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: | Lien 00710 |
| Date: | Aug 12 2002 06:17 AM |
| I tjought I\'d write and tell you about one of the coolest days of my life. I used to work for Starbucks in Glasgow, Scotland. I hated the job, I hated how the customers were so damn nice and clean cut, I hated how all the other staff were so nice and clean cut, and I hated all the dumb names they give to the drinks. Well one night I was wasted and my friends and I started to imitate MTV jackass stunts giving me a broken wrist and 4 weeks off work. Well like the considerate company they are they held my job for me and I was set to return on a Saturday (busiest day). On this Saturday the sun was splitting the skies (rare in Scotland) and my brother was planning a barbecue. It took me all of 5 seconds to decide not to show up and I spent the day getting a tan, eating food and drinking beer whilst ignoring the phone calls from my obviously frantic manager. Hopefully the company didn\'t make quite as much money that day as they could have and needless to say I\'ve never been back. |
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| Name: | SeaCoffeeGrl 00709 |
| Date: | Aug 11 2002 03:49 PM |
| ATTN: Shift King
You are correct...if she ordered a Venti Latte(period) she should have shut up, taken the drink and left. (if my order was that vague, I would expect 2% but would not argue since I did not specify the milk or say Venti, decaf, skinny Latte. And to boot latte alone suggests only 2 shots. So unless SB has a Venti/shot special ratio I would shut my mouth on that also if I had wanted a triple or quad) ...so sorry to belabor that breve issue...Just wondering how that order can pass unqualified but I get treated harsh over the breve - latte issue? (I am just pointing out the order clarification process here, I have accurately illustrated adding latte DOES NOT add anything more specific or meaningful to my breve order so do not argue with me anymore on this issue-it is not the point) That is one I see you wanting to clarify the order or charging her for her miscommunication, she did not order skinny decaf before you made the coffess...charge her...(perhaps an idea is let the customer writes their own order on their own cup of choice and if you make it as spec'd on the cup and they want it changed...charge them for a new cup...what an idea for SBux Mgr! |
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| Name: | Shift King 00708 |
| Date: | Aug 11 2002 06:47 AM |
| Here's another "smart customer" story for you. #1: It's 2am, I've opened, run the shift, and not taken any breaks (only had 1 bagel since 6am). Lady comes in...there's no drinks on the bar. Orders a venti latte, clear as day. I have no milk hot, so I take out a pitcher, pull out the milk and steam it up. Pull the shots and throw them in. Put it out, call "venti latte." She goes "Is that skim?" What would you do? You'd do what I do...assume she wanted it skim, take it and throw it into the sink. Pull out another pitcher and steam up SKIM milk this time, and pull more shots, and put it up on the counter and go "Venti skim latte." She goes "Oh, I didn't want that skim." GRRR...so I take it down and remake it, resteaming even more whole milk. Put the drink up there again. "Venti latte." Her: "That's decaf right?" Had to make it AGAIN! So, in conclusion...wasted 4 venti drinks on this moronic lady, and had a line of 6 drinks backed up by the time I finished. And people say that the customer is always right! On the other hand, the nice customers, the ones who come in everyday and know my name and ask me how my vacation was, the ones who go and bring us food when we're closing and none of us feel like going and getting any...those customers get treated well. Mark my words customers on this board...if you're one of those "nice" regulars then most of the time (if your baristas are any good) they'll have your drink ready-and-waiting, they'll maybe offer you a bit of a broken pastry, or once-in-awhile they'll pay for your drink themselves **wink wink**. It pays to be nice. |
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| Name: | Bitter Barista 00707 |
| Date: | Aug 11 2002 06:45 AM |
| I've been working at starbucks for about 8 months and I've got to tell you, it's a HORRIBLE job. The lines are always out the door, with these yuppy idiots who are so damn smug, while they yak on their cell phones, backing up the line even further, because they can't hear you shout, "can I help the next in line, please." And the 15 year old teenyboppers in their huge 4 inch wedge heels and hoochie Forever 21 clothing order Caramel Frappucinos. GRRR!!! Sorry I'm not usually a person who likes to rant, and complain, but Starbucks is evil. I don't understand the whole phenomenon, it's just COFFEE~ you know the kind you brew in a little pot at home that takes 10 minutes. It's nothing spectacular and the prices are so jacked up it's a total rip off. Oooh and then it's coffee with milk what a novelty!!! Dear lord, I've never heard of a concept. And those frappucinos, they give me a stomach ache. They don't care about their employees, today my manager, a total beast treated me like a child, I wanted to bitch slap her up the head. I've covered so many partners shifts just because they didn't "feel" like coming in when I was new, so as a nice person, and I admit I wanted a few extra dollars covered for them. They made up excuses like, "I'm going out of town" But then they had the audacity to come in while I was working their shift. UMMM HELLO??!! But then when I needed my shift covered, miraculously no one was available, and my hideous manager had me work opening the day of senior prom. I was wired and out of it during the dance. I am so mad you have no idea, and the freakin' ridiculous matter that I have to wake up at 4:30 am on a saturday morning??? No job is worth that, I'd rather wait tables, and earn real money and tips.
