You're asking for trouble when you get those TV guys upset -- especially over a $20 gift card. Anchorman (and occasional columnist) John Gray (left) writes: "This little story [about his problem at Starbucks/Barnes & Noble] leads me to this bigger question: Whatever happened to service? Why is it no matter where I go I run into dopey people who have no clue how to do their jobs? And it's not just Starbucks." (Troy, NY Record)
February 02, 2005
So because Barnes & Noble Cafe (which "Proudly Serves Starbucks Coffee") has no way to process his Starbucks card the barista doesn't know how to do his or her job? It sounds to me like the author is the one with the problem. Would he try to use his Starbucks card to buy a pound of Starbucks coffee at the grocery store? NO. Why not? Well, because it is not a Starbucks, they just sell a Starbucks product. Well, Barnes & Noble is the same thing.
It is understandable that the general public does not know that Barnes & Noble Cafes are not Starbucks Retail stores. What I can't understand is how the author of this editorial thinks this is the barista's fault.
Posted by: barista c | February 02, 2005 at 09:09 PM
I've had it out with a couple of employees at Barnes and Noble Cafes myself.
"I'm sorry, sir. We just serve the coffee, we're not associated with the company." Um, what? "Well, you're welcome to use your Barnes and Noble card." Oh, thanks.
I think it's one of the dumbest ideas in the world (not to take the Starbucks card).
Posted by: Aaron | February 02, 2005 at 09:19 PM
just goes to show the brainpower that some of our newspeople have. Especially when he can't comprehend a fairly simple concept.
John Gray, as Bill Engvall has said so many times
"here's your sign"
Boy do I hate stupid people
Posted by: | February 02, 2005 at 10:09 PM
It's a LICENSED store. That means they are LICENSED to use the Starbucks name, sell the Starbucks coffee and what ever else. They are not Starbucks, hence they do not and should not, take the Starbucks card. They did not receive any money from the person who bought the card.....Starbucks did! Why should they basically give away free coffee in exhange for a piece of plastic that they got nothing for? This is easy for me to understand...why not this lame anchorman. Read the terms and conditions on the back of the card, Mr. Anchorman. They state the card can be used at participating Starbucks stores. Maybe you should have thought to check first to see if it was a participating store. Duh!
Posted by: Look here | February 02, 2005 at 10:10 PM
I have an absolutely clear mental picture of Mr. Gray as the most tiresome type of local celebrity, the kind who will puff up at the drop of a hat and shriek "Don't you know WHO I AM?" whenever he doesn't get his way. What a twat.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | February 03, 2005 at 12:24 AM
Okay, I made a bad. I posted before I RTFA. Sorry. If I had looked before I leapt, my comment would have been much different. It would have been simply:
That man is an idiot.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | February 03, 2005 at 12:29 AM
OK, two comments here.
First; I think we know why this TV Anchor isn't a news anchor in a huge city. It is clearly not the baristas fault. Nor does he need to grossly exaggerate the cost of Starbucks products just to get some dumb sap to read his article.
Secondly; If you follow my comments, you know that I am very pro-Starbucks. However, this whole Barnes & Nobles thing does confuse many people!
It does sure look like a Starbucks. Should the consumer have to be concerned if the store is licenced or actually owned by Starbucks? Yes, it is inside a Barnes & Noble, but it does have the big green logo in the window. Beans in the grocery store cannot be confused by being an actual Starbucks, but the cafe in Barnes and Noble sure can! As can the SBUX inside airports, travel plazas, casinos, ski resorts,etc.
'Look Here', has an excellent point, about why should B&N give out coffee when SBUX got the money for the card. Well this is 2005. Don't even try to tell me our technology couldn't ensure that B&N gets properly reimbursed for every penny from SBUX. Those American Express gift cards work basically everywhere. I am sure similar technology would enable SBUX cards to be used at other stores. Yes it may impact profits some, as some of those sales will go to 'other' stores instead of SBUX, but which comes first; Satisfied customers or profitability??? ((Mission Review in the making here))
I have never felt good about 'Licenced stores', this is just one example. If it says Starbucks on the sign above the baristas, then it should just be like any other Starbucks. The whole "particpating locations" thing is crap. Why does this burdun fall upon the consumer? Starbucks needs to get it together and do the right thing for ALL it's customers who shop at any "Starbucks".
