Weekend OPEN THREAD: Continue the discussion about the price changes, or....

....talk about anything else Starbucks-related in the weekly OPEN THREAD. (Customers with questions about drinks or whatever will get answers from the many barista regulars here, too.) || Jump to the fourth page of comments.

Comments

[Stevo]

Anniversary Blend!!!!!!!

[Am I the only one?]

While I understand that many people think that baristas shouldn't receive tips, I also understand that Starbucks pays us less by allowing us to receive tips. Tips are an important supplement to a Starbucks barista's wages if only because Starbucks isn't willing to pay us more.

I don't expect to receive tips for the drinks I make, after all, it's been my job for two years to make quality hand-crafted beverages, and I take pride in the drinks I made.

I do get peeved, however, when someone orders between 15-20 drinks and doesn't leave any tip. They come in with a list or phone in an order, usually in the middle of the day rush, with different and complicated modified beverages.

These orders require extra time because you have to prep trays, count out straws, and put spill sticks into hot cups. Not only are they more complicated for the baristas, but they inconvenience the regular customers who line up behind one person, sometimes for up to 15 minutes.

I feel if I were ordering a large number of drinks, I would tip the baristas because it's obviously an inconvenience and but also because I realize that there are other customers besides myself.

I always treat customers with large orders nicely because they are valued customers and they are bringing their business to my store, but it's so depressing when they leave without a thank you or a tip, or any concern for the baristas or other customers at all.

[Aces of Eight]

Anyone who wants the tip ar taken away is just being silly imo. The simple fact of the matter is this, the tip jar is set up so that if people want to tip, their is a way to account for it for tax and other legal purposes. Sure, Starbucks likes the fact they can get away with paying a little less for this reason, but it's only a little less.

But the thing is, you should NEVER feel required to tip any employees unless they are in a position such as a waiter where they make a very large percentage of their money on tips alone. In that case you should definitely be tipping. And unless the service was terrible, no less than 15%, though in most cases if it was at all decent you should give more like 20%.

Baristas only make a very small portion of money from tips. If you don't want to tip a barista, DON'T. Do not feel that you need to, I don't feel that you need to and I am a barista. You may appreciate that I deliver legendary service, but that is part of my job description, so I am not really going out of my way, I am simply doing what I agreed to when I signed up.

But if a customer does want to tip, of course I appreciate it, if I see a customer putting money in the tip jar I will thank them.

I guess what I don't like is when people think they are entitled to tips, even if you are a waiter and it is a large part of your pay, you still have to earn them. That is your job. Most people will give you a minimum in the case of a waiter, but you want anything above par, you need to give great service.

I don't like it when barista's say or act like they are entitled to tips, they are not. You need to earn them, to work for them. And if you feel that person was a pain, and you had to work extra hard etc. and you feel they are thoughtless and didn't leave you a tip, oh well. Your job was to provide those services, leaving tips is not considered mandatory in the industry you work in. I guess what I'm saying is, of course the tip jar should be their, but customers should not feel it is mandatory. And most importantly, barista's should not feel that they deserve tips, or are entitled. It's a bad attitude. Your job is legendary service, tips is a small part of your income, it is a courtesy on the part of the customer who feels you gave great service, NOT a right.

[SPORK]

oh god... let's not let this turn into ANOTHER tip-related open thread...

[Am I the only one?]

Aces of Eight,

As someone pointed out in the previous topic, Starbucks hasn't increased the base pay in three years. Tips are increasingly important. If it's true that base pay used to be two dollars above minimum wage and now it's only maybe fifty cents, tips are a large fraction of our income, averaging almost 15-20%.

You're completely wrong if you think tips aren't a substantial part of your income. Starbucks taxes them too. I love Starbucks but the pay situation is increasingly frustrating and where other companies award excellent service with raises, Starbucks chooses to use acknowledgment in the form of Green Apron cards and MUG awards.This would be fine if they increased wages to meet inflation but they don't.

I don't think it is a right to receive tips. I know my job and I love my job. I love making drinks to Starbucks standard and I love serving them. I don't expect tips and I don't feel entitled to them. I always say thank you because I really appreciate the gift. I've worked here for almost three years with no write ups and exceeds expectations my entire time.

