Starbucks Gossip

Let's get the weekend OPEN THREAD going!

Have something to say that isn't covered by one of the recent themed posts? Here's your chance to spout off or ask questions about anything Starbucks-related.

Get a free pastry on March 23 with the purchase of a Starbucks beverage

Free Pastry Day ends at 10:23 a.m. March 23; that's next Tuesday. || Get the coupon here

Starbucks lets it be known that customers can customize their Frappuccinos

The Wall Street Journal story says: "A rollout years in the making, the customized frappuccino is set to make its debut in early May in the U.S. and Canada. Starbucks is hoping its sales will help offset the seasonal slowing of hot-coffee sales during summer." The Seattle Times says this is more of a marketing than a product move.

Paging Denver baristas!: Tell us more about the blueberry waffles you're testing

This was posted in the latest open thread: "We're test marketing blueberry waffles in Denver. They're yummy and probably bad for you. Super popular so far." MORE INFO PLEASE! How are these prepared and served? (Syrup come with them?) How much are they? Are they easy to deal with, or a pain in the a--? Are they being tested in other markets, too? DETAILS!

Now Starbucks customers have USA Today to steal, too

Beginning today (Monday, March 15) Starbucks is selling USA Today -- in addition to the New York Times and a local paper. Regular readers know that one of my gripes -- as someone who's worked in the newspaper business -- is that so many customers steal newspapers. I recently argued with a customer who said there was nothing wrong with taking a paper if he folded it back up and returned it in the sale box. I said that kind of thinking gives me permission to take a mug off the shelf, use it, wash it out and return it to the shelf. YOUR THOUGHTS ON ADDING USA TODAY TO THE NEWSPAPER LINEUP? || Read "Starbucks stores to sell USA Today"

Weekend OPEN THREAD: Let's get the chatter going!

Discuss the bold coffee promotion -- are customers taking the sticker books? (I've got mine!) -- or anything else Starbucks-related. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Follow-up: Starbucks responds to "Customer complains about 'ridiculous' Venti one-teabag Chai price change" post

Lisa Passe of Starbucks Global Communications e-mails Starbucks Gossip: "Sorry, I am late to this thread, but wanted to clear up the question on tea pricing. In the U.S. customers are charged by the tea sachet – not the cup size. So this customer should have been charged for either a tall or grande (both are the same price since they take one tea sachet). Canada stores charge by the cup size."

Starbucks' eight-weeks-long bold coffee promotion starts today

Starbucks customers who purchase a brewed bold coffee every week and track their experience through a Coffee Journey Card will receive a free 1-pound of whole bean coffee. A Starbucks veep says: "Highlighting bold coffees provides a backdrop for us to implement the Pour Over brewing method which helps ensure our brewed customers can quickly have a bold coffee of their choice after 12 p.m." ||Read "Starbucks invites customers on a bold coffee journey"

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Are you satisified with Starbucks' explanation of Howard Schultz's $12 million pay?

Starbucks says CEO Howard Schultz got a big payday because "he drove the Company to achieve strong financial results for the year despite the extraordinary challenges ... [and] made significant progress in transforming Starbucks and returning the Company to sustainable, profitable growth while preserving its values and guiding principles." [Read the story.] In other words, he was rewarded for closing stores and laying off people. Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the weekend OPEN THREAD. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Starbucks customer complains about "ridiculous" Venti one-teabag Chai price change

Anyone care to comment on this customer's beef:

I frequent Starbucks every morning, specifically the one in Grand Central Station in NY (whose employees are the best, by the way -- this isn't to complain about them). Each morning I order a "Venti one-teabag Chai," for which I've always been charged as a Tall; which has been the policy for all Starbucks outlets I've ever encountered, across the country even.

Apparently that era has come to an end, because I when I attempted my purchase this morning, I was told that my order can no longer be rung up as a Tall--I was required to get the second teabag with the Venti cup. This policy change comes soon after a price hike--a Tall tea cost @ $1.85 a few months ago and now costs @ $2.35, which I suppose was due to the upgrade in bag technology. Thus, the $1.85 I spent on tea each morning is now $2.65. This is ridiculous.