If you're a customer please refrain from the following:
Leaning over the bar and watching the barista, telling them how to make "your" drink. Okay I think we know what we're doing, it's not rocket science, and you're only making people feel uncomfortable so their more apt to screw up your drink.
Ordering an iced mocha then saying, "Wait, I wanted the blendyy thingy" (usually a bleached blonde, with fake nails)
Being a jerk off and trying to get the cashier all flustered and nervous. You don't need to make things more complicated buddy by switching your drinks orders 40 times.
and digging for change, and taking forever!!! God can't you read the signs with the prices. Not that difficult
Maybe it's partially my store, I'm sure there are some well run starbucks stores, but I honestly think most employees get treated like slaves. And the fact we have to ass kiss all of these rude people is simply wrong. Anyway I could probably go on for an hour, so I'll end this. I'm thankfully quitting, because of college, and will find a higher paying, more desirable job. Starbucks is a whole steaming pile of dung. |
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| Name: | A Beltway Driver 00706 |
| Date: | Aug 10 2002 10:25 AM |
| I can't stand SB because I have recently become addicted to their coffee. So much so that, even when I know my budget does not support it, I keep on going.
Sure, you want to be in the “in” crowd that can afford to pay the ridiculous prices for the coffee –the shops are usually in trendy areas (you can’t afford to live there, but, hey, damn it, you get to look like you do). It's early in the morning and you feel "grown up" when you "must" have that cup of coffee before anything else. I travel from DC to Baltimore on a regular basis and like to get a nice latte for the road. A couple of times, I have realized -well after I left the store- that I was drinking nothing but luke-warm sugar milk. The second time, I was so pissed, that I actually drove all the way back to Crystal City SB at Pentagon Row to get an exchange.
Of course they looked at me like I was crazy, but replaced the coffee anyway. It still tasted like crap. I vowed to never return. I tried a couple of other shops, but I keep trying to compare them to SB. If anyone knows the DC area, Rappahannocks on Columbia Pike is alright, but they’re fakers. Trying to be an alternative to SB, they charge the same and there is ZERO consistency in their service. But just like your comments about the fact that SBs are all over the place, I found my sorry ass back in the Crystal City SB -truly out of habit.
I hate them, I hate their overpriced coffee and the pretentious way in which the “inspirational, aggressive, and soon-to-be rock star” fools that take the orders act as if they giving you some secret pass into stardom.
