy hunting!
March 26: The April 2007 Introductions
 Tammie from Florida recently sent me an email, asking me when collectors would hear of the April 2007 Ty introductions. Since the first day of April 2007 falls on Sunday, Ty will likely introduce the new styles sometime this week.
Typically, Ty retailers receive word of new releases before they are officially posted on Ty.com. So if the past is a predictor of the future, be on the lookout for pictures from secondary market retailers, internet auctions, and Ty-themed websites as early as this week. Let's hope that the wait will be worth our while....!
March 26: Screen Shots of Ty Girlz Interactive Site
 Geraldine from the USA, webmaster of The Beanie News, has posted pictures from the Ty Girlz interactive site and in some cases, accompanying narratives, in one location. There are 24 different pictures posted (including views of Meet the Girlz, My House, My Room, The Mall, etc.). If you have not thoroughly toured the Ty Girlz site, then Geraldine's pictures are definitely worth a look! To see her dedicated site, click here.  Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news of your site with us !
March 26: Walmart, Charlotte's Web, and Gussy
 In my March 23, 2007 column, Steve from Pennsylvania shared the news that Walmart will carry the Charlotte's Web DVD, which will come with Wilbur the pig or Gussy the goose Ty Beanie Baby. At the time that I posted the report, only a picture of the DVD with Wilbur had been posted.
Michael from Illinois shares that Walmart.com has now posted a picture of the Charlotte's Web DVD with Gussy the goose. According to the ordering site, if you pre-order the item today, it should arrive on or shortly after April 3, 2007. To place your order, click here.
March 26: From the Email Bag -- Girlz Just Wanna Have Fun
 Brendan from the USA shares his thoughts about Ty's latest product line, Ty Girlz. Brendan writes:
Girlz just wanna have fun ! ...and boy they will ! The new site looks great ! It looks like the site is exactly how it was described-make a room, go shopping, play games, and chat. The images for the Girlz are slightly different than how they were seen before but they still look cool.
Hopefully young girls will like them as much (or more) as the Webkinz. But if you ask me I think retailers are going to put them in the back of the store with the Beanies. Hopefully Ty will tell them to put them next to the Webkinz or put the Webkinz in the back with the Beanies ! I would hate it if they didn't sell well.
And Ty can do so much with these too. He can make famous girls into Girlz (if that makes sense) suck as Miley Cyrus (or Hannah Montana) or JoJo. Both are huge ! And Ty can even have commercials for them and have Miley endorse them ! Then people would see them. And if you ask me Destiny looks a lot like Miley Cyrus (and both share the same name, Miley is just a nickname. And the pic on Wikipedia shows her wearing the "Hannah" wig. She really is a brunette).
But of course, you can't have Girlz without the Boyz. Hopefully these will come later, and be on the same site or a different one. Ty could make Zac Efron or the Sprouse twins (girl LOVE them)....
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your sentiments with us. Let's hope that collectors will embrace Ty's latest product line in the months ahead.
March 25: Report of Saturday's Ty Girlz Debut
 Beanie UK, a UK-based site, has posted a report and pictures from Paul in the UK about Hamleys' and Harrods' debut of the Ty Girlz. Key points from Paul's well-written report, which references some points made by Ty UK Ltd. owner, Mark Swallow, follow:
Report from the Ty Girlz Debut at Hamleys
* The UK received the first production of Ty Girlz and will receive the next shipment in May 2007.
* The Ty Girlz will be released in America during early to mid-April 2007.
* The UK received the dolls much earlier than stores in the USA since the UK introduction dates were previously arranged and could not be changed.
* One of the Ty Girlz will be extremely limited and may only be available in the first production run.
* The interactive Ty Girlz site is currently in "beta" format and will be online shortly.
* The hang tag is connected from back to front. On the inside of the hang tag, all addresses are for the UK only.
* At 10 AM (London time), the Ty Girlz models appeared at the store and handed out signed cards.
Report from the Ty Girlz Debut at Harrods
* Harrods ran a competition to design the next Ty Girlz doll.
* At 12:30 PM (London time), the Ty Girlz models appeared at the store and handed out signed cards.
* Unsigned postcards were available throughout Harrods' Toy Kingdom.
* Those who bought a Ty Girlz doll received a free Pinkys key clip.