Anyway, I think this policy change must've come down in the last few days, and needless to say I'm pissed, because it's simply irrational greed--one tea bag is more than enough for a Venti cup, you shouldn't have to "buy" the second.

Was this an arbitrary decision made by one barista? Or a storewide change?

Starbucks caught up in a controversy because it can't say "no guns in our stores, please"

Starbucks thought it was playing safe with its we-just-follow-the-local-laws stance with the guns issue. It didn't want to anger gun owners by prohibiting weapons in stores, and now it's caught up in a brouhaha and putting out this gibberish instead of saying: For the safety of our partners and customers, we don't want guns in our stores. || Read "Starbucks asks not to be put in the middle of open-carry gun issue"

Starbucks believes the Venti size isn't quite big enough for some customers

The 31-ounce Trenta has gotten buzz on Twitter and Facebook, and a Starbucks Gossip reader says a friend just got back from Phoenix, where they were demoing a Trenta iced cup. What's the word on this? A national roll-out coming soon? What are the chances of a Trenta-sized Frappuccino? || Jump to the second page of comments. || UPDATE: This post has now caught the attention of the national press.

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Your thoughts on the redesigned Starbucks Web site?

In redesigning their Web sites, corporations put a lot of thought into what they want the look to say about the company -- what kind of image they want to put out to the public. Here is the redesigned Starbucks page. What I see in it: a company that's organized (the top menu is nice), has embraced social networking, and is very safe (i.e. not very edgy). Your thoughts? Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD.

Is your Starbucks store already offering Dark Cherry Mocha?

A Starbucks Gossip reader writes: "Dark Cherry Mocha is supposedly embargoed for a couple of weeks, but I found a store serving them." (Click on the image to see it larger.) My Starbucks Idea describes the drink as "a combination of Starbucks espresso, bittersweet chocolate sauce, dark cherry syrup, and steamed milk topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls." Your thoughts on it? [UPDATE: I just noticed that the Evanston Starbucks, where I uploaded this post, is offering the Dark Cherry Mocha.]

New York Times says Starbucks shouldn't tolerate firearms in its stores

A Times editorial says: "Should customers be free to sip Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Lattes at their laptop screens while brandishing a gleaming Ruger .357? So far, Starbucks executives say yes, claiming they are quite safety-minded within a policy that "supports the federal, state and local laws in the communities in which we do business." The paper wants Starbucks to follow Peet's and say, No guns! || Read "Who can relax this way?"

Ten of the worst (health-wise) and most fat-filled Starbucks beverages

Topping the list at CallMeThirsty.com is the Peppermint White Hot Chocolate at 730 calories. It's followed by Iced Peppermint White Mocha at 700 calories. || Read "The Worst and Most Fat-Filled Starbucks Beverages"

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Would Howard Schultz be able to go undercover on "Undercover Boss"?

A writer for personal investing site Fool.com said this week that "it would be boring if Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz goes from town to town as a barista" the the CBS show "Undercover Boss." The real problem, I suspect, is that Schultz is so recognizable that he'd never be able to go undercover. Or, maybe the new younger, crew of Starbucks workers has no idea what he looks like. Your thoughts? Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the OPEN THREAD. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Starbucks district managers accuse regional vice president of sexual harassment

During a Starbucks function, executive Andrew Alfano allegedly became intoxicated and made disrespectful, sexual comments to a group of female district managers. The managers also claimed that Alfano created an unsafe working environment and was responsible for the resignation of two female regional directors. || Read "Starbucks district managers accuse regional vice president"

Starbucks customer complains to corporate after she's told to show an ID with a $27 credit card purchase

In fairness to Starbucks, I made fairly small purchase at Radio Shack yesterday and they wanted to see my ID, too. (I showed it to them - and didn't file a complaint.) Starbucks' response to the woman was: "Any transaction over $25, we will continue to request identification as is the policy. Since you have indicated that your purchase was over $25 our partners followed the appropriate credit card policy." Read "Starbucks says it's corporate policy to check ID with a $27 credit purchase"

Burger King to start selling Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best coffee in its restaurants

Seattle's Best will replace Burger King's BK Joe coffee this summer. The agreement is the latest expansion for Seattle's Best, which Starbucks acquired in 2003. || Read "Burger King Revamps Coffee"