Is this another bogus Starbucks and the troops tale? Or is there something to it?

Lauretta writes to STARBUCKS GOSSIP: "I found out today that stores (at least in my area) have been told to pull Via troops donations baskets from the floor. We are apparently pulling the program due to "negative media coverage." But I can't find any news coverage that could be considered negative, and no comments from partners on your site yet. Can anyone enlighten me?"

I haven't seen any stories about this. What do you know? BS? Legit?

Comments

[Andrew]

Thinking about it now... we pulled ours last week I think. I didn't bother to ask why, nor was I given a reason. I'll ask tomorrow though.

[Cindy]

It wouldn't surprise me if partners did have to pull the VIA donations. If it wasn't corporate's idea to begin with, then it goes.

[spence]

It's not a publicity stunt. We just do it. My store has been doing it for years.
A customer buys a pound of beans or a 12 pack of Via for the troops. They put it in the "troop basket". Some troops prefer Via Italian because they can add to their canteens and make instant ice coffee.
Unofficially, we give the customer a free beverage after purchasing coffee for the troops. Starbucks doesn't have a ruling on this one way or another but they certainly know it's being done across the country.
The partners pick up the cost of shipping the beans. We have a couple customers who have sons in the service. Sometimes, they pick up the beans and ship it to their children. Otherwise, we just find service people to ship it to.
Sometimes we remove the troop basket if we are solicitating help for a different project or we need room on the floor for dispays or whatever.
Our store does a very soft sell for troop beans. We don't solicit customers. We just display a basket with an attached sign. We probably ship about 100 pounds per year and we also shipped about 1000 Via packets.

[Ben Genuine]

It's not creating a 'sustainable' buying habit from customers.......

[PunkyBrewster]

I was told that because VIA is promo right now- we are heavily tracking numbers/sales and pushing it to everyone- that some people have viewed it as a cheap ploy to up our numbers by playing on people's sympathies.

[Cindy]

@spence - wow! You and your store partners are rock stars. I can't believe the partners are paying for the shipping out of their own pockets. You guys are awesome! Keep up the great work.

[cobaltsd]

What would be the negative media coverage?

[rae]

I just sent a care package to a friend in Iraq, and coffee is on the list of items you can't ship to APO/FPO addresses. Since everything in a package is supposed to get declared on the customs forms, it might be fairly easy to check. Maybe that's why....?

[Coffee Soldier]

The reason Punky stated is what was communicated to our district as well.

[Barista Ben]

It's because we were using it as a cheap ploy to get people to buy Via. My store did for the homeless, actually, but thats only because one of our partners goes down to a homeless shelter and donates her time food and money already.

Still, I understand why, a lot of stores were doing it just to try and sell more via. It looked tacky.

[Brown Dot]

Actually if you guys go to MSI you will see the negative feedback. Many customers have complained about the validity of this. Also, apparently a partner had the donated coffee in their garage ( I heard 1000 pounds but thats kinda high to be believable) It's not a program that was started by starbucks or promoted by starbucks. It is something a partner started doing to help boost whole bean sales (We did this 3 years ago) and to give back to our troops as a thank you.

[whynotcoffeefortroops]

Even if there is no promotion going on such as the Via I was told by my manager we can't do it ever. She said she was told by upper management it can not be done because we would be harassing customers. Uh wasn't that the number one complaint for the whole Via promotion?? Customers were complaining about being asked over and over about it at our store.

[Andy]

There wasn't really anything I saw on MSI that complained about troop donation basket, in fact it was the opposite. Most people said we should donate to the troops, on both the customer MSI site and the partner MSI site.

[Thought of the Day]

@Spence...I don't doubt your motives are just and pure ... But do really know where the coffee, that customers bought in good faith, that was handed over to family members of troops, went??? Do you really know what happened to that coffee...Just curious!

[jon]

there are incentives involved with VIA. Stores that participate in this practice should also donate the money from the incentive. It's only fair.

[Taragon Chicken Salad Sandwich]

I agree with Punky that it is just a ploy to inflate the VIA sales. Any store that has hit or beat that 200% goal did not do it by just suggestive selling it to customers for home use. They used the "guilt trip" donation basket ploy whether it was for troops or another charity. One store in my district did the donation thing to a different charity and beat the 200% goal early on and is getting tons of recognition in the region. My store just hit the 100% goal by just doing in store sales to customers, but we get the daily call outs for not being at 200%. We were given the direction not to do the charity basket in the regional VIA meeting, but stores went ahead and did it anyway and the DMs just turn their heads so that they will have high performers in their districts and less heat on them from the RDOs when they have to explain the numbers from the "underperforming" stores.

[Brown Dot]

http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/apex/ideaView?id=087500000005bL5AAI

http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/apex/ideaView?id=087500000005c4eAAA

I know those links are talking about the VIA push lately but there were a few more complaints about the whole bean push too I just dont have the time to find them right now. Not to mention, I get at least 1 complaint a day about the donation

[Jonathan]

The only people Starbucks cares about is it's shareholders.