Does it piss you off when one McDonalds has $1 Big Macs, but the one 2 miles away does not because they are "a franchise", and 'not participating' in that promotion? SBUX is doing the same thing. Aren't these some of the reasons why SBUX doesn't franchise?!
FIX IT HOWARD! :-)
Posted by: CoffeeBoy | February 03, 2005 at 09:02 AM
Actually from what I hear starbucks is in the process of fixing this problem. I believe that some target and safeway stores have started or will start accepting the starbucks cards. But i have no idea how fast or how far this will stretch.
Posted by: Casper | February 03, 2005 at 10:07 AM
IN 2005, the customer is always wrong!
Posted by: Lee Klawans | February 03, 2005 at 11:42 AM
Casper, you are correct. Target and most Safeway licensees now accept the cards. Part of the problem stems from licensing agreements that predate the introduction of the cards, and did not require licensee stores to accept Starbucks-issued methods of payment (yes, I'm grossly oversimplifying here, but that's the gist of it).
The issue with B&N is that they have told Starbucks that they will never accept the card, in part because they feel the Starbucks card is so popular that it would cannibalize sales and use of their own gift cards. Again, I'm deconstructing this down from the finer points, but that is the heart of the issue. I think it's rather stupid, as we have many licensees who accept the card as payment without selling or reloading, but oh well.
Make no mistake, the mermaid considers this a big problem. B&N are huge licensees and no one wants to piss them off. On the other hand, Starbucks cards have become insanely popular little pieces of plastic and consumer complaints originating from attempting to utilize the card at B&N are rising. A solution has been reached that should eventually reduce the aggravation factor to zero, but I think it's going to be another six to nine months before it becomes apparent. It's clever, but not really original.
Oh, and as for using the Starbucks card to try to buy beans: I've heard from licensee baristas in grocery stores that not only will customers bring beans from the general merchandise section to the kiosk for payment (which might be halfway understandable), they've actually had people bring in cartloads of non-SBUX merchandise and demand they ring it through so they can pay with their Starbucks card. Oy vey.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | February 03, 2005 at 12:28 PM
Considering the recent track record of TV "journalists" and "anchormannequins" in terms of their own quality, service, integrity, and intelligence, I have two words for Mr. Gray: zip it.
Posted by: R | February 03, 2005 at 12:40 PM
The Starbucks card is such a scam! It doesn't work anywhere that's not a "real" Starbucks location. A brief list of some Starbuck-licensed places I've tried to use my Starbucks card, without luck: The bookstore at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va; the cafeteria in my office building; and Snowshoe Ski Resort in West Virginia (which actually is a real Starbucks!). Half the time, it doesn't seem to work at regular Starbucks because "the machine is down", "we haven't set our store up yet," or other excuses. GOod grief. Somebody get me a triple shot mocha, STAT!
Posted by: Warjunkie | February 03, 2005 at 12:43 PM
why does anyone use Starbucks cards anyway? All you're doing, in effect, is providing a Fortune 500 mega-corporation with an interest-free loan. All the stores take debit and credit cards too, so what's the point of giving them your money in advance?
Posted by: R | February 03, 2005 at 12:51 PM
Sooo, anyone who dares to speak out against Starbucks gets blind-sided. I suppost it's easier to dismiss the individual than to address the issue. Yes, the employee should have known how to handle the situation better, and the coffee shop's manager should have trained the employee better, and yes, Starbucks should fix the overall problem, and yes, the man was certainly within his rights and certainly justified in complaining about it in an editorial. And finally, no, there is no benefit in dancing around the issue and resorting to name-calling instead of recognizing that the editorialist was completely correct.
Posted by: Sam | February 03, 2005 at 12:57 PM
I had the exact same thing happen to me about a week after Christmas. Is it so impossible for B&N and *$'s to just make it so the cards can be swiped at book counter or coffee counter? Is that so hard? This article echoes my sentiments about customer service totally lacking these days exactly. And I worked for one of the Kings of Customer Service, a specialty retailer originating in the same town as our dear *$'s for over 13 years.
