I was at my local Starbucks yesterday, and saw a remarkable tumbler on the shelves. It was unique enough to write about as its own blog article. This tumbler retails for $39.95. Out of the $39.95, Starbucks gives $5.00 to HandsOnNetwork. I have always thought that this is a fabulous partnership! HandsOnNetwork is a non-profit designed to facilitate community service and volunteering. If you want to follow HandsOnNetwork.org on Twitter, click here. And on a related topic, Starbucks has recently revamped their community service website. The new version has both a partner and a customer log-in, and the new page is easy to search for community service projects.
The tumbler is hand-dipped in a white gold glaze, and is a very limited edition item. The signage says ‘while supplies last‘ and from what I know, many stores received just a few of these.
So did anyone buy one? I admit, I bought one right away. Just think it is perfect to add to my collection. What do you think of this, and would you spend $39.95 on a tumbler?
58 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Socialize
I haven’t seen this, but it is very pretty!
This is really great! I gotta have this one plus I’m also helping other people by buying this. Thanks for sharing this.. Good job!
That is very pretty. Probably like the wristbands this is a US only thing (I don’t remember hearing about them, and even though my store gets next to no merch – I’m sure it would have come up)
I think it’s great that Starbucks has these partnerships and while I know they can afford to donate on their own, it’s great to involve their customers as well. It reminds me of the charity my last company formed, which I loved with all of my heart. It did excellent work.
I forgot to look for this today but have not really seen any new tumblers out in the open. Tried the apple pie this morning. The SM was nice enough to take one out for me to try. I made a contribution to this nonprofit a bit ago when you first mentioned it. Nice idea but the cost of the tumbler!
Oh wow that’s pretty <3 Love cool limited ed stuff, though I doubt this will see UK shores
It's nice to see stuff like this, though sadly haven't been able to get to a starbucks much at all lately (the UK Vanilla Spice latte was rather nice though I must say) – they closed the branch I used to frequent, and it seems every effort to earn those stars has been thwarted (pretty sure I won't be staying gold next year : ( )
That is one pretty sweet tumbler. If I had the money right now, I would SO totally get it!
I saw this the other day and I LOVE it, but it’s too much for me to spend right now on a mug. 🙁 When Denise brought it up in a previous post, I mentioned that I like these mug with the ceramic interior because I’m becoming less and less tolerant of the way my coffee tastes in a stainless steel mug. This mug is beautiful though!!
I want one!!! We’re not going to carry them in Canada 🙁 anyone want to send me one? I’ll send you the value and the shipping on a Starbucks card?
well, my feelings haven’t changed since I brought this up on here on Monday nite: it is beautiful, I love it but I can’t see….I don’t think…spending the $40. on it. I would never use it likely, not out of the house so, it’d just be more of my collection of Sbux stuff. sooooo, I just don’t know. I know they haven’t sold any yet in 2 stores I went to yesterday. And, I have to say, I am so glad I bought those lovely cannisters that came out last yr with Tribute…sent my last one to a friend (I keep 2 on my counter) last week and she loves it. The “urn” thing they have it this yr. ??? I don’t see it going far. I don’t even know the cost but it’s heavy ceramic, for one thing and really, I think not so attractive.
It’ll be interesting to see how these tumblers sell. I’m going into a Sbux in a whole other demographics today (wealthier)…will be interesting to see if they’re selling there yet.
I plan to check tomorrow to see if I can get my partner discount with them. If so, I may consider buying one. 🙂
with my track record of breaking retail items while trying to restock 😮 I’m afraid to touch this beauty
I bought one, as well!
When we got them in the first thing I thought was “oohh I bet Melody would love this”. We both share a passion for Starbucks. I don’t think I’ll ever actually use it, though, maybe frame it with my other odd Starbucks collectibles. I would be too worried I’d drop it and shatter it or that the outside might start to get all dull and dingy like a old white gold ring.
Melody – We’re really excited about this partnership. Starbucks is a great partner organization, and we’re looking forward to partnering more in the future. Thanks so much for highlighting this item!
well, here’s odd. I mentioned this morn that I was going to a Sbux in a different area with different demographics…basically overall wealthier. It’s a RESERVE small store that I go to maybe once a week or so. Imagine my surprise that the partners didn’t even know what I was talking about (this precious tumbler)…because they are NOT getting them. none. I ran into a dm while talking about it (not my store’s dm..but of course she knows her etc). She told me only certain stores were getting these. I can understand that but I cannot understand putting them in an average middle class ‘burb without even Reserve coffee, and NOT in this wealthier area where they do sell Reserve. ??? I can’t imagine that they might not sell some, at least, in the Reserve store, and possibly (highly likely?) none in my regular place. I just do not get it!