I get disappointed when someone comes with a large order and shows no appreciation regardless of the inconvenience to the other customers. If there are more than 10 or 15 drinks for one order, the pressure is on the barista to produce these drinks to standard while maintaining the line of regular customers and trying to get their drinks out in a reasonable amount of time.

It takes a lot of effort when you're making 15 perfect, personalized drinks and these customers should be aware of it. Regardless of whether they tip, I thank them for choosing Starbucks with a smile.

[yeah]

Tips are 20% of your income?

wow actually now that i think of it..
I make about 80$ per pay period in tips..

holy shit.. not really 20% but its higher than i thought it would be.

[green_cup]

I do get peeved, however, when someone orders between 15-20 drinks and doesn't leave any tip. They come in with a list or phone in an order, usually in the middle of the day rush, with different and complicated modified beverages.

Posted by: Am I the only one? | August 21, 2009 at 05:07 PM

I think tipping at Starbucks is ridiculous. Completely and utterly so. Honestly, it's insulting that the corporate offices haven't already ripped the jars out of the stores.

I show you my gratitude via the purchase of my beverage. That essentially pays your wages. Without my purchase, you'd have no job.

As for your comment, serving one drink or 20 drinks to a customer is all part of your job. If you can't handle it without additional compensation, then you're in the wrong job. Your job is to handle any number of drink orders from any number of customers, regardless if you're paid minimum wage or more.

Don't like it? Find another job.

Further, it's extremely arrogant, entitled and selfish of you to even suggest you deserve a tip. If you were paid like a waiter, you'd have a valid argument. Your "complaint" is part of your job. Don't act like you deserve a tip because you accommodated a reasonable customer request. Further, just be happy I'm in your store, buying a drink providing you a wage and job. Without any customers, you're out of a job.

You sound so ungrateful. Especially since Starbucks just jacked up their prices. Again.

[Bugg-ING]

Posted by: Am I the only one? | August 21, 2009 at 05:07 PM

I get this at least 7 times a shift, people don't tip. They expect us to be "slaves" to the corporation. It's really messed up, and if we could refuse tips for a higher hourly wage I would do it...I got this 1 supervisor who does tips every so often and when the person does it it comes out averaging less than 80 cents an hour (WTF)-also on that person's shift they claim to partners not to drop tip bags because it makes a excessive amount of tip bags to take inventory on when whoever does tips at the end of the week, so that shift will take the bills, put them in a separate empty till and then deposit it at the end of the closing so no witness is required. (MINEY IS MISSING EVERY TIME)

Tip issue runs deep and we should refuse them for a higher wage, bottom line, also shifts shouldn't participate in the division of tips weekly, they are a separate entity and should be compensated by management bottom line, they are blood suckers!

[green_cup]

@Posted by: Bugg-ING | August 21, 2009 at 07:26 PM

You suffer from Michael Moore-itis. That is, you may have a few valid points but you go out on total extremes and any somewhat-valid opinion you might have had is completely obliterated by your far-fetched "claims."

No, you are not a "slave" to Starbucks, and everyone, customers, fellow employees, everyone knows that. This is the United States, and, while you might feel like a slave due to a poor personal fiscal situation, thus having to stay on to make ends meet, you're not a slave. To even say that makes you come off as uneducated and ignorant. See pre-Civil War US for the definition of a "slave." You can quit any time. You don't even have to give two weeks notice, either.

And, no, your story is incongruent from what is the trend on this website. I've read many times that if there was anything fishy going on with counting employees' tips, every employee in that store would be all over the situation in two seconds. Your story is bogus.

Here's a great way to solve the entire tip issue: Starbucks should ban employees from taking tips. That way, there's no wasted time in counting them, no confusion on processes, no concern if there's anything fraudulent going on and finally, no issue with who gets tips and who doesn't. Further, customers don't have to be bothered with that silly, insulting jar. Problem solved.

[Bugg-ING]

HA HA you want me to rinse your cup, then make your drink 3 times because you're a loser, then you got Juan Valdez in the bathroom scratching himself, Oh you want calorie information and everything up to health code and a "Third Place",Oh yea don't forget the free water and scams and THEFT ALL AROUND...AND NO F_ING TIP, ==> Are you serious??