Posted by: melina | February 03, 2005 at 01:35 PM
My Starbucks is next door to a B&N-plus-Starbucks. The latter looks/smells/quacks like a real Starbucks, so customers are legitimately confused. People come in asking for some weird pastry they think we have, because "they have it at the Starbucks next door." Or they are surprised that our hot chocolate is so much better. In terms of customer-friendliness, the Starbucks card should be accepted at the B&N locations, highway locations, etc. Sure, it's not the baristas' fault, but it antagonizes customers to have these places masquerading as "real" Starbucks without accepting a corporate-sanctioned - and corporate-preferred - method of payment.
Posted by: cornfrost | February 03, 2005 at 06:29 PM
I just quit at the "Barnes and Noble Cafe' serving Starbucks Coffee" at the school I go to. It is a ridiculous scenario...as the article said, "it looks, smells, and quacks like a Starbucks, so..."
We had customers (at least a few a day) try to hand us a card, and we were trained to say, "I'm sorry, we can't accept those. We simply have a contract with Starbucks to serve their coffee." Half the time I would tell the customer (after my little schpiel i was trained to say), "Look, I'm really sorry, and I know it's stupid. I don't know why they don't just make it available both places." It was amazing how many people, when it was explained to them in a kind manner, were like, "Oh, yeah, that does suck. No problem though...can I write you a check/use a credit card?" That barista should have been trained better and acted at least SOMEWHAT of a bit more intelligent...people are remarkably receptive and much kinder if you just try to act a little helpful and sympathetic.
As for Mr. Gray and the "$12 cheesecake" and the "coffee that costs almost as much as my car payment"...well, buddy, that's what happens when you think having a green circle on your cup or a clear to-go box with half-frozen cheesecake in it makes you "trendy" or special in some way. If you were really against the prices in the first place, why do you keep going there?
Posted by: Amy | February 03, 2005 at 06:56 PM
Ah, I was hoping someone would bring up one of the most popular misconceptions about the card!
" All you're doing, in effect, is providing a Fortune 500 mega-corporation with an interest-free loan."
Actually, the money goes into an escrow account. Can't be touched or claimed as profit until the person goes into the store and uses the card to buy food or merchandise. This is why so many companies will expire their cards after 12 - 24 months, or start lopping off a few bucks every month as a "non-use fee" if the card isn't used. I know it's more fun to think the cards are some sort of OMGCONSPIRACY!!1eleventy1!, though. :)
(It's also worth mentioning that Starbucks neither expires or charges the non-use fee on cards, but with various state laws cropping up to regulate these cards, it probably has little to do with pro-consumer sentiment.)
Warjunkie, if the "real" Starbucks near you is constantly having problems with its register system, you might consider spending a few minutes of your time to call the corporate hive (800-23-LATTE) to complain mightily. If there's an issue beyond mere technology involved, it's hard to know there's a problem unless it's reported. If that makes any sense.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | February 03, 2005 at 11:55 PM
What's so hard to understand?
Barnes & Noble Cafe does NOT equal Starbucks. They sell their coffee. That's it. It's not run by Starbucks. It's run and staffed by B&N. Not a hard concept.
If we're going to go down that road, then B&N gift cards and member discount cards should be good at Starbucks.
And by the way, it's not the barista's fault. Or even the management of the local store. That's why it's called a corporation. Decisions are made on a corporate level, and then the local staff have to abide by those decisions. There is little local autonomous authority in a corporation.
It's not about bad customer service, at least at the local level that I'm sure that talking head is thinking about.
Posted by: peter | February 04, 2005 at 12:45 AM
Isn't it cute how this hairsprayed newsbot thinks he's Andy Rooney?
Posted by: Leah | February 04, 2005 at 09:13 AM
Whether the money goes to Starbucks immediately or goes into an escrow account is not at all the point. There is no good reason to carry an extra plastic card for Starbucks when any other credit/debit card can also be used as payment.
Well, I suppose it does keep Starbucks employees from stealing your identity.
