A few Starbucks Challengers‘ve reported that they were told they were being served Cafe Estima — Starbucks’ only fair trade certified blend — but that they weren’t sure if this was true.
For ex, Larry was told in an LA Starbucks that Cafe Estima wasn’t being brewed today, then told that the coffee labelled Verona was actually Estima. Hmmm…
Now Starbucks Gossip reports that one customer was told by a barista in Manhattan: “We’ve been asking them to send us some [Estima] for days but they won’t send us any and they won’t let us change the sign, so we’re brewing espresso instead. We’re not supposed to be telling people.”
Hmmm…. I’m hoping this kind of deception’s only happening at a small number of Starbucks with managers that’re just not nice.
Lotsa reports about un-nice Starbucks managers today: At least one district manager in Portland seems to be anti-biking. Fabian Mills(right) quit his job as manager of a Starbucks store after he was told by his district manager that it was inappropriate for him to ride his bike. WTF?
Starbucks apparently wouldn’t comment on the issue, citing privacy concerns.
Just a reminder to patronize your local indie coffee shop :)
Biking discouraged in Portland of all places? I would think that their restrictive zoning would almost necessitate biking around. Where’s the room for cars there? Odd indeed.
Comment by Fletch — October 20, 2006 @ 7:32 pm
Well, Starbucks finally responded, saying they were more concerned about Fabian’s “dishevelled” look. That led to 37 comments (and counting), many saying they don’t buy Starbucks’ line. Biking’s gonna involve a lil more dishevelment than car ridin’, after all –
Comment by Siel — October 24, 2006 @ 11:46 pm