Paul has also posted 32 pictures from the Hamleys and Harrods events. The pictures feature the following subjects:
* Outside and inside of a Ty Girlz (Lovely Lola) Hang Tag and the accompanying spare tag (four pictures)
* Back and front views of the six signed Ty Girlz cards (12 pictures)
* Assorted pictures of the dolls and models at Hamleys (five pictures) and Harrods (five pictures)
* In hand pictures of the six Ty Girlz dolls (six pictures)
To read Paul's complete report, click here and scroll down to the sixth entry in the thread (posted on March 24, 2007 at 3:24 PM). To see Paul's pictures, click here. The first 12 pictures are on Page 1. The second 12 pictures are on Page 3. The final eight pictures are on Page 3.
Bean Watcher comment: Thanks to Paul for sharing your report and pictures with us. It appears that a good time was had by all!
March 25: Ty and Walmart in Canada
 A reader from Canada shares a report about the availability of the Garfield: An Ode to Odie DVD with the Odie plush toy in a Walmart store. She writes:
I took a Wal-Mart flyer when I was leaving a store. I checked it after I came home and found the DVD, Garfield: An Ode to Odie with Toy. It's $12.83(CAD). Wal-Mart Canada doesn't have an on-line store.... When I was in the store, I glanced at the DVD department. I didn't notice these DVDs. I do not know they are available all over Canada or not, but they may be available at least in the Toronto area.
To view a PDF file of the Walmart flyer (Adobe Acrobat required), click here. To see a picture of the DVD and Odie plush toy, click here.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
March 25: CHERISH'S Fourth Annual Global Breakfast
 Sue Owen from the UK, a supporter of CHERISH, has posted news of the fourth CHERISH Global Breakfast, which supports Cancer Research UK's official event, Britain's Biggest Breakfast. Sue writes:
There are special breakfast-themed Beanie Hampers for sale as well as lots of articles and photographs about breakfast. We'd love you to come along and join us from wherever you live - and you don't even need to travel - just sit in your computer chair and settle down to drop crumbs in your keyboard while you munch your breakfast and look at the CHERISH breakfast offerings at the same time!
If you have anything to contribute to the event, be it a donation, a purchase, an article, photo, recipe, quiz, etc - please do get in touch with me. Let's try to make this an even better event than last year! All proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK. Looking forward to 'seeing' you there - from 10am UK time onwards, Saturday March 24th until late in the month!
You can purchase the Beanie Hampers from the CHERISH website or eBay. The 2004 Holiday Teddy beanie was used for the fundraiser. Click here for more information.
March 24: Ty Home Page Debuts Ty Girlz
The Ty logo on Ty's home page has been removed. In its place is a graphic promoting the new Ty Girlz line. Clicking on the graphic leads to an interactive site where collectors can register their dolls and participate in many activities. To view the graphic, featuring the faces of four Ty Girlz, click here. To see the login page of the interactive site, click here.
Bean Watcher comment: The "storm" that I referenced in my March 22, 2007 column has arrived. Its intensity will depend on how collectors will react to the new product line. We will know more in the days ahead.
March 24: Ty Girlz Make Their UK Debut
As I mentioned in my March 20, 2007 column, Ty UK will debut Ty's latest product line, Ty Girlz, at Hamleys and Harrods on March 24th. The key part of the news release follows:
Ty’s newest creation, Ty Girlz™, will make their UK debut on Saturday, March 24th. Real life Girlz will introduce our newest collection to consumers at Hamleys at 10.00 am and Harrods at 12.30 pm. This brand new concept in dolls has been created in conjunction with its own 3-D interactive virtual world and is designed to appeal to girls of all ages. Ty Girlz will subsequently be available with a recommended retail price of only £9.99.
If I receive any reports from either or both events, I will certainly share them with you.
March 24: Marilyn's Pictures of Recent Beanies
 Marilyn from Wisconsin shares her beautiful pictures of four exclusive Beanie Babies. The first two are Dear Mom the bear and Dear Grandma the bear, both Hallmark Gold Crown Store exclusives. The other two are the Nickelodeon-themed characters, Max the bunny and Ruby the bunny. Both of these styles are USA and Canada exclusives. To see Marilyn's pictures, click on the links in the table below.
Four Exclusive Beanie Babies
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
March 23: Ty at Walmart
 Steve from Pennsylvania shares the news that Walmart is carrying some Ty products in its stores. Steve writes:
The Ode to Odie DVD and Odie beanie clip is out. I found it today at Walmart when I went in to do some shopping. It was only $9.84, so I bought two. My friends in the department showed me paperwork about the new release of the Charlotte's Web DVD that will include either a Wilbur or Gussy Ty beanie... when you buy the DVD at Walmart.
