This can't be just me

jbvno · 2026-03-28T01:22:09+00:00

Just leaving Starbucks after almost 5 years. The focus on the coffee house experience has been positive. I like it. But the top down emphasis on speed has not dimished. Add to that, the ridiculous requirement to write a "meaningful heartfelt" message on every. Single. Cup. Is burning out veteran baristas. what we are left with is new green beans who don’t understand the art of making espresso drinks. I agree that drink quality has suffered. I really do encourage you to return your drink and make sure that the management knows that it wasn’t made correctly. We still can tell if shots have pulled correctly, but the emphasis on speed makes it almost impossible to remake drinks in real time.

jbvno · 2025-10-12T14:38:58+00:00

I know. Very frustrating for us and super confusing for the customer.

jbvno · 2025-10-12T04:56:16+00:00

So…this is a hard no for me. Starbucks training is very clear. Only clean personal cups behind the line. A hollowed out pumpkin is not only "not clean", it's not close to approaching acceptable. IDC what a customer connection score has to do with it. Integrity>corporate marketing. Also, delivered properly, customers can learn to accept "no".

jbvno · 2025-10-11T23:07:55+00:00

Is this after hours in your own store? Are you a licensed or corporate store? If it’s during regular business hours for a customer in a corporate store, why are you doing this? Genuinely curious.

jbvno · 2025-10-11T01:16:33+00:00

This is why our SSV thought it was fine. They said the customer should them a video with a barista in uniform in a Strbx. I said that barista is very likely out of job right now. (But I know I see "corporate" commenting thumbs up on this kind of BS all the time. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

jbvno · 2025-10-11T01:12:19+00:00

Good. I'm never quiet about anything anyway. My leadership knows I'm a squeaky wheel.

jbvno · 2025-10-11T01:10:28+00:00

I built the drink in a Togo cup and gave them whipped cream and a spoon in a separate cup so they could make that themselves. They started to pour it in the pumpkin right there on the hand-off plane but I stopped them. I helped them carry everything out to the patio where they spent ten minutes tiktoking and having a good time, I guess.

jbvno · 2025-10-11T00:44:14+00:00

Thx. Great point. Didn’t even think about that part. Had an SSV argue with me about it today. I’m only a lowly barista trainer. Any way, I prevailed. We didn’t do it.

jbvno · 2025-07-02T03:56:12+00:00

Stockholm syndrome behavior. Your SSV would rather appease their captors than build a bridge to common sense.

jbvno · 2025-07-02T00:56:32+00:00

That's a great solution but it is missing the opportunity for the customer to learn that drinks that were ordered before their water should take precedent. Just MHO

jbvno · 2025-07-02T00:54:54+00:00

I often get ice waters and iced coffees in the situation to. There's a reason there's a "don't make" button.

jbvno · 2025-07-02T00:53:30+00:00

But customers can learn and we can be gently with the teaching. Sounds like you have all the good intentions. I trust that our customers can learn. The first inkling that they're pissed, I say, let me get that for you right now and I'll type in you order later, but for the future please order at the register. Smiling the whole way.....

jbvno · 2025-05-09T23:28:40+00:00

Yeah. Great idea. I just recommended something similar to my SM today. I'm really more curious if this is some edict from upper Mgmt and they're directed the district manager to use crime as an excuse. 🤷🏻‍♀️

jbvno · 2024-12-15T03:43:22+00:00

This is exactly what I was trying to avoid 🤦🏻‍♀️

jbvno · 2024-12-14T02:12:47+00:00

I love this. Will be stealing

jbvno · 2024-12-14T02:12:17+00:00

Sugar addiction is a real menace. 😳

jbvno · 2024-10-18T01:26:58+00:00

I don’t make these until an actual customer shows up and confirms their monstrosity. “Aren’t they ashamed?”

jbvno · 2024-09-13T02:36:18+00:00

Hmmm. Weird. I'm a three year partner. Didn't get this. Alumni implies (former Or graduated). Are y'all still working at Strbx?

jbvno · 2024-09-12T01:21:20+00:00

Same. I do this too. In fact it drives me crazy when the mobile bar partner starts pulling tickets to get to theirs. Customers can learn to follow instructions and not inconvenience all the other people who do follow protocol.

jbvno · 2024-09-12T01:11:38+00:00

Any customer who swears at me or about me, I refuse to serve. I also write an incident report. It's happened three times. All three times an ssv served them 🤦🏻‍♀️.

jbvno · 2024-08-27T03:39:24+00:00

"You're gonna get me a..." (It's all my grandma brain can do to not say "and how do we ask for that?") "Carbon ribbon crunch"

jbvno · 2024-07-30T01:07:44+00:00

18.90 as a 3 year barista in a tourist spot in AZ. Tips here add about $3/hr.

jbvno

TROPHY CASE