Jeff the Great's Frustration with Starbucks Continues

Its no surprise that I have a love/hate relationship with Starbucks. I love most of their drip coffee but hate what has become of their customer service. Not to mention I hate the new "Pikes Place" blend, its worse than truck stop coffee!

This morning I showed up at Starbucks and ordered a venti coffee like I always do. I asked for the alternate blend (because Pikes is the default blen now at all stores) and as per usual, they didn't have any of the alternate blend brewed at the moment...it was a 5 minute wait. They seem to NEVER have the alternate brew ready.

Then this evening I was driving home from my sisters house that is about 100 miles away, so I went to a Starbucks drive-thru and ordered a venti half decaf coffee. When I pulled up to the window to pay I was told that per a new Starbucks policy, after 5pm each day they only brew decaf on demand. It would be a few minute wait if I wanted half decaf.

There are a few problems here:

1. Its not really on demand if I have to wait for it!
2. The idea of not having decaf available after 5pm makes no sense. The only time most people I know drink decaf is at night!

So I was told that if I didn't want to wait, they would give me a half decaf Americano for the price of a regular coffee. After agreeing to the offer, I commented that I should be charged less since an Americano isn't what I wanted. The barista was confused and said "I am charging you less, an Americano is more!" I explained that I know how much an Americano is but my point is that when someone wants a coffee, anything else is infirior. An Americano provides less value to me than a coffee does, dispite what the menu prices are.

She didn't get it. So I took my half decaf venti Americano, paid her for a venti coffee and drove off knowing that she is going to have a tough time in life.

Jeff the Great

Jeff the Great: "Stupid is as Stupid Does"

Not sure why but I seem to come across stupid people, saying and doing stupid things, just about every day. Maybe its me, I mean common sense might be too much to ask for.

This morning I went to Starbucks for my usual venti drip coffee with walking room. Now, I hate the new Pike Place blend...its about 1 step above 3 hour old Denny's coffee if you ask me. Starbucks knows this, they created the new blend to appeal to a wider audience, those that aren't into the strong premium coffee we drink up here in the Northwest.

I normally ask for the 'alternate brew.' They almost NEVER have a pot of it to sell to me. So, I end up with the hated Pike Place blend. Today when I asked for the alternate brew they again told me they didn't have enough for a venti.

I said to the Starbucks employee: "Why is it that you never have enough of the alternate brew when I ask for it?"

His response: "Oh, that's because we only brew enough for about 2 cups of coffee."

Are you kidding me?! I didn't care what the actual answer was, I was trying to make a point! Does it take a rocket scientist to figure out that maybe you should brew more?

He was so proud of himself for answering the question. Little did he understand that he looked like an idiot.

-Jeff the Great

Costco is Brainwashing You

Have you ever spent any time thinking about Costco and the rituals we go through when shopping there? Specifically, the idea of stopping as you exit and showing your receipt to a Costco employee so they can put a pink mark on it?

Why do we stop at the door and get our receipt checked? Do you do that at a department store or the grocery store? Does the local mini-mart check your pockets when you leave? So why do we do it at Costco?

We do it because that is how it's always been done. We do it because Costco puts employees at the exit and tells them to do it.

So do you have to stop? Does Costco have the legal right to make you stop? What would happen if you just kept on walking? Why do we sometimes wait in a long line of other exiting shoppers just to be checked for stolen goods? I'm not a criminal, are you?

Today I was leaving Costco after purchasing a bouquet of flowers for my wife. I don't really mind stopping as long as there is no line and the employees are ready for me at the door. Today the two employees at the exit were busy talking to each other and after extending out my receipt to them with no response back, I kept on walking out. My feet didn't skip a step...just kept on walking.

What happened next surprised me. One of the employees followed me out, yelling "excuse me sir, excuse me! Did you get your receipt marked?" I turned around and said "nope, you weren't paying attention" and kept on walking to my car. I looked back a few steps later and she was standing there almost in shock that I didn't let her mark my receipt.

Costco is not only brainwashing their employees, they are brainwashing us. I'd love to see a national "Don't stop for the receipt markers at Costco" day. Anyone with me?

Can You Hear Jeff the Great Now? Good!

I know I am a couple weeks behind on this news story, but I love what Sprint is doing! They recently announced that they will be dropping around 1,000 of their customers! That's right, telling them "bu bye!"

The thought is that they can provide better customer service to the majority of their subscribers if they drop the 1,000 most time consuming, annoying, and flat out pain in the ass customers!

So as I have written in the past, the customer isn't always right!

-Jeff the Great

Jeff the Great has '10 items or less'

I stopped into a local grocery store the other day, the rare mom and pop kind of place that still offers to help you out with your bags (they really do...I actually saw a bag boy helping someone out to their car today!).

I usually try to go to this place so that my dollars stay local. I was on my way home from work, anxious to be on the couch with a beer, but decided to take the extra time to go to the local store rather than 7-11. I grabbed my beer, a couple limes, and headed to the checkout.

That's where this story gets interesting. Lucky me, I find a checkout with the bright yellow open sign on, no line and two employee's standing there. I set my stuff down and am greeted with "Sorry, I'm closed."

"You don't look very closed to me" I said, expecting her to start ringing me up. "You'll" have to go to another checker" she said as she pointed to the 3 lines of at least 8 people each at the other end of the store.

Are you kidding me? I drove out of my way for this? I walked down to another register and began to wait in line. After waiting a minute and not moving, I suggested to the employee behind that counter that she might want to call a manager for help (what a crazy idea, huh?). She did so, and when the manager arrived she SHE TOOK THE TWO PEOPLE BEHIND ME to the register she was opening!

Is it just me or would common sense have said you take the people that are waiting the longest. I expressed my displeasure and I was met with blank stares.

So why should I bother going out of my way for the local business? 7-11's are located conveniently, I never wait more than 60 seconds in line, and most importantly I'm in and out without having to deal with stupid people. No wonder mom and pop shops are disappearing by the dozens.

Innovate or die. For me, it's the 7-11 or the self checkout at the big box.

-Jeff the Great