You'll feel better after spouting off on the weekend OPEN THREAD

Just keep your rants somewhat civil. The Starbucks Gossip OPEN THREAD is your opportunity to ask questions or comment on anything Starbucks-related. Let's get the chatter going! || Jump to the second page of comments.

Comments

[Kris]

Since it's kind of being discussed, anyone ever been charged 25 cents for a Venti ice water? I stopped by a store the other day, ordered my drink and also ordered a Venti water with it. The girl at the register rang me up for my drink and I gave her my partner numbers. We talked a bit about what store I was from and then I went to the hand-off. Got my drink, but not my water so I asked the barista if I could have a Venti water. She told me that she could give me a tall size for free, but would have to charge me 25 cents for a Venti. I just looked at her with an incredulous look on my face. Figuring it wasn't worth the argument, I just took the tall one. Is this a "policy" I don't know about? How do you ring it up? It's not a huge deal, I'm just curious if anyone else has been directed to charge for a Venti water.

[Cafe Nervosa]

@Kris- The policy is thus: When someone asks for "A water" you give them a Tall unless they say, for example, "Grande ice water". You can RING a water, but there's no charge for it. Certainly improper ringing isn't "policy."

We have kids at my store too. I used to be a kid. I was made to feel welcome in my local store. Then I grew up and became a very good customer... Then, later, a partner.

Water drinkers of today are the Frappuccino drinkers of tomorrow.

[ILVSBUX]

I get somewhat overwhelemed wit hwater requests at my store and we do get frustrated too. We are in a mall near a food court and another coffee competitor. The food court tenants charge for water and the coffee competitor will only give out small waters. We get every one in the mall coming to our store for free venti waters. Sometimes 4 or 5 and a drink carrier. Customers also try to just walk up to the hand off plane for water when there is a line. We make everyone go through the line even if it is just water. We do not think it is right to stop making drinks for paying customers in order to give you your free water. The cup goes in the drink line with everyone elses and you get it in turn. I do wish we charged some small amount for water just to pay for the many cups we give away here. We tried to ask mall employees to bring back their cup to refill or even better their own reusable bottle but it didn't last long. I have people that come back 2-3 times a day and get a large water every time. Sometimes I will ask them to reuse it and I will write their name on top so it doesn't get thrown away.

[Wondering in Winnipeg]

Whats with the Starbucks and HP offer on the card I picked up in Winnipeg Starbucks?
Weblink to access special offers at HP for Starbucks customers does not work.

hpdirect.com/deals/friendsandfamily/starbucks

Aanyone know if this is still an offer?

[North Star Barista]

The first month my store was open the crack dealer next door was busted. Thank goodness, the neighborhood is getting better but there are still an amazing amount of "unattended children".

Our policy is no water without a purchase, but you can get whatever size you want. Also, no loitering, everyone sends me to kick the kids out, I am kind but firm. I still fear for their safety as they are running thru the strip mall parking lot as a playground, specially since the neighborhood treats is as a thorough fare, driving at top speeds.

The greatest thing that ever happened was that our store became a cop break spot. Our tips used to be stolen on a daily basis, now its a rarity.

[baristamclane]

@SteveBMD: Hot water is free, and unfortunately you came across a barista who was bent out of shape about it. I recommend discussing this with the manager or District Manager, because I'd be curious to know if that fifty cents you were "charged" ended up in that store's tip jar or the barista's pocket.

[baristamclane]

Question. In WA (and I believe CA as well) there is a law prohibiting smoking within 20 feet of a restaurant entrance. Does anyone know if there are any laws regarding smoking in the drive-thru?

It's one of my biggest customer pet peeves having someone exhale a bunch of cigarette smoke or dangle their cigarette outside of the driver's side window...inches from my face.

[H]

I have a question: can you add a tip onto your bill if you pay with a credit card or a starbucks card?

I typically pay for my drinks with a starbucks card and tip cash but sometimes I don't have any cash and I feel terrible not leaving a tip but what's a girl to do if she doesn't have any money?

I go to three different Starbucks on a semi-regular basis so it's possible that they recognize me (I know I recognize most of the baristas) but they don't know me by name or anything so I'm guessing they probably don't know that usually I tip and when I don't it's the exception not the rule.

I always feel really guilty about this and I'm wondering if there is a way around it.

Also -- what's a normal tip at Starbucks anyway? I usually buy a $4 drink and leave a buck or a handful of change if I don't have any singles.

[Doppio Con Karma]

@ H
We're unable to add on a tip to your bill, Thanks a bunch for your intention though. I know that I don't speak for every partner, but I'm totally ok with people tipping semi-regularly, if they do at all. If you don't have cash at the time but act like a genuinely pleasant human, being it's all good with me.
As for the amount, even as a partner I'm amazed people are routinely tipping upwards of 50% for their brewed coffee's and the like, (not to say it's not very appreciated)
I usually drop the difference between my discounted price and the sticker price when I get drinks at another store so 30%, more if I'm getting multiple things or complex "partner" drinks, and less if I have to walk the person through preparing or remaking a drink.
cheers

[spence]

The SM at my store is strongly opposed to smoking (probably smokers too). A couple summers ago, he decided to strongly enforce the law about no smoking within x amount of feet from the door. We lost so much business that a couple months later, he was passing out ashtrays and inviting the few remaining smokers to make themselves comfortable anywhere they want.

[elaine]

Technically the law means they can't smoke at the drive thru window, but there isn't really any way to enforce it.

