Coming soon: On December 9, 2013, you’ll be able to buy a tumbler at Starbucks that is re-fillable with brewed coffee during January 2014. A reader of this blog spotted the tumblers in a Target Starbucks, and sent in the attached photo. The price tag for the January coffee-only tumbler is $30.00. If you want a tumbler that you can refill in January with any handcrafted espresso beverage (such as lattes, mochas, and I assume an Americano also) then you might want to consider looking for the January espresso-beverage-only tumbler. I am a little surprised but I’ve seen a few of the Espresso Beverage Tumblers still around downtown Seattle.
Just to be clear, with the Brewed Coffee Tumbler, you can get free during the month of January 2014, whatever brewed coffee of the day is available (such as Pike Place Roast, Veranda Blend Coffee, etc…). Theoretically, you should only be able to use the tumbler once a day, but I think it’s a well-known fact that is the kind of thing that is hard to keep track of. Also, I think the intent really is just brewed coffee, but as I recall, last year it was a point of ambiguity whether iced coffee would be allowed. I think there were many partners who would just say “yes” to iced coffee in this tumbler (I probably would if I worked for Starbucks) but I don’t believe that technically iced coffee is included – someone please correct me if you know for sure. The tumbler is a Grande size (16 ounces).
Thank you Kathi for sending in your photo!
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Is this deal in Canada?
I’m very excited for both the coffee tumbler and the new espresso tumbler. I think both are great deals for our customers and the tumblers are a lot nicer looking than last year’s. I’m happy to report my store sold out of the ones we got originally. We got some more in from other stores that weren’t doing as well and we have 5+ left. I keep letting my brewed coffee drinks know the coffee tumbler is coming and they are interested! Most bring in their own cup anyway and spend $2 total. This tumbler is a great value.
I will say that I hope by the next holiday season we will have something available for those iced/hot tea and iced coffee drinkers. (AKA me). It’d be nice to have a tumbler for those customers. A girl can dream, right?
I remember from previous tumblers that one I got did not hold up well after several uses. Ended up not using it. Any ideas if these are better made?
Last year, there was a couple who purchased two tumblers, and they would get brewed coffee, iced coffee, iced tea and hot tea. They would bring a copy of an email from corporate stating they could do so. (The discount code worked for all of the mentioned beverages)
I’m a just say yes kind of girl, but not all baristas are… And I have seen flat out arguments with baristas and this couple before. It really makes me sad, but hopeful that this January we can have more clear communication about what can/can’t go in these free tumblers.
I was wondering if/when the brewed coffee tumbler would be available! My sister snagged an espresso tumbler for me during her Black Friday shopping spree. I haven’t seen any in stores, so I’m glad she did! My mom loved the brewed coffee tumbler, so I’m glad to be able to pick one up for her next week. Thanks for the heads up!
Also, @purple1 … The mug seems to be pretty well made. It is not the acrylic/paper insert style, but a metal option. I think it will hold up for the month 🙂
My wife and I had similar issues last year concerning a refill of tea instead of coffee, and I too kept an email reply from Starbucks corporate readily available on my mobile device to show rogue baristas what the deal was. Fortunately the manager at “my” Starbucks (she’s a peach btw) made sure all of her baristas knew that any deal that involves brewed coffee always goes for tea as well. Starbucks is a happy place for many of us. It’s a shame when a visit to my fav coffee shop becomes an uncomfortable one. Here’s hoping all Starbucks managers get the word out and we all get tea and coffee instead of arguments.
I wasn’t planning on getting one but now I wonder if I should get one for my dad for Christmas. He’s a brewed coffee kind of guy.
Also I was a bit surprised by my local SB still has about 4 of the espresso tumblers left. I swear the espresso tumbler is calling out and taunting me. I kind of want one, but I think hubby might kill me if I bought it.
I picked up an espresso tumbler this year and hope next year for an ice coffee tumbler.
Do you know what size the refillable coffee tumbler is?
