Ty's Official Info Beanie...for daily reports, just click here.

• 14-April-99
  Here is the list, in the order they will be available, of the upcoming McDonald's TBB III:
  1. Freckles
  2. Antsy
  3. Smoochy
  4. Spunky
  5. Rocket
  6. Iggy
  7. Strut
  8. Nuts
  9. Claude
  10. Stretch
  11. Nook
  12. Chip
  

• 21-February-99
  There will definitely be Teenie Beanies in our future. McDonald's has officially given the go ahead for the spring promotion featuring 12 Teenies. The hottest news is the series of 4 TBB Collector's Set, with an international bear theme. The set will retail for $2.49 and include Glory, Erin, Maple and Britannia. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

• 9-January-99
  Some new Beanie birthdays:
  

  Butch (4227) 10/2/98
  Ewey (4219) 3/1/98
  Goatee (4235) 11/4/98
  Goochy (4230) 11/18/98
  Kicks (4229) 8/16/98
  Luke (4214) 6/15/98
  Millenium (4226) 1/1/99
  Mooch ( ) 8/1/98
  Nibbler (4216) 4/4/98
  Nibbly (4217) 5/7/98
  Sammy (4215) 6/23/98
  Scat (4231) 5/27/98
  Slippery (4222) 1/17/98
  Stilts (4221) 6/16/98
  Tiny (4233) 9/8/98
  Valentina (4233) 2/14/98
  99 Signature Bear - no birthday

• 8-January-99
  Ty has announced that all authentic 1999 Beanie Babies will have a morphing hologram and disappearing ink on each Beanie bottom tag.
  

  Ty has also posted their 1999 Retail Prices for Current Ty Products
  

  Beanie Babies $5-7
  Beanie Buddies $10
  Pillow Pals $10
  Attics $5-7
  $10
  

• 2-January-99
  Ty has announced their largest release of new Beanies (24, including 8 bears), Buddies, Attics and PillowPals. For a peek at the new stars, use your telescopes, and click here.

• 30-December-98
  Ty announced on 12/29 that is has retired the 1st (Charter) edition of the BBOC Membership Kit. The second version is expected in early 1999. If you haven't ordered your Clubby yet, you have until February 15th, so better hustle! Also retired is the first edition of the Beanie Trading cards. That was quick!

• 22-December-98
  Seems there is now a new variation of Mystic....with rainbow colored yarn....but as MacKenzie, it has only been sighted in Canada (what gives Ty?) and of course, on Ebay.

• 16-December-98
  Well, I will give Ty "e" for effort for their newest gimick...they have announced that in conjunction with Comet Systems, they now have "Beanie Baby and Friends" cursors. Cute, but they only work on the Ty site...at least for now....because they're free. To view or download them, click here.
  

  Ty is also once again disclaiming sales to Mass Merchants or Discount stores. They list:
  Albertson's
  Coscto
  Fred Meyer
  Kay Bee Toys
  Jewel/Osco
  Kroger
  Long Drugs
  

  Ever wonder where they are getting them? Think hard Ty.

• 12-December-98
  Well, it would seem Ty has finished the retirement announcements...the grand total....34. Not many left.

• 11-December-98
  Say goodbye to Chocolate (FINALLY), Roary (no surprise), Ivy (also no surprise) and Glory (big surprise!). Any currents left????

• 7-December-98
  And the list continues.....add Spike, Pinky (finally), Congo and Iris. Hmmm.....wonder if Chocolate and Bongo will make the cut?

• 6-December-98
  It would seem 4 more Beanies and Attics are being "dumped...Fleece, Snip, Peter and of course, Jangles. Not too many Fall 98 "Holiday" releases left.

• 5-December-98
  Well, I was wrong about Mel, but Pumkin and Claude are in the soon to be leaving group, as are the following:
  Wise, Esmerelda, Ants, Doby, Nuts, Tuffy and now Curly.

• 3-December-98
  It's just a guess, but I think perhaps Pumkin, Claude and possibly Mel may be in the next group to go!

• 2-December-98
  More "games", more "soon to be retirees"....Scoop, Stinger, Fetch and Valentino for the Beanies and Laurel for the Attics. Oh, what fun...not!

