Tipping At Starbucks

[exDS vet]

I was reading the thread about tip jars at Subway and thought it would be interesting to start another one about Starbucks. It's interesting to see the different opinions of if and why people do or don't choose to tip.

If you are being provided a service, I don't see anything wrong with giving a tip. Tip jars are not a bad thing.

Starbucks has tip jars. The company was originally against the idea, but customers insisted on tipping the employees who prepared their beverages. Today those jars are standard. They work too. At Starbucks, an employee who makes $6.00 an hour can easily see their wage go up to $7.50 or higher because of tips. It's a great incentive.

Most people who tip, generally leave their extra (coin) change. Some leave dollars. In the end, about half of the customers leave a tip. They are tipping for service and quality. I have never tipped at a fast food place, because the service usually is not that good.

At Starbucks, I always tip, because the employees usually know the names of the customers and the drinks that they order. Sometimes the drinks are done before the customer gets to the counter. That's great customer service.

How do you all feel on this matter?

 

[ilovepcot]

I'm with you on this! Have NEVER stepped foot into a Starbucks, however. Think it's time???

 

[kingbilly]

Most people who tip, generally leave their extra (coin) change.

Yes we do

 

[tonyswife]

When I worked in San Francisco, I would walk in and they would have my coffee started and I'd be out the door within minutes. Loved that, I always tipped.

Now, I don't go that often, only if I take a walk with my neighbor. But I leave a tip because they are always friendly and I don;t want to carry the change on the walk back anyway.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I feel that tipping at Starbucks is different than tipping at a place like Subway. I think it takes a little more skill to mix beverages than it does to make sandwiches. I know when my college roommate worked at a coffee stand at school, she had to go through a lot of training. It's like bartending - you have to memorize how all the drinks are made.

Frankly, if you mess up my order at a counter service place, I'm not going to tip. My Starbucks has been good about not putting milk in my coffee (unlike Dunkin Donuts), so I don't mind tipping.

 

[shortbun]

I think it's the mindset of the customers. Starbucks regular
customers are more likely to be tippers-they pay more than
$3 average for a beverage. Subway's customers are less
exclusive and although there is some crossover, Starbucks
is a status item-Subway is not. I'd tip both places but if prices
were being charged at Subway like they are at Starbucks,
Subway would get less of my business.

 

[DianeL]

I tip at Starbucks I pretty much go to one 90% of them time and the one I visit is such a favorite with me that I go out of my way to stop there when I crave my fave beverage. The people are great there. I've actually run into one of the employee's while he was working at another location. Even in a different setting he regonized me and made up my drink without me having to say. It's nice being able to walk in and say "the usual". Now if they start calling me Norm I'll have to stop tipping *very big grin*

Hope everyone has a wonerful weekend!!!!

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I wouldn't tip.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Nope. I very rarely tip at any coffeehouse and Starbucks especially. Starbucks employees are actually very well paid for what really is a minimum wage job. That higher wage is one of the reasons I'm paying $4 for a cup of coffee there.

The way I see it, the tip is built into the price.

 

[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. It isn't like they do all that work and get paid squat. That may vary a bit regionally but I couldn't believe how much she made. I get paid $6.89/hr. at my PT job and I run around looking for sizes, climb up and down multiple ladders doing that, ring people up, keep babies happy, help people choose outfits, unpack-unwrap-fold-place new stock...shall I go on? I think I deserve a tip too but it would be completely tacky to put a tip jar out. I think it is the same way for these other types of places. Wait staff get paid $2.50 an hour...they are paid to receive tips.

 

[tonyswife]

Wow! I didn't realize Starbucks had such great wages. That's fantastic! They also offer health insurance to all employees that work more than 20 hours (I think that's the number of hours, it's not for only 40 plus hour emplyees in any case) What a great company!

Starbucks is a status symbol? I never saw it that way, there's one on every single corner, it's not like it's exclusive.

