Winey Bears Repair
43 years
A postal stuffed animal repair service started in 1983 by Sally Winey, working to three set packages: clean and restuff, stitching and part replacement, and full restoration. They rebuild missing limbs and take on dog-attack damage, and the price includes shipping the toy back to you.
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 mail yourself for the full amount, both ways.
They cover the mail on the way there. You will be sent a label.
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
- Cleaning on its own
- Fur restoration, de-matting and pile lifting
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
Works in modern synthetic plush.
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.
- Replaces the old stuffing. Whether they will make an exception is not stated, so ask
- Restores to as-new unless you say otherwise
- Doesn't say whether you can bring it in person
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.
- “There are instances where the material is simply too old to be repaired.”
- “When matching materials or eyes/nose we cannot always get an exact match.”
Getting it there
- Takes work by mail
- Doesn’t say whether you can bring it in
- Comes back standard
Money
- Fixed menu of prices, so you know before you send it
Anything else they say
- Winey Bears was founded in 1983 by Sally Winey. For decades she lovingly hand-made, designed, and repaired stuffed animals, bringing comfort and joy to families everywhere.
- Please download, complete, and include our Patient Intake Forms with your stuffed animal when you send them in for their repair.
- You are responsible for paying for the shipping of your stuffed animal to Winey Bears. The price of the service includes the return shipping from Winey Bears back to your home.
- All stuffed animals are stuffed with polyester fiber fill.
- Can I provide my own materials? Absolutely! If you have a certain material or product you would like used you can always supply your own materials.
- The cleaning process will likely brighten your stuffed animal. We also brush them which will give them more fluff.
- Always include a note with any specific instructions to help us best meet your expectations.
- Corrected by the claim audit. Nothing on their site mentions fire, flood, smoke or water damage. They were outranking four dedicated restoration firms on a disaster search.