Starbucks has issued an apology after the release of its “Bearista” holiday cup caused quite the stir. We’re talking massive lines, in-store squabbles, and crazy online resales.
The collectible cups dropped last Thursday alongside the coffee giant’s holiday drink menu, seasonal treats, and other limited-edition goodies. What should have been a joyful kickoff to the holiday season turned into a frenzy as folks rushed to Starbucks locations hoping to snag one of those plush-inspired cups. But many were met with empty shelves and frustrated baristas.
RELATED STORIES: Man’s Naked Drive-Thru Routine To Starbucks Lands Him in Jail
Customers Complain About Long Lines and Lack of Availability
According to PEOPLE, customers quickly headed to social media to vent about the lack of Bearista cups, claiming many stores ran out within minutes of opening.
Several users claimed some Starbucks baristas were holding cups for themselves or friends, which further fueled the online frustration. So many fans were pumped about snagging the cup, but the buying process was clearly an unpleasant one. They went on social media to complain about the long lines along with the lack of availability.
Reports came in from all over the U.S. of folks lining up outside coffee shops as early as 4 a.m. just to get their hands on one. There were even videos of arguments and physical altercations as shoppers fought over the limited-edition item. It’s giving Black Friday, but make it caffeinated.
Starbucks Responds to the Controversy
In response to the drama, Starbucks released a statement addressing the shortage and the overwhelming demand for the cup. “The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations and despite shipping more Bearista cups to coffeehouses than almost any other merchandise item this holiday season, the Bearista cup and some other items sold out fast,” the company said.
Starbucks emphasized that even though it had shipped more Bearista cups than almost anything else, demand still outpaced expectations by a mile.
The company apologized for the customer experience and said they’re looking at ways to improve inventory planning for future holiday releases. Here’s hoping they figure it out before the next must-have item drops.
Bearista Cup Resells Online for Hundreds of Dollars
Following the in-store sellouts, resellers quickly started listing Bearista cups online for crazy inflated prices, with some listings on eBay hitting almost $500! The craze mirrors past Starbucks frenzies—like the Red Cup Day tumbler drops—where limited-edition items become collector’s items overnight.
The cup’s viral popularity, fueled by social media hype and scarcity, made the rush even bigger this year, leaving many loyal customers disappointed.
[efb_feed fanpage_id=”BlackCosmopolitan” words_limit=”25″ post_limit=”1″ skin_id=”115759″ cache_unit=”1″ cache_duration=”days” live_stream_only=”0″ load_more=”0″ links_new_tab=”1″ show_like_box=”0″]
Disclaimer:
For Education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended, was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video and intend to use this as ‘fair use’.
