Not Warm and Fuzzy - Bear Builder Build-A-Bear Employee Review

2.0
May 6, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Has the potential to be a great place to work. - Get to have fun and be silly with the customers. - Get paid on your Birthday without coming to work!

Cons

In a word: the management. It's possible that other Build-A-Bear locations are awesome but the head-manager at the place that I worked made the atmosphere nearly unbearable. She has unrealistic expectations and becomes furious when they aren't met, which is most of the time. I'm a straight-A college student, a hard-worker, and I would still be reprimanded on a daily basis. The drive to push sound sales and to force people to sign up for our rewards program became a huge source of stress. The store has had to hire a new set of bear-builders at least once every year because of how many people can't stand the negative atmosphere anymore and quit. Other minor cons include being "On-call" for shifts and having to push products such as sounds/heartbeats that don't work well. Also, large flagship stores have to deal with unavoidable long lines during the holidays and as a result, aggravated customers.

Explore other reviews about Build-A-Bear

5.0
Jun 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Was easy and got to work with people

Cons

Pay not great, no where to go

4.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Friendly, fast pace, organized, good first job

Cons

Low salary, at times retail lows

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