OPEN THREAD: What's on your mind this weekend?

Go ahead and discuss it, as long as it's Starbucks-related. || Jump to the fourth page of comments

Comments

[Need-Info]

1) My mgr said the personnal day was revoked by corporate on Feb 2, so no personnal days for those who didnt take it.

Who do i call to verifiy?

2) We have an all hands meeting on 3/1 for spring phase. What's the info on Spring phase?

[Annoyed]

Not going to Starbucks. I am still irked and I made good on my decision to take my money elsewhere. Almost 2 weeks without a stop at my friendly neighborhood Starbucks.

[MT]

Need-info,

1st point is incorrect. You have until the end of June to use your Personal Day. You will not be granted any from that point forward.

[Eric]

I sit here on my ten minute break, eating a sausage piadini wondering what we would be like without starbucks all together. What a sad day that would be. Owell back to the grind.

[Pat Nerr]

so what exactly is the "employment offer" for a starting barista these days?

[cobaltsd]

I would like to take the opportunity and ask how much chocolate really goes into the Banana Chocolate Vivanno. Depending on who makes it for me I am told that it gets one, two or three pumps/scoops. Three is great, I can live with two. But when I got only one a couple of days ago, it was disgusting. So how much should it really be?

[Sheik]

....... Wow.....

Cobaltsd.... said the V word......

[me]

the recipe used to call for 3. But in my store not even the SM made it right, so how can you expect any Barista to know or even care.

[SoOverIt]

The personal day isn't revoked. You have until June 1st to use the personal day. If you don't use it, you won't be getting it back. There will be no more personal days issues to shift supervisors and baristas.

[SoOverIt]

Does anyone else find it interesting that Starbucks will be closing 200 more underperforming stores this year and yet, opening 140 more new stores?

[Asher]

@cobaltsd -- for the current recipe, the barista is SUPPOSED to be pouring milk to the tall line on the blender, adding the banana and then hitting blend. After the first blend, they're supposed to add 2 pumps mocha and 2 scoops protein/fiber powder, followed by the ice, then blend again...

It used to be 3 pumps mocha and 3 scoops protein, and milk to the grande line in the graduated blender, but in order to reduce the waste that was left after making each Vivanno, the recipe was changed in late January...

If it is being made properly, it is delicious. At least you know what to watch for now!

[Just Another Shift]

Cobalt -- two goes in under the new recipe, three went in under the old. If you like it with three pumps, just ask for it.

Has anyone had their mandatory Feb. "mystery topics" meeting yet? We have ours Sunday night, and we're only getting paid minimum wage for it. Lame. I'm hoping it's not anything but spring drinks and sampling Via packets.

[Jack]

How do I get partners to sell their bean coffee markout? It would help their cash flow...

[SoOverIt]

I believe partners can legally, by way of starbucks policy, sell or do anything they want to with their coffee mark out each week. Right? I've been selling my coffee markouts on ebay for years.

[SBUXCUST]

Is Starbucks still serving the Signature Hot Chocolate? What about the Salted Hot chocolate?

[SBUXCUST]

Are Starbucks no longer selling coffee scoops? I went into a Starbucks this week to buy a scoop and they didn't have any. Is it just out of stock or did Starbucks stopped selling the scoop?

[Will]

Signature - yes. Salted, no. You can always get a SHC with toffee nut and caramel, but we no longer have the salt.

[I love the ladies]

well as a manager here you go the personal day is gone for good for hourly partners, one way to save money it's only for managers now your s.i.p is 5% discount and not 15% discount.and the v drink got changed to the tall size in the blender with 2pumps and 2 scoops of protien.

[beantheredonethat]

I urge all shareholders to take their right to vote for the Board, and vote them and Howard out ahead of the AGM.

Get rid of the fools that have ruined Starbucks, the brand and have treated partners with disregard and disrespect.

[green_cup]

I urge all shareholders to take their right to vote for the Board, and vote them and Howard out ahead of the AGM.

Get rid of the fools that have ruined Starbucks, the brand and have treated partners with disregard and disrespect.

Posted by: beantheredonethat | February 21, 2009 at 09:24 AM

Won't happen.

