Starbucks will soon be offering a new stainless steel card. It’s available beginning this Friday, and will be sold exclusively by Gilt.com. There is only 1,000 of these cards, so they’ll be gone super fast. I can’t even imagine that I’ll be lucky enough to get one!
Some readers may recall that last year Starbucks had a similar offering, producing 5,000 steel cards available via Gilt.com. Just like last year, the stainless steel card retails for $450.00, and comes with a $400 balance pre-loaded on the card. Also, once the card is registered, a Gold-level MyStarbucksRewards membership is unlocked. Obviously, it’s a pretty incredible item for the serious Starbucks card collector or enthusiast!
The official Starbucks.com newsroom article on this steel card is here.
If you want to browse through previous articles about Starbucks Card, click through here.
So who’s going to try and get one? I think I will try but the truth is, since there is only 1,000 of them the odds are against me that I’ll be successful.
(Open thread – talk about anything Starbucks related).
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I bought one this morning. They had some sort of pre-sale that lasted about 5 minutes.
@Arnold – I am so jealous. I wasn’t included for any pre-sale. 🙁 Enjoy your card! That’s a treasure!
No way! I have my (new, glittery, replacement) gold card and a Chicago (theatre) themed card. I’m good with those!
They are a gorgeous collector’s item to be sure and someday I shall buy one when I win the lottery. 😛
@Sandra Trolinger – I get that feeling. These will probably sell out in minutes with tens of thousands trying to get one – I doubt I’ll be lucky enough to get one in my Gilt.com shopping cart. And then when they show up on eBay, they’ll be priced at HUGE prices way, way, beyond what I can afford. Last year, some of those stainless steel cards that were $450 showed up on eBay for like $3,000!
Time to start buying lotto tickets.
Melody, may the odds be ever in your favor! Good luck to all who want the special cards.
I don’t come here much but if you check the comments from last year’s sale, I helped a bunch of this site’s members buy them before they officially went on sale. Unfortunately, this pre-sale was over (quantities gone) pretty much within minutes after I bought mine so there was no opportunity to assist this year like I did last year. Wish I could’ve helped y’all again.
No thanks. I am special enough without a “special” card.
It really ticks me off when companies create a program for people to “earn” rewards and then create a special class where you can buy yourself in. The eBay sharks will make more money off this than Starbucks. Also, remember you have to become a member of Gilt.com.
As I noted on Facebook, there were sellers who had multiples to sell on eBay. I never could figure out how that happened!
Arnold got lucky I see. Gilt pre-orders are hard to come by.
I would really like one, and I would have no problem spending the $400 preloaded balance. I tried last year, but had delays that prevented me from getting online in time. Perhaps this year, the cards will be in the right place.
They’re only making 1,000 this year (vs 5,000 last year) so my guess is that they’ll be even more difficult to get this year. According to an USA Today article, that was intentional on Starbucks part to make them even more prestigious. http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/12/04/starbucks-gift-card-exclusive-gilt/3871313/
Arnold, may I ask you got the presale code?
@Connie There wasn’t a pre-sale code. The item went live via a direct link (not the one advertised by Starbucks or searchable on Gilt) for 10 minutes or so yesterday morning. People were able to order on some sort of pre-sale until the pre-sale quantities ran out.
@Arnold Lucky you! Thanks for the information and wishing you many rosy days with your new card!
Well, kind of what DadC…said.
Good luck to all of you who want one of these and see the value in it. For me: I can’t see paying $50.00 for the card, and how ‘limited’ they make it. But, if you want this as a ‘special’ collectible….. I get it. I guess.
I also have to be in the group of people that feels this card offer is not worth pursuing and there is something about it that just makes me feel sad. As others have said, if you want one I sure hope you can get it. Somehow, SB continues to puzzle me at times with their various promotions and products.
