I am sure many of you are familiar with the recent launch and craze of one of Taiwan's most well-received bottled drinks - Chun Cui He (純萃喝) in Singapore.
In case you are not aware, here is how the drinks look like: -
(There are currently only two flavors being released in SG - Classic Milk Tea and Latte flavors ONLY at selected 7-11 outlets)
Unsurprisingly, Singaporeans were so hyped about their landing in Singapore that some even woke up as early as 3 am to 5 am in the morning to get them. (Are you freaking serious???)
As if that isn't kiasu enough, they even unleashed their "kampung spirit" power and showed off their victory on Facebook, claiming that these were bought on behalf of their families, relatives, friends, uncle, auntie, bla bla bla.
And that is why, my dear fellow fans of the drink, that many of you are not able to get them in stores as intended. Despite the fact that you think you are early enough at 7 am or 8am in the morning, there will still be kiasu people *points to the above picture* that will always beat you to it.
The fact that there is no rules, regulations or limitations set will easily enable ONE or TWO person to sweep the entire rack. Believe it or not, there are people who would purchase ALL of the existing stocks without leaving any chance for others. (Mind you, there are only limited stocks at the outlets. Some imported only 10 of each flavor, while other outlets probably only slightly more) If you think you still have a chance, then I suggest you don't pin your hopes too high.
Like many typical others, I was one of those who tried luck at different 7-11 outlets during the initial launch but to no avail. All the 7-11 staff could be seen in an exasperated mode as their common line would be "No more milk tea".
In almost all of the outlets I happened to go to, I would spot people checking out the fridges and leaving the store empty-handed.
And just yesterday, there was someone asking if he could purchase in a bulk of 100.
It's ridiculous, because people are actually cashing in on the opportunity to sell the milk tea at a marked-up price: -
A recent search on the Shopee app with keywords "Taiwan mik tea" will grant you the results with people selling each bottle at $4.00 (Usual retail price: $2.80)
YES, they know that there will be desperate people who are willing to purchase it.
This is inevitable because if people are willing to buy it, what else more can we say?
Not sure if this is a troll, but there are people selling a drank, empty bottle of it at $1 on Carousell.
You've got to be kidding me.
The things people do to cash in on the craze. *rolls eyes*
But guess what?!
Thanks to my dear best friends (Pei wen and Abrial), they got one for me just yesterday as they chanced upon outlets that had them when most were already out of stock! Thank you, girls!
AND here's a picture to those kiasu people out there. Back at you, suckers. BACK AT YOU.
(Before people start lashing out at me that I bought many bottles like those kiasu people, let me clarify that those bottles are a combination of mine and my friends - I just wanted to troll!)
It's only a matter of time before the craze goes away - just like how the Hello Kitty craze from Macdonalds' did.
It's always a vicious cycle, people will always be seen flocking down to join the craze - and months later, whatever it is will just be another ordinary food or drink.
P/S: To those who are wondering how did we manage to get the drinks when they were already labelled as being out of stock on the official site, it's just a matter of strategic thinking and chance! We found them at the Raffles Place MRT outlet on a weekend and there were still quite a number of bottles. I believe this is due to the fact that not many people frequent Raffles Place on a weekend because it was a non-working day. The staff had mentioned that the stocks would be easily wiped out fast on a typical working weekday! So there you go.
