Fast-food fans across Australia have been left disappointed and angry after McDonald's highly promoted Grinch sand globes sold out nationwide, much sooner than many customers anticipated.
A Festive Promotion Turns Sour
The outrage began when a customer in Melbourne took to Reddit to question the availability of the collectible items. They pointed out that while the promotional period for the Grinch Meal had not officially ended, the sand globes themselves had completely vanished from local 'Macca's' stores. The user lamented, 'First they advertise, make me like it and then - there is no more. It's not fair.'
The globes were a central part of McDonald's limited-edition Grinch Meal, a Christmas-themed offering that focused heavily on novelty packaging and exclusive keepsakes. While the food items, such as the Chicken Big Mac and McWings, remain available, the prized sand globes are now gone.
eBay Resellers Cash In on Scarcity
The situation has been exacerbated by a flood of listings on eBay, where opportunistic sellers are capitalising on the shortage. Prices for a single Grinch sand globe now range from $15 to a staggering $130, excluding postage. Some listings offer individual characters, while others bundle the full set of four globes at a premium.
This scarcity has only intensified demand. Each Grinch Meal originally included one of four exclusive globes, each depicting The Grinch surrounded by stolen McDonaldland treasures like Hamburglar's burger and Grimace's shake. Completing the set became a quick obsession for collectors, families, and nostalgic fans.
Fan Frustration and International Confusion
The rapid sell-out has sparked a wave of frustration online. 'I want all four,' one fan commented, while another joked about travelling abroad to find them. The issue also caused confusion among international customers, with some in the US questioning why they received socks with their promotion while other countries got the sand globes.
A McDonald's spokesperson confirmed the news, stating, 'The Grinch Meal was a hit and has now sold out nationally.' They added that other menu items from the promotion are still available, and The Grinch Happy Meal remains in participating restaurants while stocks last.
With no restock planned, social media is awash with disappointment and 'resale rage.' For many, this episode encapsulates a modern retail frustration: blink and you miss a promotional item, hesitate and you end up paying a huge markup to an online reseller.
