Let loose in the Starbucks Gossip weekend OPEN THREAD!

Post your praises, gripes, observations and questions here; anything Starbucks-related is up for discussion. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Comments

[Gust]

They've been introducing Pike Place in the Netherlands recently. I guess next up is Via. After having two licensees (HMS at the Schiphol airport, and a railroad subsidiary at major stations) opening a couple of test stores they now seem ready to go country wide. I expect them to open a third Amsterdam station store as well as stores in other places over the coming months (probably first at Amersfoort station and The Hague Central station).

[baristamclane]

Sooo...hows about that new and improved Coffee Master program???

Maybe this time around, I might actually get my black apron, assuming that I get DM approval to do the training, and also assuming that my current DM will actually sit down and certify me (unlike the previous four DMs)...

[Hirayuki]

(I came in late to last weekend's open thread and posted a version of this comment there after everyone was done reading/responding. Let's try again...)

A customer has posted a review of the new stainless-steel venti tumbler at the online store, claiming Starbucks will not fill it (thereby negating its environmental friendliness). Has anyone else come across this? I've never had a problem getting my venti logo tumbler filled with whatever I like (although many baristas assume it's only a grande size).

[slaw275]

I remember hearing something a while back that Airport Starbucks would not fill re-usable tumblers. I guess it is the policy of the third party that operates these locations.
Any company operated store should fill it though.

On a different note, I often read on this site how horrible some individuals feel Pike Place Roast is. Personally, I prefer a bolder coffee, but I still find it palatable. But more importantly, it is the top-selling whole bean coffee in my store. I don't assume to know what the numbers look like company-wide, but I guess what I'm saying is that some people do like it... I don't mean that it is our best coffee, by any means. All I am saying is give Pike a chance!

[hipsterdufus]

New Starbucks REserve Coming: Aged Sidamo. Launches in Fall phase 2.

[baristamclane]

@Hirayuki, sounds like an issue of miss-communication.

Why would airport stores not fill personal cups? Is it to thwart a possible security issue?

On that note, that is exactly why I prefer driving instead of flying...

[108represent]

Any news on what's coming out for Holiday?????

[ash_sk8s]

Airport Starbucks owned by HMS Host will NOT fill personal cups. It has nothing to do with stupid security, just stupid sanitary reasons.

[Sbux1]

Any idea what we will see for Fall phase 2? Phase 1 ends Oct. 4.

[Melody]

@Hipsterdufus - I thought it was Aged Sulawesi Kalosi. ??

[Hipsterdufus]

My bad Melody. You are correct. I dont know why my brain keeps saying Sidamo! It certainly doesn't taste like an African coffee, lol.

It's already sold out online.

It's an interesting coffee. Very dark and spicy. I don't know if I like it though.

[Starbucks Customer]

Ellen's Starbucks prank. This is a new video Starbucks just tweeted:

http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/09/hidden_camera_fun_at_starbucks_vod_0924.php

[Constant Traveler]

Correction - as of April 2010, airport locations do fill personal cups. The health handling issue was resolved.

[Doppio Con Karma]

how does the aged sulawesi kalosi compare to the in store offering? I rather enjoyed that and haven't had the chance to sample the aged yet.

[slaw275]

I really wish that I could get a hold of ANY of the reserve coffees without paying a fortune on ebay... c'mon, I sold my soul to this company 3 yrs ago, the least they could do is offer advance purchase of special coffee! The Galapagos was sold out before I could click "yes" and since I am not at one of the Reserve Stores, I didn't even know Aged Sulawesi Kalosi was available yet, much less sold out!

[Hipsterdufus]

slaw I didn't know Kalosi was even available online until I googled it! All of the reserve coffees are already available online. Kind of weird if you ask me. Why aren't the online offerings staggered like the instore offerings?

Dopio, it's been soooo long since I have had regular sulawesi that I don't even remember how it tastes!