• 1-December-98
  Well, the timing was a surprise, but little else was...Ty announced today the "retirement" of Zero, Santa and the 1998 Teddy, with 4 more "retirements" to come. How nice of them to "let us know a month in advance, so [our] collection can grow...." How many of you have seen the 1998 Teddy on store shelves? I've only seen it up for sale or auction on the net. My suppliers have not received one shipment from Ty containing the 1998 Teddy...not one.

• 9-November-98
  A new Attic? It seems an Attic Treasure named MacKenzie is popping up on Ebay. It is reportedly a 12 inch tan bear, wearing a red and white "Maple Leaf" sweater. A gift for our northern neighbors? Funny...there is no official mention of it on the Ty site. What gives?

• 5-November-98
  Beanie Buddies are Sold OUT!!!!
  

  Ty has announced today that their new Beanie Buddies are sold out until January of 1999. They are blaming it on Tylon, the new material used to manufacture the plush toys. They state that the "original 9" Buddies that were introduced this fall and ordered in October will be shipped in October and November, through out the USA, Canada and Europe. I don't quite understand that, as retailers I know personally have not received any orders from Ty in 8 weeks and have yet to receive a shipping notice. Oh, and one more thing....Ty also states that "retirements may be anticipated".

• 26-October-98
  Has Ty "changed" Batty??? I haven't seen the "new" version as yet, but have been told that Batty's new look is tie-dyed....with muted colors, like Claude. Will provide a pic ASAP!

• 22-October-98
  More double talk from Ty.....their "New" Shipping Policy:
  

  "It is our desire to make available enough of our product for all consumers to purchase at a fair price. However, currently the demand for our product far exceeds our supply. For this reason, we're instituting a new shipping policy. We will ship our product to accounts that are our most supportive first. Once we've done this-any remaining product will be shipped to our other accounts."
  

  Hmmm.....wonder who or what is considered a "supportive" account? I've been told by a Ty rep this only means retailers that "support" Ty, Inc. by purchasing more than just Beanie Babies, that is, retailers that order Ty Plush, Pillow Pals, Attic Treasures and/or BBOC kits, etc., in addition to Beanie Babies.

• 21-October-98
  The change promised back in May of this year has finally occurred.....the new Attic Treasures (at least most of them) are now sporting a new tag....the red heart tag so familiar to all of us. Took them a while! Pictures as soon as posssible!

• 20-October-98
  Newsflash from Ty! Pricing Philosophy Update

  Ty's pricing policy is permanently posted on our website for consumers and Ty accounts to refer to at any time. Situations we currently observe in the marketplace compel us to reiterate this policy.

  Beanie Babies plush styles are designed for children to collect and are priced around $5.00. This includes all current styles, new product introductions, as well as high demand items, such as Princess, Erin, Fortune, Glory, Valentino and Curly, etc. We expect every Ty account to place every Beanie Baby shipped on their shelves so that each consumer has the opportunity to purchase every style that we produce and each style they want.

  One more time: If we ship it and it's current on www.ty.com, it should be on the shelf for around $5.00. NO exceptions, anywhere, anytime, by any Ty direct account.

  Sounds great, huh? I'll believe it when I see it. Also, with Ty's new policy of decreased numbers of Beanies being shipped, how many of us will just have pictures of the new Beanies, Buddies and Attics. Expect Ty to pull another January retirement debacle!

• 11-October-98
  A Clubby variation???? Noted on 2 Clubby tush tags....the number 01 to the right and above the red star, while the other Clubby has a tush tag bearing (sorry for the pun) the number 02.

• 7-October-98
  Unveiled on October 6th was Ty's newest and possibly least produced Beanie. This special guy is named Billionaire the Bear, a dark brown bear, made from Ty's new Tylon fabric, with an embroidered green dollar sign on it's chest. The bear was given to Ty, Inc. staff members to celebrate having sold 1 billion dollars worth of product since January 1998. According to "reliable" sources, each employee was given 2 of these rare bears, and as expected, they are already showing up on Ebay's auction site. Signed by Ty Warner himself, the tag reads:
  In recognition of value and contributions
  in shipping over a
  billion dollars since January '98
  I present to you this exclusive
  signed bear!
  

