Seattle newspaper comments on "ghetto latte" flap

"The whole affair has a familiar slightly burned, mildly bitter aftertaste," says a Seattle Times editorial. "It's the perfect brouhaha for a company that built an empire on selling warmed milk and a cup of coffee heavily laced with cachet for three bucks. So a few customers fudge with the 'free' cream. Is that stealing? Some of the employees at the company with nearly 3,000 coffee shops in 37 countries say as much. Hmm, so what does that say about the lone copy of the newspaper that gets read and reread by Starbucks customers? No point. Just asking." (Seattle Times)

Comments

[James the Barista]

We get it! Thanks media for overdoing this story. We get it!

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster]

In defense of newspapers, James, newspapers wouldn't be "overdoing" it if posters hadn't talked the topic to death here. All the press is a reaction to the nearly 500 posts on this website.

[LeftyGrrrl]

Didn't you encourage people to talk this item to death by moving it forward?

Also, the thing with the newspapers is this:

Check the basket first. If the newspaper is in there, please read that one. Don't stand at the register and read the whole newspaper. We used to have a customer who would take the paper with him to the restroom - without paying for it - and then put it back on the sales rack when he was done. Gross.

[someone]

Maybe Starbucks wants to re-think their desire to have partners feel "ownership" of their stores...I guess we're just not ready for it. Seriosly! How embarassing for us!!! Is life REALLY long enough to worry about our customers, who we're SUPPOSED to connect with, using the condiments that are out FOR FREE???

The Media has picked up on this because WE"VE made such a big deal about it ON THIS SITE!!!!!

If you're going to get all psyched up over work, how about getting psyched over recycling in your store, or donating your unsold papers to a school paper drive, or getting promoted...Something productive!!!

No sarcasm here: if you dislike your customers so much, maybe put the same passion into finding a job that makes you happier at work. Life is too short to fret over something so trivial.

[RjD]

A trite little editorial with some ho-hum coffee related quips. Stealing is stealing, a penny jar at the counter is for the occasional one or two coins needed not to pull out large handfuls and pay for an item. Free milk and half and half is the same, a customary splash or two not several ounces. These are the same people that make a meal of the free after dinner mints at restaurants.

[SBUXGUY97]

It was down-right wrong to use an inflammatory topic about a great company to generate buzz about this website. I know this is a "gossip" website, but to pit customer against employee? That's just wrong and unprofessional.

[CoffeeMaker]

We make coffee people!!... you had to fill a half and half carafe because someone used too much. BOO HOO

[Scorpio370]

OH MY GOD! HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Can the webmaster of this site please stop the posting of this stupid topic. People get irate EVERY time it gets reposted or moved up from the bottom of the list. Had it been left alone and archived past the first page, it probably would not have become an issue.

The name calling and arrogance over people who take ownership in their stores is uncalled for people. Enough is enough. Get over it. SBux is obviously not going to take a stance on this even though we all know what the policy says about usage of the carafes. (and in case you missed it in a previous thread, it's 4 oz, any more and it should be charged for).

*rolls his eyes over yet another thread on this topic*

What other "cheaper" version of drinks are there?

you know a scvoop of ice cream at ben and jerrys shop is 4 bucks... bottled water 1.60, a piece of fish at a restraunt 8 bucks
eight bucks for a piece of fish??????

i don't get why people complain about prices so much
it is business.

fruit cup 3 bucks
veggie tray 15 bucks!!!!

i;m so tired of hearing how much it costs for stemed milk and coffee.

someone protest movie candy already.

[-m]

It's really pointless to argue. The reason Baristas get upset is simple. I mean, honestly, using the condiment bar milk to make a latte is just TACKY! If you want cheap caffeine, go buy some coke black...if you don't mind the taste of rat piss.

[mikie]

I know how to make the baristas happy! Replace the milk condoments with little package half and half. It would take like 50 packets to fill an Venti!! LOL....... That would stop the whining!!!

[-m]

"Replace the milk condoments with little package half and half"

That would be hilarious.

[coffeeguy]

What other "cheaper" version of drinks are there?

Basic freshly brewed coffee is always a good cheap drink.

Usually under $2 unless you get a venti.

Americanos are also cheaper and you can easily add any flavour syrup you like for 55 cents in most areas.

And for the cold beverage drinkers there's always iced tea. It's cheaper without the lemonade but it won't break the bank either way.

There's accually a lot of cheaper options at starbucks. Just ask your barista next time you in.

[someone]

Keep your cup from your coffee or iced tea and bring it back for a 50 cent re-fill...

[Jimmy Chang in NYC]

Excuse me but this whole story is rather inflated don't you think? Especially after YOU Webmaster bumped it up a few spaces.

Just another "media type" creating and manufacturing a story over what, .0002% of all customers who come into Starbucks?

Non-issue just as Starbucks says it is. A real genius at work here folks both on this web site and in the newspapers.

Cancel my subscription.

