It's really Not the same thing....

[surfergirl602]

WOW!!! The whole point of decaf is that its decaffeinated!! Not watered down!

What the heck are they thinking?!?!? I would be sending corporate an email or a phone call or something. That is outrageous.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

You are the second person I have read about this happening to recently, the other person didn't go to Starbucks, but Idon't remember where they went.

I know when I worked for a neurologist he recommended that his Migraine suffers avoid caffeine at all costs. I know other doctors for one reason or another have patients that should avoid caffeine, illness/medication interaction. Something like this could potentially make someone very sick and they may not even know why.

I personally can't tell a difference in taste, unless of course it was watered down and I probably would have literally spit it everywhere.

Suzanne

 

[CathrynRose]

I know when I worked for a neurologist he recommended that his Migraine suffers avoid caffeine at all costs. I know other doctors for one reason or another have patients that should avoid caffeine, illness/medication interaction. Something like this could potentially make someone very sick and they may not even know why.

I wonder why? Maybe because a lot of migraine meds have caffeine in them, already?

Anyways.... sorry..... carry on. I've been derailing threads today.

 

[chisnpeke]

Email them and complain. They will send you a gift card. I had to do it once for a different reason and they sent me two vouchers.

That is insane. I would have made a scene. $4.00 for a cup of coffee is already outrageous but to make it WATERED down is just pathetic.

 

[chisnpeke]

I wonder why? Maybe because a lot of migraine meds have caffeine in them, already?

Anyways.... sorry..... carry on. I've been derailing threads today.

It is interesting because excedrine migraine has caffeine in it. I get migraines and was told they are caused by the blood vessels contracting so it might have to do with that. Odd though.

 

[TinkerBell22]

When stores buy the franchise from starbucks they are buying the equipment & supplies but sign a contract that they will adhere to starbucks business policies & quality of product in order to use the starbucks name. The contract also states that starbucks has the right to suspend or shut down the instore location if they violate they contract. They can only sell starbucks products & approved ways of making such products.
I worked at a grocery chain that bought seven starbucks franchises for local stores, so I've read the contracts & had to make sure the employees followed starbucks policies. Starbucks corporate trainers/managers make regular visits, scheduled & surprise to check on the instores & can write up for violations and or shut them down.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I wonder why? Maybe because a lot of migraine meds have caffeine in them, already?

Anyways.... sorry..... carry on. I've been derailing threads today.

Because it can dehydrate you and that can cause migraines in some people. Also sometimes chocolate and caffeine are just a trigger like wine or other things and they don't know why. I remember when my son was having migraines the neuro told us ds had to be super hydrated, even more than most people and it really did help keep them away.

OP that is so gross! I can't believe he was too lazy to make you a new pot. It is policy not to brew it all the time, just to make a pot when asked so it doesn't go to waste.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

That's amazing that anyone would think watered-down regular was equal to decaf. Like another poster said, you're still getting 1/2 a cup of regular!

Both of my parents are on medication that regulates their heartbeats. They avoid caffeine like the plague because even just a little can cause their hearts to speed up to uncomfortable levels. It's not a life-threatening condition but causes them much anxiety and discomfort.

I think that "policy" is not only unethical but potentially dangerous. Most people order decaf for a reason. If there isn't any available, they should be told and given the option to order something else or go elsewhere.

It also got me to thinking - I always order decaf lattes at all hours of the day and they make the decaf espresso right then. They don't try to pass off regular! If this particular Starbucks doesn't sell much decaf after noon, perhaps they should make an 1/8 or a 1/4 of a pot at a time so it doesn't sit too long or go to waste.

 

[monkeybug]

writing to starbucks would be useless, you have to write to target. All it is is a frnachisee location, it has nothing to do with corprate starbucks other then they bought the name and brand for target stores.

