Memoirs of Beijing

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you’ll search for it no matter what?  Here’s what I did for my growing number of fairy godchildren of Starbucks collectors.

February 10, 2011

After waiting for half an hour for the police station to open, I arrived at the office freezing.  I headed straight to Starbucks to get a cup of vanilla latte to warm me up.  When I was waiting in line, there was suddenly a commotion in the counter.  Apparently, one of the regular customers spotted the delivery of new products and asked to have a look.  The delivery was for the spring 2011 products which will be launched on 15 Feb 2011 (Mark your calendars already).  One of the merchandise that she loved the best and bought all of it at once is the Sakura 2011 Starbucks Bear.

Since she was ahead of me, I was only able to get a glimpse of this bear which was in a dusky pink kimono top before it was bought.  The barista told me that they won’t have any more stocks delivered in their store so I better check out other stores.  When I reached my desk, I posted on the Exclusive Starbucks Collector group on Facebook about my find.  Throughout the day, people were ordering and I don’t know what to do. 

I asked my staff to contact the store near my home which is one of the biggest in Beijing to order or purchase them and they said I have to get it that evening.  When I arrived at the store, there was somehow a miscommunication as the bears they reserved are the Valentines Starbucks bear.  I was so disappointed and tried calling again different stores in the vicinity.  In the store near the main office of Starbucks, they informed me that they received 14 bears that morning and will call me back to check if nobody reserved for the bears yet.  I immediately boarded a bus to the store in case they said they have some available for me to purchase that day.  Alas, no luck as all bears were already reserved. 

My calls continued and in one of the store, the guy who picked it up was the store manager.  He said he’ll help me find them in other stores.  I headed to that store and was able to chat with him.  Apparently, he’s also a collector of mugs, tumblers and bears.  He has over 350 mugs and tumblers and 30 bears.  Cool huh?

Apparently, being a barista doesn’t automatically entitles you to get the merchandise.  They can only buy one for themselves and get some employee discount.  Otherwise, they’re just regular customers who have to fight or search for merchandise the hard way.

At the end of the day, I went home empty-handed and disappointed.  I just hope he would call me with good news the next day.

February 11, 2011

Around 2pm, I received a call from the manager and he said that he was able to pool enough stocks from other branches to sell to me.  He would call me back when the stocks are available to be purchased.  He even asked me if I want to get two more extra bears.  I told him at that time I don’t want them yet.  After an hour, I changed my mind and told him I’ll get the two extra bears.

Around 5pm, he called me again to tell me that 9 bears were delivered to the store today.  He told me if I could purchase them already as he’s afraid that if other customers or baristas see it, they might buy it ahead of me.  I told him I’ll go there after work to pick up the bears and to hold it for me till then.

When I arrived at the store around 730pm, he was already there waiting for me with the bears.  Happiness!!  I’m still waiting for his next call for the remaining four bears.  I told him that if I go back home, I’ll bring him some Starbucks global icon tumbler from the Philippines. 

That ends my hunt.  I gained a friend and made 9 people happy!   

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