Weekend open thread: Another chance to discuss all things Starbucks

Have a comment about this week's earnings report? The Ethiopian/Starbucks saga update? Customers' (or baristas') behavior? Starbucks drinks? Post it here.

Comments

[BitchyBarista]

Has anyone discovered a way to tweak the orange drinks (particularly the orange mocha) to make them, um, palatable? The 1:1 mocha to orange ratio is nauseating--and I love sweet AND anything that combines orange and chocolate. I can't in good faith recommend it to my customers. :-(

[heather]

maybe try making it like the mocha valencia, with an extra shot and see what it's like. i actually haven't tried it in the orange mocha yet, but the creme and orange passion iced tea/lemonade are pretty good. nothing will be able to replace valencia though

[baroosta]

I made a PTL with orange syrup today and I think it tastes like that orange HI-C from McDonalds.

[Avoid the Orange!]

My hunch is that they designed the orange syrup to make Frappuccinos LOOK a certain way, and the taste was designed more for the blended drinks. Focusing on how orange a blended drink looks is further proof that the company is going down the wrong path.

If you're interested in an orange/mocha option, try the Tangerine juice blend with mocha - still not a mocha valencia, but it tastes better and is more natural than the new toxic orange junk.

What's next, pop rocks?

[nybaristar]

I tried a venti PTL with I think it was 2 pumps of the orange.. it was delicious. Not valencia, but delicious.

[redcup]

how's "Off the Clock" doing at your store? we're a pretty well-selling CD store, with plenty of empty spaces at the end of the quarter. but I don't think we've moved a single off the clock cd, I feel bad for the partners because they are talented singer/songwriters. hopefully, the sale price would help (along with some pretty enthusiastic upselling to customers)

[baroosta]

Personally, I like the Off the Clock CD and I recommend it to people all the time. Customers are really surprised when they find out that the CD features Starbucks baristas. I don't know though about sales of the CD at my store.

[Bean Grinder]

Most of ours were stolen and returned for cash !!!!
Just say YES!

[barista lane]

anyone else hear about the new 40% discount on every first saturday of the month for partners, plus the special extra discount if we buy the "off the clock" cd?

i may consider buying one tomorrow...

[Munkay]

The BRM was a little tricky on this one: I order a Passion Tea w/ 3 pumps of raspberry... should I be charged for the raspberry?

[AussieFace]

Munkay:

If you are ordering the Raspberry in place of Classic, then no.

[Hirayuki]

Wow, orange drinks? I don't think our stores (in metro Detroit) have any orange syrup, now that the Valencia is gone. An orange mocha sounds pretty good to me.

[Badgerista]

Hirayuki --
I work in Metro Detroit...
Are you saying, "no orange" as a customer or partner? The new orange syrup is in the stores but not on the menu. They'll be rolling out the orange drinks soon. Just wait a bit until the partners have worked out some good-tasting recipes for you. The mocha valencia was wonderful. I'm still working on this one.

I agree that the syrup tastes like a cross between HI-C and orange Kool-Aid. It works for frappuccino creme but I haven't found a hot drink that works by recipe.

Give me some time to experiment and then come out to Shelby and look for the crazy bearded guy! :)

[Eric]

What's up with the Starbucks in the Hilton Ballpark in St. Louis calling itself the "largest Starbucks in St. Louis"??? It may be true if all you have is tiny little metro stores, but noone who visits from other cities is going to be impressed!!!
IMHO

[Brooklyn Barista]

The Orange Mocha is horrible. I sooo wanted it to be good but it just isn't. I agree with the people who are saying the the OPTL tastes like Hi-C. Still good nonetheless. I love the Orange Creme Frappuccino. Reminds me of those Flinstones creamsicles I used to have when I was a kid. But man oh man am I sad about the OM. I really don't recommend it to anyone.

[Diana]

We've been sampling the Orange Mocha Frap and one of the customers was nice enough to tell us that they thought the orange zest looks like "radio active sperm".

Overall though, I do not like it. The orange part is ok, but when the mocha hits you first it doesn't work for me. The PT with is is good, though I do not like the passion tea to begin with. So far, I haven't found any good hot drink combos. Oh well, I'm sure someone on here will figure something out lol.