  I think he would be better off rewarding the people who have made him rich, namely his customers, by improving his erratic shipping practices.

  

  

• 5-October-98
  Numerous newspaper articles and a well respected cable financial channel have been reporting that the Beanie "bubble" is about to burst. Mary Beth Sobolewski refutes this. Click here to read her article.

• 4-October-98
  Guess what the material on the Beanie Buddies is called? Tylon! Cute, uh? Seems Ty himself (?)developed it. Will his talents never cease?

• 4-October-98
  The new Beanies and Buddies are beeing seen in selected stores around the country. The retailers report that their invoices read "Promotion", so don't expect all the Ty retailers to get the new releases this quickly. It appears that Ty is doing some "test marketing". Anyway, here is some Beanie Buddy tag information:

  Humphrey's tag reads: Humphrey the Beanie Baby was one of the first to be retired. Very few were produced, making him highly collectible.

  Peanut's tag reads: Peanut the Beanie Baby made in Royal Blue color is extremely rare and very valuable!

  Quacker's Tag reads: Quacker the Beanie Baby retired in May 1998 was once made without wings!

  Stretch's tag reads: Stretch the Beanie baby is one of the most difficult to produce due to her long neck and numerous parts!

  Rover's tag reads: Rover the Beanie Baby was the first non-breed dog. Introduced in the summer of 1996 this red color set him apart!

  Twigs tag reads: Twigs the Beanie Baby was manufactured in fabric created exclusively for Ty and was retired in May 1998!

  Jake's tag reads: Jake the Beanie Baby due to his numerous colors was difficult to manufacture making him one of the most sought after!

  Beak's tag reads:Beak the Beanie Baby and Beak the Beanie Buddy are the first to be released as a set.

  Eye witness reports indicate that the Buddy's plush is definitely different and a much nicer than on previous plush items. They are also "beanless" and appear to be stuffed with foam? I haven't seem them myself, so I'm only passing on what I've heard.

  The new Beanies were also on sale and the following are their poems and birthdays.

  Beak - Birthdate:February 3, 1998
  Isn't this just the funniest bird?
  When we saw her, we said "how absurd"
  Looks aren't everything, this we know
  Her love for you, she's sure to show!
  

  Canyon - Birthdate: May 29, 1998
  I climb rocks and run really fast
  Try to catch me, it's a blast
  Through the mountains I used to roam
  Now in your room, I'll call it home.
  

  Halo - Birthdate: August 31, 1998
  When you sleep, I'm always here
  Don't be afraid, I am near
  Watching over you with lots of love
  Your guardian angel form above!
  

  Loosy - Birthdate:March 29, 1998
  A tale has been told
  Of a goose that laid gold
  but try as she might
  Loosy's egg are just white!
  

  Pumkin - Birthdate: October 31, 1998
  Ghosts and goblins are out tonight
  Witches try hard to cause some firght
  This little pumpkin is very sweet
  He only wants to trick-or-treat!
  

  Roam - Birthdate: September 27, 1998
  Once roaming wild on the American land
  Tall and strong, wooly and grand
  So rare and special is this guy
  Find him quickly, he is quite a buy
  

  Scorch - Birthdate: July 31, 1998
  A magical mystery with glowing wings
  Made by wizards and other things
  Known to breathe fire with lots of smoke
  Scorch is really a friendly ol' bloke!
  

  Santa - December 6, 1998
  Known by all in his suit of red
  Piles of presents on his sled
  Generous and giving he brings us joy
  Peace and Love, plus a special toy.
  

  Zero - Birthdate: January 2, 1998
  Penguins love the ice and snow
  Playing in weather twenty below
  Antartica is where I love to be
  Splashing in the cold, cold sea.
  

  1998 Teddy - Birthdate: December 25, 1998 Dressed in his pj's and ready for bed
  Hugs given, good nights said
  This little Beanie will stay close at night
  Ready for a hug at first morning light.
  

  I'll pass on more sightings and information as I receive it!

• 2-October-98
  It's official.....Ty retailers will only be able to order 24 of each of the new Beanies....at least for the first order. The orders were accpeted on October 1st. Wholesale value on the new Buddies is said to be either $5 or $6, with a retail price of $12.00.