[green_cup]

PS: I have a really hard time sympathizing with the baristas right now over lost labor, etc after seeing this:

http://community.livejournal.com/baristas/5215066.html

I mean, MY GOD. A waste of labor and of product (if that tea ever ended up in a cup of water I was going to drink, I'd be pissed)

Maybe times aren't so bad at Starbucks after all.

[beantheredonethat]

green_cup:

we can try. you never know the momentum we can get through mobilizing those on this board. all we really need is to get some momentum going, attract the media to report, and generate bad publicity for Howard and the hapless board.

stranger things have happened.

[Just Wondering]

Has anyone heard which 200 stores they are closing? They have been real tight lipped about it.

[SoOverIt]

they won't be closing any of the stores until the end of the fiscal year which is October I think. 200 stores means about stores per state, which isn't too bad.

[SoOverIt]

greencup, you're going to base how the labor management is going in starbucks based off one photo? I would expect more from you then this. Are we not allowed a moment of fun? Are we not allowed a breather? does having fun at work constitute a squandering of precious labor?

get a F***ing grip

[TNT]

beantheredonethat:

You are right, it could happen. However, you would need to get the institutional share holders to vote the idiots out. That means all the mutual funds, investment banks, etc. Presently that is about 65%.

You'd have my vote but I sell the stock every time I get my S.I.P. I plan on cancelling it next quarter.

I wouldn't own SBUX until all the idiots are fired. I have made money shorting the stock though.

[abc123]

How do I get partners to sell their bean coffee markout? It would help their cash flow...

Keep an eye on these kinds of comments. There have been a couple comments such as this in the past month or so, just out of nowhere, and it's more than a little suspicious. I suspect there is a movement afoot to crack down on partner markout sales. SSC can't be pleased with the lost bean revenue. Be careful, posts like this might be a trap!

[Sigh]

Wow. People need to try reading the updated official recipe card for Vivanno. The Banana Chocolate one still gets 3 pumps of mocha! And you don't have to add the protein after blending it once. You can add all of the ingredients and press 2, then press 2 again. Please stop spreading misinformation.

BCB:
-2% milk to lower tall line.
-2 scoops protein
-3 pumps mocha
-banana
-vivanno ice scoop
-blend twice

OMB:
-juice to lower tall line
-2% milk to upper tall line
-2 scoops protein
-vivanno ice scoop
-blend twice.

Oh, and as for OMB w/ Matcha, it's 3 scoops of Matcha, not one or two.

[TNT]

Other than senior management idiots, are there any other partners left at SSC?

[Coffee Soldier]

Sigh...the person who posted the blending 2x comment must be in a frozen market. The stores with frozen bananas recipe calls for the drink to be blended twice. The first blend is just for milk and banana in the banana chocolate and milk, mango, and banana in the orange mango banana blend the second step is adding the ice and protein powder...and matcha if ordered.

[Customer]

what do you guys think about starbucks coffee seminar? does it benefit starbucks????? and what are the 3 starbucks warm sandwiches? i really want to know cause their finally coming!

[Former SSC]

Selling markout is not legal. Selling a free benefit, perk, or product you got at a discount is illegal in most companies. Read your new parter info!

[ohboy]

Anyone here have advice on dealing with an incredibly rude and disrespectful store manager? Never before have I felt so dehumanized by someone I work for.

[CamSpi]

ohboy, there are numbers you can call. i don't have them with me, but i know there was a magnet on our fridge in the backroom. it's a third party helpline you can call. i'd talk to the SM, too. take her/him to the back room and discuss the incident(s) that made you feel bad.

[You Down With OPP...Yeah You Know Me!]

Hey sigh: your OMB should be an OMBB and it is missing the banana. Just wanted to bring that to your attention since you mentioned that people should stop spreading misinformation.
SBUXCUST: starbucks is still selling coffee scoops. The store you were in must have sold out or the partners may not have had a clue where they may be stored. Come to maine and ill get you one if you want. hehe!

[CamSpi]

ohboy,
i found the number on the starbucks.com/partner site.
it's the business conduct helpline.
i'm unsure if i should post it or not, so webmaster, sorry if i'm not following the rules.
the number for the helpline is 1-800-611-7792.
"The Helpline is a way for partners to ask for guidance or voice concerns. Available 24/7, questions or concerns may be submitted anonymously and will be treated in a confidential manner."

