Buy a Starbucks holiday drink and get one free

The deal is good from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday (Nov. 18-21). Read "Buy-one-get-one-free holiday drinks at Starbucks"

Comments

[Providence]

Hi. Hope it's okay that this is completely off-topic, but...:

I would like to get a holiday gift for the baristas at my daily Sbux location; there are 6 that help me regularly, and they are all wonderful. I've seen some suggestions re. baked goods, but I wondered how long they'd last and if all baristas would have a chance to notice/partake.

What about a gift box of chocolate, i.e. Lindt, Godiva, etc.? To the baristas out there- would you appreciate that? Any other ideas (that don't involve crafting, please- I'm hopeless!) based on personal taste, experience?

Thanks!

[baristamclane]

The sky is the limit as far as gifts. Food is almost always guaranteed to be gone by noon in my past stores. I'm not sure what your budget is or how big the team is at the store you frequent, but you could make little gift bags (or those teeny tiny stockings) full of candy. Whatever you choose to give them, it will be appreciated. Once upon a time, a customer brought in a case of bbq rub that he sold. Heck, even getting a thank you card means a lot to me.

[spence]

I've been here for years. The best gift we ever got was fudge. It was wonderful. We may be surrounded by food at Starbucks but after a while, you just don't want it. If your favorite baristas are working, send a pizza to enjoy during their break.

[Legendarily Lean]

iTunes gift cards. I have spent close to $2000 on iTunes in the past couple of years...

[Waltie]

I might be weird, but I don't eat anything brought in by customers. It is just a personal thing, but I don't eat anything given to me by strangers. After having worked at Starbucks for years, I've met many people who are the same way. Most things brought in by customers sit in the backroom and until somebody finally tosses it a few days later.

I appreciate the thought, however, and if it makes you happy to do it, go for it.

[SM]

seriously......bacon soda??? what the hell is wrong with people. lmao

[Clark Kent]

Cash

[spence]

Holiday Beverages are B1G1F. I'll certainly get practice using that "copy" button on the new system.

[mornbecomes]

We love getting food from customers at my store! Last month one of our regulars brought in some soft pretzels just as a random 'thank you.' I've had a couple customers write out cards (Thanksgiving/Christmas)and put in a few bucks. I really appreciated that-- that the customer appreciated me so much that they wrote out a card. Very sweet!

[Sheik]

SURE WHY NOT ??

[Strbks1234]

Does the two holiday beverage have to be the same flavor to get the second beverage free?

Also, do I have to tell the barista about the free beverage? If I ordered two holiday beverages, will the computer automatically give the second beverage free or will the barista have to manually do it?

[Emma]

Does the B1G1 offer apply at only stand-alone stores, or will it also include Starbucks locations inside of Target stores?

[Waltie]

The drinks don't have to be the same, but they both have to be "holiday" drinks. And the barista needs to enter a code, so check your receipts!

[Hang in there...]

The registers won't automatically recognize potential free beverage transactions. Customers have to mention it, or hopefully, baristas will be paying close enough attention. They need to select the LESSER valued drink to manually discount as free (there is a special three-digit discount code designated to this promotion).

Most of the customers I encountered today were pissed because they were under the impression it was ANY drink buy1get1free. This is not the case; only the holiday beverages are eligible.

[me]

You mean customers are annoyed at themselves for not being able to read the rules how to get a free drink? And then they blow off their frustration at the very next barista (usually at the register)? Sounds like a regular day at Starbucks to me.

[Barista4ever]

To Customer,

Thank you for thinking of us! In our store, we have no problem accepting food gifts from our customers. A nice box of See's candy would cheer me right up!! or fudge or cookies...

[Crateish]

I took advantage of this today. I got a Caramel Brulée Latte for myself and a Gingerbread Latte for my wife (soy, no whip).

A lady in front of me asked for two Eggnog Lattes. The barista hesitated, shrugged and said, 'sure' without explaining why the hesitation to the woman.

[vivavia]

I don't know why there was any hesitation, Eggnog Lattes are holiday beverages.

[Dixie]

Yeah, I don't see why the hesitation either. Eggnog lattes are holiday drinks. And it doesn't say they have to be 2 different holiday drinks.

[Crateish]

Never mind. I thought it only covered the 'Holiday Trio.' I see that it includes the eggnog and several other drinks. I assumed the barista thought that too... which might be true. Who knows.

[baristamclane]

Anyone else find it weird that the Eggnog Latte is no longer a Holiday Trio beverage, but we still offer it every year?

[Darth Sidamo.]

It doesnt sell well enough to mass market it but doesnt expire in enough quantity to get rid of it and enrage like 10 people a day.

[baristamclane]

@Darth, I see. No complaints here, though. I'd be one of those ten people staging a riot it were to be pulled from the holiday lineup.

[108represent]

Its not marketed as a Holiday Trio because it sells itself. There is such a cult following to the Eggnog Latte. It also opens Sbux to introducing new Holiday beverages they can market, such as the Caramel Brulee Latte.

[hearbutloud]

LOVE promos like this, just wish corporate would give more notice so we can anticipate the extra labor we will need and schedule it.

That said, it's an excellent way to upsell! (You want a mocha? How about a peppermint mocha, and you can have a second one free!)

[shortchai]

Is everyone giving out the free drink with a purchase of a pound of XMAS Blend, if so, are you doing ANY size drink or just talls???? Is there anyway corporate ca track this????

[otterinthewater]

@Darth

It sells like crazy in my store/area... we have people asking for it by September.

Ew. Hates it, precious! Bad enough I have to steam it- can't drink it.

[marydavis]

@crateish Ha ha ha. I figured the Batista was pausing to contemplate the stomachache they would get from drinking two of those!

[benji]

This offer is so QSR, which makes sense given the new VP of marketing that came from pizza hut...the gay guy....they need to discount all drinks for 6mo to get the company running again

[pfft]

once again waltie shows off his ass...most food given to baristas gets eaten. Not everyone is stuck up and full of themselves

[pfft]

@darth you must not go through more eggnog than your fridges can handle. Many stores do. You make the mistake of thinking all cafes are identical to yours. This is not the case.