I'm looking now at making my own –please set up a page on this site to those of us who want to return to the real world by making their own. Somehow, someway, I'm gonna do it and never look back.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Peace |
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| Name: | Chuck 00705 |
| Date: | Aug 10 2002 10:24 AM |
| STARBUCKS SUCKS is an understatement. My wife, a friend and I decided to go to Starsucks(because my wife likes the foo foo frozen lattes) for an after dinner coffee. We got there at about 9:00 p.m and ordered 3 overpriced, bitter so called coffees and preceded outside to resume our conversations. We sat down with two other friends who happened to be there also. There were several other people sitting at other tables. At approximately 9:20 a male employee comes outside and tells us we are all going to have to leave because he closes at 9:30 p.m. and needs to put the tables and chairs inside. I say "I thought you closed at 10:00 p.m." and he says that his store closes at 9:30 and starts pulling chairs inside I tell him that" it's rude to ask us to leave when we hadn't even finished our coffees and that it would be a cold day in hell when I return to this Starsucks" and he replies "Well, I don't think Starsucks is going to go out of business just because you don't return" I say "Don't be a smartass, what is your managers name so I can call him tomorrow?" He replies "You can find his business card on the counter". I grab a card and tell him that I will be reporting his rudeness and snide comments to his manager in the A.M. and he says " Do what you need to do sir," in a sarcastic tone. My wife, friend, and myself walk down a few hundred feet and continue talking and finish our so called coffees and about 10:30 p.m. we decide to head home. As we pass Starsucks I look inside and two employees are still there(cleaning up). I say to my wife,"Don't you think it would be a better idea to pickup the tables and chairs right before leaving for the night instead of running your customers off an hour before you leave the establishment. Call me crazy but this employee is a rude young idiot who probably just needs a good old fashioned "Ass kickin" or to be fired.
God Bless, Chuck |
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| Name: | Miss Lisa 00703 |
| Date: | Aug 09 2002 01:46 PM |
| Lose the attitude, select a higher grade of coffee, don't roast it until it
is burnt! |
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| Name: | Aaron 00704 |
| Date: | Aug 09 2002 01:35 PM |
| I heard today that some folks in my town are boycotting Starbucks coffee plantations in South America. Apparently people living near the plantations owned by Starbucks have had a huge increase in birth defects due to the pesticides which are used on the coffee plants. These pesticides are illegal for use in the US, but in South America they have less stringent environmental laws. |
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| Name: | Miss Lisa 00702 |
| Date: | Aug 09 2002 01:33 PM |
| unfortunately, I am a starsucks employee... not because it was my choice, but because its what i know... and i'm dirt poor and have no car and have no choice but to walk. i worked at a certain other coffee shop(barnies) for 3 years, but now ive had to re-learn all the same recipes (which are the normal recipes) to make them 'to starbucks standards'... which is a little rediculous. I mean, a caramel macchiato is not a macchiato but a vanilla latte w/ the caramel sauce on top.....what? anyway, since all the SB's sprang up overnight, now all of the B's have closed down, b/c SB opened in the exact neighboorhoods that B's was... which is a low blow. Well, I just wanted to share w/ everyone... Thanx, Miss Lisa ('classically trained' barista) |
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| Name: | Kate 00701 |
| Date: | Aug 07 2002 05:58 AM |
| i work in an independent coffee shop.... and all i can
say is, the next person who orders a Frappuccino from
me is getting punched the f*ck out.
thanks. |
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| Name: | tar 00700 |
| Date: | Aug 07 2002 05:56 AM |
| To add more fuel to the fire (rightfully deserved). I would like every one to
know that starbucks has found yet another way to screw the consumer. Did you
know that the amount of liquid in a grande iced or frozen drink has the EXACT
same amount as a venti? but, yet the BIGGER, BETTER venti will cost ya
anywhere from . 60-$1 more! WOW that's low starbucks! shame on you. |
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| Name: | ANGRYANGRYBarista 00699 |
| Date: | Aug 05 2002 03:29 AM |
| no comment. |
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| Name: | Monkeyboy 00698 |
| Date: | Aug 05 2002 01:47 AM |
| To Sad Sbux Amgr:
You say (about breve): Unfortunately starbucks doesn't have a drink with that name, and that is corporate decision. At this time it is only a milk specification. My question to you is: Don't you think it's just a little arrogant of starbuttf**ks to define coffee terms the world has been using for 100s of years?? I don't know how long you have been working for starbuttf**ks, but I've remember when they were a little local company that had a couple of store in Seattle, with real employees--not partners I remember when the arrogant attitude of the founder and owner of starbuttf**ks made him feel it was A-OK to pave over public park land for the driveway to his personal residence (Check Sea Times archives for more). I remember the audacity of the owner and founder of starbuttf**ks to claim his was a green company and people should stop hosing down his wife for wearing furs. Starbuttf**ks has certainly done a fabulous job of training all their employees with the same level of arrogance and righteousness. So tell us, Amgr, if Breve is just a milk specification, what exactly is it you learn by adding latte to the end of it?? Which key to press on the cash register?? |
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| Name: | Silly You 00697 |
| Date: | Aug 05 2002 01:28 AM |
| To ANGRYANGRYbarista
You are really foolish to say things like this because if someone so much as sneezes funny in a Starbucks they could and may trace you by your MAC address. Get some therapy before you really get into trouble...you are on your way. |
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| Name: | SeaCoffeeGrl 00696 |
| Date: | Aug 05 2002 12:47 AM |
| Name: Sad Sbux Amgr and Name: standing up for self.