And while the anchor sounds smarmy and is trying to be cute, his point is valid. I am a consumer. I have never worked in the retail environment. But I expect, that when I walk up to a counter in front of a big Starbucks sign and greet an employee in Starbucks garb, I can pay with a card that says Starbucks on it.
It's not the clerk's fault, or barista, or whatever, but it is a stupid anti-customer policy coming from a monolith that doesn't care.
Posted by: Scott | February 04, 2005 at 10:31 AM
For starters it's more often used as a gift not as someplace to put money for a regular. Heaven forbid someone who gives one of these away as a gift to someone as mentally inept as this newsperson.
As for Barnes and Noble. It is a Barnes and Noble Cafe. Look at the outside of the building. It doesn't say starbucks. On teh aprons it says Barnes and Noble Cafe Brewing Starbucks Coffee. Does that mean that if I have a gift card to Cafe Zoka any one of the number of coffee shops in SEattle should honor it. Hell no. That's just silly. Get over it and move on.
Posted by: | February 04, 2005 at 11:09 AM
I guess I can understand the confusion over Starbucks vs. the B&N Cafe. It's a good point. I see the same kind of thing with online "partnerships" and "mirrored" websites (is it Borders, or Amazon.com?).
But it also strikes me that this news dude needs to spend a few hours behind a CS counter. Guys like him make any kind of CS job hell because they have this inflated self-importance about their "shopping experience". If everything isn't JUST perfect, they expect the waitress, barista, cashier, phone rep, whoever, to slash their wrists, pour gasoline on themselves, and light a match to prove how very sorry they are that the customer is not happy.
Someone should spit in his latte.
Posted by: Mark | February 04, 2005 at 11:48 AM
Alas, poor Mr. Gray. In his heart of hearts, he wanted to be a stand-up comic, but his lack of humor and Ken-doll hair would not be denied!
Posted by: this space for rent | February 04, 2005 at 01:49 PM
He may have had a good point to make, but it was completely lost in the fact that he comes across in that article as a complete jerk. People like that really tick me off. Read my complete thoughts here: http://tinyurl.com/43lwp
Posted by: Skor Grimm | February 04, 2005 at 02:06 PM
"...it is a stupid anti-customer policy coming from a monolith that doesn't care."
Indeed. It's amazing to me, but B&N truly does not give a crap that it's alienating people over this matter. As it has been pointed out by others, the technology involved in processing gift cards is trivial, but they simply will not budge.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | February 04, 2005 at 03:09 PM
As said before, the reason the B&N does not take Starbucks cards is that we are a B&N CAFE, serving Starbucks coffee. If they would READ the sign (you'd think they could readon, coming in to a book store and all) you'd see the BIG part saying "Barnes and Noble Cafe SERVING (insert smallish Starbucks logo here)".
Not to mention the sign on the register saying the same damn thing, and saying we don't accept the card.
As for the "$12 cheesecake" and the "too-expensive" coffee...go to the 7-11 for your coffee, and go buy a Sara Lee cheesecake at the grocery store if it's that offensive to you. You don't HAVE to shop there.
Posted by: danelle | February 04, 2005 at 10:04 PM
What, they don't over-pay you enough for reading the nightly news that you couldn't pay the buck and a half for a coffee? I think the Cheesecake was probably a B & N product, not a Starbucks product.
Get over yourself, buddy. Should I blame you for the bad news you report? Oh, and, by the way, I've never seen your news broadcast but your writing stinks, so stick to reading the tele-prompter, you talentless twit.
Posted by: Dee | February 05, 2005 at 08:00 AM
Why use a Starbucks card?
Well for one, people like only have a couple transactions show up on their bank statement (reloading their cards). as opposed to 2 pages worth of $4 transactions on their Statements.
Secondly, folks with SBUX cards, get mailed small incentives from time to time. Special coupons, a few bucks loaded free, small little perks.
It also (used to be) faster than a credit/debit card, because no signing was needed - until VISA/MASTERCARD changed their policy on needing to get a signature for small purchases.
I also use mine, simply because I don't like whipping out my debit card. I don't want anyone to have access to my checking account but me.
And just to re-iterate; B&N cafes, DO look like a SBUX to the average consumer. Take the friggin Green Siren logo out of your window, and change your aprons to brown and but on a hat that says B&N Cafe. Then MAYBE you won't be confused as much.
