More of this Feature • Magazine Review • About Ms. Janie • Are Beanie's Dead? • Beanie Babies Poll

Elsewhere on the Web • Ms. Janie's Collector's Studio • Ty Online Store

Recently a collector dismayed to find yet another favorite retailer that will no longer be selling Ty Beanie Babies and posed the question to Ms. Janie -- "Is this the beginning of the end of Beanie Collectors?" Daniels has graciously allowed us to post her response.

From Ms. Janie:
While I too was sad to receive Rye's announcement, I do not believe it will be the end of Beanies. The current market is slow and with Ty Canada in receivership and retailers across the country concerned with the economy, anything is possible. But diehard collectors will always find these toys desirable and collectible.

Much of the excitement has gone for many and that can be blamed on a handful of reasons, which I will not get into at this time. While Ty still remains to generate popular press, and their generosity surpasses many, they simply cannot remain on top forever. Their products have wowed collectors for many years, their pricing has remained stable and their Beanie line is still adorable.

I see one BIG problem for Ty and their future. It's hard to top the best! In other words, it takes time to climb the ladder, but once there, it's even harder to stay.

YES, the Ty Company has made mistakes, who hasn't? But in trying to please collectors mistakes are bound to happen. Sometimes I do have to wonder if they truly know who their collectors are? Although these toys were intended for children, in my opinion, they have been everything but that for the past few years. The company must get in touch with their true collectors in order to remain afloat. The market place is unfriendly at this time and its survival depends on their next marketing ploy! This holds true for many companies, it's a make or break time to witness who may survive the next holiday season.

Ty's latest appearances appeared to delight retailers. Maybe its time to take off the blinders and venture out in public more often. Put the man and name behind the product. Allow collectors to get up close and personal and it may just do the trick! I've asked for a personal interview for years, I'm still waiting but I can guarantee you the questions would be very interesting. There is so much that we still do not know about this man. What's the driving force behind him? Why toys? How do toys and hotels mix? I realize that Ty's mystique has been one of the attractions to Beanies, but when the chips are down, anything goes.

I ask you to ponder one question. Has there been a toy introduced in the last 5 years that has taken the market by storm and that could possibly knock Ty off his pedestal? If it has, I am not aware of it.