[Baristaintheraw]

My store has teamed up with an organization started by familes of troops overseas. Some of the reps from the org came to our store around the via launch date and were talking to customers about sending via. So, I'm pretty sure it is legit in my area. Idk about anywhere else.

[Bearded Barista]

I thought it had more to do with the launch of the Holiday trio drinks. I figured they wanted us to puch that at the register instead of Via... which doesnt make much sense since they want us pushing Via at the same time... can it be January already?

[me myself and I]

Well, in Jan we are going to push via along the new teas. There won't be a break ever again.

[JavaJoe]

starbucks doesnt just care about shareholders. starbucks is made of shareholders. so maybe these shareholders should look at their individual passions. sure i would love to get together donations for the troops as my sister's fiance is overseas, but i cant because my store cant afford any donations and if we were to try to do a donation basket like this, we would be seen as trying to guilt customers into buying via. its not starbucks that makes the world seem greedy and sick. the entire world is greedy and sick and this behavior needs to end. why does nobody trust anyone anymore? i dont think starbucks is all that bad compared to places like walmart, that would rather close a store than let its employees unionize. or target who tells a team member they are in the running for a promotion and let them do the job, but never promote them. or GM that devastates a town's economy by closing its only job source (and this was way before the economy went bust, flint michigan anyone?) other companies have done much more evil. maybe we should take pride in the fact that we serve fair trade blends and that all of our products are ethically sourced and traded.

[me myself and I]

Java Joe, I think Starbucks is doing that already. They are telling people they are considered for a promotion, let them do all tasks of the new job, let them know they need "just a few more weeks to see just a little bit of performance improvement. We know you are capable, but you need to show us you really want to get that job...". Sounds like your description of Target to me. And what about all those ASMs that were de facto running their stores just to get axed only about 9 months ago instead of a promotion to SM. And not fighting unions? Are you kidding me? They do whatever legally possible (and sometimes a bit beyond) just to avoid unions.

But yes, they do a few things well. One of them is buying and roasting coffee.

[Barista Ben]

I should add we didn't do anything underhanded or tricky, no baskets, etc. for the majority of the via sales event (a day of offering via for the partner who wanted to take it to the homeless) and we're at about 150% right now. It wasn't all that hard. It just required asking customers if they were interested in trying/buying it.

[JavaJoe]

you missed the point i was making. i was pointing out that everyone does that stuff. but starbucks does some good things that everyone misses. i have worked for both companies i mentioned and by far starbucks is the best one ive worked at. the truth is that we can bitch and moan about all the problems starbucks has but honestly, we have pretty decent jobs. where else can people enjoy a living wage + tips, free drinks while on the clock and a great discount, a diverse workplace with decent benefits, and a new experience everyday. when i missed work for my grandmothers death, my store not only let me off but sent flowers. the people i work with care about me and there is a genuine sense of community within my store. maybe im living in a perfect world but i enjoy my job. starbucks isnt a horrible company. there are a select few who do horrible things and thats where the problem lies.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

I can confirm that in New England the directives were that Starbucks was not allowed to collect Starbucks Via or whole bean coffees for the armed forces.
I say again that it came from the RVP and RDO's in New England, Starbucks is PROHIBITED at this time from collecting donations of Starbucks Via or whole bean coffee for troops deployed overseas at this time.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

True story.

[javabuz]

oh great I feel another email chain letter coming on....

[Cactus]

I feel that if a store does troop donations consistently, regardless of a promotion, then it's a great practice and it serves the community well. BUT, I know of many, many stores in my area that just started to do the baskets for the VIA promo simply b/c they felt they had no other means to hit the audacious goal...that's just dirty and exploitative. I agree that the baskets should be pulled from the stores that haven't shown a commitment to this type of donation for a long period of time.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

This is a true story. I read the real email coming from field leadership indicating that such practices, as a troop donation basket is not in line with the marketing strategy for Starbucks Via in New England and Region 008.

[Schmidt, Jingle Heimer]

There's an ulterior motive to selling pounds of coffee to donate to the troops...it's called profit for the corporation. I'm glad it was pulled because I never supported the idea (when one thought of it in my district about a year ago). Why exploit troops more than they already are? Yes, I support them...every Monday by 12pm, and sometimes by 10AM if Mon. is a holiday. It's much easier to develop an all volunteer army when the people are manipulated and desperate.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

So, the Starbucks (RED) program is exploiting African AIDS babies?

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Running along that line of logic. Starbucks (RED) seems to be exploiting the real suffering of AIDS babies.

[BusyBean]

@BSR: project red gives at least gives money to help relieve the suffering with the medication the babies need; VIA gives troops 2nd-rate coffee that makes them pass gass (if those reports about VIA are true). While I support both troops and sick babies, I feel also that the company is exploiting both, since they are profiting from it.

[BusyBean]

To add another thought: I never understood why companies that end up profiting from helping other people, have to profit from helping other people. If the company wants to show it's goodness, then just donate the money. Nobody has to know about it. Don't ask customers to do it for you. If you want them to do it on their own, then set up a charity basket, like Salvation Army does for holidays, and give it to a charity. Don't hide profit behind charity. Just give.

