Today, Starbucks announced big changes to their Starbucks Card program, known as MyStarbucksRewards. The new changes go into effect on October 16, 2012. Here’s the new Rewards program at a glance:
Here is the link describing the new My Starbucks Rewards perks when you pay using your registered Starbucks Card:
Some of the big changes are that customers will be able to select food as their “reward” and the free reward cards will be earned faster – it now takes 12 stars rather than 15 to earn a Starbucks reward! Welcome to your “lucky dozen,” as I’ve heard it called. That’s a catchy phrase! Right off the bat, I will say that I am happy to have the increased flexibility of being able to select a food item as a reward – and this includes a bistro box or a panani!
I. Brief Starbucks Card History: (Skip this part if you don’t like history lessons!)
Just briefly, a little history of the Starbucks card: In November 2001, the very first Starbucks card was launched. On September 17, 2002, a decade ago, Starbucks enabled the card to have the ability to have automatic reloads.
The first rewards of any kind were launched in April 2008, having been announced by Howard Schultz at the annual meeting of shareholders in March 2008. They were part of the “transformation agenda” announced by Howard during that March 2008 meeting. The first generation of Starbucks rewards had no “levels” – You just registered a card and earned free soy milk, free breve milk, free syrups, a free tall beverage with a pound of beans, and free refills.
In November 2008, Starbucks launched a gold card where customers paid a $25 annual fee, and got 10% off his or her purchases. Keep in mind, by the end of 2008, and through most of 2009, Starbucks offered two side by side programs. The free program earned free soy and breve milk, free syrups, free refills and a free tall beverage when buying a pound of beans. There were no “levels” to the free program – all you did was register a card and use it to pay for your purchases. The 10% off program (which had a $25 annual fee) did not include the free milk changes, free syrups, and all the free perks. The 10% off card was phased out, one year after its initial launch.
During 2009, Starbucks quickly discovered that having two non-overlapping rewards programs really didn’t work. In October 2009, Starbucks announced the current version of MyStarbucksRewards, which offered three levels of rewards: A “Welcome” level, a “Green” level, and a “Gold” level. This three level version of MyStarbucksRewards went into effect in January 2010. The new MyStarbucksRewards launching on October 16th is the first major overhaul of the program since its January 2010 launch.
In April 2012, Starbucks started testing digital rewards in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
By the way, the previous free program where you registered a card and earned free soy and free syrups, and free tall beverage with a pound of beans was rolled into the “Green” level of benefits.
II. Discussion of New Rewards:
At a glance, here’s what the reward changes look like: (This is my own quick chart!)
| Before 10/16/2012 (Jan 2010 to 10/16/12) – “Sweet 16” | After: “Lucky Dozen” beginning 10/16 | |
| Free soy milk or breve milk at the “Green” level of rewards | Yes | No |
| Free food (pastries, bistro boxes, paninis, and the popcorn) | No | Yes |
| Electronic delivery of rewards | No | Yes |
| Free Tall Beverage when buying a pound of beans | Yes | No |
| Free syrups – Vanilla, Raspberry, Hazelnut, and standard syrups | Yes | No |
| Free Refills | Yes | Yes |
| Free Birthday Beverage | Yes | Yes |
I think lots of people are asking questions about these reward changes. Here’s what I know … I hope I got this right. This is new to me too! I do think that what I wrote below is correct.
Why are rewards going digital? Can I still receive a paper coupon in the mail?
Everyone will receive perks electronically. Starbucks was spending about a million dollars a month on mailing out free drink coupons. The paper rewards model just wasn’t a sustainable model. A million a month was a lot of money. It was expensive, and it used a lot of paper. It wasn’t “green” at all.
Is there any food that is excluded from the free food perk with my “Lucky Dozen” coupon?
As I understand it, all of the “Evenings” Starbucks food is NOT included, and is not eligible as a reward. Also, ready-to-drink beverages, such as the Evolution Fresh juices, are not eligible, as I understand it. A customer can grab a wide variety of food items – breakfast wraps, paninis, pastries, bistro boxes, bags of popcorn – all kinds of food items!
Can I bank my reward coupon and use it when I want to?
When you want to use a reward coupon, let the register barista know you have a reward to use. Your reward coupons do not automatically kick-in every 12 stars. It will appear electronically, but you should let the barista at the register know that you want to use it. This gives customer an added flexibility to use it on the beverage or food item of his or her choosing.
How will I know when I have a “lucky dozen” coupon to use?
You’ll get an email notifying you that you’ve received a free beverage/food coupon.
Will I be able to check my rewards, much like I can currently check my balance in the stores?
I inquired with Starbucks whether there will be a new functionality to the card of “check my reward coupons.” I imagine this new functionality as something akin to the current ability of a barista to swipe a registered card and tell the customer his or her balance. For customers who are very high users of the rewards, this seems like it would be a help in keeping track of rewards.