As a partner I’m always saying yes no matter what the predicament is.
Unfortunately, I’m saddened when we try to do our job but then get reprimanded from both parties (customers and upper management). If they are going to design a cup that is advertised as a “brewed coffee tumbler” they should probably keep it that way, not deviate from the path they built for us. Sorry to rant but it’s just my thoughts. I’m not saying one party is right over the other but definately let partners know about the slight changes/modifications (ie. Iced coffee/tea) they make.
@kyle, it’s a grande 16oz
Sorry kyla* autocorrect lol
Hey Melody 🙂 Happy Holidays everyone! Wow my 14th Starbucks Xmas (I miss our Sbux Xmas trees. An old Barista friend of mine has collected 7 of them from various years). @Shayne, I’m right there with ya buddy. I’m still a Just Say Yes partner even though I’ve been told by “newer” District Managers that we retired that (or maybe they are just too new to know, not sure why they tell me that) But ya, it sucks getting in trouble for treating our customers to an TRUE Starbucks experience which might include doing what the customer wants that might not be a corp. standard, like Iced instead of Hot or blending a Latte. As I recall the last year the discount code worked on brewed coffee or brewed tea but again Iced button was the problem like what @Jocelyn said. And for the record when you see the price point on Iced coffee being more expensive it’s because A) Iced is a different screen. And B) it’s brewed double strength replacing the other portion of water with ice so the flavor profile doesn’t change. So at @Melody we shall see if the code gets deactivated if a Barista rings it in as iced. Meaning @Shayne and I are going to have to get in trouble from our upper level Partners to make our customers Happy
That is a nice looking tumbler! But as purple1 mentioned, the quality of these is not the greatest. I got the tumbler in this deal two years ago and using it just once a day it started wearing out after maybe six weeks. I only wash my Starbucks tumblers by hand and with this one the water started getting in between the outer case and the paper inside.
Regarding the espresso promo tumbler from Black Friday, I was in Southern California last week and visited four different stores (I was hunting down the Los Angeles You Are Here ornament) plus a Target with a Starbucks inside and each of them still had at least five tumblers when I was there between Thursday and Saturday. One store had them on sale on Thanksgiving day too. I guess this deal wasn’t too popular down there.
@Shayne – Thanks for your help! I edited the article to say that it is a Grande tumbler.
I have never heard any barista say that “just say yes” has been retired. And, I have strong feelings that partners have to be empowered to use Just Say Yes otherwise they can’t live up to the really high expectations of Customer Service that Starbucks demands of them – and their DMs and above have to support them in that.
Honestly, at least for the majority of situations, that angst cause by a full on bad experience / argument at the register is just not worth it. One customer may never say anything to a manager, CS, or a DM, but might tell ten friends. And Starbucks is a huge ship, but even a huge ship can be damaged (or sunk) by thousands of tiny holes.
@melody anytime!
Retail is a tough business no matter what the product or what company it is. It just is lol. As an assistant store manager I feel like I’m letting some of my partners down by having to coach them on situations were they were right but in the sense they should have just said yes. Ie, a customer asking for an iced doppio espresso in a venti cupand then milk to the top. It’s hard to tell my partners to just say yes when they were only doing their job.
WOW @ Melody so brilliantly put! This is why I love your blog and you. You post what I love doing for your the customers/fans of Starbucks Coffee, the worlds biggest coffee house. Your customer service expectation is what I live for, makin ’em leave saying “Wow that was really cool” what ever the scenario. Thank You! (as a side note the retirement was implied never said. Just ask a new partner is all I’m saying.)
Like you, I was quite surprised to find January espresso tumblers from Black Friday still available in a few stores I visited. For those who drink handcrafted drinks often, it’s definitely a good deal, however there’s no way I drink more than 15 of those types of drinks to see the benefit of the deal. Wonder if that was the general thought many people had. Now the January brewed coffee tumbler is definitely a great deal and if I remember correctly, these tumblers were discounted to $19.99 on one of the 12 days of Christmas promotion last year. Wonder if it’ll be the same this year.
