OK, before you jump to totally negative conclusions about the problems with the TyTrade site, one should remember:

1. It is an entirely new site

2. It began in June, as Ty promised-- albeit almost on the last day of the month and just before a prolonged holiday

3. Those weathered Beanie fans will certainly remember the fiascos that occurred with A) his Cyber Boards when they first appeared, then disappeared, then reappeared again..B) ordering the Clubby Beanies and Buddies online..C) his numerous past shipping irregularities..D) the total stagnation of the BBOC part of his site, among other apparent infrastructural glitches

4. does he only pay his obviously deficiently prepared programmers in overstocked creased-tag Beanies that he can't get some celebrity to sign and then donate to eBay? And are they really nerdy neighborood kids?

Here are SOME of the emails concerning his new site received from TWO different VERY seasoned Beanie Internet newsgroups to which I have been a happy subscriber for several years already-- among the 100s which must exist!

In a message dated 01/07/2000 20:22:49, gsn writes:

<< Has any one got e-mails back for the ty-trade list yet? I registered at 6:30 a.m. this morning and still nothing...just wondering... >>

In a message dated 01/07/2000 20:29:32, ado writes:

<< You're not alone, Gary! I registered at about 10AM EST this morning - no email yet. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 00:11:07, nsh writes:

<< Here's how screwy this whole thing is:

I was able to register last night using my name and my regular email address. But as of this moment I haven't received the confirming email and haven't been able to finalize the process.

About an hour ago I registered again using my husband's name and my Yahoo email address. It took a very, very, very long time for each page to load - I was afraid that they would time out, but I was able to complete the registration with no glitches. About 45 minutes later I checked Yahoo mail and I had the confirming letter! I clicked on the URL as instructed to reply and 3 times got a "page not found" message. Huh? So I switched to Internet Explorer (I was using Netscape) and I was able to confirm.

I then went back to Netscape and attempted to sign in. The first time I tried I got a message that I wasn't using a valid ID or Password. Tried again with the same info and was successful. I was able to place an order and that part worked just as well as all other online shopping carts that I've tried.

I won't believe any of this until I actually have 2 Speckles in my hot little hands. I am all to aware of the difficulties that people have experienced with Cyrk. But I'm on my way.

My advice to anyone who hasn't been able to register yet or wants to register more than once but hasn't had a confirming email - set up a Yahoo email account and use that. It worked for me! >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 00:27:35, sen writes:

<< Well, I've registered twice with two different e-mail addys and no confirmation yet. One was done Friday night and one was done this morning. Ty has severed its ties with Cyrk, so they are out of the picture. This is all Ty.

I sent a message to the link at the bottom of the registration screen and they only work M-F and it says it will take 3 business days for a response. So with the holiday, I'm guessing I'll be very lucky if I hear back by next Friday. And I'm NOT going to keep creating new e-mail addresses I never check just to satisfy Ty because he can't run his website right. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 01:13:17, Ray writes:

<< I just registered with TY Trade tonight too. I had the same problems that you had too. I set up my Ty Trade account using my AOL email address (Ray), no need to use my Yahoo email account. It was screwy and frustrating too! It took almost 15 tries to get a username that wasn't already used. It took almost 1.5 hours from begin to finish to register and order the Speckles e-beanie.

I guess the time spent at Ty Trade was well worth it, I just checked my email and I got my confirmation to my Speckles order! Guess I lucked out...Hope things work out for everyody else. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 01:17:13, sen writes:

<< Not mad at anyone but Ty. I got the confirmation page on both registrations. Just no confirmation e-mail. That's the frustrating part!

I'm happy someone is able to use his screwy site. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 02:19:37, mea writes:

<< hehehehee..............Chris is all mad at me because I was able to register and get my 2 Speckles beanies ordered on the TY Trade site and even have my order number. I am good to go.

OK.....off to the next email address while Chris yells at her computer....LOL >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 02:50:34, sen writes:

<< OK, so I tried a third e-mail address and got the confirmation page for the third time and finally THIS time I got the confirmation e-mail from Ty. Sheesh!