[Brooklyn Barista]

BTW...put a squirt or two of orange syrup in one of the hot cups. IT LOOKS RADIOACTIVE!!

[organic dopio]

orange creme frappuccino = dream cicle in a cup

[ivic4pcl4meplz]

The orange is just too sweet, I loved the mocha valencia, but the orange mocha is just too much. It's good at first like one of those terry's chocolate oranges but by 1/2 way thru it kind of makes you gag. I'll try the tangerine to see if it's a little less.

[Dima K]

What's up with the chai pumps.

I have a problem with a chai pump in my store the one that sits alongside with white mocha. It will not deliver required .67 with a .67 metallic collar. If anything it delivers.33 with this collar. Am I missing something?

You'd be missing one of the smaller pump pieces, probably the plastic o-ring in the bottom part of the pump, where the large tube screws in.

[RaingrlBarista]

The new orange syrup does not work well with the mocha! Yuck! :( I would not recommend it to my customers, unless the valencia syrup was brought back. However the orange syrup does work well as blended creme Frappucino. It is a bit too sweet for the PTL, unless you modify the number of pumps. I agree that the orange syrup tastes like the Orange Hi C you get @McDs. I've had other partners say it tastes like flat orange Crush soda to St Joseph's baby aspirin! LOL! Funny descriptions!

I do have one rant to make though. I cannot stand it when some customers stay on their cell phones & talking away to the other person while I am trying to take their order (especially in drive-thru!!)If it is a conversation of trying to find out what a person wants to order off the menu, then fine. But if it a conversation not pertaining to Starbucks, get off the damned phone altogether until the order & your service is completed! How on earth can I provide legendary service to a person yammering away on a cell phone & who ignores my attempts to provide that service??!!?? I had a woman who the audacity to tell me ("hold on a moment!")after I greeted her in a friendly manner! She continued put my drive thru service on hold for at least another 4minutes or more (while still talking away on her cell phone!) There were 3 more cars that pulled in behind her, waiting while she talked away on her cell phone! There SHOULD BE a mandatory ban on cell phone conversations while in drive thru!

[I KNOW, RIGHT?]

An orange latte actually isn't bad. It's not heaven, but it's better than the horrible Orange Mocha.

[cornfrost]

Good point, Raingrl. We don't have a drive-thru, so it is easy enough to just take the following person in line if someone is yapping on a cell phone. Often the talker gets pissed if you do that, so they interrupt their conversation in order not to lose their place in line.

There's a good thing to say if nec that I picked up here: "I wouldn't dream of interrupting your conversation."

I sympathize, and can't imagine a good solution for the drive-thru issue, unless you have one of those zappers that kills the cell signal.

[Dima K]

It does have a plastic ring around the pushy thingy in the bottom

[Linda's niece]

Please check out a blog for my aunt Linda. She is a Starbucks barista in Florida. She is recovering from a stroke. Her store partners are organizing lots of events to support her. Please send a shout out to her in encouragement!
Here's the address:
http://howislinda.blogspot.com/

[Christine]

anyone who works at starbucks should check out this blog. There is a youtube video about working at starbux
http://www.shitassboss.com/shitassboss/

[Hirayuki]

Shelby! That's my store (speaking as a customer). I should be stopping by tonight--maybe I'll see you there, if you're working. :)

Here's hoping you'll be coming up with some nice orange drinks soon. My husband dearly misses the Valencia syrup, and orange, used well, can be a truly refreshing summer flavor.

[CapMan]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a SBUX junkie with a few questions. I hope you folks can supply the answers.
Here goes. . .

1. Why don't SBUX partners/managers wear name tags? I'd like to call the folks I see twice a day by name!

2. "For Here" glasses. On hot summer afternoons, I really enjoy an iced americano. Last summer in the Toronto area, many stores looked at me as if I had three heads when I requested an iced drink in a "for here" glass. Some Baristas claimed to have never seen a glass in 3+ years of employment. What's up with that?

