http://biz.yahoo.com/apf/010925/attacks_starbucks_2.html I've got mixed emotions, I hardly went there anyway. But I think I will. To their credit, they did refund the money and donate a million bucks.
I'm glad I don't drink coffee... Actually, I wouldn't hold it against the corporation. It seems like one store was out of line, but the organization attempted to rectify things. It's one thing to do something and then act like nothing is wrong, but I gotta give them some credit for standing up and admitting they were wrong.
After thinking about it, I can't really blame them. The corporation itself obviously didn't know what was going on, but the workers had to be torn. If they didn't charge them there is a chance they could get fired. There are companies now under fire for firing people for helping in disasters. Phoenix Marine is under fire because they fired a guy for ferrying people away from the disaster. It's a tough situation.
Everything is all good now...afterwards, but is it really? We've all seen pictures of NYC immediately following the terrorist attack. I wonder where the Starbucks employees had been during the attack. Did they not step outside and see everyone running in fear? Did they not see rescue workers needing assistance? What if the rescue workers did not have $130? The easiest thing for the company to do is to donate $1 million dollars and write a letter of apology. I hope I wouldn't be thinking "damn, if I give these rescue workers free bottled water, I could lose my job." I hope I would be doing everything I possibly could to help the rescue workers. I'm not saying to give the employees pink slips, but that is some major insensitivity. I don't drink coffee either, but there are lots of other alternatives to Starbucks at every corner. I'd rather support them.
Smokey, I totally agree with you that the actions of the employees were dispicable. I guess my point was just that I didn't think their actions were because of Starbucks Corporate Policy. There should be some sort of Good Samaritan Law to protect people's jobs during a crisis time like that. It's sickening to think that someone would get fired for helping their fellow man.
3fingered, or it could be this guy, and we don't know if he was the manager or just some minimum wage person, was just being a prick. Some people are like that, even in the worst imaginable times. I commend Starbucks for their efforts, though a million and 130 dollars isnt' much of a hit for them. They also helped with the relief efforts and closed the next day. My only problem may be that Starbucks didn't act quick enough to squelch the public criticism. Eitehr that, or this is old news.
My only problem may be that Starbucks didn't act quick enough to squelch the public criticism. Eitehr that, or this is old news. [/B][/QUOTE] That's true... definitely.
I've been effectively boycotting Starbucks for years. I've never purchased anything at any one of their numerous locations (and there are at least six Starbucks within 2 miles of my apartment). But if I was a Starbucks customer, I would probably stop going now. The company only responded after the story hit the airwaves. When the people involved tried to get an appropriate response from the company, Starbucks wasn't interested in talking with them and essentially blew them off. While they did eventually make things right, they didn't do it out of the goodness of their hearts. They did it because they were trying to quell the bad press. While doing the right thing for the wrong reason is likely better than doing nothing at all, it still doesn't make up for their attitude before the story hit the press.
Maybe I can splash you with water to wire you down, eh? btw, that's $9,415.03 ....you owe me. Pay up!
Yeah, I'm glad there's also a bank in my apartment complex, I had to take out a loan before ordering my mocha.
