Starbucks has no simple way to control how "free" milk is used at its stores

University of Chicago law professor Randal Picker writes: "Starbucks obviously could post signs or refuse to sell drinks in wrong-sized cups. The cup size limit is the most natural technical constraint; signs would be more directly contractual but would detract from Starbucks' ambience. (Chicato Tribune)

Comments

[LA]

[insert massive amounts of eye rolling here] I go to Starbucks soley because I like the way they make my drinks. I am totally happy paying Starbucks prices for I know that I am getting a quality product that is consistent no matter which store I solicit. These 'low lifes' who like to take advantage of the condiment bar and think they are "sticking it to the man" should go back to the deli's and 7-11's and Dunkin Donuts and get their crap coffee for $1.25. Don't go to Starbucks if you can't afford it.

BTW: Had my first Maple Machiatto over the weekend and it was delicious. Even as a non fat grande it was creamy and so sweet. Loved it!

Keep up the great work 'buck employees. There are those of us out there who love what you do and happily hand over our cash for well-made drinks!

[Summer]

Whats to control ... its free!!

the milk is not "free". Condiment prices are calculated in the prices of beverages. That means that when the price of a venti coffee or a grande latte was determined, there was a certain "allowance" determined to cover the costs of the condiment bar. Therefor people who take advantage of this are not really stealing nor are they getting something for free. We still make alot of money from them since alot of customers do not use the condiment bar.

[~NiTOXina~]

I agree with you're saying. As common courtesy, please don't order a short coffee & then ask for a venti cup so u can get milk for ur kids... i personaly don't mind people askin for 1 extra cup to pour out a lil coffee... but when they're splitting a venti cup of coffee between 3-4 people & sitting there for the next 5hrs, it starts to irritate me especially if it's a busy day and other "normal" customers wana sit down for a break~ Starbucks is a great company, just because you know how to take advantage of it doesn't mean ur smart... it just means ur a dick & eventually, that'll get you back in ur @$$ :P

[coffeeguy]

thanks for your kind words LA.

My only problem with the article is that this "professor" doesn't seem to even understand what a latte is.

It's steamed milk and foam along with the espresso. "heating it up in the microwave" is not going to give the milk the same flavour as steaming and you miss all that good foam. :(

[mikie]

HELLO! I say again!! MAKE THE CUSTOMERS USE THE LITTLE HALF AND HALF CREAMERS THAT YOU GET AT DENNYS RESTAURANT! IT WOULD TAKE 30 PLUS OF THEM TO FILL YOUR VENTI. THAT WOULD SAME MONEY AND SLOW OR STOP IT Getto Lattes!!!! Plus it would be funny to have to ask for 30 creamers to fill your VENTI!!!

[Feministabarista]

Oh the ghetto latte..... I have been a Starbucks partner for 6 years now and this one still gets my panties in a bunch. Now it's not the customer who orders a tall coffee in a venti cup such that he may extract the carmelly goodness of a freshly brewed batch of Caffe Verona in order to replace it with a lukewarmish 16 ounces of cow utter discharge that makes me want to scream RAPE--- No, it's the asshole FORMER PARTNER who unapologetically orders a doppio over ice in a venti cup who tears the heck out of my condiment bar whilst he concocts of said iced doppio, an iced venti 55 splenda breve latte. That is just plain rude, and assholesque.

[Scorpio370]

Feministabarista...

ROFLMAO!!! Couldn't have said it better myself. I have to know though...how many articles are we going to see on this topic? Maybe I'll write one up and get it published somewhere and see if it gets torn all to hell by people. DIE I say! DIE!

LOL

And so it gets stated here as it has in every other thread on this topic...
There is a REASONABLE amount of milk/half & half that is "allowed" by policy. I believe it is 4oz before it should be charged for. Why? because it then changes the drink to something else.
So in the end, is the milks on the condiment bar free? Yes, but only 4oz or less. Anymore than that is stealing, regardless if the person before or after you used their "share" or not. And not every drink on the menu has milk figured into it's price. Coffee has it figured in from the condiment bar. Latte's have it figured in from the bar where the barista adds it in, and frapps have it figured in from being made with them. Then there's the drinks that don't call for milk at all.

Take as much free stuff as possible, and do it over and over and over again till you can't do it any more, then find somwhere else to do it.

[loveandcoffeebeans]

as for the moms who are asking for venti cups (or any size cups for that matter) to fill it with milk from the condiment bar, DONT. Lets face it. the milk should be changed at least every four hours or when it rises above 44 degrees, but how many times have you seen your local barista out "temping the milks". even in the most ideal starbucks its not happening as often as it should. if you would like to hand your child a cup of this be my guest. they wont get diahrea until long after they have left the store.

[PB]

For those who are doing the "ghetto latte" and the like, they must live like this in other areas of their life as well.In attempting to take more and give less, their thinking is naturally to get ahead/save money. Unfortuanately,appropriate/inappropriate behaviour is understood, whether it's recognized it or not is a different issue.Yet, continuing to misuse condiments without payment is not a political or activist or anti-corporate protest, their mindset or finances don't allow themselves to justify paying. They're trying to get by.Cheaters never win.

Just passing thru. Everybody settle down, now. It's going to be just fine. Maybe get a venti decaf and a life?

There is a Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts next to each other where I live. I've seen people buying coffee from Dunkin and then coming to Starbucks and using their free bar.