[Cali Barista]

"Replace the milk condoments with little package half and half"

GENIOUS!

But seriously, we all have our pet peeves and annoying customers, it should not worry baristas whether ppl are stealing it or not...there is actually a customer at my store that asks for grande iced water, drinks the water, then fills the cup w/ milk...didn't pay a penny, not even tip...but we don't really care...i mean we're still getting paid the same...its not like *$ is suddenly going to go bankrupt because 150 customers make ghetto lattes

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster]

JIMMY CHANG, As you requested, your subscription is canceled. You won't be posting here anymore.

[-m]

"JIMMY CHANG, As you requested, your subscription is canceled. You won't be posting here anymore."

Does it hurt you when your obvious bias is pointed out? Get over yourself.

[someone]

I hate to admit I LMAO when I read about replacing the milk carafes with those tiny little creamers!! ( that require 50 just to lighten your coffee).

How evil whould THAT be?!!!!!!!! :)

[coffeeguy]

hey watch the personal attacks. No one's earned them.

[Barista sUz]

I wouldn't mind if people would use the OTHER milk in the carafe every once in a while. I always have to dump them out every two hours. I find it obnoxiously wasteful cos everyone just uses the half&half for coffee.

[mgr defending barista tips]

Let's all remember, the people who order the ghetto latte are also the same people who pull change out of the tip jar to get the EXACT amount. These people aren't just ripping off SBUX, they like to rip off my poor Baristas, too. I hope all the customers who visit this site realize that we are taking out most of our frustrations on the morally deficient we see everyday and not them! We truly enjoy most of our customers but like everything else, there's the 1% that make our jobs tough.

[Jimmy Chang in NYC]

Hey folks, I was canceling the newspaper subscription. After all, how can you cancel viewing a website?
Starbucks says that this whole "ghetto latte" thing is a non-issue.

Let it remain one and not create a mountain out of a media mole hill.

[Jimmy K]

I can see why it's a pain to deal with the whole ghetto latte thing. When your customer line is out of the door, you have to stop and fill the milk crafe every 5 minutes because some cheap person wanted to play barista at the condoment bar. But then again...that's life. Deal with it. SBUX isn't going to run anyone off for being a little cheap. At least their not smoking crack in the restroom.

[LeftyGrrrl]

Let's all remember, the people who order the ghetto latte are also the same people who pull change out of the tip jar to get the EXACT amount. These people aren't just ripping off SBUX, they like to rip off my poor Baristas, too.

When this happens - and it happens every day - I always say, "I'm sorry, but those are our tips."

Sometimes, the customer is apologetic. Sometimes they say, "Isn't this the take-a-penny-leave-a-penny?" And when they say that, I respond, "With dollar bills?"

Some customers say, "You guys get tips?"

Some customers try to talk me into letting them take the money anyway. "It's just a quarter and a penny." Yes, but it is my quarter and my penny. And no you may not have them.

Anyway, this type of thing does wear on a person. I like my job and I love most of my customers. I do my best every day. But I'm not perfect and I do get frustrated when customers are rude. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I behave in a professional way, though I'm angry. So, if we vent a little here, be glad. It means we're probably not taking our frustrations out on you, the customer.

[coffeeguy]

Um most of the jars have TIPS written in big bold letters on them.

Wow that's kind of sad looking at it that way. Man even if I was a customer and I saw that i'd be kind of ticked becuase i've worked in the service industry...

[baristacee]

coffeeguy - as far as i know it is standard that we are not permitted to write "tips" on the tip jars.

[LeftyGrrrl]

Baristacee is right. We can't write anything on the tip jars.

[-m]

"Yes, but it is my quarter and my penny. And no you may not have them."

That doesn't sound very "lefty."

[coffeeguy]

Really...hmm we have it written on ours in big bold letters...No one's ever said a word about it even the higher ups that pop in every few years.

[-m]

It is clearly stated in your BOH Ops Excellence binder. The cup should be un-marked. I don't see what the big deal is though.

[nickname]

it is solisting if you write it, and not if you don't.

it's a fine line - but then if we allow it for ourselves, then the panhandlers. god watchers and rose ladies can just come in guilt free!

[sm]

just say yes!!!

is it worth this discussion, I am a partner, I order an iced doppio and top it off with half and half, even if its a free partner beverage, I just like adding my own cream and not asking for you guys to do it for me. Im not cheap , I just want an iced doppio in a grande cup and topped up with half and half.

Move on already , this has been a common partner rant for years. Don't we have anything else to discuss.

How about openers not getting the store ready for closers, there is another common rant.

