I've known several people that have worked at Starbuck's and they actually pay very well for what the job is, treat their employees very fairly, and have a great training program. This is why they have consisten quality across most stores. While Starbuck's is not the "best" in terms of quality, they are very consistent which I appreciate when traveling.

They get better than even reviews from their employees (http://www.jobvent.com/starbucks-job-reviews-C941) which is saying a lot in a service job.

I agree with the "you get what you pay for" thoughts, but if we payed all the barristas, say $12/hour or more, wouldn't that make your coffee that much more expensive?

Last I heard, profit, making money and succeeding were the reason to open a business right? Doesn't make sense to open the doors and break even.

I've read this and all the other posts here, and I admit, these are some weird posts. First of all, Starbucks is starbucks. I don't think it is exactly the best coffee ever, but apparently it is good enough and you can stop in and get it fairly quickly. I've never had better coffee unless I'm sitting down at a nice restaurant and then there's no way Starbucks or anybody else will compare.

However, I find myself going to Dunkin Donuts more because I don't really care for nicer coffee on the go. I don't drink cappucinos/frapuccinos/lattes/mochas/whatever, and basically stay to regular coffee. So that's me. Wife loves Starbucks and it is better than DD, and she can get it on the go.

I find people either need to be fanbois about something or scream out against it. No middle ground, these days, and hyperbole on the internet is more important, apparently, than level headedness. I know, I do the same. But basically, Starbucks will see if this succeeds or fails, and they are big enough that if it fails they can correct again. All the need to bash them makes me wonder exactly what was in people's favorite coffee today. Apparently not decaff.

Starbucks over-roasts their beans so the coffee has a burnt after taste to it. Seattle's Best is much better coffee as is Peet's and even the lesser known Caribou. I have never been a huge fan of Starbuck's coffee and I think a lot of people drink Starbuck's because of the status rather than because they think it is such a great cup of coffee. People tend to get very pretentious when it comes to the coffee they drink and many would not know a good cup of coffee from a mediocre one. Then there are the people who load down their coffee with all the flavoring syrups, or cream and sugar to the point where they can not even taste the true flavor of coffee any more.

You realize Seattle's Best and Starbucks coffee are made at the exact same place right?

@JS in SD - Seattle's Best IS Starbucks.

http://seattlesbestfranchise.com/franchise-business-faq.php

Check the little tiny logo at the bottom of the page: Seattle's Best Coffee is a featured brand within the Starbucks Corporation brand portfolio.

I mean - its a separate brand, sure. But it's still owned by Starbucks. It's just a different store - but still made by Starbucks.

My daughter works for Starbucks. She had wanted to work at Starbucks since she was a child. She applied as soon as she was legal to work. She has been working there for 3 years. The company has been awesome to her!! They do treat their employees well!!! She plans to work there through college. Even though I am not a coffee drinker they have my business!!! I try to support companies that support their employees, it is our duty as the middle class!

Yes - Seattle's Best has the same parent company since they were bought out by Starbuck's a few years back, but that does not mean the coffee is the same. The beans are roasted differently which gives the coffee a different taste.

Starbucks coffee, generally, is a darker roast. Don't claim that *all* Starbucks roasts are burnt-flavored. Their dark roasts are the deepest and most flavorful on the market. <period> Their house blend sucks, it is not dark enough for my personal preference.

I also enjoy dark beers. Many would say a dark beer has too heavy of a taste. It is how I like it. I like my coffee as deep and dark roasted as possible. If you want light roasted coffee, ask for a lighter roast, or get out of my way at Starbucks and stop your bitching.

The only reason why there are long lines is because there are so many people who HAVE to have their coffee. You dont have to stand in line forever you could go somewhere else or make your own coffee. Its the customers who make the lines long. One person ordering 12 drinks for the office or someone's kid can't make up their mind. I know many baristas who are fantastic at their job and provide a great quality beverage.

