Since the recent release of the limited-edition bear cups by Starbucks across its many stores, customers have been doing everything in their power to purchase one, including showing up in the early hours of the morning and waiting outside before stores open. While some people have been lucky enough to get their hands on at least one item, others have shared that they couldn’t get any even after waiting in line because their store only received a few cups. A customer in New York even claimed she had to watch an employee take one of those coveted cups for themself right before her eyes.
The New York Woman’s Account
According to the woman, she had arrived before the store opened and was the first in line. While she waited patiently outside as employees came in for their shifts, she could clearly see a bear cup on display, so she made a note of exactly where it was so she could grab it as soon as the doors opened.
However, before the store opened to customers, she claimed she saw one of the workers walk over to the shelf, pick up the last cup and a Hello Kitty plush, and take both to the back. Because the registers were not open and no purchase had been made, she believed this went against Starbucks’ policy.
She chose to wait until the store officially opened and then asked about the cup as soon as she stepped inside. The employee who greeted her told her they did not know where any of the merchandise was, but the woman insisted she had watched another worker physically remove it moments earlier. “Come on now… you’re really going to lie in my face like that?” she said she told the employee. After some time had passed and the cup still had not been returned, the worker suggested she try another Starbucks location.
Netizens React to the Starbucks Bear Cup Controversy
In the comments, many customers agreed that employees should not have priority over limited-edition merch releases. One person wrote, “Starbucks wants us mad at each other!!!” Another said, “Went to 3 different stores and the employees took them before they opened.” Someone else added, “They all took the Hello Kitty & the Hello Kitty plushies IN FRONT OF OUR FACES while we’re sitting there in the cold like pleaseeeeeee.”
Some users, however, argued that employees have always been allowed early access. “They have first dibs! Loved that when I worked there! Plus a HUGE discount,” one person commented. A second remarked, “Yea workers get first dibs everyone been knew that.”
A few people questioned why customers were so upset in the first place. “There are people starving. Get your priorities together,” one comment read. Another wrote, “You realize there are people starving in the world right?”