Really? That must have changed recently then.
I worked for a major grocery store chain. We added a Starbucks to our store, and because it would fall under the department I managed I had to staff it (with our people), and learn how to do what the people I would be supervising had to do (can't make sure people are doing their job if you don't know what their job is). Starbucks (corporate) sent in two people to train us, and it was made very clear that we were to follow their procedures. They taught us about coffee in general, and how to make the drinks according to starbucks guidelines. Including how to drizzle the caramel and mocha!
They sent in secret shoppers from time to time to make sure we were running it properly.
If a complaint came in to them about my location, I was told about it, and I know for a fact that in one instance they issued a gift card (forgetting that at that time grocery locations didn't accept starbucks gift cards. I gave the customer a gift card for our store, and she kept the starbucks issued one...so twice the free coffee for her!)
You can bet corporate Starbucks cared a whole lot how we were presenting their brand!!!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Because it can dehydrate you and that can cause migraines in some people. Also sometimes chocolate and caffeine are just a trigger like wine or other things and they don't know why. I remember when my son was having migraines the neuro told us ds had to be super hydrated, even more than most people and it really did help keep them away.

OP that is so gross! I can't believe he was too lazy to make you a new pot. It is policy not to brew it all the time, just to make a pot when asked so it doesn't go to waste.

Exactly, what I was going to say. We had people who completely cut out caffeine, no more migraines.

Suzanne

 

[SandrA9810]

I would definatly assume coorperate starbucks would have some say in the matter. Even with a McD's, all the food has to be prepped and taste the exact same way as the next location. Or else it wouldn't be a McD's.

They can't just use a name to do their own thing, there's still standards that have to be set.


I work at a franchised store, and from the original store in Denver to this store, a customer walking in must be able to order the same exact item and have it taste exactly the same way.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I would definatly assume coorperate starbucks would have some say in the matter. Even with a McD's, all the food has to be prepped and taste the exact same way as the next location. Or else it wouldn't be a McD's.

They can't just use a name to do their own thing, there's still standards that have to be set.


I work at a franchised store, and from the original store in Denver to this store, a customer walking in must be able to order the same exact item and have it taste exactly the same way.

Obviously, you haven't read about the new menu for the McD's in Italy

Suzanne

 

[MIGrandma]

Some people can't handle caffeine, like with me it causes heart palpitations. I would be very upset if I ordered decaf coffee and was given a half cup of regular coffee with half a cup of water.

 

[golfgal]

It doesn't even make any sense. I would imagine AFTER noon is when most people might need or want the decaf.

I want coffee that has expresso bean chunks in it, first thing in the morning - not before bed. (not really - but you know what I mean...)

That's disgusting. Write to Starbucks.

This would make sense to me too

writing to starbucks would be useless, you have to write to target. All it is is a frnachisee location, it has nothing to do with corprate starbucks other then they bought the name and brand for target stores.

Actually, it might not be useless. I am sure that corporate would want to know how their product's image is being tarnished by their largest franchisee. If the practice is found to be prolific enough, it might even be enough to pull the franchise.

Exactly!!

 

[Planogirl]

I'm wondering if you can use Starbucks gift cards at Target.

I ask because I discovered that you can't at Barnes & Noble and the explanation was the B&N buys the right to use the Starbucks name and products but Starbucks themselves have nothing to do with the cafes. I THOUGHT that I once used a Starbucks card at Target but I might be crazy. If I did then I would think that Starbucks is actually still involved with the Target locations.

Personally, I would contact both Starbucks and Target about this.

 

[Planogirl]

Also, why was your coffee so expensive? I pay two dollars for a large tea and I thought that coffee was priced the same.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Doesn't that still have caffeine in it, watered down or not? That's false advertising! I would be upset, too. What a rip-off.

Not only that it is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Literallly there are people allergic to caffeine and take it on faith that what they are ordering is meets their dietary concerns.

 

[taitai]

This is neither a Starbucks policy nor a Target policy. I can assure you all Starbucks within Target stores are required to follow Starbucks rules. This is simply the case of an employee or a manager going rogue. It is very wrong. Speak to the store Team Lead and make sure they handle the situation. The guy was a moron and I would be livid if it happened to me.

While you can buy Starbucks gift cards at Target, many Targets do not let you actually cash them in. A perverse policy but it has to do with the fact that it really is all Target and they don't have the Starbucks system within the little cafes.

 

[ginna74]

Maybe if I told myself drinking diet coke was water then I would loose a lot of weight, same thing with my milk obsession.
I'ts WATER
I'ts WATER

no really how can watered down coffee be magicly morphed into decaf???

 

[Sleepy]

Obviously, you haven't read about the new menu for the McD's in Italy

Suzanne

Are you talking about the new burger, the McItaly? Nothing American about that one.

Ok, back to coffee.