I did, however, have one of the cherry pie petites, which were much more “advertised” today….visible anyway. I thought it was really good and did go well with a cup of Tribute. A few of the new petites do look like they’ll be good….so that’s a nice change-up. I still think they could eliminate some of the 7-11 stuff and keep a better focus (besides on the COFFEE! altho I’ve almost given up on that improving) on the pastries.
so, that’s my ‘beautiful-expensive-tumbler’ story for today. very odd.
@Becca – Okay I just got one to send to you. Email me and I’ll send you my mailing address to mail a gift card. melody at StarbucksMelody dot com. Thanks!
@HandsOnNetwork – Thanks for dropping by. I would like to see more partnership with your organization – I’d even go for a donation card like what Starbucks has done in the past with Conservation International (loved that one!) and (Red). I will feature you as much as possible. 🙂
With only a limited number of tumblers they are sure to rise in value as scarcity can only make these more desirable.
I do think the mug is gorgeous but would be very afraid to use it! Beautiful though! Very excited for this years Tribute!!
I do hope no one buys one to be used. Too precious and pretty to use!
We sold ours before noon on Tuesday! While I’m sorry not to have seen them in person, I love the idea behind the tumbler.
I do wonder if it drinks well. Melody, have you tried using it to hold a beverage yet?
@Ems – I’m with Diele. This new tumbler is for display purposes only! Nothing has been inside mine.
I love this tumbler and would really enjoy adding it to my collection, but $40 is really too much for me to pay at this time. =(
@taylor – Over the years you’ve been so great! Remember that wonderful mug you gave me? And you got me a city mug too! I would be happy to buy this for you as a gift. I dont have your address (I think you said you moved) and my phone wipes out phone numbers. I think I had all your contact info at one time, but I don’t now. Please email me at Melody at StarbucksMelody dot com.
You are too sweet Melody! That is why I am thrilled to send you a package of a couple things I don’t think you have. 🙂
if i could afford it right now, i might, but i have to save that gift card i got recently (thanks!) for actual coffee 🙂
Wow! Thanks Melody! I’ll get you my info ASAP!
I will be on the lookout for the new tumbler in my store. I think the new ‘urn’ canisters are unique looking and I would love to buy one but for $25…just cannot bring myself to do it. I am hoping they go on sale at some point. 🙂
I want one of those tumblers though! LOL
The canisters always go on sale. 😉 My store still has all four tumblers. I doubt we will sell any. I keep meaning to check to see if we get our partner discount, but I don’t want to be tempted to spend the little money I have one something impractical.
I bought the tumbler and it is great for drinking! I can’t imagine buying it but not using it 🙁
I totally want to buy this tumbler! But I can’t find it—so far I’ve been by two Starbucks in my area. I’m going to have to keep checking. I hope i can find one! I’m trying not to get my hopes up, though. Still…fingers crossed!
I went to Starbucks before lunch today and placed my order to try the cherry pie petite and my venti black tea lemonade and while they were making my drink I wandered over to the new display case and there were two tumblers left. I promptly reloaded my Starbucks Android phone app after racing to the counter and the barista was admiring the cup and I told her how excited I was to get one. It is truly beautiful and heavy and I will actually use mine since I think the coffee will taste great in it and I will take care of it by washing it by hand and keeping it out of the kids’ reach. Yep, I am a sucker for a pretty coffee tumbler. I do wonder how many were made?
@Sandra – I’ve wondered that too! Based on what I see here in Seattle, looks like no licensed stores got these. Happened to visit a couple of licensed locations recently, while grocery shopping. Also, it does look like a few stores didn’t receive any at all. In downtown, the most tumblers that I’ve seen were four in a store, and it looks like quite a few just got two tumblers. Per the annual report, there are 6,705 company-operated Starbucks in the U.S. If every store got an average of 3 (which might be a bit on the high end??) that would mean Starbucks produced about 20,000 tumblers. Who knows? I have no idea if stores will get a second shipment in. But that’s my guess – I would guess over 15,000 of these, but maybe less than 20,000.