There were four espresso tumblers at the Starbucks in Baldwin Park, CA (I-10/Puente). So it really depends on the crowd of a given location, and the store setup. This particular store has more of an industrial lighting and a large table in the middle that is often used for school group meetings, and the tumblers were on the shelf just above the floor so not readily visible.
I live in a suburb of Seattle and haven’t seem ANY of the tumblers … My sister picked mine up from a Starbucks in a Target near Portland, OR … so it must really depend on the market! As someone who gets a SKVL every day, the tumbler is totally worth it.
where can i purchase the tumbler?
Hi Tim! Just as the article mentions, it’s available December 9th at Starbucks stores. Hope you get one!
There are several espresso tumblers available in the Birmingham area. I got mine at Target for the Black Friday price two weeks before the Starbucks price reduction. I don’t mind trying to connect someone to a store where the tumblers are available!
I am in search of a tumbler in the Trussville area. Sharon- Do you know of any around?
@Sommer – I know you were addressing Sharon Lovoy, but my suggestion would be to check with a company-operated store on the 9th, and be sure to check licensed stores too. I recall that in year’s past, the licensed stores were the last to sell out of these coffee-in-January-tumblers. Good luck! Let us know if you get one. 🙂
There are some at the 280 store in Birmingham
I go to 280 store every single day. There are 5 espresso tumblers in here right now. I never go to the Target store for Starbucks but I noticed they had these out earlier. I agree with Melody. Use the company stores. I called Trussville for you and they are out.
I went to my local SB this morning looking for the coffee tumbler and they didn’t have any in stock. It doesn’t look like they have changed their display yet. Hopefully they will have it out tomorrow. I want it as a holiday gift for my dad.
Can you get refills on coffee when you stay in the store? I’m a gold card customer, and purchased the tumbler today. I was assuming the benefits could be equal.
The coffee tumbler is also available at Starbucksstore.com for anyone having trouble finding them in their local stores.
Is this special valid in all Starbucks stores? I bought a tumbler for my son for Christmas to use at the store in his college student union.
It’s an actual union, but they don’t honor rewards.
Thanks,
Sara
Last year’ stumbler is still functional. They may not be the sturdiest but if you’re careful, they’ll survive.
@Sara the tumbler will work at corporate stores but some “private” places might nit take it. My rule of thumb is if they accept the Starbucks card they’ll accept any of the specials as well
Where on the official website is their information on the January espresso tumbler? I do not want to get into a situation like this year where the store was not aware of the promotion (for coffee).
Anyone know if I can use the brew coffee tumbler in other countries? I received the brew coffee tumbler as a Christms gfit but will be traveling to Asia (lots of Starbucks stores there) for 3 weeks in January. Thanks
Anyone know of a store in the Central Texas area that has the January coffee trumbler?
Paula,
My store just north of Dallas (Lewisville) still has two left if you want to make the drive! Fox Ave and I-35. 699 S. Stemmons Freeway.
Don’t know how close we are to your part of Central Texas…
Have been looking for the brewed coffee Jan tumbler, but have only found lots of the espresso Jan tumblers. Surprised that there are so many espresso tumblers left. Hopefully, Starbucks will have the Jan brewed coffee tumbler again next year & I will look for it earlier in the season!
Will these tumblers be honor for the free drink at airport locations?
Great news! I went to Starbucks this morning and was told that they had received two more of the January brewed coffee tumblers. I felt like I hit the jackpot and bought it right away. Of course, the price was not reduced but it still is a great deal! Does anyone know if you get any stars while using the free brewed coffee tumbler ? I checked the website, but could not find any answers. Happy new year!
I too, would like to know if the Espresso Refill Tumbler offer will be available at airports. I didn’t see an answer to Kylea’s post above.