So I ordered but did anyone else notice the page is not secure? I usually don't order anything from the net without a secure connection.
>>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 02:55:13, sen writes:

<< OK, so I'm in the site poking around. Straight from the TyTrade Cyberpoints Section:

Only registered users of Ty Trade can earn Cyberpoints. Currently, Cyberpoints can only be earned by participating in any of the following earning activities:

1. If you successfully complete the registration process before July 14, 2000, you will earn 50 Cyberpoints; if you successfully complete the registration process on or after July 14, 2000, you will earn 25 Cyberpoints.

2. If you purchase an exclusive offering, you will earn 1 Cyberpoint for every dollar you spend (rounded to the nearest dollar). The Cyberpoints will be credited to your account when your purchase is shipped.

3. If you post an item on Ty Trade's auction feature, you will earn 5 Cyberpoints.

4. If you post an item on Ty Trade's auction feature that results in a winning bid, you will earn Cyberpoints equal to your sale amount (rounded to the nearest dollar).

5. Upon your first addition to either "My Collection" or "My Wishlist" you will be entitled to a one time award of 25 Cyberpoints.

So you better register before July 14th to get the maximum points... >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 03:17:53, mea writes:

<< It has that little lock thingy down in the corner, but it doesn't have whatever that icon is that shows it is secure. Ty must be desperate for money and needs to borrow our cards.....LOL >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 09:45:50, gsn writes:

<< Just to let all those know that responded and keep in touch...been 24 hours and still no e-mail confirmation here for TyTrade registration...will keep you all posted IF and when I get the response. Good luck... >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 11:11:01, aaa writes:

<< It is still not over........once you get your confirmation letter, they send you a e-mail with a url to complete registration. People are having problems with it because the site says page not found or it doesn't work.................then...............You have to get the password and login to work to order that bear.

Hang in there just 2 more obsticals. Oh....for your information that site has had 7 millions hits since Thursday night.....I would love a quarter for every hit. ;o) >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 11:47:20, ces writes:

<< I registered on Saturday morning with no trouble but still no email from Ty and it is now Sunday noon........who knows??? >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 11:59:22, NLi writes:

<< Just wanted to let you all know I registered just a while ago and received my approval within 5 mins....activated my account and ordered 2 of the ebears.. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 12:01:59, Foo writes:

<< I also registered yesterday morning and still haven't received any confirmation email! How EXASPERATING!! >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 14:50:11, gra writes:

<< This morning I successfully registered, received my confirming email, and purchased my two Speckles. I also registered my boyfriend, as his mother is a collector but does not have a computer. Well..... he received the confirming email and activated his account. But he can't log into the site. The address on the error response says "cookietest". We think Ty has set it up so an individual has to use the same computer that she/he registered from. If we are right, that means I can't surf tytrade or bid on auctions from work. I can't find the option to register as him. I know several people said they registered under multiple names. Have anyone tried to get in under these multiple names? Suggestions and advice will be gratefully accepted. I did think about blowing away my cookies, but I don't want to mess up my account. I will try going into his account via IE, I am strictly a netscape user myself. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 15:48:55, har writes:

<< Ty Trade- I was able to register, received my approval, but cannot log in, says my id or password is invalid. I emailed for help, but have not heard back. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 16:08:54, jos writes:

<< I had the exact same problem on the TyTrade log in.Everything smooth until I tried to logon. Got same message as you did.I did get an automated reply saying I should hear from someone in 3 days. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 16:39:24, rlj writes:

<< I am sorry to hear so many are having problems with the new TyTrade site, but not surprised. It was two days after SmartCollecting reported the site was up before I could get it ... kept returning to the Ty homepage. But, after I was finally able to see it late Saturday, I was able to register (took tons of patience as the pages were really slow coming up and I have a cable modem!!!). I think the site should have explained that you needed to wait for the zipcode to search a city/state database ... I could not figure that out until I saw it later in a newsletter. I thought their website builder just did a lousy job of setting up the registration page. :0)
.