If people are tired of waiting and could care less about the quality beverage Starbucks provides go somewhere else. They raise the prices on drinks because they know people will buy them. And sure enough...people keep pouring in.

Since Starbucks is no longer on my way to work, I haven't stopped for coffee in awhile. My bank account has more money.

But, I always get the drip coffee so I never wait.

I agree with the first post regarding luxury goods.

If you aren't knowledgeable about them, you can't sell them. BUT, also if you start marketing to the masses, you lose quality in the name of quantity. That's the biggest problem with luxury goods. You either cannot spend the time necessary, like Starbucks apparently is encountering, or you lower the price to hit a wider audience, and have to cut corners SOMEHOW.

It's also a shame that things are primarily profit driven these days, with the goal of maximizing our dollar worth. It's such a competitive and cut throat world out there anymore. I believe it all ties back to the Post WWII era where consumerism took center stage in the american lifestyle (a lifestyle that has spread quite successfully abroad, and in some developing nations, is still spreading).

I don't believe that Starbucks is going to allow this sort of a policy to continue for too long. The time spent is going to increase wait times, which is going to piss off customers, and the loss of productivity and business will force them to reassess their actions....

Which will lead back to overworked employees.

I have to agree with Derek also. There's no patience and no middle ground anywhere in the world anymore it seems. I kind of miss those things too.

I agree Bob!!

It's very sad how everyone in America is obsessed with profit. I've always wondered how we can change it. And employees are overworked!! You see it everywhere, less employees doing more work for the same amount of pay just so there's a bigger profit. That's probably the main reason drinks aren't good quality anymore. There's not enough labor to meet the demands. And I have experience myself with someone from Corporate trying to tell me how to do my job when she had no clue herself. Seriously, I think people who work for Corporate should have experience of working the counter so they know what it's like. Because it sure seems like very few up at our Corporate HQ now actually know what's going on besides the fact that money is the bottom line....

While Starbuck's is not the "best" in terms of quality, they are very consistent which I appreciate when traveling.

This is where I'll have to disagree with you... I like Coffee Frappuccinos, but only from one particular Starbucks. It tastes different at every one.

True...here's the up side: you can text your stock broker while you wait in line for 30 minutes to get your "personalized" cup of joe for 5 bucks.

Torchum, if your in a hurry go to Mcdonalds!! Starbucks is not designed to be "fast food". My daughter works at a Starbuck and she knows her regulars and tries have their drinks ready buy the time they get them paid for. That is customer service! That is why people go to Starbucks!! Not for quick in and out drinks. Slow down and smell the coffee, life is to short to speed thru it!

How? Instead of making one quality drink, you make 2 or 3 crappy drinks? Don't flatter yourself, you're not that good.

Really Johoo, must you be so harsh? Are you or have you ever been a barista? Can you say that you know what it's like and the skill it requires?

Kraps?! Seriously?!

ROFL KRUPS! I got my machine refurbed on the 'bay for $300. Solid brass lever machine... very nice. To be honest however, I won't hate on Krups. They provide the masses with a different way to make coffee. One day I may have children, and that is the day a $300 purchase will be a big deal. Lucky however that the machine I have now will probably never, ever, ever break.

Saeco is better. Krups is low grade crap.

Johoo, why be so competitive about "first"? The baristas are doing the best they can to get people in and out and besides, the people who receive their drinks before you are most likely people like me - I order an Americano - shots of Espresso and water, nothing else - no milk, no syrup, no frills...

If baristas are allowed to make two drinks at once and my drink and yours are prepared together, why shouldn't they hand me my drink first when my shots have already been pulled? Just because I walked in the door a couple of seconds behind you, should my coffee sit and get cold just because your Vanilla Frappuccino drink takes much longer to prepare?

No. Your coffeee shouldn't be made yet until my order is served. That's called first come, first serve.

You can go to Brasil if you want a mob scene where whoever fights their way to the front gets served first.