[SC Shift]

Need some clarification here. If a customer orders a venti americano no H2O filled to the top with steamed breve, how should that be rung up? I see it as a quad venti breve latte? Thanks

[(former) NJ_newbie]

SC Shift, yes, it should be rung up as a latte...

I'm not sure what the Venti americano/add dairy vs quad venti breve latte price difference would be, but i'm sure some store has been giving them the cheapass loophole price for years...so good luck with that one.

The only way to fix this situation is to explain that while other stores may have done it in the past, it was a mistake, and they will have to be charged the right price for the drink they order.

Let's be serious, a "no water Americano" makes it NOT an Americano. Hell even if they said use HALF the amount of water, fill the rest with steamed breve, that would be less irritating then flat out trying to be sneaky.

[Guat.my.mala]

That's like a customer at my store who gets a double grande espresso macchiato, with the foam filled to the top. Ummm... that's a grande dry cappuccino in my book, but apparently she has been getting it for so long and the partners let her, she was practically grandfathered into it when I took over the store. Frustrating, but I deal with it, because her constant complaining and whining about it isn't worth it. Plus, she buys at least 3 morning buns.

[Jen]

When I travel in the US, the barista always puts my latte up on the bar with the lid on. But in Canada, all the lids are in a stack and we help ourselves.... but the way they stack, you usually end up grabbing 2-3 lids, picking one off, then putting the rest back on the stack, which always makes me think its a little germy.

Then Monday I saw someone drop a lid on the wet floor (it was raining) when separating them, pick it up and put it on the stack (yes, I picked it off with the one under it and threw it away). Then today watched a woman cough and sneeze into her hands, WIPE HER NOSE with her bare hand, then of course do the pick up three lids, separate them and put the others back in the stack.

So why oh why is the policy different on the lid thing Canada vs. US? I wish Canada did the US thing so I don't have to wonder if someone washed their hands after going to the bathroom before pawing at the stack of lids.

[ash_sk8s]

@Constant Traveler - Good to know! It has been 2 years since I've worked there after all! :)

[Jason Coffee]

I am curious if anyone that works for Starbucks Coffee does Latte Art?

Jason Coffee
Coffee Cup News

[ExBarista]

Starbucks announced officially Wednesday that they would be raising prices. Prompted a huge amount of interest. Noticed this article on Yahoo morning news:
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110809/secrets-starbucks-doesnt-want-you-to-know

There are a lot of similar ones out there too. Basically it suggests a lot of ways for customers to take advantage of just-say-yes and other starbucks loopholes. Bringing in a giant personal cup and ordering a tall and expecting it to be filled to the max? Or ordering espresso over ice in a venti cup and fill with condiment bar milk and sugar? When I was a barista we despised the condiment bar latte, but we got them all the time and nothing you can do but smile. We were well known in our district for having extremely rough customers from our location inside a mall though. Glad those days are gone!

[Siberiabux]

@slaw, I still have plenty of gallapogos reserve left in my store, in my area there I a large density of reserve stores making it difficult for any of them to sell through. I bet there is still some in stores in your area aswell, or if you don't mind covering s&h have i'll mail some to you.

[Coffee Drinker]

I have a 15-year-old plastic Starbucks tumbler. I've measured it several times, it only holds a "tall" amount of coffee. However, occasionally baristas have charged me for a "grande" or told me "you mean Vente?" Or they nod and smile, say nothing, at which I say it's a Tall, I've measured it, they are welcome to do so themselves, etc. I imagine some baristas think I'm cheating the system, tho the more experience ones realize as they're filling it it has a high bottom inside and fills quickly.

After reading the comment above I think there is one of my regular baristas who smirks, thinks I'm getting free coffee...I've told her several times to measure and make sure. Starbucks is a microcosm of life, a philosophical conundrum, people thinking they are being lied to, and others knowing they are, others telling the truth and being though liars. All good life learning.