I visited Walmart.com and found that collectors can make an online purchase of the Garfield and Friends: Ode to Odie DVD with an accompanying plush toy (click here). Although a picture is not posted, this item is likely identical to the boxed package offered by other online stores (e.g., Best Buy.com. Click here for a picture).
You can also make an online purchase of the Charlotte's Web DVD with a Wilbur the pig Beanie Baby (click here). Although I did not find ordering information for the DVD and Gussie the goose, let's hope that the pair will appear in the near future.
Bean Watcher response: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
March 23: Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
Ty has responded to this week's Ask Ty question. Would Ty like to experience a simpler life again? Just ask Ty!
Q: If you would go back to any age in your life, what age would you choose? (submitted by beaniecharge)
A: I think that every age has its advantages, but life sure is simpler through the eyes of a child !
March 22: Ty Girlz Re-appear on Harrod's Site
 Yesterday, Harrods removed the pictures and descriptions of the five Ty Girlz that I referenced in my March 21, 2007 column. Today, the UK-based store has not only re-posted the five dolls, but posted a picture of the "missing" sixth style, Rockin' Ruby. To see pictures and read descriptions of all six styles, click here, type TY in the search box in the upper right hand corner of the site, then press your Enter key.
March 22: Introducing Mom 2007
 Today, Ty introduces the Mother's Day-themed beanie, Mom 2007 the bear. This Beanie Baby is a Ty Store exclusive and is reminiscent of the retail style called My Mom the bear. To view the official announcement and place your order, click here.
March 22: The Lull Before the Storm
 Typically, news of special introductions, sold out styles, and/or retirements (among other things) keep collectors talking throughout the month. Such news, however, has been rather sparse lately. Since the beginning of the month, only three official announcements (all on March 1st) have been posted on Ty.com: the March 2007 Desktop Wallpaper, the introduction of Lots O'Luck the March 2007 Beanie Baby of the Month, and the introduction the Hallmark Gold Crown Store exclusives, Dear Mom and Dear Grandma.
News has been so slack, that Ty home page is clear of all official announcements (as of this writing). The lack of news is unusual, but not unexpected. Based on comments from unofficial sources, the silence has likely been planned to deflect attention away from Ty's popular Beanie Babies line and build up excitement for the official launch of the six new Ty Girlz dolls. The plush toys will be appearing soon in the UK (March 24th). And when they appear, expect to see increased activity on the internet. Stay tuned for more...!
March 21: More About Ty Girlz at Harrods and Hamleys
 Hamleys and Harrods have both prepared their sites for Ty UK's launch of its latest product line, Ty Girlz. Hamleys has posted a notice of the event on its home page with the header, Hamleys launch Ty Girlz and the words At Regent St on Saturday 24th March at 9 AM (Limited Stock Available). Clicking on the notice will lead to another site (which, as of this writing, is not yet online).
Harrods has posted pictures of five Ty Girlz on its site. The five dolls are Lovely Lola (blond hair), Sassy Star (blue hair), Dazzlin' Destiny (brown hair), Punky Penny (purple hair), and Sizzlin' Sue (pink hair). Interestingly, a picture of Rockin' Ruby (black hair), as of this writing, has not yet been posted. You can see a picture and read a description of each of the five aforementioned styles by clicking here, typing TY in the search box in the upper right hand corner of the site, then pressing your Enter key.
Bean Watcher comment: Of particular interest to those intending to place an order for the Ty Girlz is that, according to the descriptions, All orders will despatched after the official launch on March 24th. Bean Watcher update: Harrods has removed the pictures and descriptions of the Ty Girlz from its website. We will likely see them re-appear after the official launch on March 24, 2007.
March 21: From the Email Bag -- Ty Store Collectibles
Beverly from Indiana recently sent an email, referencing my March 18, 2007 article titled Marilyn's Pictures of April Fool and Lots O'Luck. In the article, I stated: Both of these bears could only be purchased at retail prices through Ty Store. Beverly wrote:
You stated that April Fool and Lots of Luck were available at the Ty store. It is O'Lucky and April Fool that the Ty Store sells. And Lots of luck is only if you subscribe to the BBOM.
Bean Watcher response: Thank you for your email. I should have worded the article differently. Beanie Baby of the Month memberships can be purchased through Ty Store. So the way collectors could have obtained Lots O'Luck, a Beanie Baby of the Month, was through Ty Store.
