Ok, a new day has dawned on IHateStarbucks.com.
I no longer want to keep hacking the old, tired php on the site, so this is what I propose. These messages will remain up for all eternity. In addition, there is a new Guest book. So if you want to share your opinons, i.e. post to the site, go here. As always, if wish to rant or rave, send me an email:
| Name: | S Smith 03088 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 08:31 PM |
| Hi all I was just doing some research on Starbucks and came across your site. I know it's a confidentiality issue to discuss exact pay rates...but is the difference in pay rate for Baristas vs. Store Managers a big one? |
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| Name: | Competitor 03086 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 08:31 PM |
| Hey Kim, give me a way to contact you and we can speak or email. If you want to email me use this address, spacesegment@hotmail.com. |
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| Name: | Sanctum 03085 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 11:03 AM |
| To Samsonite,
I understand your situation. Some of the SBs I worked at had too many kids working there and some stand around at times, gabbing/chatting w/ their friends. Sometimes I catch on their pattern of using friends to come by work as an 'excuse' to take a break or to leave work early with fabricated stories.
I have never, ever talked to friends on the phone NOR told them to stop by for no reason because I'm there to work. But if my buddies come by, it's up to them and it's extremely rare.
You're smart to transfer...I recommend working with a store that has more adults..21 and over, not 20 and under. I like working with adults because of their maturity level and ability to focus and if they have family or spouses over, I can understand that perfectly.
I transferred to a 3rd SBs in Vermont several months ago and it was the smartest thing I've done because the 2nd store was falling apart as the SM left to Iowa and a blond girl (19 years old) kept ragging on my cell to cover her shifts almost once a week or every few weeks claiming to be sick. I know how those games are played.
Advice: Study and observe your partners' behavior and read their games before they pull it on you. If they need you to cover their shifts, make sure their stories check and if they don't..tell the SM to deal with their excuses. A girl once claimed she could'nt come to work due to a funeral....it turns out she lied and got fired a few days later after the SM found out about the hole in the story. This was about 5 years ago.
Don't try to BS the SMs..make sure you have something solid to back your story up.
To Kim. . .keep up the competition..stick with your new store opening and offer new things. If I were you, I'd go Wi-Fi..do it. If the SBs there don't offer, Wi-fi..you have a huge advantage. All the SBs I've seen here don't have them and the local coffeeshops do..it's so weird. I have a feeling SBs is so afraid of new technology re: Wi-fi/bluetooth but they're not afraid of spending more $$ on the new stores of the merger of the Camelot/Starbucks downloadable MP3s onto CDs, etc.
it's like...WTF???? I have an iPod and to me, this is the stupidest marketing move on Starbuck's end. I think the merger stores have Wi-Fi but not sure..regarding downloading songs.
Anyway Kim..offer different and new things that SBs does'nt have..and if you're feeling a bit brave, try offering a bit of alcohol for adults only. There is a local coffeehouse/wine bistro here in Cleveland and it's wonderful..no effing kids. I know the licensing may be problematic..but otherwise, go for it :).
And if you need help with graphic design, I'm the guy ;). Where are you located at? |
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| Name: | Samsonite 03084 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 09:48 AM |
| I have been working at SBUX for 3 weeks, and I don't mind it too much. The one thing I can't stand is the way some of the baristas just stand around and no one does anything about it. Last night, one of the baristas at our store was doing nothing but making herself drinks, drinking her drinks and reading the clipboard all night. Occassionally, when a customer came up, she would ring them up, but she would promptly call someone else to make the drink, even though she is perfectly capable. I finally went and told my SS because I was so frustrated. Some of us are there to work, really. I am a teacher, and do this to supplement my income, but this barista acts like its her little social club. Screw SBUX for hiring young kids who only go to work to socialize. It just pisses me off!! Luckily, I am changing to a new store, so she won't be there. |
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| Name: | Kim 03083 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 09:47 AM |
| Competitor- thanks for the info. Any other suggestions on great recipes. I will be competing with 2 Starbucks! Opening coffee shop in an established resale shop. |
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| Name: | Bot # 1380138 03082 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 09:46 AM |
| It's really cool reading all these posts made by people who know what it's like to work for Starbucks. It's weird how I can relate to a lot (almost everything) that I've read on this forum. It's great to know that I'm not alone. But what sucks is the understanding that nothing is going to change.
