Is there anything left to say? If there is, post it in the OPEN THREAD

What a week -- the Trenta-sized drinks debut, as does the national pay-by-smartphone system. On top of that, Starbucks nearly slips off the "Best Companies to Work For" list! What else is there to say? Whatever it is, post it on the OPEN THREAD. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Comments

[Alex]

@Mike: You are correct. Via is an instant coffee. It's also the product that Starbucks is largely focused on selling.
Are Tasimo cups sold in the stores? No.
Is Via sold in the stores? I don't think Via will ever not be sold there.

You liking flavors is why Vanilla, Caramel, and all of the flavored Vias were made. Again, SBUX cares more about the instant stuff than the pods. They're making too much money to not care this much. The line is slowly expanding, and I'm sure we'll all have more options within the next few years.

[j]

after all this hoopla about the new payment system, the partners were issues an action item yesterday. Theyre not allowed to handle the phones.. so no drive thru payments anymore. boooo

[slaw275]

@j
that action item actually was on the portal before the program started... you were never supposed to handle the customer's phone.

[Noah]

K Cups

A contentious point in the Starbucks Kraft divorce is the single cup of coffee machines. Starbucks wants to go the Keurig K cup route and Kraft is Tassimo.

[Chow Master]

Random question - How much does it cost to buy a bullet of coffee (espresso or otherwise)? Last I knew, it was $40, but it must have gone up since. Thanks!

[Waltie]

It's the same amount as buying 5 one pound bags. It's not worth the trouble.

[-kippah]

wow that is HUGE! You will either need to have a stretched-out stomach, grow one or share the Trenta-size with 3 or 4 others!

Here's a size comparison chart of Starbuck's to the human stomach: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/starbucks-new-size-trenta-graphic_n_810083.html.

[ExSbuxManager]

@chow master.... when pike's puke first came out, it was featured at $39.99 for a bullet, and the bullets were actually embossed with the pike's place logo. That was the only coffee that had a discount, and they killed that off ages ago. Think it lasted 6 months.

the big announcement: dm's will each have 18-20 stores and they're laying off 20% of their district managers. they're running around crazy kissing ass hoping it's not one of them. Then they are rolling out Cylon baristas in the fall. They just haven't figured out how to get the Cylon's to sell VIA without threatening violence on the customers.

[anonymous]

big annoucement? i have no desire to read howard schwartz's book.

[Appraiser Now]

I have been in lot's of stores where the baristas barely make eye contact with the customers let alone even ask how their day is going.

[no tipper]

I don't tip at Starbucks. Nor do I tip at McDonald's, Burger King, or Taco Bell. Now if you came to my table, brought napkins and utensils, and brought my drinks and food, you would get a tip. You are ALREADY getting paid to take my order and make my drinks much more than any waitress / waiter at a sit down restaurant. I have to stand in line to place my order. I have to stand around to wait for it. What do you do to deserve a tip?

[adina maynard]

Hi,
did anyone had a coffeetasting with tribute blend?we are launching it this week in europe and i was wondering if i can get any 1st impredfssions?thank you

[Amy Laurent]

Saw a picture of a trenta paper cup so there is no doubt that the hot drinks will probably get bigger in the fall promo.

[Gaston Cantens]

I realize its the customers problem, but Starbucks is really throwing its ethics out the window when enabling customers to excess.

[Pepe Fanjul]

I realize its the customers problem, but Starbucks is really throwing its ethics out the window when enabling customers to excess.