@Purple1 and anyone else – I see no harm in creating offers that have an element of exclusivity, or are just for a small subset of the customer base. That’s tailoring offers to those who might like it. I think though, for this one, 1,000 was just way too few of the card. There was a pre-sale link, and I wasn’t able to buy a card through the pre-sale. Apparently, the pre-sale cards were “sold out within a matter of seconds,” as per an official spokesperson whom I talked to.
@Melody, yes there is no harm or problem with a company offering “exclusive” offers, but there is a right way and a wrong way. IMHO, Starbucks has demonstrated the wrong way two years in a row now. Personally I have problems with how Gilt.com conducts business and do not consider it good that Starbucks associates with them. I am sure that the majority of these cards were bought by speculators who plan to resell the cards, just like last year. All Starbucks has done with the even more limited number is increase the profits to the speculators. There are more honest ways to earn a dollar (BTW I consider myself a Capitalist).
I was on Gilt this AM and had the page up as it counted down how much time remained… I clicked “buy now” immediately and instead of my card, was shown it was in my waiting list. So, must have had a lot of pre-sales as I was on the site right when it went live. Unfortunate but I probably didn’t need one anyway 🙂
I received an email from starbucks on Dec 4th informing me that they would be selling these cards on Dec 6th at 9am PST. I logged into gilt this morning and watched the countdown. When it hit zero, the screen refreshed and all I saw was ‘sold out.’ Total scam.
Some MSR Gold Card members received an email where they got “1 hour early access Just For You”. I’m a gold card holder and I didn’t get the email.
Dad Cooks your last comments are right on target in my opinion. Also, from the other comments re readers here trying to get the card on Gilt it makes me not only sad but annoyed that if people really want these cards they have to go through such craziness to get them. Does SB think having these new cards will make a customer more loyal to the brand? Or will it do the opposite and just get customers upset that they have to go through such a process to try to get one.
@purple1 @DadCooks I too believe this negatively affects the SB and Gilt brands but not everyone feels that way:
There is a large group of people who bought the card for the sole purpose of reselling it on eBay. They probably don’t even support SB.
Then there is also a large group of avid card collectors who bought the card to include in their card collection. It’s not for resale. It’s not to show off. And it’s not to feel special because they have one. They simply want the card. I am one of them. But unfortunately, Gilt can’t differentiate between the two groups.
If you didn’t get it within the 30 seconds that it sold out–no worries! Just go to eBay for a mere $2500: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIMITED-EDITION-ROSE-GOLD-METAL-STARBUCKS-CARD-2013-FREE-OVERNIGHT-SHIPPING-/141134730361?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20dc491479
38 listings so far on eBay
I stand corrected. 47
oops! 57 on ebay…
I am a huge Starbucks fan having just purchased your $75 January tumbler deal. I was eagerly waiting all week for the sale on Gilt and was online as soon as the sale “opened” and immediately they were gone. Very shady! How are these things on eBay already? How did people purchase them yesterday?? I have been a gold card member since 2008 and was never informed of any “presale”. I am beyond disappointed in you guys right now!
Were you able to get a card, Melody??
Hey, Kenneth, you know you’re not talking to Starbucks, right? This is just a personal blog. You might want to try communicating directly at starbucks.com.
@Kristen – This is “just a personal blog” but I know it gets confused as a company-operated one all the time. People find the Contact me form, and think I’m Starbucks. http://www.starbucksmelody.com/contact/ – On countless occasions, I’ve gotten emails asking how people can either get a job at Starbucks, or open up a branch – like as if I am hiring. But for “just a personal blog,” it’s awesome! 🙂
@John – I got a card at 9 am. I think I managed to get a card within the first 60 seconds of the public sale of them, because my impression is that they sold out within one minute. How about you?
Congratulations on getting one, Melody!
139 for sale on eBay. Melody, I’m so pumped that you got one. Personally, I think SB should have given you one as their unofficial “maven” Congratulations!!
