Let's get the weekend OPEN THREAD going!

Will there be early fireworks here, or a pleasant tete-a-tete? You never know with the always-lively OPEN THREAD. As usual, anything Starbucks-related is up for discussion. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Comments

[me, myself and I]

Yes, they obviously wanted to hit the "big bad corporations". But even those big bad corporations give us a paycheck. Maybe not big enough, but at least they do. And even though I don't agree how most of those big corporations are run, destroying their property doesn't help. I don't get a bigger paycheck or better work environment if I protest against Howards big fat pay with destroying a bunch of his stores, do I?

I know it is a symbol, but I would still be very angry and sad if they would have hit my store.

[James Connolly]

Were any people working in the Toronto stores when the black block came through and did their whole property-damage-is-antiacaptialist thing? I rrrrrrrreally hope not because broken glass is no fun.

[justinsane]

you may have a point. I can't imagine dealing with that as a partner there. @James, yes, it was open. Partners and customers were there.

[James Connolly]

@justinsane Holy shit, that's awful and irresponsible. You know if anyone got hurt?

[Waltie]

Frappy, every "unsafe working condition" you listed is actually your fault. Get slip resistant shoes and don't climb shelves and you won't hurt yourself.

And don't blame your carelessness on lack of labor. Just try asking for more labor because you're accident prone.

"We need more labor!"
"Why? Are sales increasing?"
"No."
"Did your customer count go up?"
"No."
"Then what do you need more labor for?"
"I need more time to open the muffins without cutting myself."
"........you're fired."

[coach purses]

If your life feels like it is lacking the power that you want and the motivation that you need, sometimes all you have to do is shift your point of view.

[JoBarista]

With regard to fly issues this spring/summer. I have the perfect SBUX answer. We have all types of sales quotas, metrics, QASA scores etc. we are required to hit every day. I now require that each barista in my store kill 4 flys per shift per day. They must catch them by hand in a way so as not to draw any customers attention...no fly swats, fly tape, bar towels, steaming pitchers, serve ware, plastic ware or newspapers/magazines, DCRs, cash logs or any other type of paper item allowed.

Failure to present the required number of fly corpses by the end of every shift may result in being written up and eventually separated from the company.

[henrymortimer]

jobarista you sound like a horrific cunt pieace of shit lazy ass manager worthy of being shot in the face and being given absolutely no respect.

i am ashamed to be of the same species as you.

[VanCoffeeFan]

someone clearly doesnt understand sarcasm.

[cafe noir]

Someone clearly can't spell either. Geez, talk about your overreactions. Jobarista, I laughed like crazy at your comment. Totally awesome "pieace" of sardonic goodness.

[justanotherbarista]

Somebody doesn't know how to stfu, nah kidding good post jobarista

[Former SB SS]

Can someone explain the company obsession with via? I think its the most vile coffee beverage I ever had. Every time I walk into a Starbucks - they try and sell it to me. I tell them (almost every day now) I really really dislike it - each time you'd think I personally insulted their own mother. wtf? Its horrible. I would drink water for an emergency before that instant sludge. Why can't SB get it in their heads that its soooo bad?

[James Connolly]

@Former SB SS: It has to do with the fact that the profit margin on Via is obscene and ridiculous, something like 78 percent. When you literally make three times the amount it costs to make when you are selling it retail then of course they are going to want to hawk it like crazy.

[Carpe de VIA]

It's also been pounded into us that the instant coffee business is something like $22 billion a year (especially overseas) and that Starbucks figures it can get in on some of that action. Their goal is $1 billion in VIA sales this year for starters.

Selling VIA in stores is nothing more than a giant elaborate virtual commercial since Starbucks spends next to nothing on advertising in other media forms like other businesses. It was never intended to be sold in mass quantities in Starbucks stores itself. It is to bring awareness to the consumer so that when they see it in grocery stores or hotels or on airlines or in overseas restaurants they will at least have an idea of what it is and give it a try.

I'm a black coffee drinker and I can't stomach it, but I will say the more you add to it (sugar, creme, booze, flavoring) the better it tastes... it's a bit like making stone soup.

[Lamby]

So in the last couple of weeks I have received 3 different OVER 6 and 1/2 hour Meal Break Violations. I am not the only one either and my fellow partners and I are sick of them to say the least.

In Colorado where I work, the meal break law is for every 8 hour work shift you get a 30 minute break after 5 and 1/2 hours. So if you open you should be getting a lunch at around 10am (should you open and get to work at 4:30am).

With that said, my GM and the other SMs simply say that there is no way for us to take on time breaks due to how busy we are during that time.

I'm at a loss and don't know what to do. The days are long enough and adding an empty stomach and a sore back to the mix just isn't fair.

Should I call Partner Resources? I've talked to my GM and like I said, he would rather tell me that there is nothing he can do than find a solution which would boost morale and increase good customer service among partners.

PS (the cherry on my pound cake today was when i was told to take my last 10 minute break 10 minutes before i was to clock out for the day. gosh, thanks.)

[Doppio con karma]

There is blackout period for breaks during peak but I would think state labor laws would trump policy. I'd contact corporate if you're sure reminding your sm re labor laws won't work.

