A very rare 1994 Starbucks coffee mug was just sold on eBay for $1,283.65. According to the auction, it was a prototype mug that was never sold to the public. (2edges.com)
Not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation (obviously)
that's awseome... It's coming out in Spring '08 and someone just paid over $1200 for it... Classic
Posted by: Pat Nerr | July 30, 2007 at 06:52 PM
Here is the direct link to the eBay page if you don't want to browse the article.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230152057159
Posted by: Patrick | July 30, 2007 at 06:54 PM
So it is coming out shortly, Nerr? If so, that is really funny.
Posted by: Patrick | July 30, 2007 at 07:26 PM
so the dude was scammed?
Posted by: Terry | July 30, 2007 at 08:32 PM
That one is never coming out. Starbucks retired the 1994 series. If anything, a new Portland mug will come out, but it won't be the same as the one that the high bidder just won. The most expensive one that I've seen go on eBay is for over $2K. 1994 Minneapolis mug. I sold a 1994 New Orleans mug for $750 about 6 months ago :)
Posted by: matthew | July 30, 2007 at 08:46 PM
should i have purchased that washington D.C. tumbler?
Posted by: Liesa | July 30, 2007 at 09:07 PM
I guess we'll see in a few months... even still... 12,500 refills to make that "for here" mug pay off...
Posted by: Pat Nerr | July 30, 2007 at 09:31 PM
Speaking of which -- what's the deal with all the Starbucks food on ebay? Partners seem to steal jugs of white mocha, strips of caramel, bags of powdered mocha....... and put them on ebay for sale. They often blatantly say this stuff is not available for retail sale. One jug of white mocha was going for over 70 dollars? Does anyone know more about this? Is it legal? Is it controlled in any way?
Posted by: | July 30, 2007 at 10:31 PM
lol.. $1200 for a mug
if anyone w/brains at starbucks, they'll start selling this mug again for limited time.
as for stolen food items sold on ebay: becareful. sbux will buy the stuff, then prosecute.
ie:
file charges that the items were stolen, and give police the ebay name of the people selling it.
Posted by: Mugged | July 31, 2007 at 12:10 AM
Mugged is right, there are people at the SSC paid to watch auctions for things stolen from stores. If nothing else you won't have a job anymore.
Posted by: Nick | July 31, 2007 at 12:21 AM
I wonder how much my Starbucks grande cup sitting around from yesterday is worth.
Posted by: Thomas | July 31, 2007 at 03:31 AM
The nameless fella is correct, There is a team at corporate devoted to watching and working with eBay. Their purpose... catch folks.
As for people selling mocha. It's usually distribution center partners and then baristas who aren't thinking.
Someday, I'll share my story about the partners stealing 40K from a store using only a tip jar.
Posted by: Pat Nerr | July 31, 2007 at 06:44 AM
40K???
Tell us nowwwwww :D
Posted by: Terry | July 31, 2007 at 07:03 AM
don't give them any ideas pat nerr
Posted by: | July 31, 2007 at 07:13 AM
it won't be a "how to" I promise. SMs... you'll wanna read this one.
Posted by: Pat Nerr | July 31, 2007 at 07:33 AM
if anyone w/brains at starbucks, they'll start selling this mug again for limited time.
That won't matter to collectors. A prototype is a prototype, even if it was produced later.
Posted by: Rich Lafferty | July 31, 2007 at 08:51 AM
The nice thing about starbucks was its elitism. It was different than anywhere else and only in big cities. Now any bumpkin in Iowa can have a Starbucks latte. Not special anymore.
Posted by: jim | July 31, 2007 at 09:36 AM
Pat,
You're teasing us, not nice. I usually like what you have to say, but this is just straight up cruel and unusual punishment. It's illegal, right up there with selling caramel bottles on e-bay. =P
Posted by: Barista Bryan | July 31, 2007 at 11:44 AM
"The nice thing about starbucks was its elitism. It was different than anywhere else and only in big cities. Now any bumpkin in Iowa can have a Starbucks latte. Not special anymore."