Melody, I agree with Sharon Lovoy that Starbucks should have given you one. You are the best free advertisement they have most likely. I decided to scan through the completed ebay listings for these special cards and saw that one person had 2 that they sold! Not sure how that would happen. I’ve been a gold card holder for quite awhile and don’t even get the email special offers for free oatmeal and such , but my kids do. It’s just kind of a mystery how things work with this company.
@Sharon Lovoy and Becky E – I want to thank you for the kind words. Heck, ANY card from Starbucks with that much money on it would be amazing – but from Starbucks’ perspective, there must be millions of customers who all think “I spend so much at Starbucks… I am their biggest customer.” — I know that sounds silly, but I bet their lots of people who think that as a customer, they deserve a card with money on it. And so I think that would make it hard for Starbucks to single one person out. And besides, I’m still waiting on that free trip to Europe to tour Starbucks stores there. 😉 😉 (The last part is clearly a joke!) Anyways, thank you, and I guess I do think I do a lot as a customer! hahaha!
@Melody: I’m glad you were one of the few who did get the card, since you wanted one.
I am one of those who did get the email but, not interested. I do feel I personally (obviously like millions of others!) do a lot for Sbux, having been a die-hard daily customer for so many yrs. Not to mention, following thru on things within the stores with the dms etc. And keeping them all (partners) more informed than (sadly) many of them seem to be. Whether that’s of their own doing or lack of communication…I don’t know. I do know I support the brand, that’s for sure, and also do my part to keep it “right”. (on their toes, when necessary)
on an almost side note: very small scale correlation: when they offered up the Anniversary Blend with ‘taster’s cup” (while supplies last) and I ordered it immediately and never received the taster’s cup. Cust. service said: didn’t know why but now long gone. That was just a taster’s cup, could’ve produced a million+, and yet they were immediately out. I never needed to order the Anniversary Blend and pay delivery etc. It’s never been one of my favorites plus there are a ton of corp stores all around me. Seemed kind of ‘scam-y’.
Denise R and Melody this question you sort of bring up is an interesting one because to me it is how do you define the best customer in SB’s eyes? I too am happy Melody you got the card, but like Denise said with the taster’s cup she should have received one. The system does not seem equitable but then in general I suppose in retail there are different levels of customer rewards. I am not sure how I got the most recent promotion- get 25 stars by December 25 and I get 30 bonus stars. Wonder how many customers got this email promotion?
@ Purple1 – I got that email too, get 25 stars by 12/25. I’ve always assumed they’re random emails.
Anyway, it is a great question, “how do you define who is a best customer?” –
I think that most retailers do keep track of their very top most-spending customers – I mean the top like 1%?? But even 1% of something like 5 million gold card holders is a huge number.
Or, I’ve sometimes thought that Starbucks’ best customers are people like Sheryl Crow, Oprah, or Ellen DeGeneris who are already hugely famous, and have the power to move and reach large numbers of people.
Or there are customers who have managed to capture media attention now and then, and/or reach way more customers than a typical customer. I’m thinking of Winter (on a lifelong journey to visit every Starbucks in the world), Beautiful (ate only Starbucks food for one year), and I guess myself too. Actually, there are some partners who’ve totally done the same – created attention and reach more people – I’m thinking specifically of the YouTube channel “5 Awesome baristas” https://twitter.com/awesomebaristas
It’s an interesting question; I bet that somewhere out there, Starbucks must know who their top 1% or half a percent customers are.
Whatever, 1,000 was way too few to make of these cards. It didn’t begin to touch the amount of demand for them.
I too received the 25stars by Christmas promo. Easy enough of course. Then I wonder: with the 30. ‘bonus stars’ , do they divide those up into the ‘lucky dozen’ rewards? One would think…
I know that I am a good customer–not sure if I would call myelf the best. I bought stock in the company because I love it so much.
I also take time to research eBay and turn in all the scammers who are selling salt and other “not for retail sale” items. I was turning in so many that the security guy and I are on a personal email basis (hello, Jack!) Everyone needs a hobby ! Ha! Mine is protecting this company so they can keep employing good people and providing jobs and insurance for them. I believe we are all ultimately nterdependent on one another.