[me, myself and I]

Trouble is, if you complain too much, you'll get your lunch break at 7 in the morning. Nobody says it has to be 5 hours into your shift. Be sure you really want to deal with the other options before you start stirring something up. If you are cool with 7am lunch breaks, go for it. I know I personally rather violate policy and go a bit later.

[Doppio con karma]

I know what we have done at times is flipping the order like going 10 10 30 or vice versa, as you can usually make do without someone fr 10 far more easily, worth a shot

[SPORK]

If Via's so cheap to make, how come they've been pushing the fact that it takes five pounds of coffee to make one pound of via... shouldn't that make it more expensive?

[I.Heart.Spirit.]

@SPORK

Do the math, though it's not 100% accurate... just a glance.

One pound of Italian Roast is $10.95.
.35ounces of Italian VIA is $2.95.

You need roughly 45.7 three packs of VIA to equal a pound.

Buying 45.7 three packs would be cost $137.

I don't personally know how much it costs to produce via or even bag a pound of coffee... but I do know a pound of VIA brings in $137 compared to the $55 selling 5 pounds of Italian Roast would bring in.

Not to mention, there is no extra labor involved in selling VIA. It's already ground, you don't have to leave the floor and get off track with what you're doing.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

The microgrounds are smaller and therefore require more coffee to make one pound.

[James Connolly]

Uh folks, do you really think it costs Starbucks ten bucks a pound to get the coffee necessary to make Via? The roasted beans used in Via cost the company maybe three bucks a pound. The company could double up the amount of coffee going into each pound of Via and still turn a profit on it.

@Lamby: You should contact us at the union and join up. Among our successes in NYC is making sure people get the breaks they deserve. http://www.starbucksunion.org/

[SPORK]

anyone know the number to call if you lose your partner card?

[Are you smarter than a 5th grader?]

Hey BSR... what weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of lead?

[Allen]

@calibarista I've been trying for asm now for almost three years and they keep holding it over my head but not actually giving it to me for all kinds of reasons. I'm up for another interview which sucks because all they had to say was how well I interviewed but they didn't give it to me. If I don't get this next one I think I'm going to demote myself and stop being concerned about all the lead shift crap.

[viasucks]

I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE VIA. WE'VE HAD NONSTOP PROMOTIONS FOR ALMOST A YEAR. I'm sick of it, customers know about Via now, If they want it...they'll buy it. I'm sick of getting threatened to lose hours, or get written up for not promoting it. It's a lose-lose situation... I promote it and customers get mad and annoyed. I don't promote it and the management team gets mad. I've worked for the company for almost 3 years, and It's gone from the main promotion being a fun "3rd Place" to selling stuff.

[waiting for a ten]

so are all breaks on dcr vased on California, and we are supposed to modify based on our state?

[KitKat]

Where can I find the recipes for the "created" frap recipes?? Like Starburst & smore etc...thnx

[Positive Vibes :)]

Well if you have 3 partners start work at 430 am then you should start 30 min breaks at 530 am the last 30 min break will end at 7 am perfect time for black out . Our partners like that because they get to eat breakfast before the peak of our buisness which makes the most sense to them. They are fuel up and ready to wake up America. When your feeding the souls of America you have to be fed as well .Of course this store specific If your partners are not cool with that then you should do what is best for them because the partners always come first they are our angels and you should treat them with respect and dignity.

[Erik]

@me, myself, and I...
The site we are buying from has a video that mentions the upgrades. They have replaced a hose inside and (if I remember) changed/modified the permafilter. The video is at http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/Saeco-Sirena-Automatic-Espresso-Machine-p/scg10898.htm (sorry for the long link). If anyone is interested, I can let you know how it works out. It is supposed to arrive in the next week.

[James]

Interesting reading. I am an avid SBUX customer. I have to say that when you have a good team in the store you feel it. I do find though that it seems more and more that the experience is waning because I begin to see a shift to timing: the greetings and name writing are gone, and it's all about rushing the next order in and pushing the customers down the line.
I have also found that of all the baristas I have experienced, MANY are not good at multitasking. It seems to be the most crucial role.

[Steve Media]

If I see an xbox on a table in my local starbucks - will I have to say something..

http://gizmodo.com/5576014/please-dont-let-it-become-trendy-to-bring-an-xbox-to-starbucks?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

Isn't the free wifi suppose to happen this month? Any limits?

[Melody]

@SteveMedia - Free WiFi starts today! The webmaster of this site has a whole new thread on it.

[mr jaqck]

I am a customer in Starbucks nor Calif and it is way weird , my company goes through are staff .when management positions are available and asks are 2-6 year ones to apply for positions so we hire someone with company knowledge. but in are area mangers are hired on the outside basis, with extremely low experience. being from a small town its said that some where hired on the basis of they where my friend, cores that is all hush hush . but as a customer you see talented baristias and shift managers training the assistant mangers,mangers that have to ask underlings corporate rules and regulations its way funny .

[repetitive strain injuries]

The main cause of this main are the repetitive activities, forceful activities of arms and hand and awkward postures. The other causes of Repetitive Strain Injuries are sitting in a fixed posture and poor workplace ergonomics.