Vouchers…? Says it all. Keep increasing the price, but give away more vouchers! The high volume stores are worse, their machines aren’t dialled in properly or cleaned frequently enough.
Staff don’t know a coffee from a coke, and probably don’t care as they all drink latte. Well, we all know what latte means: MILK!!! But where’s the coffee?
Japan’s wasn’t better either. It’s not a Taiwan thing. The chain is showing more than just growing pains. It’s showing a cavalier attitude to its products: instant coffee (hey, nescafe!), automated coffee machines (hey, coffee slop), … There is a lot to fix in Starbucks if they ever want to restore its ‘vibe’.
- Workers are not happy.
- Customers are not happy.
- Investors are going to take fright/flight!
My own experience: Well, the last three times I’ve been in Starbucks… I ordered an Americano. There is NOTHING to hide behind when you make it. No sugar, no cream, no flavorings or toppings. If you get it wrong, it’s wrong.
Each and every time, it’s been watery, fiercely hot, served in inappropriate cups (paper or outsize mugs), without any milk to be added. On first taste, it tasted insipid, flavorless, burnt, and way way too bitter. After the water cooled off a bit, it tasted better. But the volatile compounds that provide flavor were all killed by the super hot water.
Even with humble supermarket coffee, I can make a better cup and save $80 each and every time. In fact, when even convenience store coffee tastes better, why… Starbucks, why do you do this to perfectly good coffee?