Go Hang with Micheal Jackson cause you're living in Neverland

[Bugg-ING]

Green_Cup c an lick a nut
My Diarrhea means more than your opinion chump, and I hope you have a nice cup of Bold

[gmreat]

Hear Hear

[ash_sk8s]

So Green Cup, should you therefore not tip waitresses because it's their job to serve you food?

[spence]

Green Cup,
We pay estimated taxes for tips with every paycheck. If people didn't tip, we would still be paying taxes.
I am a passionate partner but honestly, I'm there for the benefits. Yes, I like the money but I'm truly there for the benefits.
Some of the partners I work with use their tips for food. FOOD. Their food budget is the money they recieve from tips.
I am so often saddened to see fellow partners come in and raid the old food which we aren't selling because they day olds or more. Partner are hungry. HUNGRY.
A year ago, these very same partners couldn't be paid to eat our pastry. If you are around it long enough, it becomes boring.
Thank God for tips. Without it, some people that I care about would be way too thin.
Have a heart.

[brown dot]

green_cup

with your idealogy, I take it you don't tip waiters either, right? I wish you would learn another song and dance other than"it's your job" "I pay your paycheck" yadda yadda yadda.

Tips are an inconvenience and I wish Starbucks would get rid of them and pay you guys more. Starbucks would probably save money by getting rid of the 2 hours a week for tips, and we don't risk some kids or homeless person running off with the tip jar.

[Bugg-ING]

How about that Pumpkin Spice back for partners only @ the time, YUMMMY I had tooooo much today, and YES my regulars got samples, ching-ching!!! I got the team so much in tips today, and those blood suckers get a cut...why?

[Am I the only one?]

Green Cup,

I really enjoy my job. I don't feel entitled to tips, when I have a high amount of tips, I feel happy that people were so satisfied. But you can't tell me customers show gratitude through the purchase of beverages. They are there to buy a commodity and it is the experience that creates gratitude and friendship between the customer and the barista.

A large order can be very difficult, especially for the customers who have to wait as long as 15 minutes or more. The customer who bought 50 tall Strawberry and Cream Frappucinos last week didn't buy them to show their appreciation for my job. They bought them for a conference.

Large and difficult orders definitely dampen the overall customer experience by increasing wait times and changing the focus of the partners. There is less time to keep the store clean, to maintain the pastry case and RTD, and definitely less time to interact with the customers. It's not uncommon to receive large orders but these customers should be aware of their total effect.

Lastly, the price increase does nothing for baristas. It is entirely to increase the company's profit margins and to compensate for inflation. Although it says that the price changes reflect the increasing costs of doing business and are attached to labor for more complex beverages, the people who make your drinks are not seeing any of this money.

I would definitely prefer a pay increase to tips, but I really don't understand your condescending attitude towards tips. Starbucks may not be serving restaurant foods, but it is no 7-11. Our work is hard and the fact that a tip jar present isn't an insult.

[Melody]

Ugh not the tipping conversation. Green_cup: Your prices did not go up in Seattle.

And if you go to a bar do you not tip the person who serves you a beer? And that takes way less effort than my cup of DRIP coffee!! (Please please rinse my cup first, and if there is no bold pick of the week ready and you're not a Clover store, please brew me a non-PPR pick).

Just a random comment ... I finally tried the gum drops today at the insistence of a barista who said to me while I was the register: "Melody I haven't tried the gum drops yet! Let's sample some out!" LOL.

They're really quite good! And then I bought some for home because somehow I felt guilty that she sampled them out for me. (I'm sure she knew that would happen.)

I am eating Starbucks Gum Drops right now ...

[Alanna]

Advice for a customer, please!

My usual drink order is pretty simple: decaf grande skinny vanilla latte, but with 2% -- I'm not a fan of skim, and I want the sugar-free vanilla. There are two drive-thru Starbucks on my way to work here in Atlanta. Over the past month, my drink order has been messed up five times, usually with the barista forgetting the syrup, or giving me skim instead of 2%. My tongue doesn't handle 160 degrees very well, so I can't check it while still at the store. I usually don't find out until I'm at work. And since I'm a schoolteacher, I can't pop out to the store to get it fixed until my drive home nine hours later.