You both seem to be very reasonable people (standing: communication is hard everywhere and I concur with you in many ways...if I f*** up my order...I still pay, business are there to be profitable and I think that is where the "customer is always right" line is drawn appropriately) In addition, I do not mind hearing how employees have crazy customers, sometimes those are really funny stories. And the less personally offensive you are toward your customers the more your customers will listen to you. (there are always exceptions and "I hate Starbucks" does invite a lot of negitivism and crack pots ;) I would like to ask that all you baristas that really hate people/your customers...wear a sign so bitches like me can just avoid you...that way we are both happy. |
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| Name: | standing up for self 00695 |
| Date: | Aug 05 2002 12:06 AM |
| breve, breve, breve... I work at a store in Georgia and we do not classify "breve" as a drink, we simply have customers that ask for a breve latte, breve mocha, breve misto...etc... so if mrs.sea was to come in to my store i would also ask her to clarify her order. but she is not the only person i do that to. EVERY person that comes in my line, reguardless of how long it is,gets thier drink called back out to them by how we make it. why??? b/c i also make drinks and nothing is worse than making something wrong b/c a customer did not know what he/she was ordering. (although i am not saying that mrs. sea does not know what she is ordering) i can not count the times a customer has ordered and paid for a caramel macciato (i know it's not spelled right) and wanted a caramel frappuccino. or a cafe mocha and wanted a mocha frappuccino, or thought our cappuccino's were like quick trips, or ordered a tazo berry tea frappuccino thinking it was a berry flavored iced tea. so when a customers says: i want a cafe mocha, i always ask: the hot drink right? or when they order a "over ice" drink, i always make sure they want thier drink "on the rocks" instead of blended. this make take a few more seconds at the register, but saves so much time for the drink makers. i think mrs. sea should say her order how ever it is that she so feels the need to do so, and if the barista has been there forever and a day and knows what she is talking about, then fine-all-good-and-glory, but if they ask, then she should be considerate enough to say a latte. it is better to be safe than sorry. she likes to save her money, and i'm sure so does starbucks, and i'm willing to be that our store, in one day, pour down the drain at least 15 or so gallons of milk, b/c customers "wanted that over ice instead of hot" or "i meant for that to be a skinny latte" or "oh, excuse me, could you just stick this in your microwave and make it a little hotter" (?????? no mam, we have to remake it, can't just stick the cup in the milk steamer and go at it) so by asking questions and double checking orders we are saving each other time and money. cuz when starbucks starts eating the price of all the stuff we waste b/c of re-makeing drinks, drink prices go up to compensate |
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| Name: | Sad Sbux Amgr 00694 |
| Date: | Aug 05 2002 12:06 AM |
| I am saddened to see the responses of the baristas in the vast majority of these posts. Do you all realize you applied for and were hired for a job in the service industry? If you dislike waiting on customers so much, get a new job. There are an imense number of @ssholes in the world, some of them you will have to deal with. That is just a part of life, get over it. I understand your frustration, but really, it's only coffee. The number of regular customers who are consistantly friendly, will normally exceed those who are not. Just smile, and do your job. If you can't, believe me someone else can, and your manager will eventually see what you're about and weed you out of the store. Nothing is worse than a barista with a bad attitude.
For those customers who have had a bad experience, I am more sorry than I can express. Not every partner will treat you poorly, some of us really do like our jobs, and enjoy our customers. After I returned from being out of my store for 4 weeks, nothing made me happier than my favorite customers(who know my name and treat me with nothing but respect) telling me that they missed me while I was gone.