 

[ShuisFan584]

I work at a Barnes and Noble Cafe, which serves mostly Starbucks drinks. I had to go through a few days of training to learn everything I know, and it's a lot of stuff. We're actually a lot more crowded than any Starbucks I know, since we're right near the movie theater and a bunch of other stores and restaurants. We can get very busy at times, especially Friday and Saturday nights, and all day on Sunday. So we're always running around making drinks and preparing food, and it's a lot of work. I wish we had a tip jar, but we don't. Sometimes people ask if we do, but for some reason we don't. We are allowed to accept tips, but it's very rare, because most people only leave tips in the jar.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Originally posted by Toby'sFriend
Nope. I very rarely tip at any coffeehouse and Starbucks especially. Starbucks employees are actually very well paid for what really is a minimum wage job. That higher wage is one of the reasons I'm paying $4 for a cup of coffee there.

The way I see it, the tip is built into the price.

I agree.

 

[CBRorBust]

I too was once a barista at a coffee shop very similar to Starbucks. Let me tell you, Baristas get burned by steamed milk at least once a day! Heating up milk to 140+ degrees, it is bound to splash out and burn you. Just for that simple fact, I always leave tips to baristas at ANY coffee shop.

 

[katerkat]

I don't think there should be a tip every time a service is provided. As I said on the other thread, I open the lockboxes on the rental movies. It's actually kinda hard and I break nails all the time. I certainly don't expect a tip for providing this service - and I'm paid minimum wage. And, for what it's worth, I DO recognize repeat customers and make movie recommendations all the time.

We also have a coffee shop in our store and the people who work over there are not allowed to be tipped. There's a change jar, but it goes to literary programs, not to the employees.

 

[tar heel]

My ds's girlfriend works at a Starbucks adjacent to a 24-screen movie theater, and it is virutally always an absolute zoo. She gets paid more than minimum wage but well short of $9.25 an hour. Not sure about insurance, but she does qualify for a little bit of paid vacation and gets time and half on holidays -- benefits not offered to most part-timers. She also gets a free bag of coffee every week -- fortunately we've been the beneficiary of that perk!

 

[Micca]

I responded to the other thread about tipping. I only get straight coffee at Starbucks, so I don't tip. They do no more work for me than the McDonalds employee who pours a cup of coffee. If I were getting a double mocha butterscotch latte 1/2 caf etc. I would feel a bit different about it.

 

[exDS vet]

Originally posted by Micca
They do no more work for me than the McDonalds employee who pours a cup of coffee. If I were getting a double mocha butterscotch latte 1/2 caf etc. I would feel a bit different about it.

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?

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.

 

[Micca]

While the general atmosphere at Starbucks is a pleasant step up from McDonald's, the experience of having someone pour coffee into a cup and putting a lid on it is about the same.

 

[Sleepy]

Since moving to Italy, I have a different opinion about tipping based on location. In the States, people make a decent wage and I never tipped unless it was a waitress who makes far less than minimum wage. I do not agree with the idea that those who provide a service should gat a tip. As I see it, EVERYONE who has a job is providing a service. When I worked at K-Mart, everytime I helped a customer find something back in the warehouse, I was providing a service. When I helped people carry stuff to their car, I provided a service also. I worked at Burger King and specially made burgers and fries (no salt) which was beyond my call and was providing a service. Did I ever receive a tip for doing the job I was hired and paid to do? NEVER! I did not expect it either. I was doing my JOB!

Now, I live in Italy where people don't make nearly what people on minimum wage makes in the States. Do I leave a tip? Yes, for everyone. Those who work in the coffee shops, bring my groceries to the car, watch my car while I am in a restaurant, the man who runs the veggie cart, those who work the quick food stands.....I tip everyone. WHY? Because they don't make enough on their regular salary.

Most of my jobs have been minimum wage jobs. I do not understand why I should be expected to tip an employee who is already making more money than I am. THey have never tipped me for my services. Most people don't even say thank you. Even when I worked as a maid in a hotel, I never expected a tip although now I see it is customary. Why, I have no idea. I made far more than minimum wage.