The first three times, I just let it slide. On the fourth, I called and told the manager, who basically shrugged (in a rather brusque tone) and said, "Nothing we can do about that unless you come back for another drink right this minute," even after I offered to give my registered card number for a credit. Which I do understand -- I could be any old stranger angling for a free drink! On Thursday, the manager at the other location took my name and told me that I could come back this morning for a free drink, and she comped me a coffee cake "for my trouble". Quite lovely of her!

When this happens again -- not "if", because the mix-ups happen so often -- how should I handle it? I know my inability to go back for an immediate replacement causes problems for the Starbucks crew, and yesterday's manager really did me a favor by taking my word for it. I shouldn't expect that every time. But given how often the drive-thru clerks get my order wrong (even when I've checked the receipt to see that it had been rung up correctly), the errors are rather frustrating!

[Aces of Eight]

Alanna: It might be that the way you are calling it could be confusing them.

You say you want 2% but technically it's not a skinny vanilla latte if it has 2% milk, it is a sugar free vanilla latte, as 2% is the default etc.

So perhaps if you called it a decaf grande sugar free vanilla latte you wouldn't have as much trouble. I can't guarantee it will work, but it might help.

@ Green Cup: Why do you always take the extreme side of things? The tip jar is not an insult and it is not mandatory, the only insult are barista's who think they are entitled to tips or act rude or arrogant if you don't tip them when they think they deserve it. So you don't tip? I don't care if you don't, I'm just doing my job, if you do, I thank you. How is that insulting? I don't expect or ask for it.

I do agree people shouldn't be entitled, but seriously, do you ever have an opinion that isn't extreme?

And another question, if the tip jar is taken away, do you think seattle should increase the pay of store employees? Because they were told it was part of their total benefits package when they all signed up for the job, it was advertised as part of the pay, etc. It is even estimated for tax purposes on our paycheck stubs...

So in other words, as it was part of the total pay package when barista's joined the company, wouldn't you agree that seattle should increase pay if the tip jar is taken away? Or do you simply feel that Starbucks employees do not deserve to be fairly compensated (in this case, meaning being compensated in the manner in which they were informed when they were hired, not some arbitrary idea of what fair means).

[Sarah]

Alanna-
I'd suggest ordering it "long hand" (may I have a decaf grande 2% sugar free vanilla latte), and then politely asking your barista how to order it in "starbucks speak". I've done this in the past (always with a smile) and my barista has always answered the question with a smile back and never again missed anything on my drink.

[Bugg-ING]

Yes they are mistaken, as a team rep from across the country we apologize. I assure that if you went to the extent of calling and then coming back 9 hours later, I would do far more than just comp your drink and give a beat pastry... so from the team of STARBUCKS PARTNERS we apologize for this weak experience. I encourage you to get the store # and discuss this with partner resources @ 866-504-7368, hopefully we'll see you soon and be able to have you experience are legendary service, take care...

[Nandypants]

When can the rest of us have Pumpkin Spice? Could a partner please respond? Only slightly desperate!

[Bugg-ING]

@ Nandypants
Not sure of the exact date but FALL 1 maybe Septemberish and three GREAT Bean Coffee's will also be available, I hop e Yo enjoy

[Katie]

Green_cup

You tip a waiter who wipes and sets your table, pours your drink and cleans your plate but you don't tip a barista who grinds, brews and pours your coffee, prepares and warms your food, and preps, stirs, blends, shakes, pours and tops your drink?

Are you insane? Yes, a waiter relies in tips, but a barista puts a lot more food-service work into making your drink.

You crazy.

[Mrs. Tillinghamshackles]

Alanna,
If you're getting it with 2% it isn't a skinny latte. That is where the milk confusion comes up. Just order a decaf grande sugar free vanilla latte.

Nandypants,
As has been stated many times in previous threads, the fall promotion (complete with pumpkin spice) launches September 1.

[Alanna]

Sarah and Aces of Eight --

Thanks for the response! Actually, in the past I DID order it as "decaf grande 2% sugar free vanilla latte", but I encountered just as many problems. The barista would often ring it up as a "skinny" -- probably because of the sugar-free syrup -- and make it accordingly. I switched over to ordering a skinny with 2% just because it seemed more straightforward. Good point, though, about asking how to order it in "Starbucks speak".

[@ Green Scum]

I've read many times that if there was anything fishy going on with counting employees' tips, every employee in that store would be all over the situation in two seconds. Your story is bogus.