In response to the breve debacle:
Unfortunately starbucks doesn't have a drink with that name, and that is corporate decision. At this time it is only a milk specification. I am truely sorry that in your drink ordering experience, partners were rude to you in relaying that information. I hope that any of your further visits to starbucks, if you have them, are more pleasant.
Sad Sbux Amgr |
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| Name: | Jim 00693 |
| Date: | Aug 04 2002 09:39 AM |
| Why bother at all to drink coffe in America? It has been stated a long time ago that this colonised part of the world makes weak and watery coffe. Does Starbucks makes good coffe? A difference in that barren land? Don´t really know. I have hardly been at Starbucks. We don´t have many of them in Sweden. went to one in Tokyo a few years ago though. I don´t necessarily hate Starbucks that much. But I dislike multinational corporations in general as they are the enemy of quality, culture and the rights of workers. |
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| Name: | ANGRYANGRYbarista 00692 |
| Date: | Aug 04 2002 03:52 AM |
| tall double shot 1/2 decaf half caffeinated coffee latte.
now, i may be stupid, but i argued the point witha customer, (im not supposed to but, he had soy up his ass...) adn i stil beleive one shot regular one shot decaf will do, WTF must you poeple make life miserable, from now on the roaches in the frappuccinos will continue. MAY ALL U YUPPIE SCUM GET CHOLERA AND DIARRHEA. and why THE HELL WONT starbucks stop the double affrimation in White chocolate mocha? retards. |
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| Name: | George 00691 |
| Date: | Aug 04 2002 12:04 AM |
| Gee Trish, who died and gave you rights to dictate "shoulds" that is your opinion and it is wrong...see the info below |
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| Name: | Trish 00690 |
| Date: | Aug 04 2002 12:00 AM |
| About this whole breve thing....when you order something breve, it could be a breve mocha, a breve latte, a breve chai..All breve means is half and half....Don't we all have better things to do then argue about milk? |
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| Name: | SeaCoffeeGrl 00689 |
| Date: | Aug 03 2002 05:50 PM |
| To "A Manager Speaks" (in addition): My apologies for saying "the employees cannot spell or form sentences properly", I do not believe that is true. I stand corrected. |
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| Name: | SeaCoffeeGrl 00688 |
| Date: | Aug 03 2002 05:25 PM |
| To "Name: A Manager Speaks" While I know anyone can figure out the truth in what you said, your reply to my questions and statements have been the first I have heard. It has been more common for me to receive responses like what you see in these posts, insulting and dehumanizing. I sense you view my intentions not as arrogance but as frustration. (I work very hard for my money and care about where I spend it) I appreciate your professionalism and the clarification you have provided me without cruelty and judgment. Thank you I wish there was some way I could find out where you were and reward you with all my business and a letter of commendation. With all my respects, thank you again, sir. KR |
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| Name: | say no to L7\'s 00687 |
| Date: | Aug 03 2002 05:18 PM |
| I think we all know the type of person monkeyboy is, the ultimate STARBUCKS COFFEE CUSTOMER.
This was so good lets post it again! |
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| Name: | Monkeyboy 00686 |
| Date: | Aug 03 2002 04:52 PM |
| Jeff: I love responding to people like you. I'm going to hang out here all day just for the fun. Why? Because I am concieted, I am arrogant and, above all I am right.
So I think I've covered points A, B, and C from your post. About point D: If a customer orders a "quad venti hazelnut breve" what part of that order is incomplete? What to you learn by adding "latte". If this order is not complete, why don't you add "latte" when a customer orders a mocha? Furthermore, good gin never goes out of style. And in case you were wondering: No, there is no such thing as a vodka martini either. You may think so, just like you think there is such thing as a "breve latte". Of course, there are people that think the world is flat. Additionally, to further your ultimate humiliation, I happen to have a very large swinging set of balls. So, no, you can't tell. I would offer to prove this to you, except that despite being arrogant, concieted and right, I'm not insecure. In closing let me say that I truly beleive that if a person had an infinite number of monkeys, an infinite number of bananas and an infinite amount of patience, you could teach one of the monkeys to write Shakespeare. But why? |
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