I read one post that someone left asking for advice if they should call HR or the partner help-line. I've done that, and they tell you it is anomynous but they are liars. (So, I guess it isn't just my store manager who is insane?) I called the number as a last resort because there were a lot of problems with the store manager, I was very detailed, and I was hesitant to leave my name. They told me if I told them who I was that my case would be handled faster. (Not true). But I did. Months later I was pulled aside during work to chat with my SM and DM about the call I made. It was horrible. I was told that information would be confidental, but it wasn't.
Here's the thing... I work at Starbucks because I need the job and benefits. I keep thinking that maybe someday somehow things are going to change... honestly I know that will never happen. |
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| Name: | current manager 03081 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 09:45 AM |
| Hey exmanager! Your comments are right on! Good for you and good luck in the future. Do you have an email i can contact you on, I would love to compare notes. |
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| Name: | joe yang 03080 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 09:45 AM |
| Nice site. I appreciate a place to vent about Starbucks. I have so many gripes I need to think before posting. |
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| Name: | Desert Flame 03079 |
| Date: | Jul 23 2004 01:33 AM |
| Poor Barista - I realized that working for SB sucks because they barely pay over min. wage, but be thankful if you are truly getting 40/week. At the store I just left, most Baristas got 15-25 hours...and this is what some people were living off of. I was lucky to have my own business that supported us and just needed SB for the benefits. My hat off to anyone who supports themselves soley on a paycheck from SB. |
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| Name: | SBUX SUX 03078 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 10:25 PM |
| Everyone keep buying Starbucks' stock! Just don't come to this site complaining that it was the reason you lost your money. The stock is going to tank after people get half a brain and realize that a stock that has over a 50 P/E ratio and pays out no dividend is a waste of money. |
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| Name: | poor barista 03077 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 10:25 PM |
| By the way, "No tipper".... all of your tips help. I buy my toilet paper with them. Even though the drink may be spendy, I'll be the one making it for you. Thanks |
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| Name: | poor barista 03076 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 10:24 PM |
| Well, I have to say, after reading many messages, I got a good laugh with the Retail Manager and ExManagment. I have been working for starbucks for a year now and my benifits just kicked in. I have been living out on my own for a 1 1/2 years. I'm that working stiff just trying to get by. I love my co-workers, all of my shifts, and my manager, however, SB is not paying me enough to do everything I do. All the fake people, throwing the money at you before you even get their order. Or the half ass orders, "tall frap...or "frappe"?" People wonder why we ask so many questions. If you would just get your drink order down and know what it is that you are ordering, then I can go right to ringing you up. I admit, I want to get another just, but just starting out and being so young, I feel like I'm not going to find a better paying job. My room mate was a barista for a while at a little rinky dinky coffee shop and making twice what I do. Now she is a receptionist for some finanial company, still making twice what I do. Why do people get paid to sit on their ass while I'm busting mine to get treated like sh*t because a "barista" doesn't get any respect. Not just for SB, but other places as well. I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck. 40 hours a week and still bringing home just $250 to $300. I need the benifits, but I need some money. Any suggestions on better paying jobs? |
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| Name: | Siren 03075 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 10:24 PM |
| Non-tipper: As a general rule, baristas do not EXPECT you to tip them. The tip jar is there because somewhere along the way a CUSTOMER decided to start tipping for a service rendered. Most of the customers that tip (and tip well) are those with difficult drinks, special requests or the regulars whose drinks are known and made as soon as they are seen in line. Yes, baristas ARE paid to make your drink and serve it to you, isn't a server in a restaurant paid to take your order and bring food to you? Isn't a bartender paid to make your wine spritzer with a twist to perfection? Does anyone even bat an eye at tipping THESE people? I certainly never expected customers to tip if I was just getting them drip coffee, but a customer that comes in with the entire floor at work's order Damn well better ar leats drop the friggin change in the tip jar for backing me up on bar and individually marking every GD person's cup with a name beacause they can't figure out that V L is vanilla latte. If you are pissed that you are paying four bucks for a drink got to 7-11 and pour the damn coffee yourself.Otherwise shut the F up, pay 4 bucks for your drink, and even though you are not expected to tip, watch the barista pour your sorry cheap a$$ decaf just because... Do you all miss me? I'm free, but I will never forget my friends trapped in the hell that is Starbucks! |
