Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Someone Bought A Dumb Starbucks Cup For $52

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

If you thought standing in line for a cup of coffee for Dumb Starbucks was dumb, we found something even dumber: someone made $52 selling a Dumb Starbucks cup.

It didn't take long for some enterprising souls to start hawking merchandise featuring the Dumb Starbucks logo. Paper cups and the FAQ sheet being handed out at the coffee shop-cum-art gallery went up on eBay. It looks like someone paid $52 for the honor of owning a cup. Someone else is trying to get $100 for a dumb venti. A seller is asking $69 for the FAQ sheet, but there are no takers for now. For $299, you can get the whole set.

The Dumb Starbucks isn't officially selling any merch besides the cups (and yes, it's funny to hear the word "authorized" in this context):

But that hasn't stopped entrepreneurs from selling hats and T-shirts (here and here) that are technically a copy of a copy. So who sends out the cease-and-desist letters: Dumb Starbucks or Starbucks?

Update 4:30 p.m.: The man behind Dumb Starbucks has been revealed.

Related:
Dumb Starbucks (That’s the Actual Name) Opens in Los Feliz
Dumb Starbucks May Need Really Smart Lawyers To Stay Open

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right