Starbucks...drops "tall" java from menu! Muzak's gotta go, too!

Starbucks insists that they dropped the "tall" size from their drive-thru menu because there was too much clutter.

In their heads, perhaps!

Frankly, my dears, it's all a gimmick to rustle up sales, if 'ya ask me!

The 16 oz Grande &  20 oz Venti are still in plain view.

Maybe the folks at headquarters in Seattle just figure that motorists need to slurp down larger quantities of java to get through the din of traffic each day?

Personally, I only order "tall", because being wired is not my cup of tea.

In fact, I usually order up a misto - with extra foam (I like moustaches that taste good, after all) - to soften the caffeinee blow a smidgen.

But, when you get right down to it, "tall" is actually "small" when you stand in next to the other two big sellers.

Or, so I thought, until today.

Did you know that Starbucks actually sells an 8 oz. cup of brew?

I wonder what they call it.

Mini-java, anyone?

Must be a state secret, or something, 'cause I don't believe I've ever caught hide-nor-tail of it 'til it got a splashy mention in the newspaper at the crack of dawn.

Ah, and that's the crux of it, really.

Publicity!

Starbucks is really crafty when it comes to revving up interest in product and sales.

Just pull a switcheroo to dredge up talk at the water cooler, now and then, eh?

On the heels of the java-talk, the leading coffee King also announced an expansion of at least 250 outlets.

Obviously, at Starbucks, the almighty bean is still King.

Now, if they would only tinker with that wimpy musak that filters through as background "noise" ad nauseam.

Is that some kind-of-wail of the Pacific Northwest kind?

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Starbucks...immature staff insult customers! Screwed priorities off-putting...

Times must be tough!

One upon a time, if you waltzed into Starbucks for a piping hot cup of java, you'd be treated to a smile and professional service.

Today, a customer should count themselves lucky if they don't get insulted, particularly if they zip into the Starbucks location in WeHo (across from 24-Hour fitness).

For starters, the barristas there go to great lengths to find novel ways to keep homeless people away (and out of) the comfortable environs of their precious little cafe in gay gulch.

In fact, I was so shocked at the way they mistreated the less fortunate, that I penned a post on the issue a few months ago along with a consumer alert.

Post:  06/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/06/starbucksdown-on-homeless-nope-no.html

Obviously,  management at Starbucks must have missed the searing critique, because not much as changed.

In fact, now the immature barristas at the leading (but slipping quickly) java outlet appear to have their sights on customers who pop into the outlet for a quick pick-me-up and pastry, too.

The staffers I am referring to are like a bunch of wide-eyed kids with their noses up against the window of the candy store anxious to get their grubby hands on the goodies in the window.

But, the spoils are just beyond their reach.

Tough ti**y!

So, they vent their anger on the privileged, to retaliate.

One gentleman - who drives a $300,000.00 Rolls Royce and is married to a well-known celebrity - is fodder for a bevy of cruel jokes they hurl his way (he, none the wiser).

The little green-eyed monsters tend to mistreat regulars, as well, simply because they are jealous of the objects of their disdain who drive up in fancy sportscars and the lastest fashion trends.

 I witnessed one pathetic Asian employee (the short plump one, not the affected Queen) walk away from the cashier when he spied a customer strolling in his direction to the counter.

The snub was obvious; in fact, another employee was forced to step in awkwardly and try to smooth over the troubled waters.

What prompted this rude inappropriate conduct? 

Pride, no doubt.

The dizzy barrista thinks he's too good to wait on some folks.

If that's the case, bozzo, take a hike!

Oh yes, the employees here are excited to pick up their paychecks each week, but when it comes to actually working for the cold-hard cash (i.e., waiting on people)  - if they had their druthers - they'd let 'em eat cake.

One nutso staffer who works on the counter (well, sort of!) tends to plop herself down alongside a customer or two unannounced during the course of her shift on a regular basis, in a bold-faced effort (I expect) to fool herself into thinking she's not actually toiling away for a couple of bucks an hour.

Ouch!

Consequently, patrons are forced to wait patiently until the little Princess gets off her fat a** and shifts her slovenly bod into higher gear.

Even still, she's a dreary mess!

A lot of these kids stream into town from the boondocks somewhere seeking their fortune & fame.

Unfortunately, they are a bunch of losers with no talent; consequently, the Hollywood dream never pans out.

So, they take it out on the customers, who they envy!

Bottom line, Starbucks employees in WeHo will shun customers who expound views they disagree with, wear the wrong gym shorts, support social or political causes they don't  hanker to, you name it..

Golly, I thought that when an individual worked for a company like Starbucks, they were reqiuired to leave all their personal "baggage" at the door and treat each customer equally (not discriminate unjustly at whim).

So, I called management at Starbucks, to verify their policy.

Right off-the-bat, a customer service rep assured me that they did not support the kind of inappropriate conduct I enlightened her about.

"All customers should be treated equally. You're right."

At this juncture, the pleasant spokesperson asssured me the District Manager would be having a few words with the  employees in question with the specific aim of getting their priorities straight.

Turns out - that being a squealer - can be profitable!

She promised to mail me a couple of free coupons for beverages on the house!

I trust that she'll also remember to inform those spoiled brats that customers never tip lazy barristas who "give attitude".

After all, no one in their right mind should reward insulting behaviour, eh?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Starbucks...glum faces on staff and no Christmas Spirit! Bah Humbug...

Lately, when I've strolled into Starbucks in West Hollywood, the experience has been a real bummer.

Maybe the night staff are just burnt out, who knows.

Customers have not only been encountering glum faces, but tend to be left waiting in line 'til self-absorbed disorganized staff get their butts in gear.

Normally, Starbucks employs pleasant out-going personnel, who provide service with a smile.

Now-a-days, their baristas are of the low-energy kind that man the counters at a handful of those other mediocre cafe outlets 'round town.

Notwithstanding, there is little holiday cheer inside the doors to write home about.

The only X-mas decorations I spied were those sprucing up products sprinkled about here and there in unimaginative displays on lacklustre shelves.

Yes, some things never change.

The Seattle-based coffee giant continues in their efforts to foist a myriad of goods on consumers (that they don't want or need) when they stride through the sterile doors.

No X-Mas tree. No twinkling lights.

And, nary a strain of a Christmas Carol overhead, aimed at lulling patrons into the warmth and joy of a pervasive holiday spirit which is evident elsewhere around the thriving metropolis.

Starbucks is being relegated to a lower status among coffee-lovers as a result.

Today, many patrons just slip in to check e-mail on the laptop, snap up a quick coffee on-the-go, then head off to cheerier climbs where the meaning of cozy hospitality is alive and well.

Uh-huh.

Starbucks is no longer a destination place to hook up with friends and while away an hour or two of good-natured fun.

If you ask me, Scrooge has hit Starbucks big time.

Bah Humbug!

Christmas Shopping ideas

http://www.julianayrs.com