I think B&N would want to make these lost SBUX customers happy and accept the card. How many might just stay and buy a book? OR How many are too annoyed and just leave?
Posted by: CoffeeBoy | February 05, 2005 at 09:17 AM
Here's a related post about the post:
http://albanyeye.blogspot.com/2005/02/venti-vidi-vici.html
Posted by: Ike Carr | February 05, 2005 at 02:22 PM
John Gray's column is one of the great things about the Troy Record. It is mostly a humor column, although sometimes it is serious. It is always personal, and frequently charming.
That said, no, the stupid policy of Starbucks and B&N is not the clerk's fault, and yes, retail can be a thankless job. However, the situations he describes is all too common, and some employees of such places are unsympathetic and unhelpful, even when the customer is not being rude. This is why I avoid chains as much as possible. The shopping experience is too unpleasant.
Posted by: Gina | February 05, 2005 at 03:57 PM
I caught this site via a local link. While I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Gray's gripe, that of obtuse customer service these days (sorry, but many of the younger folks who get sucked into service sector jobs have no clue of how to make people happy), what baffles me is that somebody actually took the time to make a blog devoted to $tarbucks.
What's worse: complaining about sub-standard service and high-for-no-reason prices, or devoting a part of your life to a company that owes & gives you nothing, then knocking those who see things (and companies) for what they really are? Is it only for status?
"I'm hip, I posted on the Starbucks Gossip blog."
GET LIVES PEOPLE!
Posted by: Homer | February 05, 2005 at 04:59 PM
Yes, Homer, you're so cool and we all need lives, ha ha, you're using the Internet and so forth and so on.
Anyway, Gina, I think you wrote to the heart of the matter:
"some employees of such places are unsympathetic"
That's a major one. So many companies hire people for a pittance and teach them how to work the cash register, and that's about it. No authority to help the customer outside of the rigid and almighty procedures, so they get screamed at a lot when things don't work the way the fantasy-based manual says they should. Devalue the job, you demotivate your employees, and not only do they not give a shit, the attitude is reflected in their customer interactions.
I happen to be lucky enough to work for a company that realizes its the people who make the product successful. Yes, it's a customer service job but it's a very well paying position, and we receive all of the resources we need in order to excel at the job and make our customers happy. A lot of times, simply saying to a customer "I'm sorry, and I understand that [x] is frustrating," will defuse a situation.
I think that John Gray was attempting to address the corporate devaluation of customer service in his column, but fell far short of the mark. With all due respect to Mr. Gray, who appears to have done quite well considering what appears to be a brutally honest bio on his TV station employer's site, he simply did not articulate his points effectively, used exaggeration to comic extent and further minimalized his message.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | February 05, 2005 at 06:14 PM
Homer... You sound as smart as your namesake on the Simpsons. Why don't you get a life?
"What's worse: complaining about sub-standard service and high-for-no-reason prices, or devoting a part of your life to a company that owes & gives you nothing, then knocking those who see things (and companies).."
Gives who nothing? Look at my 401K idiot, they give me plenty. Look at SBUX's customers walking out of the door or sitting in a comfy chair, they have a yummy drink or a place to relax and chill.
Let's get a new subject, this horse is dead.
Posted by: CoffeeBoy | February 05, 2005 at 08:06 PM
"Doctors are late; the guy at the carwash does a lousy job vacuuming; building contractors won't return your call..."
The news anchor at FOX 23 can't write.
Yep, he's right, it's all over the place.
Posted by: | February 05, 2005 at 08:50 PM
While it's not the B&N Barista's fault that B&N cafes don't accept Sbux cards, it is their fault that the customer left feeling unsatisfied. I remember when customer service at Sbux was great - if they messed up your drink, or were even a little late getting it made, they'd upgrade you to a larger size, or offer a syrup for free... those days are GONE, man. Most of the time I'm pretty happy with Sbux, but I usually go there because all the other customer-centric shops are either far away or close early. Sigh. I'm sure anchor dude would have been perfectly happy if the barista said "you're right, I'm sorry for the confusion. Can I upgrade you to a Venti, on the house?" Maybe the baristas don't have the authority to make customers happy like that, but it would be nice if they did.