As I understand it, Starbucks is looking into this functionality, though it is not currently operational.
Why did Starbucks take away free soy milk (and free syrups) as an option?
I have actually heard baristas say that Starbucks got rid of free soy milk because it was just too expensive of a perk. I strongly do not think that is true.
About 25% of transactions at the register involve a registered Starbucks card. Out of those transactions involving a registered card, about 5% of them involve a free modifier such as free soy milk, free breve milk, or a free syrup. I am sure that there are some stores where it feels like a much higher average, but on the whole, it’s only about 5% of the registered transactions.
I think that as Starbucks re-evaluated their rewards programs, they found that it was cost-neutral to remove the free soy milk (and free syrups) option and then offer faster rewards with greater flexibility. In other words, the new version of the rewards will reach a much larger customer base. Those of us who do not use soy milk and syrups didn’t see that as the most useful benefit – and the numbers bear it out – only a small group of customers really used the free modifications.
III. Melody’s Perspective:
If I haven’t been clear up to this point, I resoundingly like these changes! I know that I’ve spent so long talking about the history of the rewards and the fine details, that it might not be obvious that I like these changes!
I can recall back in 2009, saying to myself, “After a while, to the heavy user, a free drink coupon is going to lose its surprise and delight … Oh yay, yet another free drink…” Early on, I saw the need for some variety in the Starbucks card rewards. Variety is the spice of life!
I definitely think that the added flexibility on how a customer can use his or her reward is, well, FABULOUS! I enjoy a few of the paninis, as well as some of the bistro boxes, especially the goat cheese bistro box. And my drink beverages are not really all that customized. Flexibility is a win win for me!
I like the overall simplification of the rewards. I think that it is possible that this new version of the rewards program will be easier for a barista to understand and explain. By the way, it is still true that a customer can use any card as his or her “gold” card, and is not tied to using the shiny gold card.
Only time will tell where the ambiguous and confusing moments are for this new program. The free refills aspect to the My Starbucks Rewards remains unchanged.
And I like being able to get my rewards faster. Once in a while, I handed a free beverage coupon to a friend, and I’ll miss that flexibility, but I like the idea of never having my rewards lost in the mail.
I understand that for the fans of soy milk and free syrups, it might feel like a sting, but I think over time people will readjust to the new “lucky dozen” Starbucks rewards. (As a reminder, a customer can save ten cents on his or her beverage by bringing in his or her own cup, mug, or tumbler.)
Now it is your turn to weigh in. I know this blog article is long and won’t quite look like some of the other articles in the news. Full disclosure: On Friday, September 7, 2012, I was able to ask a few questions of the Starbucks Sr. VP of Store Operations (Ms. Rossann Williams) about the changing My Starbucks Rewards. I didn’t receive anything at all – it was just a conversation where I got to ask questions about the My Starbucks Rewards. By the 5th of September I knew about the rewards revamp, and was glad to have a chance to ask a few direct questions. A big thank you and shout out to Linda Mills who made that happen. Thank you!
What do you think?
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@Melody – my regular Starbucks is not a fluke. I went to 4 other Starbucks today and played inquisitive customer. Only one barista had the slightest idea what I was talking about. In these 4 stores only 1 had a manager available, and that manager said she would not be “training” until next month, not enough hours left in this one.
Outside of Seattle and a few other large cities, Starbucks training and staffing is way below par.
@Suzanne C. – I’m only interested in the coffee, but Starbucks has become much more then just coffee. People have a right to complain because it’s their money that makes Starbucks what it has become. People can make a choice to no longer spend their money and go away, but that doesn’t dismiss for some the years and the thousands of dollars spent being loyal, and feeling somehow that the loyalty has been lost. I agree there is no use in arguing, but telling somebody who has been around for the long run not to complain, is easy to say to somebody else if it has no effect on oneself. : )
MSI os a bit of chaos right now. And there are a few odd threads mixed in with everything else –
http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/ideaview?id=08750000000IMUxAAO
Steamed orange juice to 235? I am confused.
@DadCooks – Hopefully your neighborhood stores will get up to speed fast. Send them here! LOL
@Jo Taylor – I work a very long days and tend to multitask commenting and buttoning up other things before I can end my day. Yes I understand the changes don’t go into effect for 4 weeks. Harsh? How so? As far as the partners go at stores, they should know more about the changes then customers. They should know what’s coming before the customers. For not even the manager to know is a poor model of how to run a business. Many of the partners have registered cards and smartphones and should have no excuse not to know 24 hours later about the changes. I don’t think it’s harsh that I find it a problem that customers have to tell the people working for the company what the changes are. The partners I speak of, aren’t working minimal hours. And what’s the managers excuse or the fact that 3 of his bosses were present the day the changes were announced. There is no excuse to be ignorant to what’s going on.
