So this guy has the REAL Starbucks story.I've been going to the Trenholm Plaza Starbucks regularly for a while now.
About a year ago, more than five new Starbucks opened, and the quality of our Starbucks, particularly customer service, suffered greatly.
Personable baristas who'd become a big part of the experience were sent to the new locations, and replaced with cookie cutter coffee kids, who didn't seem to care whether you were there or not.
The store was rearranged every other week.
Once, the barista with the key just didn't show up, and the store was 45 minutes late opening!
Take away the great customer service, comfort and regularly god experiences, and you just have coffee, which you can get anywhere.
At least in Columbia, the rapid growth diluted the Starbucks experience, and they don't seem to be able to recapture it.
I also think the pseudo-Starbucks in Target, Barnes and Noble have weakened the brand. These stores are "leased," and their staff doesn't have the training that "real" Starbucks baristas received. A skinny vanilla latte purchased from a Target may or may not be the same thing you get at one of the company stores.
I'm hoping our Starbucks survives the 600 closings, but I'm more hopeful it returns to it's formerly great self.
1 comment:
I SOOOOOO agree!!!!! I'm anxious as to see where the 600 are....although I think the ones in Targets and B&N are safe, they said....
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