I just tried to use mine at the Las Vegas airport, they said they are not honoring the tumblers. I asked if that was the case at all airport locations and they said they werent sure, but because they didn’t sell the tumblers they could not honor the free espresso. Boo! I travel daily for work and was looming forward to using it at the airports 🙁
I got this mug for my boyfriend for christmas. He went to use it yesterday and they charged him 59 cents! He told the barista this was incorrect and that it should be free, however the barista did not agree and would not give him the coffee for free. I know this was only 59 cents but that is not right, i spent over 40 dollars for the mug so his coffee would be free. Now he does not want to go back in fear of causing further issues. Why would he be charged with his tumbler? Is anyone else having this issue?
Getting charged even $0.59 is absolutely inappropriate. I’ve been using my tumbler for a few days now at different Starbucks in MD and I haven’t been charged once. The only “problem” I ran into was once when I tried to leave the store after getting my coffee. I was stopped by the barista who told me that they still had to ring it up even though it was free.
The tumbler is only good for straight brewed coffee (with no flavor shots) did your BF get something else? $0.59 sounds like a flavor shot charge. If it was straight brewed coffee your BF should go back and talk with the manager and complain to corporate if he doesn’t get any results.
hey jeffrey!
nope, all he asked for was a plain cuppa joe haha. i asked him if he got a receipt and he said yes and that they charged him for a refil, even though it was his first time there. i have since written a review regarding this location. the review was sent to their location and they apologized by crediting my starbucks card with 5 dollars- totally unnecessary, but much appreciated. apparently the barista was a new hire and was not aware of the promotion.
I sharpied my name and cell on the side of my cup. A customer picked up my cup by mistake. This now keeps mine from getting confused with others.
I recieved the expresso tumbler for Christmas. I have gone everyday, religiously!! I have had no problems getting any drink I want, even Iced white chocolate mocha with 2 pumps of toffee nut. I can’t imagine Starbucks having a problem with me getting Iced over hot. You get so much less coffee than a grande iced cup holds. I’m sure it all comes out in the wash. I do have a problem, the picture on the tumbler just scratches off:/ I love the picture, so sad!!!
My wife gave me the espresso tumbler for a Christmas gift. It cost $75. You can get any espresso beverage of your choice. The barista at the location I usually go to told me that I can bring it back as many times as I want in a day. Usually I only go once a day, but there have been times where I got two, or even three drinks in a day, as I stopped at different Starbucks traveling from Galveston to Dallas. And my order’s not cheap. Typically I get a Venti 6-shot Caramel Macchiato (which costs $8.28). But with the grande I’ve continued to get the same 6-shot order, but have even gotten an 8-shot, and occasionally a 10-shot (which the barista “accidentally” gives me 10 shots, because she couldn’t keep count). Those are powerful, even for a dark-roast drinker like me. I’ve easily paid the $75 for the cup in just a couple of weeks. The rest is just all free coffee. If you have a cup and you’re not an every day customer, then order the most expensive drink you can, and get your money’s worth.
RIP
Despite somebody else’s concerns the tumbler stood up to a month’s abuse just fine
But back to my double wall steeled tumblers for longer warmth
Well another tumbler another year. I learned that (as suspected) Iced coffee didn’t ring up free we had to ring in Hot add Ice. Flavor syrup was actually NOT charged (at least on CA registers) The Espresso tumbler didn’t work with Americanos for some reason (we just rung it in as latte NO MILK…that was weird) but our store did everything we could to ensure all folk with either tumbler got their moneys worth and left satisfied. I saw on the web site that customers are requesting this type of tumbler as an on going type of deal. Like a 90 day tumbler…..cool idea!
I LOVED THE BREWED COFFEE TUMBLER! I had such a good time going every day to get my free coffee. I got it all sorts of ways and it was always FREE! I have become so spoiled. BTW, I discovered that I could get steamed soy milk in my brewed coffee at Starbucks. Delish! Does anyone know if that usually costs extra? I know that syrup usually costs extra without the Jan. tumbler.