So it wasn't the coffee itself, or the service, or the atmosphere that made it special for you? But simply that us 'bumpkins' couldn't get it and you could?
I'm rolling my eyes here.
As for the mug, lot of money for it, and it's not a particularly attractive mug but whatever rocks your boat.
Posted by: Kat | July 31, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Barista Bryan... I'm typing up the account as we speak. I'll post it tomorrow.
I'll feed you this tho... That's the first time I've seen a store lobby full of customers staring silent at 2 partners being hauled off in cuffs. Total silence
Posted by: Pat Nerr | July 31, 2007 at 12:07 PM
I would not mind buying the older Starbucks coffee mug that featured the original Siren logo (the one that has caused some conservative or just plain narrow minded people complain or squawk about.) I saw a female customer come into my KCMO area store w/one of those older mugs. It did have Pike Place Starbucks...Seattle WA printed on it (I believe.)
Posted by: RainGrlBarista | July 31, 2007 at 02:49 PM
I sure would like to get my hands on one of those mugs...:) Hopefully someone else would drop that much cash on it. Personally, I think it's just whatever makes the consumer happy.
Posted by: Ktmchakra | July 31, 2007 at 04:09 PM
Raingrlbarista...we have a regular that comes in to my KCMO store everyday with that mug...do we work together?
Posted by: curious | July 31, 2007 at 09:39 PM
let's see what this gets... not $1200 I bet. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270150078608&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=017
Posted by: Pat Nerr | July 31, 2007 at 10:40 PM
People steal jugs of Mocha? And jugs of caramel?
How can someone get out of the store, much less list it on Ebay without being caught?
Sounds fishy to me.
Posted by: Chantal | July 31, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Pat nerr,
I loved the story about the store manager with a heart on one of your green apron stories, thank you! You have just won my respect and a promise to be open minded from here on out. Thank you!
Posted by: Darleen | August 01, 2007 at 05:02 AM
Pat,
I just saw how pompous that sounded, I know you are not here for my respect, please do not take my post for anything other than what it was meant, I appreciate the great story and respect what you are doing.
Posted by: Darleen | August 01, 2007 at 05:28 AM
Darleen... You are too kind. I didn't see that as pompous at all. Glad you enjoyed that story. That manager happened to be the fella who was organizing the Costa Rica conference. A true hero of Starbucks... unfortunately he gave notice last week. He reminded me of that story at my going away party... I shared it because he gave notice and we all should be reminded that the best partners eventually move on but still should be honored for the great things they did.
Posted by: Pat Nerr | August 01, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Howdy, Jim! Us Ioway bumpkins sure does love us our Starbuckies, now that we can hav it surved by a bareesta right in our local Hy-Vee and T'arjay! Lurleen and her kin just goes ape-sheeyit over moach-a-chinos! A-hyuck! Hyuck!
Guess you'll need to find some other platform to stand on so you can look down your nose at people. Maybe see if there's a bottle of water out there that's $5 or more.
Posted by: Iowa Bumpkin | August 01, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Iowa Bumpkin, you just made my day :D
Starbuckies
Posted by: Kat | August 01, 2007 at 12:56 PM
JUGS of Mocha and Caramel? Our Mocha and caramel comes in 'bags'. Well okay, WM is in a jug. Why would you steal that? Never bite the hand that feeds you. Losers!
Posted by: MI Shift Supervisor | August 01, 2007 at 04:02 PM
I looked on eBay and couldn't find any illegal Starbucks items...
Posted by: Chantal | August 01, 2007 at 04:34 PM
Curious-
Just logged on here this evening. We might have worked together (?) Currently I work in one of the newer stores within the area. Plus I have worked as a borrowed partner @other KCMO area stores. Anything is possible! :D
Posted by: RainGrlBarista | August 01, 2007 at 11:18 PM
Ah, Chantal,
Here you go. This dude I believe is going to get screwed.
