Purchasing Chuck E. Cheese Animatronics: A Guide

If you're looking to buy a Chuck E. Cheese animatronic, you may be out of luck. Most of the animatronics were destroyed when they were removed from restaurants, and those that were salvaged are rare and hard to come by. Your best bet is to keep an eye out on sites like eBay, Facebook, Mercari, and Instagram for private sellers, but be wary of scammers and overpriced items. You can also try your luck with dumpster diving, though this may not be the most reliable method.

Where to buy: eBay, Etsy, PicClick, and private sellers

EBay

EBay has a wide range of Chuck E Cheese animatronic parts and memorabilia. You can find everything from the animatronic robot, controller, and bird platform to smaller parts like a single hand, feet, or a pair of eyelids. eBay also offers a variety of vintage Chuck E Cheese plush toys, stickers, and clothing.

Etsy

Etsy is another great place to find Chuck E Cheese animatronic memorabilia and merchandise. The platform offers a range of items, including stickers, t-shirts, and cosplay costumes. Etsy also has a selection of vintage Chuck E Cheese arcade tokens, which are highly collectible.

PicClick

On PicClick, you can find a variety of Chuck E Cheese items, including animatronic parts, such as the robot, controller, and bird platform. There are also several rare items, like the 3-stage animatronic hands and feet. PicClick also offers a range of Chuck E Cheese-themed clothing, accessories, and memorabilia.

Private Sellers

Private sellers are another option for purchasing Chuck E Cheese animatronics. While some private collectors may choose to keep their acquisitions private, there are online communities and forums where collectors connect and discuss their purchases. These communities can be a valuable source of information on where to find animatronics for sale and can provide insights into the market.

It is important to note that the demand for these animatronics may result in higher prices and potential legal implications, as some collectors may be hesitant to sell due to the risk of copyright infringement.

Rarity: Most animatronics were destroyed, making them hard to find

If you're looking to buy a Chuck E. Cheese animatronic, you may be out of luck. In 2017, Chuck E. Cheese's parent company, CEC Entertainment, announced that they would be phasing out the animatronic band that had been part of the restaurant and arcade for decades. This decision was made to make way for more ""realism and special effects" that kids have come to expect. As a result of this decision, many of the animatronics have been destroyed, making them extremely rare and hard to find.

In a video taken at an Illinois Chuck E. Cheese's location that was closing, employees were recorded smashing the animatronic Chuck E. Cheese character with a sledgehammer. It took the employees nearly two minutes to completely destroy the plastic mouse, which never fully collapsed. According to Patch reporter Lorraine Swanson, who recorded the event, it is company policy to destroy any branded items, including the animatronic heads, when closing a location.

Despite the rarity and difficulty in finding these animatronics, there may still be a slim chance of acquiring one. Some people have reported seeing them pop up on eBay or other online marketplaces like Facebook, Mercari, or Instagram. However, it's important to exercise caution when purchasing from private sellers, as scams and overpricing have been reported. Additionally, some individuals may have salvaged animatronics from closed locations, but they are unlikely to sell due to their rarity.

If you're determined to get your hands on a Chuck E. Cheese animatronic, your best course of action may be to keep a close eye on online marketplaces and be prepared to act quickly if one becomes available. Alternatively, you could try contacting individuals or businesses who may have acquired them, although they may be reluctant to part with these rare items.

Scams: Avoid sellers like Oswald, who overprices items and scams buyers

If you're looking to buy a Chuck E. Cheese animatronic, it's important to be aware of potential scams and unscrupulous sellers. One such seller is Oswald, who is known for overpricing his items and scamming unsuspecting buyers.

Oswald has a reputation for buying items and then reselling them at a huge markup, often five times what he originally paid, without making any modifications or improvements. He takes advantage of the rarity and sought-after nature of these animatronics, knowing that people will be desperate to buy them. Not only does he grossly overcharge, but he also sells faulty products and doesn't ship items after people have paid for them. He has also been known to verbally abuse his customers, sending them abusive messages and cussing them out.

To avoid falling victim to sellers like Oswald, it's important to do your research before making a purchase. Be cautious of sellers who seem unprofessional or have a lot of negative feedback. Look for reviews or testimonials from previous buyers to get an idea of their reputation and whether they can be trusted. It's also a good idea to compare prices between different sellers to ensure you're getting a fair deal.

In addition, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as they often are. Scammers may try to lure buyers in with extremely low prices, only to disappear with your money or deliver a faulty or non-existent product. When considering a purchase, take your time, ask questions, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it's usually best to walk away.

By being vigilant and informed, you can avoid being scammed and ensure a safe and satisfactory transaction when purchasing your Chuck E. Cheese animatronic.

Parts: You can buy individual parts, like feet, hands, and eyelids

If you're looking to buy individual parts of Chuck E. Cheese animatronics, such as feet, hands, and eyelids, there are a few things you should know. First, these parts can be quite expensive and hard to come by. According to some sources, an eyeball from an animatronic can go for as much as $200.

Your best bet for finding these parts is to keep an eye on auction sites like eBay. While most of the animatronics were destroyed when they were removed from restaurants, some people may be selling individual parts they managed to salvage. However, keep in mind that these parts are rare, and those who have them may be reluctant to sell.

Another option is to find private sellers through sites like Facebook, Instagram, or Mercari. Be cautious when dealing with private sellers, as there are scammers out there who overprice their items or sell faulty products. Make sure to do your research and only deal with reputable sellers.

Additionally, you could try contacting Chuck E. Cheese restaurants directly and inquiring about any animatronic parts they may have available for sale. Some people suggest that if you want to buy an entire animatronic, your best chance is to catch a restaurant right when it closes, as the company usually orders the animatronics to be destroyed when they are removed.

Finally, keep in mind that assembling a complete animatronic from individual parts may be a complex and costly endeavour, requiring engineering and programming expertise. The manufacturing process for these animatronics is intricate, involving mold-making, painting, and costume design, so acquiring all the necessary parts and putting them together may be a significant challenge.

Costumes: Full costumes are available, but they are extremely expensive

If you're looking to buy a full Chuck E. Cheese costume, be prepared to shell out a significant amount of money. While it's possible to find individual pieces and accessories, such as mouse ears, tails, and noses, separately, a complete costume is a costly endeavour.

On Amazon, prices for full costumes range from $290 for just the head to $459.99 for the entire outfit. These prices are reflected in the level of detail and accuracy of the costume, with some even including a fan inside the head to keep the wearer cool. It's worth noting that these prices may vary depending on the size and colour of the costume, and there may be additional delivery charges.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, you might consider a bootleg costume, which can be found online for discounted prices. These costumes may use images of the real animatronic, but the quality may not be as high. One such costume can be found on shoppajama.com, with a discount offered by a Reddit user.

For those seeking an even cheaper option, eBay offers a range of individual costume pieces, such as the head, hands, or shirt, which can be mixed and matched to create a full costume. However, these pieces are rare and hard to come by, as most animatronics were destroyed when they were removed from restaurants.

In conclusion, while full Chuck E. Cheese costumes are available, they come with a hefty price tag. If you're looking for a more affordable option, you may need to get creative and piece together your own costume from individual items, or opt for a lower-quality bootleg costume.

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