3. Italian Sodas. I used to enjoy SBUX Italian sodas, but haven't ordered one in a couple of years. I tried to order one today, but it seems as if they are no longer available. What happened?

4. How many tea bags come in a Grande Tea/Tea Misto? I enjoy "Calm" tea, but find it gets too weak in the Grande size, so I ask for a double bag. About 50% of the time, I'm charged for "extra bag". Other baristas have told me a Grande size tea can have two bags, no extra charge. What's the official policy, please?

A comment on service and tips. I've frequented a location near my office twice/day for several years. It used to be every barista called me by name. If not busy, they would start my drink when they saw me approaching the store.
That's great service and a fantastic customer experience. Every Friday I would drop $5 - $10 in the tip jar.
After a staff turnover, the baristas I see twice a day act as if they have never seen me before. There's no better service or experience here than ordering a coffee at the donut shop. So, I no longer tip.
What's the moral of the story? Make your customers feel welcome and special and they will reward you! ;-)

Now, please don't forget my questions!

:: Thanks for your help ::

[the_dmr]

1) The no name tag things, I think this plays in to the "3rd Place" idea so to get their names you have to "connect" with the partners.
2)If you go to the same store regular and keep asking for iced drinks "for here" the sm or asms might pick up on it a mark out an iced glass cup for use in the store.
3) Starbucks doesnt not carry a carbonated soda to make italian sodas, and no the baristas can not open the Sam Pelligrino (sp?) and make drinks with it. The BRM states RTD&E products can not be opened or used in drinks by partners. Also could be a Health Code issue depending on location.
4)Grande Tea = 2 tea bags
5) It is easier for the guests to remember partners then the other way around.

~~the dmr~~

[justabarista]

Capman- Hopefully I can answer a few of your questions for you.

1. I think that wearing a name tag does two things. First, it lets creepy people you don't want knowing your name, know your name. It amazes me how many of the girls (and a few of the guys) get a little too much attention. Secondly, it's cold and artificial. I think telling you my name is a lot more personable than you reading my name tag. It kind of helps make a connection.

2. We just recently got for here iced glasses in my store, six of each size. First time I've seen them in my time here. (off and on for about five years)

3. A makeshift Italian soda can be made. Just grab a San Pellagrino from the cold beverage cooler and ask for a glass of ice with whatever flavor you want in it.

4. Grande and Venti teas get two bags. If you get charged for a second bag next time, kindly ask to see their beverage resource manual (it's a front of house manual so you should be able to look at it). Have them find the hot tea page and they will see the guidelines.

Sorry about the new staff at your store. That just sucks.

[BURRISTA]

In regards to Capman:

1. Good question. Many franchised Starbucks' have baristas wearing nametags, but at company-owned stores that doesn't seem to be the norm. I think it would nice to have a name tag in the future, though.

2. Our store only seems to carry the white mugs. I don't recall having seen any clear glasses, but then again, I rarely (if ever) hear orders for iced drinks in "for here" cups. Though it won't be as pretty, a white mug would do the job I think.

4. From what I gather, the policy is that when a customer orders a plain tea (just hot water), we charge them a "Tall" size for 1 teabag no matter what size cup. If they want 2 teabags, we usually charge for a "Grande".

Tea Mistos are different because they are priced differently for different sizes, and we charge according to size. I'm pretty sure (though not positive) that all the sizes only include the price of 1 teabag; that is, a Short, Tall, Grande, or Venti Tea Misto only comes with 1 teabag. If you wanted two, I suspect that it it is in accordance with the BRM to charge you for an extra teabag.

[mtnbearistabear]

1. Why don't SBUX partners/managers wear name tags? I'd like to call the folks I see twice a day by name!

IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PARTNERS.

2. "For Here" glasses. On hot summer afternoons, I really enjoy an iced americano. Last summer in the Toronto area, many stores looked at me as if I had three heads when I requested an iced drink in a "for here" glass. Some Baristas claimed to have never seen a glass in 3+ years of employment. What's up with that?

BULL. FOR HERE WARE CAN BE ORDERED WITH RP EVERY WEEK.