Can these baristas be any slower already? Not an avid Starbucks patron anymore, but we had a gift card and I used it this past weekend at our local Starbucks. With only two people in front of me that ordered only 1 drink for themselves, I had my order completed, and I am not kidding, 15+ minutes after I gave my order for a Venti Latte and a Tall Latte.

1st problem was, this barista had maybe 4hrs behind the bar making hot drinks, as she couldn't even steam the milk correctly. Other than her not knowing how to make these expensive drinks, I had to hear of her family and how at 25 she still lives at home and does not want to move out....like anyone actually cared?

My wife, years ago worked for Starbucks, and back then you could not work the bar until you had so many hours under your belt and had been tested by the managers that you are capable of working the bar...whatever happened to the Black Apron baristas? This seems to not be a common practice at this Starbucks, as well as many other Starbucks I have visited in the Philly area.

If it was not for the free Starbucks gift card, I would have had my 7-11, WaWa or Seattles Finest coffee in hand and walking out the door in a matter of a minute or two and not 15 minutes with 2 standard drinks in front of your order.

Just another reason for me to boycott Starbucks. The next gift card I get from Starbucks, hopefully I won't, I'll just re-gift it or toss it in the trash.

As a customer, you should have been entitled to a recovery coupon for having to wait so long. If you were not given one, as a Starbucks employee I am disappointed in my fellow partners for not treating you with the respect you deserve. At my store, we are able to have lattes out in a matter of a minute and a half. Please don't let your experience generalize your view of EVERY Starbucks. It's not just corporate B.S., MOST of us do truly believe in what we're doing!

@ joho0

Anyone who would even use the phony "word" "venti" is a pretentious d###wad.

@johoo,

I've been working for Caribou for 3 years so I know what it's like. An Americano takes literally about 5 seconds to make since it's only hot water and espresso shots. Something like a Vanilla Frappachino (however you spell it lol, I don't visit Starbucks often fyi) will take somewhere from 2-3 minutes to make, depending on the skill of the barista and the number of drinks being made at the time. So what you're trying to say is that the Americano should just sit there even though it's ready before your drink?? Even though the Americano IS started after your drink, it is ready in a matter of seconds. Plus in order to get customers out the door in a timely manner, we have to make multiple drinks at once otherwise customers will get pissed off, and I don't blame them. The majority of our customers stop by on their way to work. Sometimes drinks will be handed out of order, depending on how long each individual drink takes to make. It's just how it is. I will stress though that I do personally make an effort to hand my drinks out in order.

Javadanny, why do you consider "venti" a phony word? Although I don't speak Italian, I do know that "venti" is the Italian word for "twenty" - the number of ounces in a Starbucks venti drink...

Leah, even if it does mean twenty, it's over the top, pretentious, and unnecessary. So are "small" "tall" and "grande". Seriously. What's wrong with "large, medium, small, and extra small"? At least I'm happy that when I visit a starbucks, I can order a "large" and they know what I mean. Still, the language used is just an utter mess. I don't even know if many people can tell the difference between a coffee with half and half or a cappuccino without foam in all honesty. And the flavored drinks DO take on a coffee flavored milkshake appearance and taste. Not to mention the caloric count is way up there too. Why make life overly complicated?

Just give me a large cup of coffee and I'm happy.

Frank,

I used to work for Best Buy too and I think that is a very good idea! I also saw myself how our store continued to hire high school kids who didn't know what they're talking about and many customers complained. I can say I wouldn't want someone like that trying to sell me a $10,000 home entertainment system either!! They definitely need a better training program and to follow through with having new employees shadow the good ones who have been there awhile. At least that's something that definitely helps me.

Starbucks may have its problems, but their coffee is good. Don't know what you've been drinking.

dmerrin, do you actually drink their coffee- their plain, unflavored/steamed/blended coffee? because it is famously horrible- cheap beans that are very bitter, then over-roasted to try to hide the bitterness. can you develop a taste for this coffee? sure. but on first drink most people will pass it up because it isn't very good.

allie is right. they burn their beans. my ex used to roast his own coffee and the difference is crazy. i like starbucks for the fluffy drinks, not straight coffee, and i like that its consistent, especially since i just moved to eastern europe...its nice to know exactly what you are getting there. but corporations are famous for not knowing/forgetting what it is like to work on the front lines of a customer service business. if customers complain, they will change back. bottom line is money.

delayne --

you don't know coffee. Starbucks only buys the best of available beans. The leftovers get sold to the small independent shops. That is how the coffee market works.

