Special Starbucks gift card sells out in moments

For many dedicated coffee lovers, the launch of the Starbucks Metal Card was bitter sweet. On Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, the Starbucks Coffee Co. made the limited edition gift card available at the online retailer Gilt.com. But, within moments of the launch, the 5,000 cards were reportedly sold out, leaving Starbucks devotees disappointed.

On the foodee website Eater National, blogger Amy McKeever reported that the stainless steel gift cards, each one loaded with $400 and sold for $450 apiece, sold out "instantaneously." She quoted Facebook and Twitter users lamenting the quick sell-out of the cards. Starbucks reported that, by purchasing the card, consumers ascended to Starbuck's Gold Level Membership status, which entitles them to Starbucks beverage and food item rewards, as well as free refills on brewed coffee and tea.

On Dec. 8, reports surfaced that Starbucks Steel Cards were selling on eBay Inc.'s online auction site for more than double their value. On Forbes.com, blogger Helaine Olen reported that one card had sold for $1,074 on eBay. Olen last reported that 95 Starbucks Metal Cards were for sale on the site.

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