McDonald's Collector's Meal Cups Selling for Over $100 Amid Nostalgia Craze

McDonald’s recent reintroduction of the Collector's Meal has sparked a frenzy, with nostalgic fans paying over $100 for the limited-edition cups online. The promotion, featuring designs like Barbie and Shrek, has quickly become a hot commodity as supplies dwindle.

Rediscover Nostalgia: McDonald's Collector's Meal Brings Back Childhood Memories with a Twist

Does anyone recall the excitement of visiting McDonald's, ordering a four-piece McNugget meal with an Orange Hi-C, and eagerly anticipating the trinket that would be revealed in the Golden Arches cardboard box? You can now experience the same level of magnificence by ordering a Collector's Meal, a Happy Meal specifically designed to satisfy the appetite of an adult. Additionally, they include a collector's cup to entice your nostalgia further.

McDonald's announced last week that the Collector's Meal was reintroduced to "unlock core memories around some of our favorite McDonald's moments." Like the Teenie Babies mania of the late 1990s, individuals have already begun reselling these collector cups on websites such as eBay and Mercari at exorbitant markups. In certain instances, a cup that could be included in a $12 Collector's Meal is sold for over $100. For an astonishing $150, a seller on eBay is offering a set of three glasses.

There are a few options available to diners for a Collector's Meal: a sausage McMuffin with egg sandwich, hash browns, and hot coffee during breakfast hours, or a 10-piece chicken McNuggets or Big Mac with potatoes and a soft drink throughout the rest of the day. Prices are subject to change based on the location, but they typically fall within the $10 to $12 range.

Fortune reports, that six cup designs are available that are suitable for both millennials and Gen Xers. These designs include Barbie and Hot Wheels, Beanie Babies, Coca-Cola, Hello Kitty and Peanuts, Shrek, Jurassic Park, Minions, and a McDonald 's-themed cup depicting Grimace. However, the additional cost associated with purchasing these unique containers online may detract from the enjoyment of customers who desire them, particularly given that this promotion is limited and will only be available for a limited time.

McDonald's senior marketing director Guillaume Huin has previously cautioned consumers that supplies are diminishing.

“The Collector Cups are literally flying off the shelves faster than anything we could have anticipated or have seen in the past,” Huin posted on X. “Friendly advice: if you want them, go to your local restaurant as soon as you can.”

McDonald's declined to respond to Fortune's inquiry regarding whether the company endorses the online resale of Collector's Meal containers, instead referencing a statement from an earlier announcement.

“There’s an undeniable thrill when you snag that one elusive McDonald’s collectible or the final piece to complete your collection,” Morgan Flatley, global chief marketing officer and head of new business ventures at McDonald’s, said. “We’re bringing back some of our most-loved keepsakes with a twist, giving fans a memory that they can hold in their hands.”

Facing Consumer Backlash: McDonald's Struggles with Quality and Nostalgia Amid New Collector Meals

McDonald's most recent initiatives to attract consumers who are growing weary of high prices include the introduction of Collector Meals. In addition to the announcement of its limited-time $5 meal offer and an even more giant Big Mac sandwich, the chain reported a decline in revenue during the second quarter.

Other McDonald's patrons have also complained about the quality of the new Collector's Meal containers. The fast-food chain's most recent cup incarnation appears to be plastic and less durable than the engraved glass cups that were previously available.

“McDonald’s: I want to know, how did we go from the nice heavy, engraved, glass…fancy-schmancy, to this,”TikTok user @littlemiss1stgrade said in a video last week. “Like, seriously? I’m so disappointed. Even Burger King had better cups back in the day. Come on now.”

So why do individuals bother accumulating McDonald's toys at all?

“Well, for a lot of 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,” author Jamie Shaw wrote in Collectorizing, a publication highlighting 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. Those Happy Meal toys can transport you back to simpler times when the biggest decision you had to make was whether to get a cheeseburger or chicken nuggets.”