If you like Folgers, go ahead and drink it, you fool.

Starbucks gets their beans from the same distributors as the smaller shops. If you want to understand the coffee market, you should read Uncommon Grounds. My local shop gets their beans from a local roaster. That roaster gets his beans from individual farms. I can look at a bag of his beans and see the roasted on date. I can also look online and put in the tracking number on the bag to see which farm those beans came from, and how much that farmer was paid. The last time I looked for a roasted on date on a lb of starbucks coffee, I couldn't locate one; so I asked the sales person where it would be. They looked at me like I had 2 heads. You get what pay for with corporate coffee, and I get exactly what I expect any time I have had Starbucks. Mediocre coffee.

Screw Starbucks. Some of the best coffee I've ever had is an Organic , Fair Trade medium roast whole bean I buy at Sam's Club in something like a 3 lb bag for $13, made in a French press. It's absolutely delicious. My daughter worked at Starbucks for a couple of years and neither she, nor half the people she worked with would drink that overly burnt, bitter, disgusting coffee. Chai Latte's were the only things worth drinking. You want GOOD coffee ?? MAKE IT AT HOME. Christ... even 8 O'Clock Coffee blows Starbucks and most coffee's away flavor-wise.

yep, i buy beans- some organic, some im guessing arent due to the lack of excessive organic 'labels' from the grocery store- grind them there because i hate cleaning my grinder, and make coffee every morning. i put it in a thermos and take it to work. my bank account and my taste buds love me for it. every now and then on a weekend my girlfriends and i will get a coffee at the shop, but its not more than 4x a year.

Steve, if 15% of drinks are being returned, it isn't 'just to be difficult'. that may be what your kid tells you, but people don't wait forever for their $5 coffee, then want to waste even more time on a remake just because they want to be difficult! it is probably because your non-coffee-drinking kid and his coworkers didn't get it right because they're not all that invested in what they do. you're really not helping him become a responsible man by going onto a forum and repeating the excuses he gives you to other adults who know better. and you probably know that, don't you?

Really @Allie22 your bitterness shows that you really have no idea what your talking about. Don't sit and school people because you as an "adult" know better. If you don't like Starbucks, take your money somewhere else instead of crying about it in a forum. You obviously haven't stood on the other side of the counter at Starbucks and dealt with the monsters it creates. Customers like YOU that take out your frustrations on people that ARE invested. Everyone is human, YOU should at least pretend to have some humanity. Rude.

Really Allie,

Perhaps you should not speak of that which you have no clue about. If you have ever worked in food service you can easily tell that about 10% of people are just plain A-holes that take pride in denigrating those in the service industry. My son has had had drinks returned because another customer touched the cup while it was on the pickup table. One guy picked up his coffee and spilled it on himself and slid it across the counter at the server, never tasted it so you can't really say it was improperly made.

Perhaps if you had any level of reading comprehension you would have picked up that I myself question a persons ability to prepare a quality product without having any appreciation for it. To suggest that my comments were an attempt to excuse anyone is not justified. My point is that Starbucks faces a dilemma that they are becoming victims of their own success. The popularity of the brand is eclipsing its original strategy of providing a relaxed "coffee house" setting.

Perhaps however, you're comments are based on the premise that you are just an unhappy individual that finds some kind of joy in trying to berate others and pass judgement, just one of that miserable 10% that finds it necessary to try to to try to compensate for their insecurities and make their own pitiful lives more bearable by targeting others.