[Christinschu]

Lol Siberiabux, making the sale over the internet! ;)

[Waltie]

It's kind of pointless to do latte art at a coffee shop that tops every drink with a lid.

[The Piker]

It appears that Pike Place has been tweaked to taste like Italian Roast. I had them pour me a new cup the other day because I thought they mistakenly poured IR rather than PP. The new cup tasted the same.

Then today I was at a different store and ordered Pike. Again, it had that Italian Roast taste that it never had before.

Have they changed the brew?

[vivavia]

I'm wondering if anyone has ever called anyone on their ghetto lattes? We dont get much of it happening at our store but we sure do get the "I just walked in from outside with my old, germy, bacteria infested cup, please give me a refill," and then I tell them I can't give them the refill price but I can give them a cup discount and they whine that I'm the only barista in the entire world that enforces that policy.

[Noah]

One customers point of view - once a customer has touched anything, I don't want a barista handling it no way no how. I don't want a physically sick customer passing germs via a cup to a barista who then passes them to me. If a barista handles a re-usable cup or refills a paper cup, then go wash your hands before you touch anything behind the counter. Let's put lives before the environment.

[vivavia]

Noah - what about money?? If you're that much of a germaphobe, you probably shouldn't even go outside.

[livin' la VIA loca]

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110809/secrets-starbucks-doesnt-want-you-to-know

ugh- here we go again w/ghetto latte & "free" refill abuse.

[slaw275]

The closest Reserve store to me is a 5 hr drive, which I actually seriously considered doing LOL.

I'm a little peeved at the yahoo article, and at the anonymous barista who clued people in on how to cheat the system. the price of milk has gone up, and guess what... that means we are eating a bigger loss when people make ghetto lattes with our condiment bar milk.

I would love to take classes in coffee art, just to be able to do it on the occasional "for here" latte or my own personal drinks. What can I say, I dig coffee!

[Hipsterdufus]

I want to kill the barista who talked to this reporter.

Ghetto lattes are a pain because a) it's someone blatently trying to rip off the system b) it's milk being unaccounted for which leads to higher operating costs which is what eventually leads to more price increases! and c) it makes even more labor because you now have to replace a carafe of milk twice as often!!!!

[T in Texas]

When I worked for Starbucks, I called someone out on a ghetto latte. They frequented our store and I caught them making it one day. I politely advised them of how much milk costs, even if it does come from the condiment bar. I also advised them that if they came in during my shift, I would be more than happy to make it for them. And I did tell them it would be regular price. The next time they came in, I charged them for a latte and made it for them. They came in a couple more times and then they were gone. :-)

[slaw275]

we have had people order THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH: "doppio over ice, in a grande cup, filled up the rest of the way with nonfat milk." This has happened more than once, and we usually just change for an iced grande nonfat latte. one time the customer got irate with me and when I didn't back down, they left without getting anything and said they would never come back. GOOD. I found out later the same customer pulled this stunt at a neighboring store, when that SM told her it would be an iced grande nonfat latte, she barked "do you want me to just come in and do it myself?" The SM replied, "you are welcome to do that, but I will still change you for an iced grande nonfat latte." Once again, customer left empty-handed. good riddance, and good for the partners who stick up for themselves, their partners, their stores, and their dairy variance!

[Sheik]

Ugh, this is what happens when Starbucks allows customers to get their jollies. Starbucks tells their employees to "be welcoming" by allowing customers to customize any beverage (aka make FAKE GHETTO LATTES). Then Jane Doe at Store #555 creates some fake beverage with some outlandish way of getting rung up. Then the second Jane Doe goes to Store #556 and gets charged otherwise, it turns into the "Issue of the Year."

Drinks are on the menu with prices for a reason. Follow the prices. Customize a little bit. But don't work the system out the wazoo.

Conversation ENDED.

[Coffee Drinker]

The article quoted by @livin' says,

"• Keep your Starbucks cup and bring it back at any time for 50-cent coffee refills."

