<p>I was never a big fan of the caramel laced triple foam beverages, mostly from a calorie standpoint (you’d be better off with a Snickers bar) but sometimes I stop in for a mid-afternoon boost. The coffee is usually fresher than the kind you’d get at a deli. </p>
<p>This morning, I went in to my local Starbucks, and there were 2 ladies behind the register. Neither seemed interested in taking my order. I was the only customer before them. They were busy finishing their story about what one of them did last night. This wasn’t a quick retelling – it went on for several minutes. As one of them paused for breath, I said “tell me when you’re ready.” You think they would have offered to take my order then, but no – had to finish the rest of the story. Finally I got to order: tall skim latte. The girl drags out the words slo–o-o-o-owly, singing it, then the barista chimed it back to her. At that point, I walked out. I figured I’d wasted about 10 minutes in their store with no service.</p>
<p>Is it that hard for Starbucks to hire good workers? Do they just not care?</p>
<p>I used to go and get a Salted Caramel Mocha about once a week…largest. BUT when the price went to $6…I stopped. It is the only thing I like at Starbucks. I actually do NOT like their acidic coffee.</p>
<p>They should have a great pool of workers…they provide benefits to their young employees who work more than a certain number of hours.</p>
<p>I have two words for you “Dunkin Donuts”. They have really good coffee. Can’t speak to the workers, but I don’t think you’d get the Starbucks attitude.</p>
<p>I don’t drink coffee and if I did, I wouldn ever pay $5-6, but I see this attitude more and more. Please, I’ve already been waiting forever, but you just go ahead and finish your story…</p>
<p>We buy our pound bag of coffee (and have it ground) at Starbucks so we don’t get there too often, but the service is still great at our local place. We rarely go in for a prepared drink, but with a free drink coupon I recently ordered my very first frappuccino and thought it was potentially addictive.</p>
<p>. The only time I ever go to a Starbucks is when they are the only game in town- by that I mean it is easier to go there to get something to eat or drink than anyplace else. So I appreciate a little taste of home but I usually prefer non chain coffee shops.</p>
<p>I recently went to a shopping center by my daughters university to wait while she finished up studying, as I didn’t want to disturb her. I looked in the grocery store which had a deli, salad bar & Chinese hot food, but nothing was appealing. So I walked over to Starbucks to get a sandwich & some tea. They had just made a mistake, ( iced caramel coffee), that they offered me for free. I took it & gave it to my daughter. </p>
<p>I can’t think of any establishment that regularly has rude workers offhand, but I have walked out because I was impatient with the lines or just really couldn’t take that much time. Not lately though.</p>
<p>I don’t frequent places that don’t appreciate customers. I *love * the two local chain stores where I do 98% of my grocery shopping, but they are better than any national chains I have ever used so perhaps I am spoiled.</p>
<p>I like the non-chain experience too. There’s a terrific coffee place in Bennington VT. Whenever we were traveling anywhere near there we’d make a point of stopping. They are truly passionate about coffee (kind of like how Starbucks theoretically was when they started).</p>
<p>I’ve worked in retail. I understand that your co-workers help you get through the day. Listening to someone’s story seems like it’s the most important thing at the time – customers can wait – there will always be customers.</p>
<p>Until there aren’t customers, and guess what? No job either</p>
<p>abasket – at least you have one DD. We have none coming from Canada but we love their toasted almond coffee. Everytime we go visit our daughter we stop for one on the way in and again on the way out. We have even gone as far as have our D pick up a cup of coffee for us on her way home and we heat it when she gets here. The border guards love it ’ what are bringng into Canada— 2 coffee for my parents’ lol. They have actually asked us if we were bringing our own coffee back one time so dont let anyone tell you they dont keep tabs on who goes in and out. Going into the States one of the homeland security officials asked my D if she was going to perform in the upcoming musical and when she said yes he commented that I guess we will see your parents coming through soon with all your extra equipment. Our highlight of going down though is the Dunkin Donuts coffee. CAN’T stand starbucks</p>
<p>I think Starbucks still has very good service in our town. Unfortunately all the Starbucks wannabes in our town tend to be not as good and die a quick death. </p>
<p>I am grateful that Starbucks seems to have discontinued all their best desserts including the new line of less than 200 calorie snacks. The ones that are left hold no interest for me. Yay! I don’t go to Starbucks often, but did buy a bag of coffee recently since the most recent batch of French Roast from Fairway was tasteless.</p>
<p>If your issue is price, go to McDonalds - they have Newman’s Organics - pretty good coffee for $1. Free WiFi too. Dunkin should do free WiFi but they are so popular in New England that they don’t have to.</p>
<p>Hey- don’t you Canadians complain about not having DD! Two works- TIM HORTON’S! I love that place!</p>
<p>Our Starbucks (there are many here) still has good service, but we live in the south and people are nicer. Many years ago I developed a frappachino addiction (I don’t like coffee, generally) and practically needed a 12-step group to break it. I’ve pretty much switched to Sonic iced tea ($1 for a large) but my husband still has almost a one a day frappachino habit.</p>
<p>I was in a Starbucks by the U recently- and was tickled when the counter gal (who looked college age) said to the guy ahead of me, “The usual?” Just a nice touch. </p>
<p>I actually like McDonald’s coffee. And the price.</p>
<p>momofwildchild-- when our D first started in the states we told her to contact Tim Hortons and see how much a college type franchise would cost and also a beaver tail hut but she just laughed at me. Well last year they opened a Tim’s and by year end the line ups were out the door, thats OK cause it means we dont wait in line as long for Dunkin.</p>
<p>BCEagle91 for some reason that does not totally surprise me with all of the sugar and sweets in there. I like TH but I would not necessarily go out of my way for one unless the other option was starbucks. We got a free meal at applebees NYC in may when a cockroach decided to visit us at out table. I was fast enough to kill it and show it to the waitre.</p>
<p>I stopped drinking Starbucks lattes when we sent our daughter to a private high school; it did not quite offset the tuition bill. I occasionally get a latte these days, and the service at any of our three local stores is good.</p>
<p>Google “Starbucks Gossip Blog” and you will find a blog where Starbucks workers discuss company policies and moan (including about the customers!).</p>
Many years ago I developed a frappachino addiction (I don’t like coffee, generally) and practically needed a 12-step group to break it. I’ve pretty much switched to Sonic iced tea ($1 for a large) but my husband still has almost a one a day frappachino habit.</p>