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| Name: | ExManager 03074 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 03:25 PM |
| So RetailManager - let's speak to your credibility, you say you aren't a Starbucks Employee and that you aren't praising SBUX... Hmmmm, then please, share with us what it is about SBUX that you hate? Please share... |
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| Name: | NotSoPseudoVegan 03073 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 12:48 PM |
| Starbucks...ALWAYS A STARBUCKS...Lewis Black made a joke about a Starbucks INSIDE of a Starbucks...and it was frighteningly possible...
I used to work at a fast-casual restaurant in the same "shopping center" of a grocery store that had a Starf*cks in it...and the GM of the store would drink it, on average, two times a day; sometimes I ever saw her go three. So one can about imagine how wretched sitting ACROSS the table from her during meetings was...with the Starf*cks and the cigarettes ALL. DAMN. DAY.
But...at least she'll have her precious venti-half-calf-mocha-skinny-latte-naked when she's burning in hell (because she's a horrible, HORRIBLE person)...and surely by that time Starbucks will have opened up a few stores down in Hades... |
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| Name: | mai 03072 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 12:05 PM |
| good point, but i feel like everyone has their opinion to everything. |
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| Name: | Non-Tipper 03071 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 11:22 AM |
| What is with the freakin' tip jars. I'm suppose to pay 4 bucks for a coffee and then tip you for making it!!! What was the 4 bucks FOR!!! PLEASE!!!!! If people are paying this company 4 bucks a pop for coffee I'm sure they can afford to pay their employees a decent wage. |
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| Name: | Casey 03070 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 09:58 AM |
| Does anyone else feel trapt?
After 6 years of amazing service my SM was asked to leave the company (They still have not told the rest of us why he is leaving). I've worked under my SM for three years and I do not want to stay if he is not going to be there. I loved our store, some how the entire staff was able to make the store feel like a tiny coffee shop. The regulars came in every day looking forward to talking to us and we loved talking to them. Now that has all changed because our DM. She wants our store to be like every other store, costumers have wrote her letters telling her not to change the store and telling her how wonderful our SM is and how great of a job the barista have done to make them feel welcomed. The entire staff have got togehter to have a non-offical meeting discussing what we are going to do once the SM leaves and one of the suggestins was a mass walk out. What do you guys think we should do? |
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| Name: | Retail Manager 03069 |
| Date: | Jul 22 2004 12:37 AM |
| ExManager: You’re right, my screen name and my “praising” were a dead giveaway. Allow me to refresh your memory about what my previous posts were about…in fact, I’ll copy and paste them below:
This was in response to a simple question posted by curious:
“Curious: If an employee, at any job, continuously forgets to punch the same rules would apply as with breaking any other policy. Warning, Final Warning, Termination. If someone never clocks out it creates more work for the manager because they have to find out when you left to make sure you are getting paid for all the time worked. They have to rely on an employee's honesty, or memory for that matter, about the time they actually left. A manager cannot be the judge of whether or not a violation of policy is "innocent." Ultimately, an employee is solely responsible for keeping accurate time records. Many times an employee will unintentionally break a company policy. That is why there are verbal/written warnings. It gives them a chance to correct the behavior without losing their job over an accident. If someone continues to "innocently" forgets to adhere to a policy, then they will continue to struggle in any job because an employee must be competent enough to change a behavior after multiple warnings”
Pretty unbiased post, not indicative of my place of employment. Maybe my next post was much more obvious about my “love” of SB.