Posted by Green-Turd

As you might not understand from my demeanor some of us REALLY do love our jobs, have sacrificed a lot and have formed Unions and transcended this company to levels a mere dip-$hit can't imagine, so from 1 partner to a hater get off our dills cause we don't care for children on coffee.

Some of us have it made at our stores, and if we get rid of the sour apples, then the rest of us don't have it made, even though the shady shift is the hardest worker, difficult choice, but you-green turd have no say in anything cause you Hmm....Hmmm...Hmmmm....SUCK!@ ;p

[Nandypants]

@ Mrs. Tillinghamshackles-
thanks for your response,don't read every thread so sorry if I asked a redundant question!
thanks to Bugg-ING who was kind enough to shoot me a response without the verbal slap!

[QUESTION]

I have a question for whoever has knowledge on this issue (much respect) what goes down if your store gets lower than 90% on the QASA B.S.?? Any info would be appreciated...

[:)]

Does anyone know what the "surprise beverage" that is coming out with the holiday trio in November is? The Fall workbook makes mention of it but we have NO idea what it is!

[Naptown Barista #2]

It makes me happy to see people on here assisting Alanna with her issue. I am huge on drink calling and helping "train" customers on Starbucks speak. After 4 years, I feel fluency and passing along the knowledge is really good policy. Bravo!

I just have one note here really on this weekend. I cannot wait for the Bob Marley and CCR to be gone. They are okay when they are just there but they seem to be on too heavy of a rotation. The Beatles are really gonna cause me some problems then. Sigh....

I'll stick to the classical and opera playlists.

[Nothing about a Farm]

green_cup is a trust fund kid,
doo da, doo da.

doesn't like people cause their menial
oh da doo da day.

their just here to service me
doo da, doo da.

just step on them, only coffee slackers
oh da doo da day.

It will bite this one in the end
doo da, doo da

karma always seems to win
oh da doo da day

not a music major but I play one on TV

[goldcoast]

@katie: okay as a barista, I'm on board with what people are saying about tips being part of the benefits etc etc, but please. Have you been a waitress before? Working in a coffeeshop is a piece ofcake compared to waitressing. Half the abuse and less layers of instore employees to go through, plus way less to remember and generally a one time interaction with the customer. Being a barista is nowhere near the hardest food service job out there, don't get it twisted.

[Former Waitress]

@goldcoast: Personally I've found the opposite to be true. I used to be a waitress and didn't have to put up with nearly half the crap that I deal with now as a barista. I think its partially because we not only take the order, but we also make it.

[smile]

@nandypants
The stores in my area have already been shipped the pumpkin spice. Some even are using it already.

@Alanna
Also, if you wanted to try it right away, you could order it a kids temperature so you won't burn your tounge (which is the worst).

So what is this base pay business? I'm a partner and I get minimum wage.

And out of curiousity for other partners, what do you get per hour in tips on average?

[Richard]

When green_cup doesn't like something about his relationships, he ends them rather than tries to fix them.

When he doesn't like something about his job, he quits and lives off his trust fund.

And when the government does something he doesn't like, he threatens to move to Canada.

[Have a Grande]

Today my daughter was sent home from school due to vomiting. I got her comfortable and tried to find coverage for my shift. Noone would pick it up. She had a fever and the vomiting issue and her school had told me there was a bug going around b/c many kids were in and out with it.

After giving then a good 2-3 hr notice that she was sick and letting them know a family member couldnt pick her up for 3-4 hrs after my shift I got a nasty call and message from my SM stating if I don't go in and leave her home alone that I was terminated.

Is this legal? Needless to say I left her home and went to work. She was so upset at hearing I may be fired she kept apologizing for getting sick. Which I told her was not her fault.

I'm feeling like a failure as a mother and a SS.

[curious]

Why do we care about greencup so much anyway? We're all just spouting opinions, and gc just has a way to get under our skin. Tips are made too big a deal by the staff, though. No matter how the service end of the transaction goes, they expect a tip with every customer, even if the experience is not tip worthy. Waitstaff make sub minimum wage, they do thrive on tips. Starbucks hourly employees do not get paid sub minimum wage. Tips are just gravy, and if they are low, the staff need to reflect back on the service they are offering, not get jacked because the customers are cheap. Maybe, just maybe, your service stinks.

