Tipping At Starbucks

[roliepolieoliefan]

Tipping is getting out of control. I also have a job that I work very hard at and no one tips me. No I would NEVER tip anyone at Starbucks or Subway. I think $3.00 for a cup of coffee is more than enough.

 

[Sleepy]

Originally posted by exDS vet
I go to McDonald's just like most people, and I've gotta say that you get what you pay for. I believe that great customer service in a service business deserves an extra reward. Compare someone pouring a cup of coffee at Mcdonald's to a Starbucks person, and I think you aren't seeing the bigger picture. Starbucks people can help you get a positive start to your day. They have personalities and are warm and welcoming. Do you see that at the golden arches?


On the other end of the spectrum, I feel very strongly that the people who complain about tipping and/or outline their "reasons" for not doing so are probably those who leave little (if any) tips at restaurants, with cab drivers, skyhops, delivery people, blackjack dealers, etc. It could be a bit like the people who leave a $5 tip at a restaurant when their bill was $100. Just my opinion.

As to the first paragraph, one could also say the attitude at work could be compared to the salary. Would you be more cheerful serving at Mc Donalds on minimum wage or Starbucks where you make far more an hour? I for one have always given my best at all jobs regardless of pay, but at those minimum wage jobs, I felt underappreciated for the work I do and pay is how one is shown appreciation. Yes, I would smile more at a better paying job.

2nd paragraph seems to state a waitress in a cheaper restaurant who works just as hard at serving customers deserves less tip than one who works at a more expensive restaurant just because of the bill total???? Last I heard, tip was based on customer satisfaction....not total of bill.

 

[shortbun]

Originally posted by exDS vet
I go to McDonald's just like most people, and I've gotta say that you get what you pay for. I believe that great customer service in a service business deserves an extra reward. Compare someone pouring a cup of coffee at Mcdonald's to a Starbucks person, and I think you aren't seeing the bigger picture. Starbucks people can help you get a positive start to your day. They have personalities and are warm and welcoming. Do you see that at the golden arches?

I agree with the person who comapred Starbucks baristas to bartenders. Infact, the word "barista" comes from the word "bartender." Just about everyone tips a bartender. They are making a drink, which is a bit involved. In addition, they also know their customers (sometimes very well). Why shouldn't they get tips?

In my neighborhood, the McDonald's could qualify for a skit on
SNL it's so bad. DH has actually accused me of going there for
entertainment when I am needing a laugh. They are sooooooo
bad at what they do there. I SHOULD tip them for their
humor value. Starbucks and Cup-o-Joe on the other hand
are stellar service organizations! I can not afford to go in everyday nor more than a few times a week and I alternate
between them but they always know what to make for me-
Lowfat Chai Latte, low temp. They get a tip from me for just
that, knowing their customer and making her happy. If I could
find that in fast food, I'd be tempted to tip too. Hey, I may checkout Starbucks for a second job if they make so much money.
Do they hire old fat people? LOL!
FYI- I always tip my bartender too! In fact, I'm a big tipper.
It's part of my pay it forward plan.

 

[RadioNate]

Originally posted by exDS vet
On the other end of the spectrum, I feel very strongly that the people who complain about tipping and/or outline their "reasons" for not doing so are probably those who leave little (if any) tips at restaurants, with cab drivers, skyhops, delivery people, blackjack dealers, etc. It could be a bit like the people who leave a $5 tip at a restaurant when their bill was $100. Just my opinion.

Really? I leave 20% or more at restrauants, time cabbies, skycaps, food delivery people and even my blackjack dealer (provided I'm winning) and I rarely at Starbucks.

I have 2 friends that are former Starbucks employees who both made more than $7 an hour. I made just over $8 with a college degree managing a retail store.

Are most of the Starbucks on an automated system now? I know the one we frequent is. They were closed one day to set up and train people on the new machine. The machine is huge and they program in what they want, and then come back and deliver the cup.

We did tip at our regular Starbucks in our previous town and that's only because they didn't charge us for the coffee.

 

[katerkat]

Originally posted by exDS vet
On the other end of the spectrum, I feel very strongly that the people who complain about tipping and/or outline their "reasons" for not doing so are probably those who leave little (if any) tips at restaurants, with cab drivers, skyhops, delivery people, blackjack dealers, etc. It could be a bit like the people who leave a $5 tip at a restaurant when their bill was $100. Just my opinion.

That's an awfully big assumption, don't you think? I have no problem tipping in restuarants. (I don't really use the other services mentioned.) But I work for minimum wage and I provide a service and I don't get tips - why? At what point do we say "this person deserves a tip but this person doesn't?"

For the record, I do not expect a tip, nor would I take one.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Originally posted by exDS vet

On the other end of the spectrum, I feel very strongly that the people who complain about tipping and/or outline their "reasons" for not doing so are probably those who leave little (if any) tips at restaurants, with cab drivers, skyhops, delivery people, blackjack dealers, etc. It could be a bit like the people who leave a $5 tip at a restaurant when their bill was $100. Just my opinion.

I think that is way off base. I tip well. But I do think tipping is way out of control. There are way too many people in NON tipped positions with their hand out. I think it is wrong that they even accept tips when they are making above minimum wage. I would daresay that most are not declaring that extra income on their taxes.

 

[MosMom]

On the other end of the spectrum, I feel very strongly that the people who complain about tipping and/or outline their "reasons" for not doing so are probably those who leave little (if any) tips at restaurants, with cab drivers, skyhops, delivery people, blackjack dealers, etc. It could be a bit like the people who leave a $5 tip at a restaurant when their bill was $100. Just my opinion.

That is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. LOL I am an excellent tipper. Just because a bunch of teenagers put a tip jar out down at the local ice cream shop doesn't mean I'm going to tip. When people are paid to work the position a tip is not needed. Where do we draw the line otherwise? That Starbucks employee is making more than me yet I am going to tip on top of that? For making a coffee? I don't think so. Baristas make an excellent FULL WAGE.

I remember back in high school I worked as a hostess at Chili's. Their policy at the time was to split all tips with dishwashers & hostesses. The waiters put up a fuss because as a hostess we were paid a full wage and they won. After that they were allowed to keep all tips since they were the ones not working for full wage. I was irritated about it when I was a snot nosed teenager but I agree with them now.

 

[DisneyJules]

Originally posted by MosMom
Starbucks baristas make quite a bit of money! More than I do and I think I work just as hard as them (retail...but maybe I should set out a tip jar). We had a gal apply with us who worked with Starbucks who made $9.50/hr. and had started at $9.25/hr.

I work for Starbucks here in Canada and I'm definitely not making that much. We get paid $7.00 an hour. The tips are great every second week, it depends on how much you've worked. On average if I haven't been working much, I would get and extra $12-15 every second week. Makes great gas money

 

[exDS vet]

Many people here have complained about minimum wage jobs, while others say that they don't tip Starbucks people because they make too much money. Is a couple of dollars over minimum wage (if that) really a lot of money. People do have a choice as to where to work.

I think in a restaurant, a 15 to 20 % tip is adequate. I don't believe in not tipping just because the service was bad. It sends the wrong message. If you get bad service, you should leave a smaller than normal tip, and then complain to management. No tip simply implies that you are cheap.

I must agree that the subject of tipping has gotten a bit out of hand lately. It did make for some good debate, besides the hostile stuff that most of these DIS boards have.