Then getting the bears took even more patience since the pages were even slower. My order number was just over 3000, so I guess a lot of people are having problems ... I figured a lot more people than that would have ordered
Speckles by now. >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 18:23:21, krk writes:

<< ARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!

Ok, here how it has gone so far: I tried to register with my usual user id (which is a combo of letters and numbers) and my usual e-mail. I kept getting an error message that my user name or email address was already in use. I tried every single combo under the sun for a user name, and got the same thing. So I tried using an alternate e-mail address - same thing, but when I changed my user name from my usual one, to another one, I was able to register. I got the confirming e-mail quickly, and then clicked on the huge URL to confirm and complete registration. Did that, got confirmation screen. Tried to use then log in on the TY Trade site, no luck. And I know I typed it EXACTLY as it appeared in the confirming message. So today, I try the confirming URL again, and it now tells me there is a problem with my
registration, please re-register. Still can't log on. AAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!! I can feel my blood pressure rising! Oh, and I sent an e-mail to their alleged customer service - got an automated reply that their system was down (when it wasn't) and to please try again. No other action would be taken on my e-mail. DOUBLE AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!! But I want that bear!!!! Time for my daughter's email address, or hubby's.

I tried one also w/ my work e-mail - I'll have to see how that worked.

Extremely Frustrated w/ Ty !! >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 18:35:03, krk writes:

<< ooooohhh! You are cruel! Well, this Krys will join the other Chris in being mad - I got all the way through registration, got confirmation, clicked on that URL (I couldn't find it at first cuz of the screwy e-mail on my other address that I never use because I hate it - I had to move the the very FAR RIGHT of the confirming message to find it - like the message was 1/2 of the screen, and the URL was on the other, hidden, 1/2.) Got confirmed, and still can't use it. Now it tells me there was an error, and I must re-register. Stupid TyTrade site......grumble, grumble, mutter, mutter, expeletive deleted, %$#@!@$#!!!!!!

Extremely disgruntled Kry >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 20:50:18, ted writes:

<< People, people, people. How much more are you going to take from Ty the butthead? He has pulled so many stunts to get everyone addicted to his furry little creatures and makes everyone just crazy. Yet every time he does something new, people just jump right in to buy what ever he sells. Why is everyone so gullible when it comes to this man and his products? Why does everyone spend so much time dancing to his tune? I thought when he retired all the beanies and let everyone believe that there were to be no more, many people said they had had enough of that nonsense and were finished with TY and his games. Then he comes up with this new trading board and a new critter that will be available "only by registering" for the board and everyone knocks themselves out trying to get registered so they can have the "privilege" of paying for another worthless toy! Can anyone else see what is wrong with this picture? Am I the only
one with this opinion? >>

In a message dated 02/07/2000 22:28:55, Rfo writes:

<< Quite frankly, My dear Ty, I don't give a damn. I quit the buying from Ty with the first BBOC bears that he stole my $$ and never sent the bears despite numerous inquiries. BUT he DID have the names and addresses as the receipt of multitudinous copies of all the "membership" booklets can attest! I didn't order the last BBOC Buddies, and I won't order these. Ty's programmers suck big time as does most of his business (non)management. Too bad he doesn't put more $$ into hiring quality web-designers instead of protectionist lawyers. Those lawyers have to justify their retainers/salaries (as shown by all the ridiculous lawsuits)...the web-designers don't and it shows. I think he needs to stick with making ..or at least TRYING to design NEW bears/animals Once burned - shame on you (meaning Ty)...twice burned - shame on me! And that's my story and I'm sticking to it! If I decide to buy these or any other Ty I will wait and buy it second market...less wear and tear and MORE reliable! LOL!! JMHO!! >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 01:19:34, sen writes:

<< I just registered my girls for a TyTrade account to order a Speckles for both of them. I actually successfully logged in and clicked on the order now button and it comes up "This item SOLD OUT!"

Ty - what next? >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 17:50:31, sen writes:

<< Same answer I got Friday night. I figure if I ever hear from them it will be next week or later. >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 17:54:11, mea writes:

<< Typical TY..............a total non answer to the problems.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subj: Auto Reply - TROUBLE
Date: 7/3/00 1:43:21 AM Central Daylight Time
From: tytrade-mail@tytrade.com
Reply-to: AutoReply@tytrade.com

This is an automatic reply from Ty Trade to acknowledge that your message has been received. This acknowledgement is NOT a confirmation that your request can be processed.