I can honestly say I don’t have any sense of entitlement, but wouldn’t it be a little hypocritical on a companies part to say giving a reward isn’t a little bit of an entitlement for a customers loyalty? If a reward can be viewed as an entitlement, then Starbucks can’t blame customers for feeling entitled for a program they created. I have done just fine for years without having a card. I can just easily spend what’s left on my card and forget about it. I can go back to cash and no sense of entitlement if that’s what it’s called. However – I subscribe to the point of view that the customer is always right! The question is, who is to say which customers are right? Certainly none of us.
Melody – totally agree! Your blog is by far the best source of accurate and upt-to-date starbucks information. Thanks for all that you do!
@Chgo – let’s agree to disagree then; I reiterate that the changes don’t go into effect for another 4 weeks, and add that at least in my store, partners knew about it and also were able to direct me to a little brochure that explained the changes in good detail (although one could suggest that there was some spin).
i most definitely disagree that the customer is always right – the customer may always think that they are right, but some customers are in fact unprofitable to a company, or at a minimum are minimally profitable and get in the way of a store serving more profitable ones. They should be “fired” – smart companies do this all the time. Sbux is in it for profits, and as a shareholder I’m pretty happy about that. And having been one for a long time (and therefore one who has profited tremendously), I tend to trust that they might know more about how to run their business than I do. If the heavy free modifier users were minimally- or un-profitable, send them to Peets (where the soy ain’t free, by the way) or to mcdonald’s (which doesn’t even offer soy).
As I said, I’ll miss the free syrups, but I see upside too (take that, mailman!), and am happy to see a more equitable and balanced program, one that isn’t loaded in favor of a subset of members.
What I think is really interesting is how the program has ‘devolved’ as it’s grown in popularity, or at least become more common.
When it started, it had a real sense of specialness, of membership. Baristas smiled when they saw my card, said “oh cool!” and seemed to really dig it. And it was so simple! 10% off everything. Easy peasy. Loved it.
Now, for better or worse, it’s a punchcard, and that’s all it is — which, ironically, is what people on MSI screamed and cried for when they didn’t want to spend $25/yr on the Gold Card: a free punchcard, just like every other coffeeshop has. And as Jo Taylor says, that makes it simple and balanced. But I admit that I wish they still had the old ‘secret club’ for people to join.
@Jo Taylor – I respect your opinion. When I say the customer is always right, I do agree that some customers are indeed totally just completely wrong, but a good business (In my opinion) should still hear what it’s customers are saying and give them, at least a large majority if not a minority a benefit of the doubt. All I can say is that time will tell, but these changes are obviously a big deal to many, as reflected over at the insane asylum known as msi. If there is one thing I will agree with Melody, it is that this will probably go down just like the Frappuccino change did a couple years ago. This will probably stick, although I don’t recall the Frappuccino change causing this much frustration as the Reward changes have.
As a shareholder, I can see why your opinion is slightly slanted and I would probably feel the same if I were you. Speaking only for myself, the benefits for me at the moment don’t appear to be worth it for me. I can’t emphasize enough that it is the coffee that brings me in. If I can get every barista to make an ice coffee right, without having to ask sometimes for extra syrup, this would probably be a non issue for me. I just don’t see why anybody that looked forward to the soy and the syrup as a reward, makes them entitled or whiny? If the changes had been different, we would be hearing a lot more from people on the other side of that fence. In 6 hours, my day will begin all over again, and I’m plain out of steam. Good Night everybody : )
@Gobo – I like your secret club idea! LOL. I have heard that some retailers do keep special “best customer” lists where those customers get one of kind perks. Though mostly, it seems that retailers go after people who have some vehicle to spread noise: Big twitter profiles, or bloggers. I did some research on this for a guest blog post that I worked on (and submitted, but never published – oh well).
I have a colleague that loves wearing Banana Republic clothes all the time, and she was telling me some story about getting an invite to a fashion show/shopping event at a BP. I was totally puzzled by listening to it, and realized that BR might indeed really have a “secret club” of best customers. As I mentioned, I think some retailers do know their best 5000 or 10,000 or 100 customers.
I recall hearing a story where Ikea sent “Susan” (a woman who has run Ikeafans.com blog for years) along with other bloggers on a trip to NYC to see a store, with a special preview IKEA catalogue. There have been stories of Anthropologie sending bloggers to the opening of a new store in Philidelphia – The special Anthropologie concept wedding store. Microsoft has an incredibly formalized “mvp” program – I suspect the odds of being a Microsoft MVP are like one in a million. And there is a guy who runs an intense Method soap fan blog site – http://www.methodlust.com/ – from scanning his articles, it looks like now and then Method sends him free stuff. Actually, I would say that if you work for Method soap, you must seriously LOVE having that intense of a brand advocate – That Method guy really loves Method soap.
