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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2008 22:10:43 GMT -7
Just wondering if anyone has any idea on the status of BackPack Toys. I was hoping to see some new Teddy stories released over the last couple of years, but nothing has emerged. Interestingly enough, I found www.backpacktoys.com/products.html this page on the BP Toys site that lists their products. Among other intriguing things are plush "Lullaby" and "Christmas" Teddy dolls that would sing when squeezed and their noses lit up. The Lullaby Teddy's voice would even grow quieter as he sang, allowing children to fall asleep to him. They both come with books, but there is no link to order them. The site also lits many more of the original WOW stories that are presumably being prepped for release. I e-mailed BackPack Toys a few days ago...still no reply, but I've never gotten THAT prompt a response from them. Just wondering if any other fans know what's going on with them. Vilicles |
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Post by TRO Admin on Jul 13, 2008 11:08:24 GMT -7
I too saw that products page.... I had heard a year or so ago or maybe more that they were planning a Christmas Teddy. I think the Xmas and the Lullabies versions are neat ideas and a little more affordable so maybe some of the people who havent got a Teddy IV will pick one up and see the price is worth it. Although I liked the idea of the 2 pack bundles of stories I wished that they had more titles in singles, and it looks like they're planning on it there.
I've emailed BackPack as well and no response as of yet. Lets cross our fingers that these new products will be out soon.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2008 14:17:17 GMT -7
Also saw that Amazon.com is offering the BackPack Toys Teddy Ruxpin for $49.99. A nice price drop, IMO.
Vilicles
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Post by summerhayes on Aug 4, 2008 9:34:03 GMT -7
I'd love if Backpack would put out more products. I'd be sure to purchase them! Sadly, when I first heard about Backpack releasing Teddy I searched all of the stores in my area from Toys R Us, to Target, to Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart was the only store that stocked Teddy and he was already on clearence. I got him for a really great price, but was a little sad to see them clearing him out only a few months after his release.  I hope that the sales have been enough to continue and expand the line and they haven't abandoned the Teddy property. |
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Post by theonemouse on Aug 4, 2008 12:44:12 GMT -7
Except for the true die-hard fans and real collectors, I'm afraid demand won't be as positive as I think BackPack wants it to be.
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Post by fanofteddy on Aug 4, 2008 15:54:22 GMT -7
What makes Teddy's most recent releases fail? He's still a great storyteller.
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Aug 4, 2008 16:57:16 GMT -7
I know for a while, Teddy had competition in the form of TJ Bearytales. It was another animatronic bear that told stories just like Teddy, and it was always placed within close proximity to Teddy, at least in all the stores I saw him in. Nowhere near as cute as our Teddy. |
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Post by summerhayes on Aug 4, 2008 18:48:12 GMT -7
I know for a while, Teddy had competition in the form of TJ Bearytales. It was another animatronic bear that told stories just like Teddy, and it was always placed within close proximity to Teddy, at least in all the stores I saw him in. Nowhere near as cute as our Teddy. I saw the TJ Bearytales bear in stores a few times and wasn't impressed. I guess I'm a little biased though since I have a bit more history with Teddy Ruxpin. |
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Post by theonemouse on Aug 5, 2008 5:40:48 GMT -7
As Teddy was not on sale at the time, I bought my neice a TJ Bear for Christmas 2 years ago. My Sister had a wild idea of comparing the TJ Bear to one of my working Teddy's. The difference is striking.
TJ = you can hear the mechanics inside, often distracts from the story. The synchro is also a little off when he speaks. Voice annoys the hell out of me.
Teddy = servos are not as loud, unless the bear get's old. The synchro is much better in the newer model than the older one. Voice isn't grating like the TJ Bear.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2008 6:53:33 GMT -7
I know one of the allures of the TJ Bear is his price tag. Teddy retailed for around $45/$50 in Wal-Mart if I remember correctly, and TJ was just $20/$30. It annoyed me because most people wouldn't know the difference, unless of course you're like us and grew up with a character and just a toy.