I can't say this is the cause for the coffee place you go to but I work for Caribou and Corporate changed our coffee batches so now we make less coffee. It really sucks, to say the least. Our regular coffees for the evening run out after literally 2 Larges. Customers have to wait longer for us to brew more so I really don't think it was the greatest idea....

$5 coffee drinks = A FOOL AND THEIR MONEY

What good is buying a high quality bean when you phuck it up by over-roasting it til it's bitter, burnt and tastes like crap ? No matter which variety you purchase they all taste exactly the same... DISGUSTING.

Good question. Probably explains why we both don't like their coffee.

always true...

Nicely put, Michael!

If its over minimum wage in your state then yes it is good pay.. because your not factoring in the medical, dental, vision coverage, 401k, stock options, stock buying program, tuition reimbursements, life insurance, paid time off, Employee Assiatance program (including the CUP fund to help baristas in need), Adoption assistance, reimbursement for those that commute (use public transport), end of phase bonuses, and income protection for partners living in areas that are or have experienced natural disasters.

It's minimum wage (10 cents over). As for those other benefits you mention, they only apply to those working more hours than he does. He's also in College.

I'll take Barnie's over BarSux any day of the week.

Yes! You wait your freaking turn. It's the only FAIR way to do things. You want your tea quicker? Show up earlier.

johoo, you need to relax on all the wait your turn comments. It sounds like you had issues with kids cutting in line during grade school or something.

Well put, Brett. Seriously johoo, calm down. And by the way, coffee shops aren't about "what's fair". They're about serving the customer in a timely manner. So if other drinks are made faster than your frilly vanilla frappachino then they will be handed out so they don't sit there. For one, Americano shots will oxidate and taste bad if they sit, plus iced teas will melt. Two, you should get a regular coffee if you don't want other orders handed out before yours'.....

Thank you for a reasoned and intelligent post...and I completely agree...

When Starbucks broadcast that they were pulling the "tall" from their menu, I told my wife that I could GUARANTEE that they didn't market-test that brilliant idea...a couple of days later, the poor "tall" was back in the game...

Rather than unilaterally rolling out some profit-enhancing nonsense under the guise of good service, why not test it in a few markets, or do some focus group sampling? Amazing that an international company lacks such fundamental business sense, especially in the age of instant customer feedback via social media...

Thanks again for a good post...

The stock value DID rise as a result of this new policy.. ..just saying one stockholder to another.

I agree FatesWorn, as a barista myself it is very annoying when people just walk up and assume the drink sitting there is their's. We always call our drinks out, always. And it makes it more stressful on us when we have to re-make a drink because a customer grabbed a drink without verifying plus the customer with that drink has to wait even longer! So customers, please keep in mind that if you're going to walk away from the counter and come back to please verify the drink sitting there is your's!! It will make everyone's lives much easier!

@Johoo Maybe you should move to Brazil since you are so competative about who get's theirs first. The only time I get upset when someone comes in after me is when I have to wait 30 minutes for an order of hambergers with my friends and the people who came after us get theirs in 10 for the same size and type order.

It was no joke...15 minutes on my order. I was amazed HOM. As I noted, my wife at one time worked for Starbucks, so I am very familiar with how the stores work. This store was in the burbs of Philly (Chestnut Hill). Even if the line is going out the door for people that want to place an order, you will never see two baristas working to make the drinks. Usually there is one employee standing around with a broom or emptying trashcans that do not need to be empty while there's a line out the door of customers.

The other problem I always have had at Starbucks is when they pull the shot and allow it to sit for a few minutes creating a bitter shot for a drink.

I would rather have my Dunkin's beans grinded at home and made into a coffee or go to DD's, 7-11, WaWa or Seattles Finest at this point.

If it was not for the gift card, I would never have entertained getting a coffee at this or any Starbucks.

Seriously....I like gas station coffee better. Here in the south the best coffee comes from Parkers, Hess or Gate. I've NEVER had a bad cup of coffee from any of these places. Actually I think the BEST coffee is from Daily's. ( and I'd much rather spend .99 - $1.49 ).