Davey Bears
Cornwall
A teddy bear hospital and soft toy cleaning workshop in Cornwall, run by Angie, doing cleaning, restuffing, repairs such as eyes, seams, paw pads, joints and detached heads, and full restoration of vintage bears. Dog attack rebuilds are taken case by case, work is quoted after they inspect the bear, and you have to phone to book a posting slot.
Getting hold of them
- Their own site
- You can walk in at
She would rather you rang. Email tends to sit.
If it gets lost
Not stated
This is a blank on their page, not an answer from them. We have never asked anybody in this trade the question. Of the 185 businesses we have read, 4 have written anything down about losing an item: 2 say it is insured, 2 say the risk is yours. The other 181 are silent, and silence is not a policy either way.
If you would rather not have to phrase it
“Before I send it, can I ask what happens if it gets lost or damaged while it’s with you? I’m not trying to catch you out, it just can’t be replaced. Whatever the answer is, could you put it in an email so I’ve got it in writing?”
“No, we don’t cover it” is a fine answer to get. It tells you to insure the post yourself for the full amount, both ways.
They return it by TRACKED POST. Naming a tracked service is not the same as accepting liability for it.
Getting it there is on you, and the cover above may not start until it arrives. Send it tracked and insured, whatever it costs.
If it is lost or damaged
Their website does not say what happens if your item is lost or damaged while they have it. Return postage is paid by you.
Ask before you post anything you could not replace. Only four of the businesses we hold publish an answer to this.
What they take on
- Full restoration and rebuilds
- Mending and seams
- Restuffing
- Cleaning on its own
- Deodorising and allergens
- Fur restoration, de-matting and pile lifting
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
Works in mohair, foam crumb filling.
What they won’t do
The part every other directory leaves out. None of this is a criticism. It is how you avoid three wasted weeks.
- Quotes from photos, then revises it once it arrives
- Won't accept anything by post until they give you a date to send it
Their exact words on what they refuse
Quoted from their own pages, unedited, because a paraphrase of a refusal is the kind of thing you find out was wrong three weeks in.
- “Any Teddy Bear arriving in any of the below conditions will be sent back immediately by issue of an invoice for return postage cost at the Clients expense. If the Client refuses return postage payment, the Teddy Bear WILL be disposed of.”
- “1) Smelling extremely bad, or strongly of cigarette smoke/weed/other. In a consistent, heavy smoking environment Teddy Bears are impregnated with carcinogenic smoke throughout the stuffing, can often feel sticky to the touch and are not pleasant to work on.”
- “2) Arrival with any type of human or animal bodily fluids on or in the Teddy Bear, such as blood, urine, faeces, vomit.”
- “3) A Moth infestation.If your Mohair Teddy has moth casings, larvae or eggs, this could spread to other Teddy Bears in the hospital, and we cannot take the risk of this happening.”
- “All dog attack victims are taken in on a case by case basis and are heavily dependent on our current workload.”
- “PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept cheques.”
Getting it there
- Takes work by post
- You can bring it in
- Comes back standard
- Takes work from overseas
Money
- Quotes from photographs for a fee, then revises on arrival
Anything else they say
- As you can appreciate, this varies hugely dependent on the condition of the Teddy Bear and its age and why we don’t have a set price list. Only the items specified and agreed with you beforehand will be done.
- On receipt of your treasured Teddy Bear/Toy, Ange will let you know immediately that they have arrived at Davey Bears HQ to put your mind at rest, as we know how important they are to you!
- Please let us know within 48 hours of any issue you have, together with a photo/s, we can discuss further options available to resolve the issue and give you a successful, happy outcome.
- A fully itemised invoice will be sent by email to the address you provided - please check your junk/spam folders as they can land there. Payment is due immediately on completion of the service; if you sent us your Teddy Bear via post, the cost of return Tracked P&P will be added.
- MY TEDDY HAS MOTHS! WHAT DO I DO? DO NOT FREEZE!!! This is commonly advised online, but for vintage Teddies, can cause irreparable damage.
- the aim is to preserve their history, character and charm using 40+ years of sewing and embroidery experience
- Some toys made in the 1960s and 1970s have old foam crumb fillings which as they break down, turn to a ‘sand like’ dusty substance which is carcinogenic.
- Before work begins, we assess each bear’s condition, history and individual needs, and where possible identify its maker to help ensure an accurate and sympathetic restoration.