March 20: Ty UK Presents Ty Girlz
Ty UK has emailed a Microsoft Word document containing a news release, informing collectors about the UK debut of Ty's latest product line, Ty Girlz. The key part of the news release follows:
Ty’s newest creation, Ty Girlz™, will make their UK debut on Saturday, March 24th. Real life Girlz will introduce our newest collection to consumers at Hamleys at 10.00 am and Harrods at 12.30 pm. This brand new concept in dolls has been created in conjunction with its own 3-D interactive virtual world and is designed to appeal to girls of all ages. Ty Girlz will subsequently be available with a recommended retail price of only £9.99.
To view the graphic shown in the body of the email and read the contents of the news release, click here. To view the contents in the original Microsoft Word document, click here (you must have Microsoft Word installed on your computer).
Bean Watcher comment: Thanks to Ty UK and Paul, Tracy, and Sally from the UK for sharing this news with us!
March 20: From the Email Bag -- This 'n' That
Kathie from Florida shares an update to my list of St. Patrick's Day Beanie Babies. Kathie writes:
When I checked your list tonight with my display of beanies for St. Patrick's Day, I found that you had Woolins the bear . . . purchased from the Ty Store . . . missing. He was issued 02/15/05 . . . Sold Out 03/18/05 . . . retired 03/23/05 . . . DOB 03/17/05 . . . style # 44047.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for your email. You are absolutely correct. I have updated the table in my March 17, 2007 column and added Woolins the bear. Brendan from Massachusetts shares that the Ghiradelli Chocolate Company had a third Ty Classic for sale in one of its stores. Brendan writes:
I was at the Ghiradelli at Downtown Disney and I saw Cocoa and Thatcher, but I also saw Griddles, I think it was. He had the same ribbon and candy attached. I checked the website but no results. I totally forgot to see what color the ribbon was so sorry about that. Oh, and Cocoa is very cute in person.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your find with us!
March 19: No April Fool Joke
 Daniel from the USA shares his pictures of a recent find... an April Fool bear without the embroidery on its chest. Daniel writes:
I just wanted to share with you and other TY Beanie Baby Collectors, that I opened my boxes of Ty Store April Fool beanies today and found an April Fool bear with no April Fool lettering on the chest. [The] first picture shows a side by side comparison of the two bears, while the second picture shows just the error bear itself.
Daniel has posted his pictures and additional information in his eBay auction for this oddity. To visit the auction, click here or search for auction number 320094179217.
March 19: From the Email Bag -- Odds and Ends
Your Friends at Ty sent an email yesterday to Ty Store customers requesting notices of future offers. The email, with a subject line of No Time to Fool Around, informs recipients that Ty welcomes April Fool and that the bear is Available Only at the Ty Store. The graphic in the email is the same one used when this special occasion beanie was introduced on Ty.com (click here). A reader from the UK asks what were the last Beanie Babies Official Club (BBOC) bears to be offered. In response, the BBOC offered three exclusive bears when it officially opened its doors on October 2, 2006. The bears were: the Beanie Baby, Clubby VII the bear and the Beanie Buddies, Fun the Bear and Laughter the Bear (click here). Clubby VII is still current. However, Fun and Laughter retired on January 26, 2007.
March 18: Marilyn's Pictures of April Fool and Lots O'Luck
 Marilyn from Wisconsin shares her beautiful pictures of April Fool the bear and Lots O' Luck the March 2007 Beanie Baby of the Month. Both of these bears could only be purchased at retail prices through Ty Store. April Fool, as of this writing, may still be ordered. To see Marilyn's pictures, click on the links below.
Pictures of April Fool and Lots O' Luck
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
March 18: From the Email Bag -- Requesting Another Ghirdadelli Ribbon
Debby from Washington shares that she was able to obtain another color ribbon for her bear called Cocoa. This Ty Classic has the name, Ghiradelli, embroidered on its right foot pad. Debby writes:
I read with interest the note about the Ghiradelli Bear arriving with a red bow instead of the one pictured on the site. I too had ordered a bear and was very disappointed that it did not arrive with the pictured ribbon. I contacted customer service for Ghiradelli and expressed my disappointment as the ribbon was part of the charm of the bear and if it is a limited edition, I wanted the bear to be as pictured. They sent me a printed ribbon by Fed Ex that arrived today! The ribbon looks exactly as pictured on the website!! I am a very happy customer.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your email with us. Your experience with Ghiradelli will help others who want the blue ribbon previously pictured on the company's site.
March 17: St. Patrick's Day - Themed Styles
 Ty, Inc. has recognized St. Patrick's Day with several different plush toys. In regards to his Beanie Babies, all but one that commemorate this special day has been a bear. Here is a list of beanies honoring the patron saint of Ireland:
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