[mamacat]

I bought a large clear plastic water pitcher,put it next to our hand off area with tall cups, in a cube, upside down of course and it has made a big difference! our customers are supportive for the most part and we have a policy that each of us can follow.....at the cafe when they ask we tell them we have ice cold filtered water and cups at the end of the bar! if a customer insists then i think our legendary service comes in....do we send them away happy or waste line time in an argument taking up other customers unique experience....at the drivethru we offer them a tall cup or ask if they might wanta bottle of ethos....Again....an argument at the drive thru window or Legendary Service....my manager felt like one on Sunday .....From the bar he observed the DT loading two Venti cups with ice...in the middle of peak he had the time to pull off the bar and ask what they were being used for. He actually RIPPED the cups from the DT's hands then told the customer we were an eco friendly store and threw them in the trash... right in front of her....he deliberatly baited our regular ...in front of everyone, and they had lots of words!! He won as he always does..She drove away furious....He actually told one regular that we didnt need her business and there were plenty of other SBUX on down the road! Everyday we have our gruff 75 year old triple grande soy wet wet cap and a large ice water come thru.....Starbucks gives us the op to make a legendary decision each day....however if I give him a venti water I will get written up and chance the retaliation of our manager or worse.... inflicting him on the old codger who comes everyday with the same order, who never tips and still holds a special place in my heart... cause he still comes back everyday and quietly orders the venti ice water again !

[seriously?!]

Mamacat --

Call the Business Conduct Line.

Today.

[Jeff]

And Gazebo or Terraza going to be available this year?

[Papa]

Anyone else think Via is cancer? and the pour over method is cancer? and that build in the cup method is cancer? its all ust cancer. just sick nasty corporate bullshit cancer? just fuckin cancer? ever think the higher ups care about anyone but themselves?
nahhhhh
fuckin cancer.

[inkedmuse]

papa.
no.
cancer is what we put in our oatmeal when the oven cleaner steams its way into the packages every night.
however, i do share your frustrations that sometimes (many times) i don't understand the micromanagement and poorly planned ideas/changes that come from the higher ups. I mostly think of it as a cheap checkoutline tabloid.. every week the tabloid needs X amount of articles, and every week sbx suits need X amount of brilliant(-ish) ideas. some weeks are good ideas, some weeks are fluff to keep their jobs. as of late, i think the streets should be running rampant with half-human babies found in secret hospitals.

Re: water.
mamacat. your manager's job looks delicious. would go great with a venti cup of water. you should email your DM a tip to ride passenger to a customer ordering a $5 frapp and a venti water. let your SM do the rest...

[baroosta]

At my store we make sure to have customers order water at the register so that it can be (1)rung in and (2)the water isn't made in front of a paying customers drink.

[sm]

I once worked at a store where a mob of hood rat kids would come in, order ice waters, and then steal our tips when we turned around to get it. We eventually caught on...and they quit coming in.

[justthinkaboutit]

It's not that it's a big deal giving out hot water for a customer who bought via but if they come in 3 times to use their 3 pack a cup cost roughly $.40 so we incur an additional $1.20 costs which eats up our profit on the 2.95 via and begins to erode gross margin (which managers are held accountable to) it's just that baristas don't see the business reasons why sm's do what they do and say what they say. Luckily you guys get shielded from the wrath of the DM's and all the insane P&L requirements.

[Christinschu]

A cup doesn't cost 40 cents. I'll be back later to give the real cost, it's more like 5 cents.

[looong time shift]

At one point a few years ago, I believe the Venti Iced cups were 10 cents. So added to the cost of the straw, lid (Most venti iced water drinkers want one), plus the cost of labor at what 6 cents (if a barista gets it, add a few cents if a shift does). So lets just say 25 cents. How many per day? Well lets say 10 to 20 cups of water. That would be $2.50 to $5 per day.
At 364 days (closed Christmas):
$910 @$2.50 and $1820.00 @$5.00
I realize there are a lot of variables here but as far as ballpark goes its not just pennies. It can partially be attributed to the cost of doing business because some of the water is requested by paying customers. We have to absorb some of these costs or else we could just charge to turn on the AC for people. It would be an interesting experiment if SBUX turned it back on people letting them know we will give them a tall water on request and if they want more they have to bring in their own cup or encouraging them to bring in their own cups for their beverage and water.

[Chip Furgison]

I love the French Roast

[Chip Furgison]

At my store we make sure to have customers order water at the register so that it can be (1)rung in and (2)the water isn't made in front of a paying customers drink.... GOOD IDEA

[baristamclane]

Ironically, yesterday Starbucks sent out an action item stating that smoking will no longer be permitted in any outdoor seating area in CA. Nice...

[PhilHughes65]

@Doppio Con Karma

I tip $1 everyday (venti americano)- I actually build it into my weekly coffee budget. I love my store and the morning crew- they are awesome in every way! I notice a lot of people tip pretty well.

[oh CRAP]

When June 7 rolls around, I have no idea how we're going to enforce the no smoking policy outside. People come to our store to hang out and smoke. While I would love to be able to tidy up outside without having to hold my breath or getting a headache from the smell, I'm a little afraid that I'll be yelled at when I tell people that they're not allowed to smoke. I even get attitude when I try to enforce the 20ft policy. Good luck to all CA baristas! Hopefully your patios don't have 20 tables like at my store!

[inkedmuse]

@ oh CRAP
polite table tents might help you.

[javagirl666]

Here's the thing with the water. You get 5 women EVERYDAY with 20 people behind them in line..they don't order them at the pos nor do they buy a re-usable tumbler..they then proceed to tell you how much ice to put into their complimentary ice water. Water+price change= .30

[just wondering;)]

anyone know how much shift leads or assistant managers get paid in Winnipeg Canada? I have a interview on friday for that position and want to know if I should even bother going?
Thanks