Our normal business hours are from 9:00am-5:00pm CST Monday-Friday. We anticipate our Internet department to respond to your inquiry within 3 business days. In the meantime please refer back to the registration section of our website www.TyTrade.com to make changes online.

Thank you for using Ty Trade. We appreciate your business.>>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 19:53:15, gsn writes:

<< This is unreal...I got an e-mail today from the verification of Tytrade at the e-mail address it said was not available??? I never could get registered with this address so I set up a new address and it went thru, but not the old address, now I'm registered under the one that kept giving me errors and said It wasn't available...this site is unreal. Anyways, I got verified and signed in and go to the site and when I go to order the beanies it says it is temporarily unavailable. This is enough to frustrate anyone...maybe it's trying to tell me to quit while I'm ahead...anyone else have any luck? >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 21:18:50, mst writes:

<< don't feel like the Lone Ranger out there. It is doing the exact same thing to me. Just be patient and keep trying from time to time. I went in at 6:00 a.m. this morning and at least got registered. Last night, I was going through the same mess you described doing that too. Maybe we just need to get up early in the morning and try again. You gotta figure that the site has had what? 50 billion hits or some outrageous number? Even the best of them can get bogged down with all of that. We will get in sooner or later. >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 22:17:50, krk writes:

<< I admire all of you who can stop buying beanies "cold turkey" or taper off gradually. For me, TWO words apply: "addicted collector". I don't do drugs, I don't smoke, I don't do caffeine - but I do do beanies! My vice, my addiction, my "high" in life. If collecting beanies, and suffering "withdrawal" because I can't get my "beanie fix" is the worst thing in my life, then I'm doing pretty good!

Still can't get anything from the blankety blank web site......I need my fix!!! Come on new beanies!!!! Anybody want to order an extra Speckles for me????? >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 22:23:56, nsh writes:

<< Within the last hour I have received the confirmation notice from the first registration I had tried - which was way back when? I think Thursday night, or whenever this whole fiasco started. The letter is different than the other's I've received, however. It apologizes if I "have already received this e-mail. Sorry for the inconvenience." INCONVENIENCE! Man, I'll take1,000 confirming emails if just one of them will work! I completed the registration process by clicking on the URL, got the success page, then couldn't log in. Surprise, Surprise.

The other confirming letters that I received on Saturday night, using my Yahoo and AOL addresses, all included my user ID and password. This one didn't. I can see how that could be bad news for someone who has attempted to register with any number of combinations of user IDs and passwords. >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 22:24:13, sen writes:

<< Well, I'm being bombarded with confirmation e-mails tonight - four so far from e-mail addys I never got registration pages from. One came twice to the same account.

I'll be happy to order one for you if they get their ordering system fixed which has been down since last night. >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 22:52:00, cam writes:

<< This is frustrated Lynn here. First I couldn't get registered because the form was wacky...(the city blank had the pull down tab that was for the State selection) then finally I was registered...i received the confirmation immediately but it won't let me login...It says that I have an invalid I.d. AAAHHHHHH!!!!!Crapppp!!! >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 22:57:36, krk writes:

<< That is my problem too! I got my confirmation e-mail, I went and activated it, got the ok message for that, then still haven't been able to log in. AAARRRGGGHHH!

Need my beanie fix! Getting the shakes! >>

In a message dated 03/07/2000 23:01:27, krk writes:

<< Oh, Mare! If I can't get logged on, could you? Would you? I hope they get their problems fixed soon. I agree with Ruth - Ty needs to spend some of his big buckies on better web designers - some who have a clue as to how many hits a site that offers a NEW BEANIE will get. I'm sure any of us would make WONDERFUL advisors! Employee bears, here we come! :-)

Dreaming big time >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 00:25:25, sen writes:

<< OK, so I get the e-mail activation notices. NOT ONE WORKS! They all say Your Account is not properly registered. Please register again or send an e-mail to customer service.