[me myself and I]

I never really bought into the whole (red) thing. I really don't understand why a company supporting this cause only donates PARTS of the profit made with the (red) branded products to the cause. I already had a problem with it when gap started it. I'd rather spend 5 Dollars straight to an aids fighting campaign than drinking 100 holiday beverages. Yes, I know it adds up. But the advertising is just so misleading. Not just at starbucks though. The whole (red) campaign is set up that way.
And coffee for the troops? Really? The army can blast a gazillion dollars on these wars but can't supply halfway decent coffee to their soldiers?

[Done]

If Starbucks matched the donations, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Until they contribute something to the pot, it is simply making a profit off of a war.

[Marcus]

I thought it was horribly tacky.

We (the US) spend a huge amount of our tax dollars and incur a huge amount of debt as a country on defense spending. It is hard for me to imagine that the government cannot provide coffee to soldiers. The US government has enough money to let soldiers buy products tax free. Soldiers will even buy expensive cars at European factories at great discounts and then the government pays for the cars to be shipped to the United States. The government pays all moving costs, for healthcare, recreational facilities, etc. It is the only completely socialized system in our country, yet we still have to provide extra coffee? Give me a break. I get tired of the overly sentimental crap about the soldiers fighting for our freedoms. We can't even guarantee them their first amendment rights to express their sexual orientation. I feel bad for them; I fought hard for them not to go to war. And I recognize many of them are there because of financial burdens. But these wars we are in are wars of choice. We are not there to extend liberties--if so, why aren't we aiding the Sudanese with military relief? We are not there fighting terrorism. Terrorism is a criminal act, that requires a police response. We are there trying to create new governments for people that didn't ask us to be there, probably as a distraction and for conservative cronies to get big contracts. And also to shore up this idea that nothing else matters but fighting terrorism. We're all gonna die! People die every day from things the Bush-era people didn't care about. The only thing they cared about were the possible deaths from terrorism, not the actual death and suffering occurring the years after 9/11, be it from lack of health care or hurricanes. That tells you something. And the fact that these Christians like Cheney still go around saying it's the biggest threat to our world. It's a perverse joke. You're going to heaven, why are you afraid of dying anyway? Why death by terrorism? Why is that the biggest threat? War on fear, never heard of anything so crazy. A war on terrorism is just so disproportionate to how big of a problem it actually is.

So yeah, anyhow, all that goes through my head when I see the donation baskets. I don't like them.

[just another partner]

i know that from the start we were told NOT to do via for the troops. that we were supposed to make that connection with the customer over via and have THEM try it... some stores were doing via for the troops to get their numbers and reach their goals, even after it was discouraged. i think via for the troops is a great idea once via is "out there" and people have already tried it for themselves. i think that is what starbucks was trying to go for at first, that personal connection over via itself... there is nothing wrong with coffee for the troops at all, and after the via promo is over we will all be doing it again. i know that our entire district has pulled all of our coffee for the troops (beans included) because we are getting such high numbers with via and they dont want there to be any question about "how" we are getting them... if you think about how much money they are giving each store that reaches 200% to target you cant really blame them for wanting you to really connect while you are doing it... while i think via for the troops is a great idea, i can completely understand why they are asking us to hold off on it for now. hopefully when the 17th rolls around we will be able to do it again.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Jim,
You should try to contact Terry Davenport to get your answers question by someone official at Starbucks to clear up all these rumors and gossip.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Question for Terry Davenport at Starbucks:

1) Has Starbucks stopped promoting the donation of Starbucks products to troops deployed overseas?

2) Why have Starbucks removed troop donation baskets from the stores?

3) Has Starbucks field leadership directed the removal of donation baskets from the stores?

4) Doesn't Starbucks believe that sending Via to troops overseas more convenient for troops who may not have grinding and brewing equipment available to them?

5) When does Starbucks to intend to bring back the donation for troops overseas?

[KMA]

YEAH THEY PULLED IT OFF THE FLOOR...STATING THAT IF PARTNERS WERE OFFERING TO SALE VIA "FOR TROOPS", IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED SOLICITING AND PARTNERS COULD BE WRITTEN UP....WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE TOLD TO DO!!!!

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Terry: "Don't ask any questions that could portray Starbucks negatively."

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Howard: "Starbucks cannot be seen in a negative light."

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1656205315]

They just want to keep up with Obambo the Clown's socialist/commie/progressive minions and do anything they can to not support the troops. Sort of like they do with the partners. Of course they may just fear that the fascist ideologues in the Obambo admin will consider *$ "too big too fail" and offer to "lend their help", a.k.a. take over and brutalize.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Starbucks Siren: We are of peace, always.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Michelle Gass: By your command.

[Baristaintheraw]

Via is taking over my thoughts I hate it. I also hate that stupid via shirt they make us wear, asking the same regulars everyday if they wanna buy it. I pretty much just stopped asking. WRITE ME UP FOR NOT SELLING YOUR STUPID PIECE OF CRAP INSANT COFFEE. they sell instant coffee at the 99cent only store by nescafe or whatever haha smart one

[America]

Operation Home Front came and picked up our coffee the last 2 years.

http://www.operationhomefront.net/

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Cliff: Resistance is futile.