A New York Starbucks customer wants to score one of the coffee chain’s limited-edition teddy bear cups. When she asks a barista how to get one, she’s shocked by their curt response.
In a video with over 8.1 million views, TikToker Kristina Derosa (@kristinaderosa444) sits in her car after stopping by Starbucks. While she initially goes to grab a coffee, she decides to ask the barista about the new teddy bear cups.
Every year, Starbucks launches a limited-edition holiday collection featuring collectable cups, mugs, and tumblers. Social media quickly fixates on the Nov. 6 launch of a glass teddy bear cup for cold drinks. The glass component of the $30 cup is shaped like a bear with a beanie-shaped hat serving as its lid.
Many stores only receive a few of each of the holiday items, making the hunt for specific items extra competitive for customers.
“I asked the barista, ‘How many of the teddy bear cups did you get?'” Derosa recounts. “And she was like, ‘Not a lot at all.'”
Derosa asks again if the barista thinks she has a good chance at scoring a teddy bear cup the next day. However, the barista surprises her.
Did she get a Starbucks teddy bear cup?
The TikToker says that the barista curtly informs her that she has to show up at 4:30 a.m., before the store opens, to get in line.
“I said, ‘4:30 tonight?’ She’s like, ‘No, 4:30 tomorrow morning,'” she says. “So, I guess I won’t be getting a teddy bear cup.”
The caption reads, “Lolol I will NOT be there at 4:30, but save me one plz.”
This isn’t the first time Starbucks merch has led to customers lining up out the door before stores open. In Jan. 2024, customers stood outside stores to try to grab a Starbucks x Stanley collaborative cup, according to a report by FOX News.
What do viewers think of the cup craze?
While Derosa decides not to brave the 4:30 a.m. lines, other Starbucks customers document their experience trying to get a cup on TikTok. Several show themselves waiting in line at 3 a.m., with varying degrees of success in obtaining the viral cup.
In the comments of Derosa’s TikTok, some viewers say no Starbucks merch is worth lining up early for.
“Going to Starbucks at 4:30 am to get a teddy bear cup is the most embarrassing thing I can imagine doing,” one writes.
“I’m so glad I dont get caught up in this kind of overconsumption,” another says.
“Just wait half a year and you’ll find one for $7.99 at your local value village,” a third jokes.
Starbucks workers share their thoughts on the trending holiday cup, too.
“Yeah… as an opening supervisor for tomorrow… we had two but one broke in transit. So we have ONE. They are super limited,” a worker shares.
“As a worker myself, it’s very upsetting that Starbucks is hyping the people up with this teddy bear cup. They sent my store 2!!!” a second says.
@kristinaderosa444 @starbucks Lolol I will NOT be there at 4:30, but save me one plz ✌? #starbucks ♬ original sound – kristina_derosa
The Mary Sue reached out to Derosa and Starbucks via email for further comment.
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