McDonald’s Collector’s Meal Cups are being resold on eBay for $100
Remember the anticipation when you went to McDonald’s, ordered your four-piece McNugget meal with an Orange Hi-C, and waited impatiently to reveal the toy you received in your Golden Arches cardboard box? Now you can experience that same sense of magnificence when you order a Collector’s Meal – a Happy Meal designed for an adult’s appetite, with a collector’s cup included to fuel your nostalgia even further.
McDonald’s relaunched the Collector’s Meal last week to “evoke core memories of some of our favorite McDonald’s moments,” according to a company statement. And much like the Teenie Babies craze of the late 1990s, people have already started reselling these collectible mugs on sites like eBay and Mercari at insane markups. A mug that could be had in a $12 Collector’s Meal is in some cases being resold for more than $100. One seller on eBay appears to be offering a set of three mugs for a whopping $150.
Guests have several options for a Collector’s Meal: a Sausage McMuffin with egg sandwich, hash brown and hot coffee during breakfast hours, or 10 Chicken McNuggets or Big Mac with fries and a soft drink for the rest of the day. Prices vary by location, but generally range from $10 to $12.
There are six cup designs that appeal to both Millennials and Generation Xers, including Barbie and Hot Wheels; Beanie Babies; Coca-Cola; Hello Kitty and Peanuts; Shrek, Jurassic Park, and Minions; and a McDonald’s Grimace-themed mug. However, the extra cost of these special mugs online might spoil the fun for customers who want one, especially since it’s a limited-time promotion and only runs while supplies last.
Guillaume Huin, chief marketing officer at McDonald’s, has already warned consumers that supplies are running low.
“The Collector Cups are literally flying off the shelves faster than we ever expected or saw,” Huin posted on X. “Friendly advice: if you want them, get to your local restaurant ASAP.”
McDonald’s declined to respond AssetsThe question of whether the company tolerates the online resale of the Collector’s Meal cups is not answered, instead referring to a statement from the earlier announcement.
“There’s an undeniable thrill when you grab that one hard-to-find McDonald’s collectible or the final piece to complete your collection,” Morgan Flatley, global chief marketing officer and head of new business at McDonald’s, said in the statement. “We’re bringing back some of our most beloved memorabilia with a special twist, giving fans a memory they can hold in their hands.”
McDonald’s new Collector Meals are one of the company’s latest efforts to win back price-conscious customers. The chain reported a decline in second-quarter sales but also announced the launch of a limited-time $5 meal deal and an even larger Big Mac sandwich.
Other McDonald’s customers have also complained about the quality of the new Collector’s Meal cups. The fast-food chain previously offered engraved glass cups, but the latest version appears to be made of plastic and not as durable.
“McDonald’s: I want to know how we went from the nice, heavy, engraved glass… fancy fancy to this,” TikTok user @littlemiss1stgrade said in a video last week. “Seriously? I’m so disappointed. Even Burger King had better cups back then. Come on.”
So why do people even bother collecting McDonald’s toys?
“Well, for many people, it’s about nostalgia. Maybe you have fond memories of getting Happy Meals as a kid, and the toys bring back those warm, fuzzy feelings,” wrote author Jamie Shaw in Collect, a publication that highlights the stories of collectors. “There’s something special about holding onto a little piece of your childhood, even if it’s just a plastic toy from a fast food restaurant. These Happy Meal toys can take you back to simpler times, when the biggest decision you had to make was whether to buy a cheeseburger or chicken nuggets.”
