Starbucks Gossip

Why Starbucks sends free-drink postcards through the old-fashioned postal service

Why can't the coffee chain simply put the free drink on the Starbucks card we carry around in our wallets? That's what one "huge Starbucks fan" asks. He posted on the New York Times website:

“It confounds me why Starbucks couldn’t just ‘credit’ the Starbucks card — which it tracks online anyway — with a free drink credit, or with money, or with anything electronic. You would think they are counting on some percentage of the rewards cards to be lost in the mail, lost in the house, set aside because too bulky to carry, and finally to expire.”

A Starbucks spokeswoman says the data integration required to redeem "digitally delivered" rewards isn’t available at all Starbucks locations today. || Read "Starbucks uses snail-mail rewards, too"

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: How many jobs do you have to make ends meet?

I was at my neighborhood Whole Foods recently when I noticed that the guy behind the fresh-fish counter was the same guy who served me coffee at Starbucks the day before. (He told me he worked two jobs because his wife was in grad school fulltime.) I also saw a barista who works days at a Starbucks I frequent waiting tables at a restaurant next door to that SBUX at night. Are you dealing with two jobs, too? DISCUSS THIS or anything-else Starbucks-related in the Open Thread.

Starbucks to raise price of packaged coffee by 17%

Starbucks's move is only the latest of an industry-wide trend. Other coffee companies have raised the price of their packaged beans. If you're a frugal shopper, check the weekly Walgreen's fliers; they often have Starbucks ground coffee for about $7. Read "Say it ain't so, Joe: Starbucks raises packaged-coffee prices"

Barista in London is upset about Starbucks' bonus system

I don't know what kind of bonus system Starbucks has for U.S. employees, but apparently it has one for employees at UK stores. This e-mail comes from a Starbucks Gossip reader in London.

I've worked for Starbucks, here in London, United Kingdom, few years now. Anyway, there is this bonus system for baristas and supervisors. I don't have the leaflet with me, but the point is, that barista working full time can receive up to £250 of bonus per year quarter if the store achieve some previously set up level of sales. I have been always suspecting that there is similar system for ASMs and SMs.

Today I have read the new "Operations Bulletin" (internal "newspaper") and there was an information about some changes in this program. What was shocking for me, there was also information about this bonus for managers and theirs' assistants. Came out that ASM gets five times more bonus then a barista, and managers gets even ten times more money! I am serious and this is solid.

In case of the biggest sales and therefore bonus, barista will get £250, ASM will get £1250 and SM will be receive £2500! I understand the fact, that ASMs and SMs have more responsibility and all this kind of stuff... but please... they are already being paid two times more money then baristas (according to my knowledge, but I cannot provide you any proof, ASMs get £11 and SM £14 per hour). In my humble opinion, such big differences in bonus quotas are just not fair and unacceptable.

Your thoughts?

Another weekend, another Starbucks Gossip OPEN THREAD (and to hell with The Rapture!)

Tired of customers talking about the end-of-the-world? Go ahead and change the subject here. Discuss anything Starbucks-related in the weekend OPEN THREAD.

Lady Gaga teams up with Starbucks, while Borders cuts ties with Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best

Borders is bankrupt and who knows how long the brick-and-mortar stores are going to be around, so take that into consideration before calling it a blow for Starbucks. Seattle's Best cafes had been a staple of nearly all of Borders' more than 400 superstores since the parties signed a licensing agreement in 2004. Read "Borders to end cafe pact with Seattle's Best" || While Starbucks is splitting with Borders, it is teaming up with Lady Gaga.

Barista says Starbucks fired her because she's a dwarf

The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission says in a lawsuit that Starbucks failed to provide reasonable accommodations for Elsa Sallard, who was fired from her job as a barista. Sallard requested a stool or a small step ladder to help her do her job such as working the cash register and preparing beverages, and Starbucks allegedly refused. She was fired after Starbucks allegedly claimed she would be a danger to customers and employees. || Read "Suit filed after Starbucks fires dwarf from El Paso store" || Jump to the secoond page of comments.

"I know Starbucks Gossip isn't customer care, but..."

A STARBUCKS GOSSIP reader writes:

I just wanted your opinion before I write to them. I'm from the UK and my favourite drink is "Coffee frappucino with 5 pumps of white mocha syrup.

I went to a Starbucks (not a main one) yesterday and ordered this drink – attached is a picture of what I got. It was always a little lighter than the coffee Frappuccino but this drink was almost white – like a cream based drink! It tasted like it had almost no coffee in it either. I inquired about it and was told it was because of the new recipe. I found it very odd though – it’s only white chocolate syrup, and the normal ‘coffee frappucino’ is not exactly light. Also I’m sure other stores have had the new recipe and served the drink much darker.

I just wanted your opinion as to whether what I was given looks right or not because right now I really can’t decide if the store, or the new recipe, is to blame. I didn’t really want to order another one if it was going to be like that.

Click on the image for a larger view. Can anyone vouch for the claim that a new recipe is the reason his favorite drink has changed?

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: How was Friday the 13th at your store?

Bad things happened-- or "legendary" things (to use Starbucks-speak). Discuss this or anything Starbucks-related -- except tipping! (see the topic below -- in the OPEN THREAD.

Are Starbucks bosses taking tip jars off *your* drive-thru ledges?

A STARBUCKS GOSSIP reader writes:

Our DM just went around to all his stores and made them take EVERYTHING off the drive thru ledge (product displays, beans, etc.) including the tip jar! He says it comes from his regional director, and I was wondering if this is nationwide. It seems like it is going to cost baristas a lot of money in tips, and I would guess if it sticks we're going to see another tip lawsuit.

Is this happening at your store, too? || Jump to the second page of comments.