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZstarbucksguru
It'll serve the poopface right.
Posted by: Barista Bryan | August 02, 2007 at 04:23 PM
I've been researching the SB logo online to try and get an idea of timelines for the changes. Does anyone know this info., what years were the early logos put out in? I put the question out on the Deadpr0grammer Cafe sight as well. I "think" I have the first SB travel mug, but I'm having a hard time finding info. on the travel mugs at all.
Posted by: Katherine | August 05, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Geesh, nevermind it was right there on a website I overlooked; 71-87. Now off to try and find out when they started making the travel mug.
Posted by: Katherine | August 05, 2007 at 01:29 AM
Thanks for being my friend!
I'm here to help all Starbucks Partners!!If you need some cash, post the days you want to work on:
Starbucks.Shiftlist.net
If you need a day off, post it on:
Starbucks.Shiftlist.net
If you just want to trade a shift, post it on:
Starbucks.Shiftlist.net
Don't worry, it's totally FREE to use.
I made Starbucks.Shiftlist.net to help bring together partners who need a day off and partners who need some work. Hope you all enjoy it.
It only works if EVERYONE uses it. So pass it on: Starbucks.Shiftlist.net
-MIKE
PS:Thanks again for the add. If this post bugs you, just delete it... It will not hurt my feelings... too much.
PEACE!
Posted by: Mike | August 05, 2007 at 01:37 AM
OK. "Ghetto latte'? I just had my last Starbuck's a week ago. Serioulsy. Obviously,you're not getting anymore of my or my friends' dollars. Just sell the goshdarn coffee without the offensive labeling, as if we need more of THAT in our society.
Posted by: No More | August 18, 2007 at 11:18 PM
to Pat Nerr, and others....
RE; STOLEN MERCHANDISE.....
Yes- STARBUCKS does have ASSET PROTECTION people 'attempting' to police the sale of stolen STARBUCKS items on eBay. AND SO THEY SHOULD !
(Though some individual team members are a joke- and lack common sense- or people skills for that matter. At least one (possibly former member- D.A. are you there??) of the ASSET PROTECTION team didn't even understand the rules they themselves were violating while 'attempting' to do their job. Some apparently have a very inflated view of their powers. Ego, and ignorance, don't help when trying to gather information. Would you respond to a letter/e-mail, from anyone 'claiming' to be from STARBUCKS, and DEMANDING- yes- DEMANDING!! your sensitive personal information? Right- like that's going to be endearing!)
PRESENTLY, I HAVE GREATER CONCERNS ABOUT COUNTERFEIT STARBUCKS ITEMS!
YES, MUGS, SHIRTS, and even bagged COFFEE, are currently being 'counterfeited'!
So, sometimes the 'NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ITEM' may be COUNTERFEIT- NOT STOLEN!
FORTUNATELY- much of what is available on eBay is perfectly LEGAL !!!, as it was not stolen. Much of what is out there, especially that which is regularly available from LARGE eBay sellers- is purchased as 'DAMAGED CARGO'. Occasionally shipments of merchandise to STARBUCKS are damaged. STARBUCKS file its claim, and the carrier is free to sell the merchandise- TO ANY ONE WITH THE MONEY !!!
It is through this 'salvage' mechanism that CASES of BRAND NEW APRONS, and countless bottles of FONTANA syrop, and 'beverage base' powder have come to the eBay marketplace.
Being in Canada, I am only peripherally aware of the 'salvage goods' rules in the US. However, these STARBUCKS - NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ITEMS- being so readily displayed, have occasionally been accompanied by a NOTICE that the goods were purchased from an auction- and clearly stating their LEGAL right of resale, for which STARBUCKS need not approve!
If anyone has doubts, contacting STARBUCKS Legal Department is always a good place to start. I'd post the e-mail, but Aena might not approve.
Posted by: starbuckscard | August 31, 2007 at 01:03 AM