Teddy Bear Repair and Care
11 years
A one-person postal repair business run by Charlotte, who trained with Bear It In Mind from 2015 and works on bears and soft toys of any age or condition, including plush, mohair and sheepskin. Her books are closed at the moment, she only takes items by post, and she will not quote from photographs.
Getting hold of them
Email is the way in. They do not take cold calls.
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.
Nobody has told us who covers the outward leg. Ask, because that is the half people forget.
If it is lost or damaged
Their website does not say what happens if your item is lost or damaged while they have it.
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
Works in modern synthetic plush, mohair.
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.
- Won't quote from photos. Needs it in hand first
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.
- “Please note, I can only accept your bear/ soft toy via the post.”
- “I am unable to provide a quote by photographs, as there can be many variables that cannot be gauged by a photo.”
- “Due to the large volume of requests, I am sorry that I will not be able to reply to everyone. Please refrain from sending any messages until my books are open.”
Getting it there
- Takes work by post
- Nowhere to bring it. Everything comes by post
- Comes back standard
Money
- Will not quote until it is in their hands. Looking at it costs nothing
Anything else they say
- Due to high demand, my books are only open for limited windows.
- My books are currently closed due to high demand. I will post updates on here and Facebook/Instagram when my books will be reopening.
- If successful you will be inviting you to send your bear/soft toy for a free no-obligation quote.
- Your bear or soft toy can be of any age or condition. No job is too big or too small to discuss, and I work on all types of fabric including plush, mohair and sheepskin.
- My aim is purely to strengthen and preserve.