• 1-October-98
  Just heard from a Ty retailer.....the "pastel" Peace may have been an error. The last shipment of Peace they received were the "old" variety. Wonder if this rumor is true?

• 30-Spetember-98
  THEY'RE HERE! New Beanies, Attics, PillowPals AND introducing Beanie Buddies!

  

  The Beanie Buddies are bigger than Beanies and a Ty rep has told us that the material will be different. The poem reads:

  The Beanie buddies have come to play
  How long they're here we can not say
  They have grown bigger, a cut above
  Size does matter when there's more to love!

  

  The new Beanies Buddies are: Quackers, Cranberry Teddy, Beak, Stretch, Humphrey, Twigs, Royal Blue Peanut, Jake and Rover.

  To see closer pics of the new Buddies, click here.

  The new Beanies are: Scorch the Dragon, Beak the Kiwi, Zero the Penguin, Halo the Angel Bear, Loosy the Goose, Pumkin the Pumpkin, 1998 Holiday Bear, Canyon the Cougar and Santa!

  To see closer pics of the new Beanies, click here.

  

  The new Attics are: Gem, Tyrone, Isabella, Esmeralda (the Witch), Sterling (the silver Angel Bear), Jangle (the Christmas Bear), Laurel and Peter (the Pumkin Bear). The new PillowPal is Antlers!

  A Ty rep has verified that only 6 of the new Beanie Buddies may be ordered this month. No word as yet on the number of Beanies or Attics.

• 28-September-98
  "That's all folks.....we think".....I know we are getting close to Halloween, but can Ty be serious about letting the number of new retirees remain at 13? With the retirement today of Stinky....that's the count. I don't think so.....I think they have one more surprise to go!

• 26-September-98
  Another day, another retirement announcement.....the following Pillow Pals have now been relieved of duty: Clover, Moo, Oink, Red, Ribbit and Tubby.

• 24-September-98
  Crunch was deep sixed by Ty today, bringing the total of "terminated" Beanies to 12.

• 23-September-98
  After talking to a Ty rep yesterday, I'm beginning to think something BIG is in the works at Ty. The reps are receiving cryptic faxes daily and the current rumor is that the entire Attic Treasures' line may soon be history.....with a "new" line to be introduced to replace it. It's another "only time will tell"........

• 22-September-98
  Bernie, Sly and Wrinkles and have now joined the other 8 newly retired Beanies at the unemployement office. Expect more retirements as the "cats" have been spared so far.....and don't be surprised if October 1st brings us news of new Beanies....a hummingbird perhaps....maybe a new insect or arthropod?

• 21-September-98
  Is there a "Santa" Beanie in Ty's future? We have seen pics of a Beanie named Santa, complete with tags, poem and birthday. The barcode number is consistent with a new Beanie, but the Beanie itself just doesn't look up to Ty's usual standards. Only time will tell. Also seen was a Beanie named Zero, "Waddles" with a red ski cap......hmmm....again, we'll have to wait and see.

  

  

• 20-September-98
  Add 8 Attic Treasures to the growing list of retirees: Bearington, Chelsea, Grace, Montgomery, Precious, Prince, Sire and Squeaky. Looks to me like Ty is really cleaning house. They are retiring the larger and less popular Attics, hopefully to make way for new bears, in the smaller, more popular size. But that's just my theory......however, the smaller Attics seem to have more appeal, and bears are always top sellers! Don't be surprised if the Plush line is next to see "lay-offs" and stay tuned for "new" Beanies and Attics to be announced very soon. Wise has been hinting about "new" friends for days!

• 19-September-98
  Well, the newly retired Beanies now number 8...Blackie, Bruno, Daisy, Puffer, Ringo, Seaweed, Snort and Spinner. Ty has been throwing us curve balls all week!

• 11-September-98
  Clubby is finally being shipped. I've received mine and so have several friends....so keep checking the mail! As for the emblem, it is definitely a pin, not stitched!

• 2-September-98
  HOT off the presses!!!! On September 1st, Ty retailers received a fax from Ty stating that they will only be allowed to order 12 of each of the older beanies, but may continue to order 36 of the new releases. What do you think that means? This could be some upcoming retirement.....so check your stock now!!!!!