3. Italian Sodas. I used to enjoy SBUX Italian sodas, but haven't ordered one in a couple of years. I tried to order one today, but it seems as if they are no longer available. What happened?

THEY NEVER WERE TRULY AVAILABLE. THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN MADE WITH PELLEGRINO.

4. How many tea bags come in a Grande Tea/Tea Misto? I enjoy "Calm" tea, but find it gets too weak in the Grande size, so I ask for a double bag. About 50% of the time, I'm charged for "extra bag". Other baristas have told me a Grande size tea can have two bags, no extra charge. What's the official policy, please?

GRANDE IS TWO TEA BAGS.

A comment on service and tips. I've frequented a location near my office twice/day for several years. It used to be every barista called me by name. If not busy, they would start my drink when they saw me approaching the store.
That's great service and a fantastic customer experience. Every Friday I would drop $5 - $10 in the tip jar.
After a staff turnover, the baristas I see twice a day act as if they have never seen me before. There's no better service or experience here than ordering a coffee at the donut shop. So, I no longer tip.
What's the moral of the story? Make your customers feel welcome and special and they will reward you! ;-)

THE MORAL IS, THINGS AT STARBUCKS NEVER STAY THE SAME. PEOPLE COME AND GO LIKE A NEW DAY. IN MY OPINION, THE COMPANY IS NOW TOO LARGE AND FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THINGS.

signed, no longer working for Starbucks after 5 yrs and 1 month.

[stealth101]

A pissed off barista from Seattle, WA writes:

I am so tired of this company.. How can I only be making 9.70 per hour after working for Starbucks for 5 years and 10 months? I have been nothing but a loyal, hard working employee. Such treatment is ridiculous and unacceptable. Starbucks acts like they give a shit about their partners, but would just as soon fire you and replace you only to provide a lame excuse. Not to mention the customer service we provide is over the top, yet again we see nothing in return (as if tips that range from 1.50-2.00 is considered to be compensation, thats only because our customers care about us, not the company). Starbucks should start all barista employees off at 10$ starting. S/s at 12.00$ Oh and guess why you guys can't keep good management within your stores.. Maybe its because the amount you pay them only allows managers to live from check to check unless supported by a spouse. All of this so your quarterly figures continue to skyrocket and your stockholders continue to sing your praises (which as of late you can't even do that right). This company is not what it was when I signed on 6 years ago, and frankly it makes me sick and sad. As soon as college is done. I'm done.

[Charlie B]

Why don't SBUX partners/managers wear name tags? I'd like to call the folks I see twice a day by name!

IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PARTNERS.

You have to do better than that lame excuse. There are stores all over the US where employees wear name tags.

[Katie]

I personally would prefer to not wear a nametag. I see too many creepy people that I would not want to know my name.

[Brian]

To stealth101:

I worked a union retail job, and we got great scheduled pay raises based only on hours worked. The quality of employees, in my opinion, was terrible though. People seem to pick up on the fact that it's kinda difficult to be fired for being lazy. The nonunion retail jobs I've worked seemed to attract a higher class of employee. As an employee, I felt more respect from my employers at the nonunion jobs.

PS if it matters, the union job was Safeway, and the nonunion jobs were Fred Meyer and Coca-Cola.

This is off-topic, but the managers and supervisors at Coke were 100% first-rate; to this day no job I've worked has come close in the attitude of management to do whatever they can to make things as easy as possible for their employees while maintaining top-rate service to customers.

[cReEpY cUsToMeR]

i rEaLlY wIsH BaRiStAs wOuLd wArE nAMe tAgZ sO I koULd aSk tHe pReTTy wUnZ oUt fOr a dAtE, aNd gEt oN tHA cOMpUtEr aNd fInD oUt whERe thEy LiVE!!!!!!

[etta]

Okay, this is driving me nuts. Several times when I have been at starbucks recently, I have heard a song that is a remake of Beyonce's "Crazy in love" as sung rather understatedly by a male and female singer. I have tried to google this, search itunes, to no avail. Does anyone know who sings this new version?