Posted by: Megan | February 06, 2005 at 06:58 PM
Peter said "If we're going to go down that road, then B&N gift cards and member discount cards should be good at Starbucks."
And they should; the minute Starbucks starts selling books for Barnes and Noble.
Posted by: sussler | February 08, 2005 at 04:42 PM
I can't even concentrate on the point he's trying to make. What a poorly written piece (of s---)! Can't this newspaper afford an editor? No wonder local papers are folding like crazy.
Good lord -- the man sounds like a ten-year-old.
Posted by: Lauren | February 13, 2005 at 01:30 AM
Sad, isn't it, that he can't tell a Sbucks and a B&N cafe apart? Because honestly, people--there is no comparison. Including in the customer service: the baristas at Sbucks are just better, that's all.
And another point: if you're shopping at a chain, don't blame the person behind the counter if you don't like the policy. Trust me: they probably don't like it either. In fact, they probably spend tons of time explaining that particular point to customers, but there is nothing they can do about it. And don't think you're so special that you're the first rude customer they've had all day. You're not. And it might be all they can do not to snap at you.
Yes, I know customer service is called that for a reason, but I've also been behind the counter way too long, and let me tell you: people are just rude. So I'm with the barista on this one.
Posted by: VDOprincess | February 16, 2005 at 02:28 PM
What an idiot.
Posted by: | February 21, 2005 at 10:08 AM
So, does B&N giftcard work when buying coffee on B&N cafe that serves Starbucks?
Posted by: Adrian | March 23, 2005 at 02:50 PM
Yes it does. Also if you have a Barnes and Noble membership card you can receive 10% of your drink. Its not the usual 30% but it helps. Also, sometimes if you go to like hotel or other fake Starbucks you can tell them you are a partner and they MIGHT give you a discount although their discount is nothing more than 20%. The anchorman must have a literacy problem (opppps ad hominem) because he did not read the fine print located on the back of all Starbucks cards that is not accepted in some locations. I make a point of informing customers who buy the Starbucks cards that they are usuable at all company operated stores but not usually in groccer, airport, hotel, or Barnes and Noble Starbucks. Some universities have Starbucks on campuses and most of them are also fake. I had a customer who I did warn about it but thankfully there was a Starbucks located directly off campus for her daughter to use her $400 Starbucks card.
Posted by: Boston Starbucks Rebel | March 24, 2005 at 06:29 AM
I have stopped going to starbucks after
finding out they support gay's
Posted by: Al | October 12, 2005 at 01:51 AM
First off let me say that even though I am a B&N Cafe employee, I regularly read this site and strive to take away any positive info that will improve my cafe and help my crew. All my thanks you great coffee leaders!!
As far as the Starbux Card v. B&N debacle, this is what we at B&N Cafe were told was the issue. Once upon a latte, we accepted the Starbucks card. The problem was that somewhere between processing the transaction at B&N & getting the card debited at Starbucks there was a technological black hole that was preventing some or all of these transactions to post. They pulled acceptance of the card "until they can work out the communications glitch between the two systems". I for one hope they resolve this soon because it is difficult to deal with this EVERY day, MULTIPLE TIMES.
I agree, B&N Cafe looks too much like a Starbucks superficially and needs to either minimize the co-branding & get rid of the green aprons, or form stronger ties with Starbucks and accept the card and any other product changes that would go along with a true partnership.
Don't expect any changes any time soon though. Within my company, the cafe is still seen as an amusingly profitable offshoot of the "real" business. Outside of the cafe corporate structure, our corporate leaders do not prioritize cafe issues and do not internalize the urgency that we day to day, in the trenches, workers feel when it comes to addressing this issue.
Whenever you guys write about B&N Cafe issues I'll try to give you guys the best info. The Starbucks/B&N partnership is a positive thing and I am working my small corner of B&N Cafeland to benefit us all.
Posted by: B&N CafeGirl | November 26, 2005 at 12:05 PM
I too am an employee of a B&N Cafe, and I've been learning all about the Starbucks Card issues since I started working here in early fall. It doesn't take long to know what's going on.
