When the phone won’t stop ringing, sometimes workers have to get creative. A Texas Starbucks employee goes viral after pulling the ultimate UNO reverse on relentless callers asking about sold-out holiday merch.
Instead of answering the same question for the hundredth time, she simply became the “automated” system for the company. So, instead of thinking they were talking to a real employee, customers believed they spoke to the answering machine. At the end of the day, both sides are relieved…right?
How Does She Do It?
Julianna’s (@jlala74) half-minute clip exploded over TikTok. The video now has 43.4 million views, with 7.3 million likes and over 12,000 comments. It seems everyone relates to the frustration that holiday shopping brings. With Julianna wielding the camera, she shows how her co-worker handles the influx of customers calling. The text overlay says “when ur tired of customers calling abt the holiday merch.”
The video begins with the employee answering a call in a deadpan voice: “For merchandise, say 1.” The customer then obediently says “1.” The employee recites her next line: “If you’re calling about the glass teddy bear, we are sold out. If you’re calling about the Hello Kitty plush bear, we are sold out.” Click. Instant silence. The baristas burst out laughing. The caption then says“WE’RE DONEEEE. It’s not even noon.” Holiday spirit? Gone. Customer service? Still undefeated.
What’s Starbucks’ Holiday Merch and Why is Everyone Dying to Get it?
Every year, Starbucks releases a line of holiday merchandise just in time for the holidays. This year, two particular designs seem to have customers going bananas. As mentioned in the clip, the Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup is in high demand. The design is cute, shaped like a bottle of honey but for coffee instead of the sweetener. It comes with a straw and is fully glass except for the cover. The price? $29.95.
The next one is highly popular due to it being a collab. On October 6, 2025, Starbucks posted: “Say ‘hello’ to the season’s cutest new collaboration with Starbucks and Hello Kitty.” Starting November 6, Starbucks is selling a boxed plush, a ceramic mug, a stainless steel cold cup, a water bottle, a cold cup, and a stainless steel tumbler. These can be purchased separately. The plush itself, complete with its Starbucks apron, is $34.95. This is the item mentioned as sold out on TikTok.
The items are in such high demand that people are even reselling them on other websites. The Bearista cup has even been spotted going for as much as $400 on eBay. Now, maybe you can see why Starbucks is getting all those calls.
@jlala74 WERE DONEEEEEE ITS NOT EVEN NOON. EDIT!! we were getting the same question back to back we just wanted to have a little funnnn #baristatok #starbuckslaunch #starbucksbarista #holidayfun #fyp @SheisHer ♬ original sound – Julianna?
What Do the Thousands of Comments Say?
Most viewers are outrightly laughing at the entire situation. One of them says, “Not merchandise being the only option,” to which Juliana responds, “Yes bc that’s all everyone cares abt.”
Another viewer says, “That’s customer service.” While another says, “I would have fallen for this.”
Interestingly enough, some people are upset. One viewer says, “It’s unfortunate that customers trying to save gas and time by calling ahead are being mocked for doing something perfectly sensible.” Juliana then replies, “It’s not that serious we weren’t mocking her.”
Others are simply baffled at the capitalism caught on video. One viewer says, “I don’t understand the hype.. the overconsumption is SO out of hand.” Another says, “Mind you, we’re in recession.”
The Mary Sue has covered other company merch that has also gone out of hand. Trader Joe’s is another chain that famously sells totes, with many of its mini-versions going viral. The Mary Sue covered its popularity and outrageous resale prices.
The Mary Sue reached out to Julianna via Instagram direct message.
Updateb Nov. 12, 2025:
In an email to the Mary Sue, a Starbucks spokesperson shared the following:
This year we are leaning into the nostalgia of Starbucks holidays from our customers’ favorite seasonal beverages to iconic holiday cups, to shelves stocked with Christmas Blend and premium merchandise, including the popular glass Bearista 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. We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused. We have more exciting merchandise coming this holiday season.
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