Since when? I get same-visit refill free with my registered card, however, if I return later in the day, I start all over again, at least that's what I thought. Is the above true, should I save my cup and reuse it? (don't always have my tumbler with me.)

[iced girl]

There are 15 store in Marin County going lidless as we speak. It is to go allow with the Marin Ordinance. We are the only 15 in the US doing this. We are all excited actually. We have a huge focus on 'for here' cups and plates offering them to our customers. It is also really prompting us to take alot of pride in our drinks (can't cover up ugly foam or no foam for that matter etc.) Excited!!!!!!!!

[yukonluvr]

i too am considering taking a four-hour drive to the nearest reserve store for the aged sulawesi kalosi. i loved!!! sulawesi kalosi last year. what's a four-hour road trip for good coffee?

[ShiftSadieSad]

I'm 'drinking the koolaid' still. I really enjoy Starbucks as a partner. Unfortunately, two weeks ago I just transfered from my district of awesomeness to a new district of hell. My store manager is incompetent and sucks my heart from the company.

Any suggestions in which to keep my passion in order?!?!

[Joe]

Coffee Drinker, that article is inaccurate on a number of levels, its understanding of refill policy being one of them. It's cafe customers and the same visit only.

I wanna slap the barista that e-mailed the author this information.

[wemboco]

i work at a barnes & noble cafe - am i still allowed to play with you guys???? im really just practicing for the day i apply to a real s$$

[formermanager]

Shiftsadie, just keep doing well what you are doing. It may take a while but it will all come out in the wash! Your managers uselessness, that is.

[spence]

Wemboco, Are you being fresh?? Of course, you can play with us. But you'll need a stiff upper lip. We might bash the bux now and then but we get real pissy if someone else does.

[Shift in Georgia]

I'm sorry, but what was the barista smoking? Where did they get that refill policy? The other stores in my district seem to agree with him, though. We seem to be the only store around that follows the refill policy correctly. It says, more or less, that during the same store visit, customers are allowed to get refill of coffee or tea. I was unaware it was coffee or tea, no matter what the original beverage was, but that's no big deal.
What does same store visit mean to you?
Then we're the ones who get yelled at. Also, we have a lady who came in twice with her own cup. I charged her cup discount only for her to fuss me out when I did not charge her for a refill price. "Every other store around here only charges fifty cents. Why are you doing it differently?" I work in a wealthy area. Really, lady?

[Coffee Drinker]

Refills are 50 cents, the same visit, without a registered SBUX card. If I use my own cup, I get 10 cents off the refill too.

However with a REGISTEREd card, refills are free.

A refill occurs within the same visit. If I leave Starbucks and return, I start over, full price. In Tuscon I drank my coffee on the Starbucks patio, and still got my refill.

Occasionally theres a shift change, a sleepy barista with fiddled memory, or a new barista in overwhlm mode. They can't remember every thing and know all. So they'll start to charge me full price at which I point out, " I've been sitting over there, where you just mopped."

And it's mandatory to tip even for the refill ; )

[crema_the_crop]

Canada partners correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the "no lid in Canada" policy stems from a Toronto health code regarding the handling of food-contact items... and that lids are considered food-contact items, so PBTC are not allowed to touch them (like unwrapped straws or plastic utensils). In line with the one-policy-fits-all approach, all Canada stores are lidless to promote consistency.

[5yearveteran]

Our Seattle's Best located at the Borders in town (in the US) also places their lids on the condiment bar for customers to help themselves. Does anyone know if this is just a health code policy or actually a Starbucks policy due to EcoSure/QASA standards? Are Canadian stores upheld to QASA standards also?

[Will]

If you get a free refill with a registered card and use a personal cup, technically the cost is -.11 and will be credited to your card.

Just thought I'd point that out. Surprised Starbucks hasn't fixed this one in the number of years they've been giving free refills with Starbucks rewards.