[mtnbearistabear]

Why don't SBUX partners/managers wear name tags? I'd like to call the folks I see twice a day by name!

IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PARTNERS.

You have to do better than that lame excuse. There are stores all over the US where employees wear name tags.

Posted by: Charlie B

No, Chuck, I don't have to do better than that. I was a store manager for 5 years and each time I asked the question, that was the answer I was given. Why don't you discuss it with Howard?

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

I make sure to shake my orange PTL really well. I jump up and down to make sure the molecules get nicely shaken up.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

The Crazy Numbers sing Crazy in love. Its in the KCRW Sounds Eclectic CD. Check it out! If you want to know the baristas name just ask them. All my regular customers know me.

[Bari-Star]

Ever notice major pricing discrepencies? Such as a Venti CH in Canada costs 4.88 or you could order a Venti Tea Misto Bag(s) on the side and Chai syrup for 3.18... Exact same drink and two free tea bags for 2/3rds the price

[sfbuxdude]

"The Crazy Numbers sing Crazy in love. Its in the KCRW Sounds Eclectic CD."

The band is actually called Magic Numbers, not Crazy Numbers, and yes they do cover it on KCRW's Sounds Eclectic: The Covers Project.

here's a pitchfork review link
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/40892/R_E_M_Lips_Ward_Cover_Radiohead_More_on_Comp

mtnbearistabear,

You just take that as the advice you were given? Well then you're a rocket scientist aren't you?

What about McDonalds, Safeway, Dunkin Donuts....... or does only Starbucks attract the Creppy people? Obiviously only as managers...............

P.S you sux!

[ashers]

I always felt annoyed when a customer felt that they should clarify that "a grande tea with only one teabag... so that would be like a tall!" because yes, I've read the BRM but apparently that really IS an issue in other places

[Wabbit]

At my store when someone orders a grande or venti hot tea, we always ask if they want one tea bag or two. The charge is based on how many tea bags are used. If someone wanted a venti hot tea with one bag, it would be the same price as a tall. Why should we charge an extra 40 cents or so for just more hot water?? It makes sense really.

On a different subject, usually when someone asks for only one pump of a syrup, we don't charge them for it, or a bit of foam, of course not. But today we got this one chick who came in and asked for an Americano with 1 pump of mocha, one pump of SFV, and about 2 1/2 inches of soy foam. We charged her for soy and for mocha, just because she asked for a total of two pumps of a syrup, we figured she had to pay somewhat, and for the foam, it was too much of an excessive amount of soy to not be charged. She complained that she never gets charged extra for the syrup or foam at the other stores, but we tried to explain that they are not part of the original recipe and with the amount that she asked for we would have to charge her. I really think it should be universal to charge for syrup, no matter how much it is...If we gave away one pump of syrup to everyone and didn't charge, it would be very costly in the end.

What are the rules to these kinds of thing at your store?? Any similar situations with customers complaining about being charged for something they think they shouldn't be?

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

SFBUXDUDE,
Hello. I am sorry. I was totally inebriated at the time and my vision was quite blurry and my mind was not completely functional.

signed, no longer working for Starbucks after 5 yrs and 1 month

I have to say with that attitude you surely won't be missed!!!!

[the Foodie]

As a former bux barista, I absolutely agree that the name tag issue is a safety one. I worked other retail jobs when I was a teenager, and men were constantly hitting on me... hanging around outside my store, asking for my phone number, trying to follow me home, asking me out on dates repeatedly, even after I refused, making lewd comments about my body.

On jobs where I had to wear a name tag, these creeps were the worst- the name tag made them feel as though they had some kind of power over me. They could know my name without having to make a human connection with me. This made them a lot cockier, for some reason. At jobs, like bux, where I wore no name tag, these guys were a lot less cocky, and easier to get rid of.

If you want to call the baristas by name, ask their names. Why is that so hard? Why would you be reluctant to actually ask them their names- is it because you want to have situational control? I.e. you know their names without having to put forth any effort? It sounds like you want to greet them by name out of a sense of power and entitlement, not out of respect and affection. Drop the entitlement and approach baristas as humans, or be content with not knowing their names.