I've noticed how hard it is to do your job when you have to explain to every other person that we cannot use their Starbucks card. Most people understand, but a few people act as if the world has come crashing down and it's all your fault. It doesn't matter how sympathetic or kind you are- they think that you've ruined their day. And really, there's nothing WE can do. We aren't allowed to give them anything upgraded or extra without a manager's ok. It would be great if we could offer something to make it up to them.
Not all people are cut out for it the task of customer service, and once I start to feel edgy I always ask to switch with someone. I would hate if I lost my cool with a customer, just because I was raised to be better than that. Still, it is very easy to feel frustrated after the 15th "I'm sorry but we can't accept..."
Another thing, we don't just serve Starbucks items. We also sell Cheesecake factory and H&S Tea, along with B&N Cafe Items. Customers ring out books in the cafe as well as their food and drink. So I guess we better be able to take Cheesecake factory cards too, right?
I definitely think that we should have our own uniforms, and revamp the cafes to downplay the Starbucks. Instead of using the Starbucks look to draw in customers, I'm sure we could make it on our own. It would make it easier not only for the customer, but for the employees that are there everyday.
Posted by: Another CafeGirl | December 29, 2005 at 02:38 AM
I understand why you are upset. The same thing happened to me at the Starbucks at Snowshoe Mountain, and I had bought a SBUX card just for the trip up there. This was not just a SBUX that said "We proudly serve Starbucks coffee", it was an actual SBUX! It was quite annoying.
Posted by: Julie | February 27, 2006 at 07:24 PM
I think the problem is that most people that have had this happen, like myself, had just assumed that all the Starbucks signs in the B & N cafe area meant it was actually a Starbucks. The girl behind the counter was understanding and explained it to me very politely. I couldnt pass up a slight dig though when I asked if they accepted Visa.
RJH
www.thatpoliticalblog.com
Posted by: Rico J Halo | December 27, 2006 at 10:14 PM
Someone call this guy a whaaambulance.
It's one thing to use the power of the press to expose true cheats to the system, but this? I'm sorry Mr. Gray, would you rather the employee get in trouble, and potentially get fired so you could use your plastic card instead of handing over some cash and saving the card for another time?
Anyone who thinks he was justified has probably never worked retail, or hasn't in a good number of years. It really opens your eyes to just how spoiled the average consumer is these days. Here's a newsflash, the consumer may always be right, but that doesn't mean they're always correct, nor does it mean they can be a jerk, or that the employee is wrong for following store policy.
What next Mr. Gray, would you like gun sellers to look the other way on gun laws because the buyer has a gift card?
Posted by: THE | July 20, 2007 at 03:53 PM
I don't know when this was posted or why but this is by far the rudest thing i have read. because i work at BARNES AND NOBLES CAFE. i have my experiences with you people all the time. i had one guy who wanted to use his free starbucks coffee card that he waited all morning at starbucks to get. when I POLITLEY told him it was not accepted he proceeded to call me a cunt, bitch, fucker, slut, ect. GOD i love these people. it is not our fault we do not take your shisty 10 dollar christmas exchange starbucks card. STARBUCKS does not want BARNES AND NOBLES in their corporation because of our "weird pastries" so GET A FUCKING LIFE. read the SIGNS that are in front of your face that clearly say WE DO NOT TAKE STARBUCKS CARD, PROUDLY SERVING STARBUCKS COFFEE. either get your 5 dollar small latte or don't and get on with your life because none of us want to hear you SAD STORY. There is nothing more irritating then having to listen to somebody tell me how stupid I am because the company I WORK FOR can't accept their giftcard.
Posted by: Jeannie | July 21, 2007 at 06:32 AM
and too put it simply, maybe the coffee you buy at barnes and noble is more expensive becuase we have to PUT AWAY ALL THE BOOKS YOU LEAVE ON THE TABLE AND THROW AWAY THE TRASH YOU LEAVE ON TOP OF THE TRASHCAN.... trust me it sucks when customers move every table around just to stack 500 books THAT THEY WON'T read on them and then leave them there at closing time.
Posted by: Jeannie | July 21, 2007 at 06:36 AM