By the way, if anyone sees these in a licensed store, I’d be curious to hear about that.
I hadn’t seen nor heard of these mugs til I saw your post. Sharing on my Facebook page, I LOVE COFFEE MUGS.
Just found out the tumbler is available online! Now everyone that’s looking for it can get it!
Check out http://www.starbucksstore.com/limited-edition-ceramic-tumbler-white-gold-12-fl-oz/011015203,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=drinkware
We’re super excited to read all of the comments everyone is leaving about the tumbler! So glad to see people like it!
@handsonnetwork that’s great news! The only obstacle is that they don’t ship outside the USA. Hopefully one day they will. I’d love to be able to order the reserve coffees, this mug (which I’ll be so happy to have -thanks Mel!!) and some other items like the replacement lids/straws etc.
I asked one Starbucks manager about the new limited edition tumbler about two weeks ago when Melody mentioned it. The manager pointed to a new white tumbler that retailed at 19.95. I responded that this simply wasn’t the one Melody mentioned. He asked me how much it costs. I responded, ‘somewhere in the ballpark of 40 dollars.’ His eyes bugged out and he said he had never heard of it. That’s the way it is here in New York. Starbucks managers seem to have very little idea about nuanced products. They seem only to care about taking your order on line, you paying for your order, and you getting out of the way to make space for the next person on line. Needless to say, after this instance, I still have no golden tumbler (this is, of course, an outrage!). I have, so far, been to three Starbucks locations in New York who have simply shrugged me off and refused to accept my 40 hard-earned dollars in exchange for the limited edition tumbler. Very sad state of affairs.
Pat – Wow. So none of the stores you went to had the this special tumbler?? Here in downtown Seattle, there are still a couple of stores that have the tumbler, but I see they’re moving fast. I have 3 that I am mailing out (and I am leaving for the day going to buy shipping supplies because I have a ton of things to mail out).
There is one on ebay going for $78!
Oops here’s that link – forgot it
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Starbucks-Limited-Edition-Ceramic-Tumbler-White-Gold-12-fl-oz-Ships-Fast-/251016242526?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a71bbe55e
I still didn’t ever see any in stores but a lovely friend is mailing me one! Personally, I can’t wait to use it! I doubt I’ll use it as often as some of my other tumblers, but I tend to be very careful when it comes to taking care of them. Hand-washing and the like. So I’m pretty confident I can keep this puppy in tip-top condition despite actually using it. 🙂 I’m very excited about this tumbler!
Oh my gosh that awesome, i want one! how ever $40 is out of my price range for a tumbler and i already have one of the cheeper ones. But anyways thats for the share!
cheaper* and thank*
I used my tumbler today & liked the fact that it kept the coffee hotter. Wish is came in the VENTI size. 😉
BAHHH!
WHYYY is this not available in Canada. I would buy one in a HEARTBEAT!!!!
Would be PERFECT for my merch. collection too.
BOOOO. haha!
Some customers at my local Starbucks are planning a surprise Roman Ides of March celbration at noon, lead by Marcus and Gaius. They are looking for another volunteer to portray Cesar. He must come in robes.
I live in Waterloo, IA and the corporate location here got 4 tumblers in stock…that is until yesterday when I purchased one, they had been sitting untouched for days! Still 3 left and I’m sure they will sit there til who knows when!
I broke down and bought one. I thought that it would be the perfect way to celebrate my SS promotion while helping out a good cause. And it’s so pretty and shiny!!!!
Congrats on your promotion! I just promoted recently too. 🙂 Yay for advancements!
@Ems and Diele – Congrats on the promotions!
Hey everyone if u happen to come to Harvard square I know a little place that is carrying these..
Matter of fact it is the first Starbucks in the Harvard square and one of the first 3 test stores for clover…. So what better place to go to have great coffee and great connection. These cups are pretty awesome!
My husband bought me this tumber for Mother’s Day and I LOVE it. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
But I knocked it off my desk today and now it is ruined. Ruined. Ruined.
Does anyone know where I can get another?? I cannot admit this to him… he knows I’m a klutz… but I have had it for a month! (And I was out of town for two weeks of that month – this has to be a record!).