[fmrSM]

Grande, whether or not it's legal, I dunno. It is, however, heartless on the part of your manager. Had they a heart, they'd have said, "hey, I will take care of it for you." Next time your SM needs bailed out, remember this time.

[green_cup]

I think I clearly said that if the complaint was coming from a waiter, the opinion regarding tips would be valid.

And, no. I think Starbucks should lose the tips and not raise base pay. Your job is pretty basic stuff, so, that said, I'm pretty sure you're paid just about what you should be considering the job. Folks at McDonalds get paid just about what you all make, right? They don't even get tips.

Regardless of Starbucks offered up tips as a variable compensation to you initially, they can change the payment packages. They already have. So the argument re: "they promised us tips" doesn't hold water.

[(former) FLA SM]

@ Have a Grande:

Legal? Yes. When you joined Starbucks, you agreed that your position was an "at-will" position. (See your employee handbook.) Also, odds are likely that your state is also an "at-will" state (but maybe not.) Anyway, Starbucks is under no obligation to keep you as an employee, legally, in this instance.

However, they have violated their own policy which states (or used to state anyway) that once you give a notice of a couple of hours, you're off the hook. Especially if you can provide a doctor's note testifying to the illness of your child. If you don't have a history of last-minute call-outs, and don't have a series of progressive corrective actions for time and attendance, then you should be in the clear. I would call Partner Relations. ("Partner." Ha!)

Additionally, if you were fired, Starbucks would certainly have been forced to pay unemployment compensation (again, provided you don't have a previous history of calling out). Fortunately for you, Starbucks would rather drink poison than pay UC.

(Every state is different, your mileage may vary.)

[Katie]

I do have a second job as a waitress because my job at Starbucks wasn't providing me with enough income. I find that waitressing is SO much easier than working as a barista.

I just have to bring things to the customer and provide excellent customer service, whereas at Starbucks, I have to do that and prepare beverages and food as well, as Former Waitress mentions. At restaurants people generally act as their public selves and treat you nicely because they're in a nice place. I've never been treated badly and I've been there since Decemeber.

At Starbucks, many customers are stuck between acting nicely and acting rudely to get what they want. As a waitress, people don't talk down to me the way they do at Starbucks.

Green_cup, you can't say that Baristas have a basic job because it is in our job description to provide legendary service, which we strive to do everyday.

Curious, I agree with the OP. Tips are a substantial supplement to our income. Perhaps we should not be getting them at all, but if that were the case, Starbucks could not rely on them to 'placate' us. Even McDonald's employees get pay raises when minimum wage increases. Starbucks likes tips because they don't have to increase our wages on a scale with inflation.

[Jamie]

If you have a problem with your pay, unionize. Do not expect customers who are already overpaying for coffee to automatically tip you. Thus attitude of sbux employees is typical of the laziness that has them working at sbux to begin with.

[peaches]

I am a 118, and I just started volunteering for my fire company. It is absolutely fantastic to deal with life and death issues that don't revolve around latte preferences. It's also nice to have a community respect you, and if they don't, to have to authority to do your job with interference.

It really helps me deal with the more insignificant Starbucks issues.

[abe]

i rely on tips for gas money !

WHAT ABOUT A ROTH 401-K for a benefit option, grows tax free, no taxes when u withdraw (sure to be higher tax rates then) and no mandatory withdrawels, can use for down pymnt on hout with no penalty.ROTH 401 K rocks

[is it so hard to be civil]

green cup is a troll

[Am I the only one?]

Jamie,

You are generalizing. I don't expect tips and I don't have a lazy attitude. I work hard and love my job.

I think this comment shows your bad attitude.

[Bill]

In the past couple of months I have bought a TV from Best Buy, a new cell phone from the Sprint store. New clothing from 3 or 4 different places. Socks at Wal-Mart, a tape measure at the local hardware store, and brake parts at Auro Zone. I also went to Starbucks.

All of these purchases required me to walk up to the counter.register to make my purchase and carry the goods away myself.

Does anyone want to guess who the only employees who expected a tip for selling me their companies product was?

[StLouieDrip]

@Am I the only one?, how would more tips for baristas benefit the other customers who have to wait behind large drink orders? You've mentioned it several times but I'm not seeing how it's related.