“Curious: Ignore Exmanagement's comment about messing with the manager. Your post sounded like an honest question looking for an honest answer. Yes, it is illegal for a manager to falsify time records, but it is also illegal for an employee to steal time. If an employee takes a lunch and doesn't punch for it and ends up being paid for that time, they are essentially stealing. Instead of trying to screw someone else over with dishonesty, why not just fix the problem of not punching out. Sounds like Exmanagement has very little character. Sad.”
In your response to this post, you made your assumption that I was a Starbucks manager and accused me of falsifying time records for people counting tips. What?
Could it just be that I chose the name “Retail Manager” because I was responding to a question that was very much suited for a RETAIL MANAGER and I AM ONE. Oh, it was my praise and support of Starbucks as displayed above that blew my cover. Yeah, OK. I didn’t come across this site by accidentally typing ihatestarbucks.com. So start reading my posts before respond to them because you have turned my attempt to answer a question into a platform for your own inexplicable bitterness. |
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| Name: | jef! 03067 |
| Date: | Jul 21 2004 09:02 PM |
| I just found out that *another* $tarbuck$ opened up in
d-town sacto ca.
that makes 7 stores within the grid area.
that means from Cst to Broadway(like Z street)
and from 1st to 32nd, there are 7 stores.
who let this happen? |
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| Name: | Retail Manager 03068 |
| Date: | Jul 21 2004 09:02 PM |
| To coffeejerk: Good point |
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| Name: | pebbles 03066 |
| Date: | Jul 21 2004 05:25 PM |
| Hey Anthony. I visited my old store the other day and I saw a 1 lbs. bag for $50.00, and a 1/2 lbs. for $39.95. Somebody tell me.......who buys this sh@!? Is it really that serious? I must quote a famous rapper right now, "WHY" |
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| Name: | pebbles 03065 |
| Date: | Jul 21 2004 04:59 PM |
| I just have to say the DQ Latte is tha BOMB!!!! I used to hate on everything somebody else makes that was similiar to Starbucks. But that's not the way to go. I support these businesses because eventually with enough remakes..... Starbucks will go out of business!!! Come on everybody!!!! I love Dunkin Donuts, I love Dairy Queen.....Hell....I love 7-11!!!!! |
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| Name: | Anthony Me 03064 |
| Date: | Jul 21 2004 04:59 PM |
| Orry had to write again after reading all those entries from "the Stabucks posse". If there were 1 starbucks in every makor city, maybe this would not be an issue. But, when they decide to put 4 Starbucks locations within the same shopping center (ie my pathetic hometown) then there is a real problem. Plus.....)okay Ill admit....Ive been to Starbucks), when you see a bag of coffee that is imported from Ethiopia and costs 20 dollars..you have to wonder, "Isnt Ethiopia the country where everyone is starving and has HIV." I really hope the profit from that coffee is going to help those people out. Starbucks is nothing but a cruel frat joke gone horribly wrong. (I dont know what that means.) |
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| Name: | Anthony Me 03063 |
| Date: | Jul 21 2004 04:59 PM |
| I live(ed) in a little town/city thing called Greeley. Now, massive amounts of SB's are invading. We had zero about two years ago and now there is 11. This is so sad. Soooo, me and a few "friends" are going to rebel. Were trying to save Margie's....a sleepy little coffee shop downtown that has lost almost all of their customers to SB. I hate SB. Do you have to say SB or is I hate Starbucks okay. Oh well. |
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