The Starbucks Card Fiasco - Pt. II

In my last post, I mused about how I was apparently missing 2 free drink rewards that Starbucks had sent me. Apparently, they did show up on my account. So, I have to admit that the new process (wherein your rewards are electronically linked to your registered card) is better.

The manager at the local Starbucks, Andrew I. (@ the corner of W. Hastings & Howe St. in Vancouver) was very friendly to me when I told him I might've lost my 2 free coupons. He gave me a few extras for it, and basically, I'm more inclined to patronize his location whenever I am working nearby.

Still, I'm not impressed with Starbucks about their decision to screw their clientele over. And I learned how the corporation is making efforts to prevent you, the informed consumer, from stretching your java buck.

This past weekend, I went to Starbucks, and purchased two items:

• a blueberry bar;
• a peppermint mocha

Now, I always pay for my purchases with a registered Starbucks card. And as always, I decided to pay for the items separately. However, the barista told me that they are "not supposed to ring items through separately".

Well, I found this unacceptable, and so I told him, "Well, OK, I can get back in line, and order the 2nd item and pay for it, if you like." At that point, he just rang the drink and blueberry bar through separately. I mentioned to him that I was going to continue buying multiple items this way. Because, let's face it, getting a drink at Starbucks is a right, not a privilege. The company is fortunate to have us as clients, NOT the other way around.

If they decide to enforce this so-called "policy", I'll just take my business to another Starbucks. Sorry. I'm only concerned with my bottom line. Couldn't care less about Starbucks' needs.