Ty needs to fire every programmer he has.

Hrrrrmmmmpppphhhhhhh. >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 00:43:09, sen writes:

<< OK, now Ty has added a log out button (duh!) and when you click on exclusive offers, a sign that says "Due to overwhelming response, we will be temporarily closed to process the current orders. We will be back at 10:00 am CST July 4, 2000. Sorry for any inconvenience. Sincerely Ty Trade"

I'm becoming the Ty hag. >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 00:43:40, ces writes:

<< I finally got my confirmation this evening too and when I put in my confirmation, it says that there is a problem with my registration and to either reregister or email customer service........whenI tried to register again, it says that it is already taken....go figure....so I emailed their customer service... not to wait......they are really screwed up.... >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 00:44:30, mea writes:

<< I had this happen last night in an attempt to process a third account for experimental purposes. I had it send me my passowrd. It told me I had 2 different passwords.........one of which was only a period (.). Weird huh? It still doesn't let me in with this account. >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 00:51:00, mea writes:

<< Straight off TyTrade....................

Due to the overwhelming response, we will be temporarily closed to process the current orders. We will be back at 10:00 am CST July 4. 2000. Sorry for the inconvenience. Sincerely, Ty Trade >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 01:07:53, cpj writes:

<< They sent me a password that was a colon (:) followed by a period (.) Nothing similiar to what I registered under. I have tried every combination that I can think of, and they still say that my ID or password is wrong. How rude! >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 03:04:34, Rfo writes:

<< So basically what all you guys are saying is that you registered on the site, but Ty says you haven't? Is this before or after you've paid with your CC??

With all your horror stories about this...I'm glad I am missing it.

Doesn't Ty have a "suggestion" board? someone...lots of someones need to suggest better trained (and probably higher priced) web-designers. My DH is a software designer...he is leased out by his employer at $180.00 an hour (wish we could get that ...he only gets a small amount of that!). So the good ones don't come cheap. I figure that that is Ty's problem...his sorftware designers don't even know enough to use spellcheck!!! Maybe he's hired the neighborhood kids to do this! >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 08:44:21, hpe writes:

<< Glad I'm not the only one having this problem.... No hair left >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 08:50:34, aly writes:

<< did anyone's response from Ty verify user name or password? I finally got mine too, but it also doesn't work..........then I emailed them and got response that the tytrade site was currently down.......this was last evening.

HELP!!! >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 11:42:18, cyn writes:

<< You're insulting the neighborhood kids, LOL! I think my 12 year old could do a better job!!!!!! >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 11:49:44, lad writes:

<< Well I finally got confirm but can not log in it just sits there . and you wait and wait ................. !! so I just gave up try again later >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 12:33:38, gsn writes:

<< I spent 4 hours trying to get into TyTrade this a.m. Finally at 12:30 I get in to order my bear and it says its sold out! This is disgusting! >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 12:49:17, bab writes:

<< Hi ! They say it will be up and going at 10 AM LOL.. TT has NOT updated anything yet. I wonder if that was 10 AM TY standard time ???? >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 13:01:31, Tal writes:

<< Ty Standard time is "Expect the Unexpected!" -Chris Who doesn't even want a Sneaky or Speckles or whatever the stupid bear is named.. I might get one just in case they become hot items.. Ha Ha.. nothing has stayed hot with TY. >>

In a message dated 04/07/2000 16:15:38, joa writes:

<< Sonny... in answer to your question:

4. does he only pay his obviously deficiently prepared programmers in overstocked creased-tag Beanies that he can't get some celebrity to sign and then donate to eBay? And are they really nerdy neighborood kids?

who really runs Ty's computers/MIS/web site?

one of ty's first employees ---> a young guy who helped ty put the stripes on the very first cats he sold [using spray paint]...

he's finally hired an outside web developer firm to help, but XXXXX is the one who runs the computer dept, etc.

thought you'd WTK...[XXXXX did the computer tour at the ty HQ training i took 2 years ago!] >>