And I love this blog! This whole “conversation” has been so interesting this week! Go, Melody! Go, followers!!
@Melody, congratulations on getting a card.
While I am critical of this sort of “promotion” it is because I feel it puts undue pressure on people and makes it harder for the true collector and aficionado to get in on the original offer while some “insiders” get first pickings. That is why a company, if it uses a third party, needs to be very careful and select a reputable one.
These cards are so super cool!!! Totally worth with the amount on it. If these were internationally I would really try to get one. 🙂
Once again, I feel like a member of the Chicago Starbucks Midwest Mafia. It’s members are Denise, DadCooks and myself. On a sidenote: @DadCooks – You can take the Dad out of Chicago, but you can’t take the Chicago out of the Dad ;-)…….. Now where was I? I agree with Denise and DadCooks. Gee what a surprise!
I’m content with getting my coffee, my stars and promos. (I keep getting a lot of food and drink promo codes one after another lately) I refuse to chase down these kind of Card offers. I liken most of our relationships with Starbucks as something that resembles a lopsided teenage crush or even crazy groupies sometimes. We really love them, and they really kind of LIKE us SOMETIMES too! I don’t want to be that kind of person. I really don’t want to chase after Starbucks as if i have this special need to have everything limited and special they need to offer. At least for me, who would I be impressing? At least not going to the extent that I have to have one. Having one of those cards wouldn’t make me feel special at all, even as a collectible. As long as the promos and stars keep coming toward rewards, I’m content. Just my .2¢ as usual.
Now I jinxed myself. I received a promo code good until later this week yesterday. I didn’t go to Starbucks yesterday. I looked at my balance and noticed the promo disappeared before I can use it and before the expiration date. This is the 3rd incidence in a month or so. Like I said…. We love them, and they sure LIKE us…… SOMETIMES!
@Chgo. – thanks for including me in the Chicago Starbucks Midwest Mafia (expat auxiliary).
I too continue to experience prematurely vanishing promos too. IMHO the date seems to mean that they expire at 12:01 a.m., not the way to run promos. I really do not need the extra calories anyway.
@DadCooks – Thank god I remembered the promo code. The promo codes are the same every time they redo a promotion. This was a BOGO 50% off (food item). I had them put in the code today and it worked anyway, but there is still no excuse to remove it from our accounts. I believe the expiration date is either next Thurs. or Fri. and it’s good for each visit. Last time the promo disappeared within an hour of receiving an email.
@Denise – I’m not sure if it will be just a regional thing, but I’m hearing that soon they will be cutting hours and having only 3 people on the floor here! It doesn’t sound like it was limited to one district. Maybe this will go in effect after the holidays, but this would be a disaster considering heating the pastries is causing longer wait times. I hope that is just a really bad rumor.
@Chgo: I don’t think it’s a rumor. I heard from our dm they’re cutting the pastries (leaving NOT much) and also the staff…by x#%. I can’t see it..it’s so bad already. 🙁 (I am loving the SNOW tho….)
@Chgo. and @denise r – what you both mention, and I am aware of too, is a sign of a company in turmoil/trouble. Stockholders need to be vigilant and look beyond the press releases. I hope that Starbucks starts exercising more common sense and understands that a good cash position does not necessarily make a good company. Too easy to be careless.
Pastries being cut? I think they have to offer pastries because people expect to get food with their morning cup of coffee. Does anyone have more details? It looks like some of the pastry items do very well – the new sticky bun, the chocolate croissant, the plain croissant … but other items seem to just sit – such as the new lemon loaf. Well, that’s my observations but obviously I don’t know any hard numbers.
Tried to get the Starbucks Rose card through gilt.com and it is the biggest scam ever. Waited with 2 computers and it never went for sale. Sold to Gilt employees early. insider deals are bad business Starbucks. I will never do business with Gilt.com. EVER