If you do not like the taste of any of their dozen or so roasted beans, then at
least you have tried to introduce your taste buds to new experiences beyond the
ever-so-Canadian “Double –Double” (which is a disgusting way to drink coffee
under any circumstances). Every so often I run into a person who complains
about the price of Starbucks, even if they have never tried their product; e.g.:
“… I heard they charge $5.00 for a coffee – they should be reported…”. To these
people I suggest you do your own investigation into the reality of prices.
Starbucks just raised their price for a cup of Joe – by a whole penny (which does not even exist in Canada, so nobody even noticed) but they are still within a dime of what Timmies charges for similar quantity for an inferior product. Yes, for a toonie and tax you can have the equivalent of a large Tim’s – not $5 that the uninformed complain about.
If you want something like a coffee milkshake (vs. just coffee) you can pay $5 or more, for one of the drinks that barely resemble a real cup of heaven.
Starbucks just raised their price for a cup of Joe – by a whole penny (which does not even exist in Canada, so nobody even noticed) but they are still within a dime of what Timmies charges for similar quantity for an inferior product. Yes, for a toonie and tax you can have the equivalent of a large Tim’s – not $5 that the uninformed complain about.
If you want something like a coffee milkshake (vs. just coffee) you can pay $5 or more, for one of the drinks that barely resemble a real cup of heaven.
However
I have an issue with Starbucks “star rewards” system that
sounds good on paper, but in some cases are only words on paper and do
not reflect my reality. The concept is simple: you buy 12 drinks (earning 12
stars) with one of their reloadable gift cards in a year, and you get a free
one, however the free drink is added electronically to your gift card, and only
select stores will redeem the gifts. I am fortunate enough to have a Starbucks
within walking distance of my home/office, so I earn a couple of free drinks a
month, however, the store where I get my coffee is unable to redeem the free
drinks, discounts on food, free refills, or my birthday drink, because they are
located in a grocery store. The closest
Starbucks that can redeem my free coffee is about 400KM (250 miles) away. When
I call the Starbucks customer service line, they will add a $5.00 credit to my
card for every free drink I am unable to redeem prior to the 30 day expiration.
Not a bad deal if you don’t mind waiting on the phone for a couple of hours for
the customer service people to get around to your call.
Last week I made the grievous error of writing to their customer service email address to request the compensation for the missed benefits. I explained very carefully that the three closest Starbucks (between walking distance and 370KM) were not able to redeem the “stars”. Multiple emails later, from a variety of customer “service” people, Starbucks is still insisting that I do not know where the Starbucks locations are and send me a link to their store locater page, and that all of the store can redeem the stars. In my latest reply I provided Starbucks customer “service” the telephone numbers of the three closest Starbucks locations to me and challenged them to call the stores to ask about their star redemption policies.
YES! I could wait on the phone for a couple of hours and talk to a real person instead of waiting the 48 to 72 hours between emails from people who have no idea what they are talking about, but by now there is an educational principle involved. Starbucks Customer “service” people need to be educated in the reality beyond the scope of their cubicle, and one way or another I intend to assist with that education.
Last week I made the grievous error of writing to their customer service email address to request the compensation for the missed benefits. I explained very carefully that the three closest Starbucks (between walking distance and 370KM) were not able to redeem the “stars”. Multiple emails later, from a variety of customer “service” people, Starbucks is still insisting that I do not know where the Starbucks locations are and send me a link to their store locater page, and that all of the store can redeem the stars. In my latest reply I provided Starbucks customer “service” the telephone numbers of the three closest Starbucks locations to me and challenged them to call the stores to ask about their star redemption policies.
YES! I could wait on the phone for a couple of hours and talk to a real person instead of waiting the 48 to 72 hours between emails from people who have no idea what they are talking about, but by now there is an educational principle involved. Starbucks Customer “service” people need to be educated in the reality beyond the scope of their cubicle, and one way or another I intend to assist with that education.
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