People began sharing their complaints on X (formerly Twitter), while others posted videos on TikTok expressing their disappointment. Some even went as far as calling the situation a “scandal,” which shows just how heated the reaction became.
The Bearista cup, a glass tumbler shaped like a bear, instantly captured attention online. Fans were eager to grab one as soon as stores opened, and excitement around the design spread quickly.
How long will the Starbucks Bearista cup be available?
The adorable 20-ounce cup launched alongside Starbucks’ festive menu in the United States last Thursday (November 6), and many customers thought it would be easy to pick one up throughout the holiday season.
Some fans even shared that they woke up at 4 a.m., hoping to reach their local store early enough to grab the new cup before it sold out. Their dedication shows just how much excitement the product created before anyone knew availability would become a problem.
But instead of a smooth rollout, many customers walked away feeling frustrated and let down.
How much is the Starbucks Bearista cup?
The Bearista cup sells for $29.95 in stores, and plenty of customers said they were ready and willing to pay the price. Many showed up early with cash in hand, expecting to leave with the popular tumbler.
But when customers reached the counter, several found that their local Starbucks had little to no stock at all. This left people confused and upset, especially after making the effort to arrive early.
Following the backlash, Starbucks issued a public apology addressing the situation.
Why are people outraged by the Starbucks Bearista cup?
Customers who rushed to their nearby stores expecting shelves full of Bearista cups were stunned to find that only one or two were available at most locations. Some stores did not have any on display at all, which left many people wondering how such a popular product could be in such limited supply.
It soon became clear that some cups were selling out before stores even opened their doors. Several customers claimed that employees were buying the cups themselves, leaving little to nothing for the people who had lined up outside. This only added to the frustration and made the situation feel unfair for those who arrived early.
One user said: “Just feeling so disappointed with @Starbucks and their employees – they only left one Bearista bear cup out for sale and took the rest of them to the back.”
A third wrote: “Imagine waiting an hour and a half in line before a Starbucks opens to purchase one of the new glass bearista cups, only to find out they are sold [out] before they unlock the door.”
What has Starbucks said?
In a statement shared with The Independent, Starbucks responded to the backlash and issued an apology. Their message began with: “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.”
It added: “We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused.”
