McDonald’s latest venture, the new Collector's Meal, ignited quite the buzz among fans and collectors, coming with collectible cups featuring popular characters from various pop culture franchises. Released on August 16, 2023, the promotion aims to encapsulate nostalgia, reminiscent of previous McDonald's adult Happy Meal offerings.
Each set of six cups highlights beloved figures such as Barbie, Hello Kitty, and Shrek, wrapped up neatly so there's a surprise element for customers. Nonetheless, disappointment simmered among many fans as they realized the cups are made from plastic instead of the sturdy glass they fondly remembered from past promotions.
The cups are not dishwasher safe, which left some parents frustrated, especially those wanting to get their kids these quirky collectibles. Ironically, the beloved 1980s glass cups often faced similar issues with dishwasher use, where decorations would peel or fade away.
Across social media, the response has been sharp, with TikTok user @littlemiss1stgrade voicing disbelief at the quality drop. "How do we go from this...the nice, heavy, engraved glass? To this?” expressed the user, clinking the plastic cup on their counter, highlighting the disappointment echoing through nostalgic circles.
Despite the backlash against plastic, the cups have already become hot commodities on resale platforms like eBay. Remarkably, complete sets of the new cups have surfaced, with some listings reaching astonishing prices—around $200 for sets still secured within their blue packaging.
Individual cups are also seeing significant price marks, with some fetching prices over $100 on resell sites. Collectors remembered the quality and heft of the old glass mugs, which have left some questioning if the new cups' low-cost plastic falls short of the McDonald's trademark.
For those eager to grab their own Collector’s Meal, the meals are available globally through McDonald’s app, online, or at their physical locations. Customers have options throughout the day ranging from breakfast items to lunchtime classics, including the ever-so-popular Big Mac.
Those who were hoping for the classic experience might feel nostalgic for the collectible glass mugs from their childhoods, like the Garfield or Muppet-themed glasses. The transition to plastic cups has stirred poignant feelings, especially considering the fond memories associated with the original glass offerings from decades past.
The strategy appears sociable as McDonald’s partners with brands like Coca-Cola, Sanrio, and others to evoke nostalgia among older and newer generations alike. According to McDonald's, these cups hail from various iconic franchises across different decades, creating interest and excitement around this fun promotion.
Despite demand, the complaints circulating about the quality and usability of these cups have raised valid concerns. Parents, especially, worry about the practicality of the cups—after all, the convenience of cleaning should tie hand-in-hand with collectibles.
Collectors are undoubtedly aware of this fact, driving many to acquire the cups, sometimes only to tuck them away safely. While the character designs invoke familiarity, they may view the usability as less favorable than they anticipated.
On eBay, one offers astounding deals, including T-shirts alongside cup sets, each enticingly priced around $200. This has led to discussions among collectors about the future value of these cups, considering the backlash and quality concerns.
After just days on the market, cups with older character representations are observing price hikes, provoking even seasoned collectors to engage. Whether this trend will hold steady through the fall remains to be seen, with fans eagerly watching their potential resale value.
While McDonald’s aims to drive nostalgia with its collectible cups, online shoppers surfacing rafts of offers may lead to resale fever. Conversations continue to swirl around the appeal versus the product quality, showcasing how retailers must balance innovation with customer satisfaction.
Overall, enthusiasm continues to pulse through the channels of nostalgia, creating buzz around these collector items, skyrocketing to new heights. But the question remains: will collectors stay loyal to these new offerings, or will they simply reminisce about the past glass creations?