Don’t forget – all Starbucks are going to be closed today at 5:30 for barista retraining.
Not that there aren’t a million other locations to grab a non-fat mocha, but you might have to walk an extra block to get to one of them. If you aren’t used to the indie shops, this may be your chance to check on out. Go to Top Pot and get a doughnut. Go to Bauhaus and feel a little self conscious about your wide leg jeans. Go to Vivace and look out over the park. Go to Victrola and then pop into the Eagle for a beer. Or, go to Peet’s and you can have your usual commercial experience.
Or, go find a happy hour and drink your tired eyes away.
What do you think they’re getting trained to do?
Sell, sell, sell, and up-sell.
So, what happened? What was the subject of the training?
Here is a comment from Starbucks Gossip that may shed some light. Otherwise, most customers seem to think it’s purely a marketing scheme.
“I am a Barista at a store in Salt Lake City, Utah. Even though it was sort of entertaining to see high school kids try to get in our store after the doors were locked, i still feel bad for our dedicated regulars that had to suck it up and wait until 9pm when we opened back up. The training mainly consisted of Uncle Howard reminding us why we do what we do, re-learning how to properly steam milk, and pulling the “perfect shot.” I’ve been with the company for 5 years, in my third year they cancelled my health insurance when i decided to go back to school and couldnt keep up with the minimum required hours. I have seen my stock dip into pathetic territory and i have had my to deal with what we call “outside hires” being brought in as Assistant Managers. I truly feel that if corporate started putting focus on needs of employees again (as it used to be) the drinks, customer service, rapport would all work itself back into excellance.”
I thought they had robotic coffee makers anyways. Did they have to load a new operating system?
I was thinking the same thing, Matt. Three hours to learn how to push a button better?