• 17-August-98
  Not only has Ty now correctly labled Rainbow and Iggy, but it seems their material was switched at birth. That has now been corrected. The new Iggy is blue, but looks like Rainbow, complete with green felt back ridge and no neck collar, but is without a tongue. Rainbow now has Iggy's old neck collar.....confused yet? Well, they are starting to be seen in stores and I'll post a pic ASAP!

• 3-August-98
  Ty has announced it will begin retailing new merchandise in late September or early October. They are planning a monthly wall calendar, a weekly calendar and a heart shaped daily desktop calendar. Each will retail for $10.00. Trading cards will also be sold, with 9 cards to a pack, selling for $2.00. Also available will be a collector's storage binder for $10.00. And not to be out done by others, Ty will also be producing their own heart tag protectors, of course, with the Ty logo embossed on the front.

• The following is the list of July 31st Attic Treaures retirements:
  Amethyst
  Christopher
  Dickens
  Ebony
  Frasier
  Gloria (this one I find very hard to understand)
  Morgan
  Scotch
  Sidney
  

• It's official.....Clubby's birthday is July 7th, 1998 and his poem is as follows:

  
  Wearing the Club Pin for all to see,
  He's a proud member like you and me.
  Made espeacially with you in mind,
  Clubby the Bear is one of a kind!
  

  

• Great news! Beanie Babies are no longer illegal immigrants. The maker of the Beanies, Ty, Inc. has agreed to allow foreign travelers to bring up to 30 of the bean bag toys into the US from abroad. However, no more than 3 of any single style will be allowed. This is a great improvement from the one they were allowing you! Cheers for Ty!

• Could Ty suddenly be getting "religion"? Look at the 2 "prayers" found inside the hang tags of the new Pillow Pals Sherbert and Paddles.

  

  

• Smoochy definitely had face work done...his red yarn mouth has been replaced by red felt. Why? I wonder if he and Rainbow use the same plastic surgeon...um....seamstress.....make-up artist....designer??????

• Looks like Peace may have a "new" look! All the recent shipments from Ty I have seen have Peace all in pastel colors.....noticably lighter than his past coloration. I wonder if this is a permanent change? I hope so, he looks GREAT!
  

• For the past month there have been many reports of Beanie Baby tush tags (on the new releases and Beanies being made at this time) with unusual markings on them. They are located on the inside of the tag and appear to be stamped on. The mark is oval with Chinese characters on it, a number and a star. Ty is reportedly doing this to as a way to track the factory of origin in China.
  

• On the Beanies I've seen, the stamp appears much redder in color than it appears in the above picture.

• Some 1998 Teenie Beanies contained small pieces of paper inside the plastic bags similar in appearance to play money. Be nice if they were redeemable for something.....but please, NOT a Happy Meal!!!!!

  

  

• As seen on the Eurobean Website (http://www.fareham.net/index.shtml) Princess is reportedly the first toy to be officially approved to carry the Diana logo. The Ty company will now either have to retire her early, attempt to get permission to produce her again or change her tag. Collectors in Europe are now scrambling to find her, because they fear she may be retired early. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. I reported this one once before. (see below)

• Well, now it seems Ty is going into the retail end of the business too! In conjunction with W.H. Smith, it has opened a pilot store called Tyrrific at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Could this mark the beginning of the end of the small, private Ty retailer? I doubt it!

• The buzz going around is get your Wise the Owl while you can, before he pulls a disappearing act like the Christmas Teddy did!

• Rumor has it we will be seeing a tie-dyed bunny in the next group of new Beanies.....how about the name Funny Bunny......Fit-to-be-dyed Bunny???? OK.....give me your suggestions!

• OK....is Princess going to be retired next fall or are we just going to see a tag change???? Anybody have any guesses?

• Ty, in their infinite wisdom,announced in their January newsletter that all Iggy's and Rainbow were mistagged.......duh!

• From a Ty source....beginning with the new Attics, released this summer, the beige and maroon tag will be changed back to the familiar red and white heart tag.

• Is it true that Ty is actually placing undercover detectives in retail stores reported to be selling at inflated prices?

• Is it true these stores, if found out, will have their "ties" with Ty revoked?