New & need advice on starting collection

[finn4]

Hi All,

Im an 80's kid & have always talked about starting my TR collection. Well, im finally readu to do it & after looking on Ebay @ all they have available, im leery of getting ripped off.
Mostly, the moths & eyes dont work, or the sellers dont know if they work due to missing cords?
My question is this: what does a TR need to include to make sure it works?
Cord? Tapes, etc
I think im looking to buy a TR version no newer than 92, as I believe thats the 1 i remember having as a kid.
I also have to have Grubby, as hes the cutest thing ever created
Thanks for any help/suggestions/advice

[kaylathehedgehog]

Welcome aboard! We hope you enjoy your stay.

If you're just concerned with Teddy, the only things you need are 4 "C" batteries and a tape. For Grubby, you need a working Teddy, 8 "C" batteries, a tape, and an animation cord. Grubby won't work solo. He's shy, apparently.

If you're worried about getting ripped off, you might want to consider bidding only on sellers with an extremely high feedback rating.

[Deleted]

Hi and welcome!

To add to what Kayla says, do bear in mind also that the smaller-sized AA-operated model of Teddy Ruxpin (it's colloquially known as "Teddy II", and was the longest-lived model, being available from 1988 until 1996) is not compatible with Grubby or any of the add-ons that used the expansion port.

As far as being ripped off on eBay goes, aside from feedback ratings (as Kayla mentioned), it's also worth being mindful of those who believe that the age of an item means that it is automatically rare and overcharge accordingly. The Teddy Ruxpin toy-line was a huge seller (and the original model of Teddy himself was the best-selling toy in the US for two years running, back in the day), and for the most part, items from it are usually by no means rare.

Also be wary of "He worked the last time I used him, before putting him into storage 20 years ago", and other similar means of pleading ignorance, as it doesn't always necessarily mean that they'll work now. For a "Teddy I"-model Teddy Ruxpin, and for Grubby, being stored for such a long time without being run will often mean that the servos will have become stuck and that Teddy's tape deck belts will have either gone brittle or perished, and for a "Teddy II" it generally means that the belts that run the animation system will have perished (though, bizarrely, this never really seems to affect the tape deck belts at all). These maladies are repairable, but it's all a matter of how much time, effort, and money you really want to spend, amongst other factors.

Additionally, there are some other places to look aside from eBay; Dr. Eeyore, who restores Teddy Ruxpins and Grubbys, has an "Orphan Adoption" page, and Whit Greene can do repairs and custom-designed re-workings (for example, he has made a polar Teddy Ruxpin, and a standing one), too.

[finn4]

Thank you guys for your help/advice on starting my collection! I have visited the Dr. Eeyore Hospital & asked about adopting an unwanted Grubby & Teddy I pair.
My next question is this: whats the map i see of Teddys world in some of the pics on the Dr.Eeyore site? & does anyone know where I can get one?
I havent seen that for sale online anywhere so far

[kaylathehedgehog]

It looks like the map that came with the Airship model.

[TRO Admin]

Welcome to the boards, Finn.

Everyone here has given you excellent advice. I personally would purchase one from Dr. Eeyore if I was starting a collection. You'll be purchasing one that has been refurbished and inspected and is guaranteed to be in working order. Adding to the collection is a better time to gamble on a slightly better price on Ebay.

Please stick around and share your adventures. We enjoy having new members.

Again, Welcome!
~Josh

[regan]

Hi guys im new here, but im a Teddy Ruxpin collector and super fan, I just bought the air ship model and all the figures plus the land of grondo map all unopened. If your worried about buying a teddy that may not work, why not buy one then get it fixed up I suggest the store Toystoration you can find them on esty. They clean the bear restuff it new part they even can give your teddy blue eyes if you like and wired arms to pose them.