[Coffeelover]

When is Starbucks (along with many other coffee chains for that matter)going to start using REAL 2% milk? I absolutely hate it when I ask for 2%, and the barista says "We mix the milk, is that okay?". NO! It is not okay! I asked for 2%! Not half and half, and certainly not your interpretation of what 2% milk tastes like. "Mixed" 2% tastes gross! It tastes exactly like what it is....watered down whole milk! (And when I say "watered" I don't literally mean water...I mean dilluted by other milk.) Try it sometime! Go to the nearest daily section, buy a smal carton of 2%, try that. Then....try "mixed" 2%! It doesn't taste right! I want my lowfat milk back! Not non-fat, not "mixed", real....lowfat....2% milk! Why did they get rid of it in the first place? It's annoying! Thanks for letting me vent!

Coffeelover, Starbucks never had 2% milk. It was hard enough getting nonfat milk into the store(years ago) because Howard said nonfat milk changes the taste of the coffee. But baristas went out a bought nonfat and a whole new market of customers came. The reason for no 2% milk is clear, not enough room in the frig's. Sorry

[VMC]

Funny thread! I became a ghetto latte buyer when one of our local barristas suggested it to me. Here's the thing, I hate Starbucks stock iced Mochas. Six pumps (venti) is way too much chocolate for me, and three shots is too little espresso for my taste. To top it off, when you fill the glass to the line with the milk, the beverage ends up with so little ice that you end up with a stratified layer of warm drink in the bottom. So I had them do two pumps, 4 shots, fill with ice, then just float a little milk on top. I was paying for a mocha with an extra shot and getting almost no milk.

What I was ordering was really an Americano with two pumps added, hold the water and just fill with ice.

Now, that is what I order. So I am saving some dough. It only takes an ounce or two of milk to top it off when made in this fashion and I do so, without guilt, at the condiment bar.

Yeah,I save some dough. Guess what? The barristas at my store aren't even close to being mad about it. Hell, they're the ones who told me to do it. But I'm a regular, I tip well, and I appreciate their fine service and they know it.

Signed,
Guilt-free ghetto latte drinker

[Barista sUz]

Yeah, Sbux to my knowledge has never had 2%. If we added that, then why don't we add 1%. Instead of making chocolate milk from mocha syrup&vanilla, why don't we just buy the milk as-is too while we're at it.
Cos really, our backrooms aren't filled to the brim with cups and pastries and bags and more krap that are used to make other drinks that no one gets.
Soooooo little space is left to make room for whatever stupid drink Sbux creates next :(

[sm]

by the way homo is 4% and nonfat is nonfat so if you do equal parts of each that is then 2%

we don't add water to our milk to dilute it.

peets has 2%. you should go there. well, you should go anywhere other than starbucks anyway, but if 2% milk is your deal, then go to peets.

[nick]

...our whole milk is 3.25%

is that just a canadian thing?

and to the annon about the partners buying NF milk, that's not entirely accurate: according to howie's book it was when howie was in a store and saw a customer leave when they said the partners said didn't carry non fat, and she responded 'they do down the street' and left - that he allowed NF into the stores.

[coffeeguy]

"When is Starbucks (along with many other coffee chains for that matter)going to start using REAL 2% milk? I absolutely hate it when I ask for 2%, and the barista says "We mix the milk, is that okay?". NO! It is not okay! I asked for 2%! Not half and half, and certainly not your interpretation of what 2% milk tastes like. "Mixed" 2% tastes gross! It tastes exactly like what it is....watered down whole milk!"

Do us all a favor. Write to Seattle and tell them this. I get at least a dozen customers a day asking for 2% milk. It sure would not hurt to replace one or two jugs of nonfat with 2% milk. :) That's only my opinon mind you.

The last thing we need is more types of milk. We're already storing whole, skim, WC, 10%, Soy, Organic, (and I've been told some markets have lactaid... is that true?) Could you imagine how often we would be carting milk to the front fridges? Our "back room" is downstairs, so that means carting them up the stairs. We wouldn't have enough room in the big fridge either, it's already full. We don't get nearly enough 1% and 2% drinks to justify it.

[Becca]

Crap, sorry, the above was me

[AnnoyedBarista]

Why doesn't Starbucks just advertise a "ghetto latte" for those of you too cheap to pay for the whole thing?! If I give you room to add more than 4oz of milk to your drink, steamed or not, I'm going to charge you for it. Don't ask for an iced triple grande latte in a venti cup with extra room! Don't you realize ordering a plain old venti latte is going to save you the extra shot you're paying for?! It's actually ten cents cheaper, plus you don't have to bother topping yourself off with milk! I don't mind an iced doppio, but I do mind you blatantly finagling your way into what you think is a cheaper drink, you tight-assed yuppie.

[Emily]

I really like sturbucks coffee no matter what. However, I have never eaten their cookies or deserts. They all look old and bad to me. They do not look fresh. May be sturbucks should change that.
www.quotebargains.com

[johnsmith]

Once it's in the customer's hands, it's out of your hands." That's absolutely true. Expert was telling the customer that it wasn't okay that he'd act-out to the staff the way he was. As in the guy's own blog-recounting of the incident, Expert was interrupted before he could finish, and Customer proceeded to mock Expert, then following it up with the infamous dollar-bill.
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johnsmith

by owner