Then and Now

My Turn.......................

I started thinking how I USED to feel when I walked in $tarbucks compared to how I feel NOW. I remember when I had to go out of my way to get a cup of coffee at $tarbucks, that in itself made it special. Then I got near the doors and I could smell that great coffee smell. And the atmosphere was wonderful, people visiting, working, students doing homework, I loved just being there. I knew I could grab a magazine or book and go escape for a little bit. The barista's were wonderful. You could tell that they truly enjoyed being there and loved their jobs. The barista's were ALWAYS sampling. I loved going occasionally and buying beans, I felt like a kid in a candy store. The barista's could tell you about the beans and they would be hand scooped in bags, weighed and a little sticker would be placed on the bag to seal it. I even miss the coffee passports. (ugh, I should have kept them)

Now when I go to $tarbucks, It's not fun, it's not relaxing. I'm wondering if I'm going to have to fight to get bold coffee. And if I do order an espresso drink is it going to be made right? I'm sick and tired of the up-sell, "would you like a "berry stella"? ugh... If I wanted a frigging berry stella don't you think I would have enough brains to order it? And my local store, which is about 4 years old, is so small and cramped it's not conducive to staying there and enjoying yourself for a few minutes. There is no sampling, and why buy the beans there when I could get them anywhere, maybe even at Target on the clearance rack. Alot of the barista's hate their jobs, the customers and being there, it shows in the service and drink quality. Heck most of them hate coffee, I've asked. And on top of all this the store doesn't even smell like coffee.

Going to $tarbucks is just not a "feel good" experience anymore. The whole $tarbucks experience is gone for me. Now it's herd them in, herd them out, no pride in service or drink quality. But really who are we kidding it is fast food and it's only going to get worse. The bottom line is the "dollar". But the shitty service and awful drink quality, I believe, will come back to bite them in the ass. Sales are down????? Please $tarbucks don't blame it on the economy.

Good Coffee Day to You..........

Your turn........... How to your compare your $tarbucks experience from "then" to "now"?