Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard about the frenzy surrounding Stanley tumblers. People have been seen in full-on brawls in stores to get them. And they’re not cheap. Currently on Walmart’s website, they have them in prices ranging from $35 dollars to $145.59. So what’s the big deal, and how can you get your hands on one?
How did Stanley tumblers become the IT item to own?
The Stanley brand has been around for 110 years. Historically, it was marketed toward men. Workmen as well as men who participated in outdoorsy activities. But it didn’t reach it’s current viral success until it started targeting women. In fact, it was women influencers who made the tumbler a huge hit with over 20 million views on TikTok. The start of the craze happened after three women: Linley Hutchinson, Ashlee LeSueur and Taylor Cannon mentioned it on their online shopping blog and Instagram account. They’re the founders of The Buy Guide and were early fans of the Stanley Quencher tumbler. They originally posted about it back in 2017, but then found that people were having a hard time finding it.
Long story short, they made a then-risky wholesale deal to buy and sell 10,000 of the tumblers. They sold out the first 5,000 in four days, and the other 5,000 in an hour. This introduced Stanley to affiliate marketing, and resulted in the popularity of the Quencher skyrocketing. If you want, you can read the entire detailed account of The rise of the Stanley Tumbler.
The dark side of the Stanley craze
Not only have the tumblers had people brawling in Target, it’s caused issued like bullying in middle schools. Some girls have been bullied and shamed for not only not owning one, but if they dare have a cheaper version, or knockoff. I know it’s not the first status symbol to get young people bullied, but that doesn’t make it any less sad.
If it’s been tough to get your hands on one, there is a way. The creative people over at Etsy have come up with some adorable variations that you can get right now. Yes, you will have to pay extra to get it, but if you really want it, you have options. Here are some of the cutest I’ve seen.