FAQ
General Info
What does Mug Barista mean?
It's a play on the idea of a barista. Normally a barista is a person who serves up coffee. But Mug Barista serves up something related yet entirely different; mugs.
How many mugs do you have in stock?
At least 20,000 and we're always acquiring more. If it's not on the site yet, just send us a message and ask.
Why aren't all of the mugs you have listed on the site?
We're working on it. We list each item with photo views from 6 different angles or a 360 interactive photo. We also include detailed descriptions and measurements for each mug. This makes adding mugs to the site a very time consuming process. We've thought about reducing the level of detail but that's just not our style. We add new inventory all the time, so as each mug goes through our process it will ultimately end up on the site.
Where are you located?
We're in Henderson, Nevada, just a short distance from the Las Vegas Strip.
Do people actually collect mugs?
Absolutely! Some of the popular collectible mugs we carry are Starbucks, Disney, Anthropologie, and Lenox among many others.
How can I contact you?
There are several methods to contact us. You may use the Contact Us form located in the info menu at the top left if viewing our site on desktop or in the collapsible menu if viewing our site on mobile. Alternatively you can contact us via email at mike@mugbarista.com or by phone at (702) 518-9313.
How do I know I can trust your site?
We've been selling on eBay since 2000 with a perfect feedback rating. To see our eBay feedback please click this link: eBay Feedback
To see our Facebook reviews please click this link: Facebook Reviews
Finally read our testimonials page, please click this link: Testimonials
Availability
Are more than one copy of a mug available on your site?
If multiple copies are available it will be clearly indicated on the specific mug's product page.
In addiiton the cart will notify you when a mug is unavailable in the quantity selected.
You have multiple copies of the mug I want, do I have to buy them individually to get a set?
Yes, all mugs are sold individually.
Mug Specifics
Are the mugs new or pre-owned?
The great majority of the mugs are pre-owned and put through an extensive reconditioning process as needed. If a mug is new it will be clearly stated in the condition tab for that particular mug.
Are you an authorized representative or distributor of any of the brands available for sale on this site?
No. All of the mugs available on this site have been acquired second hand. We do not purchase from any particular manufacturer or claim to officially represent, sell, or distribute any brand’s products. In addition we do not maintain inventory of any product purchased directly from any manufacturer.
Do the mugs come with the original box?
The vast majority of our mugs will not come with the original box but there are some that do. The mug's description will state if the box is included and detailed photos of the box will be present.
Do you manufacture the mugs you sell?
No, we manufacture none. All of the mugs we carry are vintage, hard to find, and out of print. They are mugs which were manufactured during their original production run by the original manufacturer. In practically all cases these mugs are no longer being manufactured.
Are the mugs cleaned before they are shipped to the customer?
This is a massive understatement to say the least. Each mug goes through an extensive reconditioning process as needed. Any surface scratches and surface wear from the bottom rim that are present are removed, and the interior and exterior are thoroughly cleaned.
What are those round number stickers I see on the bottom or inside some of the mugs?
Since we list each copy of a mug on our site individually, these are how we can tell copies of the same mug apart.
The mug details list height and diameter, how exactly are these measured?
Height refers to the height of the mug from a surface it's sitting on to the top rim. Mugs are not exactly the same height at every point that could be measured. We measure one point and assume the rest will be fairly close. The diameter is a similar situation, like the height this could vary. We always measure the diameter starting at the handle across to the opposite side and like the height, assume the rest will be fairly close.
How can I tell what the condition of a specific mug is?
We strive to carry mugs that are in the best possible condition. However minor imperfections may exist. If there are any condition issues present on a certain mug, these will be noted in the description section in an entry titled "Condition note" or in a tab titled "Condition." In addition we use arrows to point to any imperfections that we would specifically like to show. Please read any condition notes that may exist and look carefully at the 6 photos provided to get a complete picture of a mug's condition. We try very hard to catch every possible issue but looking at the photos is particularly important just in case we missed something. If any questions remain please contact us at admin@mugbarista.com.
I was reading one of the mug descriptions and came across some terms I didn't quite understand. One of these was the bottom rim, another was the front surface, and there were more. What do these terms mean?
Here's a list of the most common terms we use on our site when describing a mug:
Bottom rim: refers to the area on the bottom of the mug that is raised from the rest of the bottom surface. It is often unfinished and therefore more susceptible to staining and discoloration.
Crazing: this imperfection occurs on the surface of a mug. It may appear on the outer or inner surfaces or both. It appears as fine lines that randomly travel throughout the mug and can look like fine cracks in the surface. Although we tend to avoid carrying any mugs that have crazing, if we do have one with any crazing at all it will be clearly stated in the mug's description.
Front: for the purpose of this site we refer to the front of the mug being the surface you are looking at when the handle is positioned to your right. In almost all cases this view is the first photo presented on the mug's page.
Pedestal: this type of mug sits on a seperate base. It's usually a completely different shape than the rest of the mug. Sometimes referred to as a footed mug.Pitting: this imperfection is a group of tiny holes present on a mug. It may occur anywhere on the mug but is most common on the bottom rim.
Rear: for the purpose of this site we refer to the rear of the mug being the surface you are looking at when the handle is positioned to your left. In almost all cases this view is the third photo presented on the mug's page.
Rim: refers to the top edge of a mug. This is where you would drink from.
Ordering
Can I place an order without creating an account?
Yes. You can place an order as a guest with no obligation to create an account.
I want to purchase a mug as a gift and send it to someone else. How can I do this?
When checking out on the customer information page please enter the shipping address for the person you would like the gift sent to. After completing checkout send an email to mike@mugbarista.com stating that your order is a gift. We will not place any invoices or pricing information in the package. In addition if you would like a note placed in the package please include what you would like it to say in your email.
Do you offer gift wrapping service?
We do not offer gift wrapping services at this time.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Can I return or exchange an item?
Your satisfaction is extremely important to us. If you would like to return an item please contact mike@mugbarista.com within 7 days of receiving your order. The returned item must be in the same condition as originally represented on mugbarista.com. The customer is responsible for return shipping costs, however the original shipping cost if any will be refunded. All refunds are processed via the original payment method. For more information regarding PayPal refunds please visit this link: PayPal Refunds.
Shipping
When will my order ship?
Most orders will ship within 1-2 business days after placing your order.
Sometimes an order may ship on the same day it was placed, but this is not guaranteed.
How long will delivery take?
Orders shipped within the United States will be delivered in 4-7 days.
International orders will vary depending upon the country the order is shipping to.
Which shipping methods do you offer for orders going to destinations within the United States?
Orders within the contiguous United States ship for free. They may be shipped via USPS Ground Advantage or USPS Priority Mail. We will determine the most appropriate method to ship your package, of course always at no cost to you.
Which shipping methods do you offer for orders going to destinations outside the United States?
International orders ship via USPS First Class Package International service.
Also available for international orders is USPS Priority Mail International service. If desired this can be selected during check out.
For orders going to Canada or Mexico, UPS Standard service may be selected during check out.
Shipping fees for international orders are calculated based on the destination country and the weight of the package being shipped.
For orders going to destinations outside the United States, when are import taxes, duties, and custom fees collected?
The customer is responsible for any import taxes, duties, and custom fees which may be due upon arrival of your order. These fees are NOT collected at the time you place your order.
Are there any countries you do not ship to?
At this time we do not ship to Germany.
Do you use biodegradable shipping materials?
Yes. Our corn based packing peanuts are biodegradable.