That’s right folks. Starbucks Coffee is closing….for 3 hours tonight to retrain their employees. Over 7,000 stores nationwide will close at 5:30pm and remain closed for 3 hours to “retrain” employees on improving the espresso experience. Read all about it here!
So, CEO Howard Schultz thinks Starbucks has lost some of its stardom because of competition like McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts and because their hot breakfast sandwiches are smelly. Ummmm….is that it? I don’t know about you, Howard, but I bet it has something to do with rude employees serving me a five dollar latte. Shanaynay at the McDonald’s drive through window at least hands me my coffee with a smile on her face (her gold teeth are quite blinding, but hey, at least she’s nice). Oh, and coffee there costs like a buck.
And since when did Starbucks feel the need to start selling CD’s? Isn’t that why you teamed up with B&N? If I want music and books and coffee, I’ll got to a bookstore with a cafe. Get back to the basics and stop trying to upsell me on products you’ve partnered with.
So of course, what else did Starbucks do? They cut 600 positions. Those people were either directly responsible for sales, or maybe they spoke out against Howard in a big board meeting. Sadly, when retail and food places aren’t turning a profit, who are the first people to get hit? The workers! Instead of improving morale, let’s close some stores and hope we can show the stock holders an increase next time!
So, tonight, while your local Starbucks is closed, go find a local independent cafe or coffee shop and give them your business. Take the receipt from there back to the Starbucks and tape it to the door. Show Starbucks how much money they really missed out on! Or I should say, show them how much business they missed out on, because face it….I guarantee that indie cafe is a lot more affordable! And nicer! And they will remember you next time.
While you are closed, Starbucks, could you also teach your employees how to fill the cup up to the top? Filling your made-up elaborate drinks only halfway and then topping the rest off with foam is not nice. You think I don’t know what the heck I ordered, but what I do know is that your employees just really don’t know how to make it.
“Mmm…I love me some Starbucks!”
Bahaw! That was great! I’ve got a new mall by my abode, and I swear 3 starbucks within100 yards of each other…..tis evil! I must admit, smuggly, that I have only been to starbucks once and was so, so unimpressed with the high price, bad coffee, and rushed feeling, that I’ve never been back. I prefer McD’s for price and flavor, and local coffee houses for relaxing….of course my wife and I haven’t done that in a while, but I do remember it!
Sorry, I thought the picture of BS was hot……….heh..heh…
Peace to you, your an excellant writer!
The move by Howard was shrewd, calculating and a damn good one to boot. Perhaps he read the complaints of the foam filled products and acted to correct that.
It is and always will be about choice. If you want the product and are willing to pay and you like it, then go. If not, then dont. The market decides what is good and what isnt, and it is no accident that Starbucks has been succesful.
Not a coffee drinker myself, only go for Chai tea. Probably pay more than I need to, but I like it and I choose to. Almost every store is very clean, and the staff is always freindly, with little exception. As with all things, there are those that aren’t, and by sheer numbers alone, we will run into them. But does that make it a bad brand when it occurs once in awhile? Hardly.
Kevin-
Have you tried Celestial Seasoning’s India Chai which you can buy at the grocery store? It’s the best. And cheaper than Starbucks. Have you, for that matter, tried a local coffee shop in your area? I bet their chai is even better, and again, cheaper. You, like most people, support Starbucks because it’s what everyone else does. Cell phones, Ipods, those ugly black velcro sandals people wore with socks, we all want to do what everyone else is doing because it’s “hip” or “cool.” Customers have the overall say where they spend their dollar, not the market. Be an individual for once. Support a local individual’s chai. If it’s not better, then go back to Starbucks, go wear capri pants, go vote for Obama, and go do whatever else everyone else is doing so they won’t look at you funny. -SY
ok so why dont you just keep going to your local mcdonalds and get your one dollar coffee and that was rude that you called her shaynana i highly doubt that was her name. maybe if you got a real job where you could afford the price of starbucks maybe you wouldnt have so many complaints as you do
Are you for real? I’m beautiful? Um, is this Shaynanay? Hey gurl! It was a joke, beeotch. Lighten up. I’ve actually never even had McDonald’s coffee and probably never will. And I have a real job and can certainly afford Starbucks, but choose not to purchase it. Why? Because I’d rather support independent business unlike “beautiful” idiots like you! Get a life.