Value of Starbucks 2006 City Mugs  - Architecture Series
	Review: Author:   T. Chang Email me:   Link to us:   Click here

Introduction:

What makes the Starbucks City Mugs so special? Los Angeles Times once reported that a woman will pay $1000 for Starbucks mug. Unlike other Starbucks mugs, City Mug Series is released in selected locations. It means less quantity and harder to get and eventually to complete a set. Starbucks technically created geographic silos for the City Mug Series collectors. Because of that, City Mugs inherit higher value than their siblings. This article will discuss how to estimate the price/value of a set of 2006 Starbucks Architect Series City Mugs. Three different models were used in order to carry out this mission. Those models were based on a number of underlying assumptions including current economic situation, marketing efficiency, customer behavior and conceptual values. Those assumptions are essential to build a model and help us to estimate the price. Before we go any further. Following is a list of important messages and how you should use this article:

1. This is not a price guide. (Need live price quote? Click here)
2. The article uses live data. When number of mugs is updated, the article will reflect that instantly and all the calculations will carry over.
3. This article only provides calculations based on assumptions. So do not use this article as your investment guide.
4. I'm not associated/affiliated with Starbucks or eBay

To determine the entire set of Starbucks 2006 Architecture Series, we have to know the number of mugs in this set. As of today, Starbucks released 52 different city mugs (see checklist). It is unfortunate that many Americans think New Mexico is the Capital of Mexico and Canada is one of the 50 states. So it's time to revisit the kindergarten geography before we dig any deeper. A little map will help a lot in terms of what we're dealing with. Those red flags on the map represent the cities that Starbucks choose to release city mug for 2006 which we have 52 of them. Ergo, the price of a set of 2006 City mug can be calculated as easy as

52 (the complete set without mini mugs) * $9.95 per mug plus tax.

If it is that easy, I wouldn’t even bother to write this article. Starbucks stop selling those city mugs in other cities after a wrongful business decision several years ago. Therefore, a Chicago Windy City Mug can be found only in Great Chicago area, neither in Rockford nor in the Starbucks Online store. In other words, there’s no so call “one-stop-shopping” for the entire set. Because of that, to determine the price of the entire set is way more complicated.

This article will exam the value/price of the Starbucks 2006 Architecture Series Mug with three different approaches. It will also discuss the risks involved as well as the possible return. Before we even start, you might wonder why not calling the local store, paying it through the phone and having them send it to you. Unluckily, Starbucks local stores will NOT send you in-store souvenirs. They will tell you nicely that it’s their business policy and it’ll be more important to them to have you physically in that store to FEEL the atmosphere and UNIQUE experience. But you're pretty close; the online approach is our first option.

Option 1 – eBay approach:

So here’s our first option, buying from eBay. To determine the price by purchasing entire set through eBay is easy. Depending on which city mug you’re purchasing, the price of a Starbucks 2006 City Mug on eBay is ranged from $14 to $30 (get real-time price quote here). If we take the average $22, plus average shipping which is approximately $7.5, the total you pay for a mug shipped to your door is $29.5 assuming that you pay either Paypal or cash (no additional fees were charged). And the entire set of 2006 Architecture Series will be $1534.

$1534 is the total you pay via eBay which bears following risks.

A mug can be lost during the shipping and the seller is not responsible for that which is a net $29.5 loss. A mug is damaged during the shipping. A package is stolen by your neighbor. A seller might send you a wrong mug. Or one of the sellers just simply took away your money. The worst part is, if you want to file a complaint and have a response quick, online chat is the only way. That really pisses a lot people off. How can eBay assumes that everybody knows how to type? What about those who know how but don’t know how to spell? My point is, there’s a huge barrier between most people and eBay approach which is computer literacy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, the percent of households with a computer is 51.7%. It means less than half of the Americans have actually touched a computer. So there’s got to be a better way other than eBay! And yes there’re many.

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