[barista ben]

Does a partner's weekly coffee markout have any effect on that location's profitability (or whatever it is that store managers get evaluated on)?

[Former Company Gal]

Re selling Markout:
***Check the Partner Handbook, it's the rule book, but I'm pretty sure the last time I looked at it, it clearly stated that we are not allowed to sell our markout!!!!
Be Careful.

[Smalltownsm]

green_cup
I just looked at that picture you posted. I don;t know if anyone cares, but it's definitely a Target Licensed store. You can tell by the guy in the background with the name tag on the plain black apron. My experience with Target''s Starbucks is that they are rarely crazy busy and give the rest of us a bad name by screwing around like this. It wouldn't happen in my store.

[Tracy]

SBUXCUST: they still have scoops at the stores near me.

[adios mi corazone]

After 3 years of working for this company I am quiting. I know I am doing exactly what they want because the are forcing out their employees that partake in the insurance, sip fund, and other benefits. I was promoted to a shift supervisor after one month and have been asm ready for the last year. I am quiting because I don't believe in this company. Howard said in his book poor your heart into it; when we stop taking care of our partners is when we fail. Everone that time is now. I don't know if the image Schultz built of himself was just a fiscade for the media but i believed in it and him. Either it was a media ploy or Howard has his hands tied by pressure from the board and senior investors. I hung on when we were cutting labor, I hung on when we served pike place only after noon, I hung on while we had ridiculous promotion after ridiculous promotion, but when we degrade our name and come out with an instant coffee just to market to a "unreached" market; I'm out. The one thing i believe in is great coffee. So I will do as Starbucks wants take my fantastic customer service and my customers and open up my own coffee shop and offer a quality product and a true third place.

[Mom Pop shops rule!]

Yeah! here is what's on my mind this weekend Not Starbucks because Starbucks ended it's winning streak 2 years ago! So long you will go down in history as for a short time being the number 1 coffee purveyor in the world.

[Army Barista]

So starbucks has violated ESGR by cutting my benefits due to my involvement in the Army Reserves AND! Demoted me from being a shift AND! cut my hours from 25 to 30 hours a week to 4... has this happened to any other reservists???

[CUTinTHErightDIRECTION]

I still wonder to this day what DM's do for 40 hours a week....I mean really I rarely see mine. Wouldn't it be money saving to have 1 DM cover 20 stores instead of around 10....I mean for all the e-mails....its really only a click of a mouse. Just sayin.

[Catherine]

wanted to give kudos to the starbucks on 13th and minnesota in sioux falls...stopped in there the other night and not only did the lady working the register step out from behind the counter to help another customer find beans, two baristas offered to brew coffee for me (not french press, not an americano--drip brew!!) when they didn't have the kind of coffee I was looking for. I didn't have time to wait but I gladly accepted an americano and will definitely be going back to that store. Great service ladies!

[Jim C]

Another Senior Executive "Leaves" Starbucks:

Harry Roberts - Chief Creative Officer
resigned or was fired (again) last week.

He was brought back in as the BIG turnaround team of Howard Schultz and Arthur Rubinfeld. Failures, all-around.

This current separating of yet another Senior Executive is on top of:
Gerardo "Gerry" Lopez - President CPG
Jim Alling - President International
Denny Post - SVP of Food?

Who is next? We can only hope Howard himself.

[frozen-barista]

does anyone know if there are any real repercussions for getting an extra markout (or two)? it seems the only way anyone knows if you've had more than one markout is if the receipt is printed. does the SM get a report or something like that?

[Sigh]

You Down With OPP...Yeah You Know Me!

Sorry for the typo. You're right. I really hope that there isn't anyone foolish enough who would actually read that and think that a banana doesn't go in one of the vivannos. Wish I could edit my post.

[Hmmmmm?]

Has anyone else run into the blended Strawberry water? (made just like a BSTL, but water instead of lemonade) We have been getting a ton of requests for these lately from High school kids... There is no real way to ring these up... whatcha think?

[AJ]

Does anyone know if the new SIP discount at 5% starts immediately, or at the end of this quarter? It would be really shady if they did it immediately because people were contributing it to it this quarter under the impression they were going to get the usual 15% discount