I think BP Toys is counting a lot on nostalgia to sell their product, but I'm not sure that's such a wise strategy. Nostalgia is nice, but it takes a bit more to sell something, especially when the competition can produce similar results with a cheaper retail price. Of course, that probably translates into a cheaper product too (I've never experienced the TJ Bear myself), but for something their kids will use a few times before getting bored of, parents probably won't mind.
See, for me (and maybe for some of you) Teddy was the equivalent to today's video games for kids. I never had a Nintendo system or a SEGA or Atari or anything like that, and Teddy was something that could literally keep me occupied for hours and hours. I had so many of the stories (a collection that has survived quite well for the last twenty years or so...) I would just pop in one tape after the other. I would watch the series over and over. Teddy really was more than just a toy. He was this living friend for me, and I'm glad to see him still alive and kicking (even in a small way...) after so many years. I'm also glad to see there are other fans out there who share this unique affection for him.
I hope BP Toys survives long enough to put out a few more products. Mainly more books and tapes would be nice to start. They may need to change their marketing strategy, but the price of Teddy has dropped quite a bit (at least online), so he's becoming more of a competitive product.
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Aug 5, 2008 16:27:32 GMT -7
^ I agree.
I think BP needs to market the heck out of Teddy. I'm talking plushies, bedsheets, school accessories, toys, etc. I'd love to be able to buy a Teddy plushie without having to troll Ebay.
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Post by theonemouse on Aug 5, 2008 17:34:37 GMT -7
I know there was a AdvRux ball cap on eBay right now. Bed sheets... (*big smile*) Oooooo... Damn, my finances would take a hit if new stuff came out.
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Post by TRO Admin on Aug 5, 2008 19:59:12 GMT -7
I too think that smaller Teddy products... sheets, hand puppets, hats, clothes, backpacks, etc. pushing the property would be a great thing. BackPack's release is still out there though, and I'm kind of leery of criticizing them at this point as they took a chance on Teddy nobody else would and it has unarguably paid off to at least some degree. We've got more Teddy products currently "in print" right now than we've had since the late 1980s... considering how long of a time span that is I think we should reserve our judgment a bit.
With that being said, BackPack probably (dont know for sure) doesn't have complete licsensing rights for everything Teddy... those still belong to AlchemyII. Since BackPack is in the toy business I doubt we will see a lot of these other items from them. Maybe it's time for us to get a letter writing campaign going to some clothing & home/office type manufacturers about getting some licensed Teddy products out there. Any ideas?
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Post by summerhayes on Aug 5, 2008 20:53:19 GMT -7
I do think what Backpack has done with Teddy so far is terrific. In my opinion, the Backpack version is almost right up there with the original Wow Teddy. (If I could get books for all of the Wow stories for the BackPack version, they might even tie!)
I would love to see licenced merchandise as well, but the stories and additional toys/ characters would be at the top of my list.
From what I do know about character licensing, usually the owner of the property will make a "licensing guide" with all of the artwork and guidelines for their characters inside. That way, a character doesn't end up being the wrong color or being in a pose that does not match the "property owner's" vision of the character. Then those guides are sent to various companies that manufacture licensed goods.
Obviously, if the manufacturer of the licensed goods felt there was a demand for items with Teddy and Co. they might approach the property owner (in this case BackPack or AlchemyII, whoever owns the rights).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2008 21:27:19 GMT -7
I agree that the BP Toys Teddy is the best Teddy since the original. They really managed to capture so much of him that made him great.
That being said, nothing can replace the history of the WOW Teddy. He is heavier, but there is a sentimental weight to that bear that no other possession of mine has. What a wonderful bear that is.
I wish BP Toys all the success in the world, but I think it's their marketing STRATEGY they have to change. I'm talking about simply getting Teddy's image out there. Put ads in magazines, newspapers, commercials on TV and radio, things like that. If they sit back and allow "nostalgia" to guide their ship, then it will sink rather quickly. If they can, on the other hand, breathe new life into Teddy and market him for an audience in the new millennium, then they may meet with more success.
Only time will tell, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the latter.
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