What started out as a love letter to fans of an adored time-travel classic may end up being a sore spot for Pepsi.
The company appears to have quickly sold out of “Pepsi Perfect,” its homage to “Back to the Future,” leaving legions of fans disappointed.
Pepsi said it would release 6,500 bottles of Pepsi Perfect to fans in the U.S. on Tuesday evening.
But some fans said they were unable to buy the soda, leading to outrage on social media.
The soda was featured in the 1989 film “Back to the Future Part 2,” a story that transported characters Marty McFly and Dr. Emmet Brown to Oct. 21, 2015.
The collectible “Pepsi Perfect” was selling for $20.15, to commemorate the year 2015, and featured the same 16.9 ounce bottle that McFly orders at Hill Valley’s futuristic “Café 80’s.”
Tomorrow morning everyone should tweet @pepsi a pic of them buying @CocaCola bc they messed up so bad with the release of #PepsiPerfect.
— Kyle Greene (@el_greene_go) October 21, 2015
If I had a time machine I would go back and tell Robert Zemeckis to make it a Coke Perfect. #PepsiPerfect #PepsiImperfect
— Shawn Caple (@shawncaple) October 21, 2015
So I stayed up till midnight and they released #pepsiperfect early? Tell me this is a joke?! Wtf so pissed!!!
— Megan Marshall (@mmarshallxo) October 21, 2015
Spoke to rep at @amazon who had no clue what @BacktotheFuture or #PepsiPerfect was. She noted EVERYONE and their mom is calling to complain
— Amy Chrzanowski (@AmyChrzanowski) October 21, 2015
Tomorrow morning everyone should tweet @pepsi a pic of them buying @CocaCola bc they messed up so bad with the release of #PepsiPerfect.
— Kyle Greene (@el_greene_go) October 21, 2015
From this day forth I will boycott anything and everything @Pepsi for your false advertising on #PepsiPerfect
— Megan B (@MegBankz) October 21, 2015
My business spends $30k/yr with @pepsi. If they really blew the #PepsiPerfect launch, Coke gets my business tomorrow morning at 8am.
— Brian Pearson (@THE_T1000) October 21, 2015
Not gonna lie – pretty ticked at @pepsi right now. Marketing ploy for #PepsiPerfect was looking good then… it went on sale AN HOUR EARLY?
— SuperDez (@PandezPanda) October 21, 2015
"In stock? Unavailable? In stock?" It teases me. #PepsiPerfect #BTTF pic.twitter.com/RKuqBlzhJ1
— Ben Stafford (@BenStafford86) October 21, 2015
Some reviewers on Amazon, which also sold the beverage, were unhappy with the situation.
“Not happy with the release,” wrote reviewer JacquelineS. “What’s the point in all the hype just to disappoint customers and fans?”
“Stayed up hoping I could snag one at MIDNIGHT…even after following them on twitter and trying every link….seems like these were sold out before anyone could actually buy them..very disappointing. Looks like I will continue to NOT drink pepsi,” wrote reviewer Tyler.
After receiving many negative comments, Pepsi released a statement on their Twitter page saying Pepsi Perfect has not sold out.
“The future may have arrived early for some lucky fans, but #PepsiPerfect isn’t sold out just yet! It goes on sale this morning,” the statement read on Twitter.
The future may have arrived early for some lucky fans, but #PepsiPerfect isn't sold out just yet! It goes on sale this morning!
— Pepsi™ (@pepsi) October 21, 2015
All you wanted was a #PepsiPerfect? Available on 10/21/15 at https://t.co/tJxg2Et8ZH while limited supplies last. pic.twitter.com/WkSSwVNGS6
— Pepsi™ (@pepsi) October 20, 2015
10.21.15 #TheFutureisNow #PepsiPerfect https://t.co/DCcND4SlDU
— Pepsi™ (@pepsi) October 5, 2015