Sorry – I keep editing this comment and making it longer – I really have researched this for a guest blog post. On the topic of “secret clubs” or best customer circles, the yoga-wear maker Lululemon has a big “Ambassador” program – Customers who somehow are ambassadors of the brand and get to write guest blog posts on the official Lululemon site! By glancing through it, the only common thread are very health and fit ambassadors! LOL. Though it seems as though those who have Lululemon fan blogs (there are 2 or 3 ‘Lululemon Addict’ comes to mind, but there are others) are not ambassadors. I would hate to be excluded from being “secret gold” because I had a blog!
Of course, I really do NOT think Starbucks has some secret “mvp” list. Somehow I just don’t think it exists. How do you possibly figure out who is “best” (by what category – there are so many ways you can look at it) with 60 million customers a week? What about the Hollywood celebs running around with green cups?
But when all is said and done, I think the idea of a “secret gold” club is very fun. Unlikely that it ever will exist, but a cute idea. Top 10,000 customers by some criteria?? But what criteria???
Quite frankly, it wouldn’t even have to be that ‘secret’ or exclusive — they don’t need to hand-pick customers. When a program like the Gold Card is pay-to-use, it automatically narrows down the number of interested people. I think about the Disney Vacation Club, which they openly advertise as “our best kept secret!” — it costs an enormous amount to join, but if you’re a member, the perks and savings are really excellent. Starbucks has said that they have no interest in reviving the old Gold Card, but personally, I’d happily pay a membership fee to be part of a Siren Circle or whatever that had discounts on food or merch, access to events (tastings and such), first crack at limited edition coffees, or other perks.
@DadCooks – I don’t think being outside of Seattle is what makes these stores lack training. It sounds like a lack of SM/DM care or concern, especially as these are stores in the same area and this is a comment you’ve made over more than one rollout. There are lots of us outside Seattle who take great care in training our partners, and keeping them knowledgeable, even when something comes up last minute. And we do so without going over in our training budget 🙂 It is very true that training is faster and less time-intensive than it used to be, but to be honest, I have to wonder whether there was a good return on investment to that training. Or even if there was then, if there would be now. Since we can’t go back in time, I guess we will just have to keep wondering… 🙂
@Jo Taylor – your last comment really resonated with me, and I think that in the end, while this change will probably have a farther-reaching impact than anyone could really research or plan for (similar to the new frappuccinos), this is a good move for our long-term future as a company. Catering to customers whose sole reason for patronizing was what they could get for free, and not because they bought into the company’s policies, or culture, or even product, if you believe some of the comments, is not a smart way to do business.
Also, as a totally aside – @ Melody, steamed orange juice?! Really?? This sounds just so, so not tasty on so many levels. And unsafe if they want it at 235.
@Rebecca – definitely agree. I was at the shareholder meeting in 2009 when Schultz announced the free milks and syrups, and I still remember thinking at the time that it didn’t fit with my image of the brand. Like free stitching on a Coach bag or something like that – discounts and premium brands, strange bedfellows. But Howard has made me a lot of money in the stock, and at the time the company needed a boost (at least the stock price did!), so …. they went with it. And were stuck with it for 4+ years. Not much longer!
Thanks for all you do – IMO it’s you “partners” that differentiate Starbucks from the competition.
@Chgo. Dear, I do have a right to complain, I am an extra syrup and soy drinker, five to seven days a week. But it seems silly to complain about a program that hasn’t even begun yet.
I am going to get my Venti beverage regardless of any perks or non-perks. Starbucks owes me nothing because I buy their coffee every day but I do appreciate a little gift here and there. Don’t expect it, just appreciate it. I smile at the little surprises in life.
Really don’t think it is worth my efforts to complain or argue about a cup of coffee.
@Jo Taylor – Good Morning!
You said “But Howard has made me a lot of money in the stock…..” It’s hard to understand how somebody else feels when some or at least all of your opinion is based on your investment making more money at the expense of those who are loyally spending money to keep that stock where it is. Howard needs customers to make a company work successfully and shareholders happy.yesterday Howard could have been a genius and next thing you know, his decisions get him the boot. It’s like politics. One good decision makes you a hero and one bad decision can make you yesterdays news.
What if it was the introduction of the present rewards that lead to the successes of your stock over the past couple years? Will you feel the same if the current decisions lead to SBUX losses on the Nasdaq in the coming year? It could happen. It appears that there are a lot of angry people. Nobody, not even Howard, knows whether this will be a success or a failure for Starbucks. If your a shareholder, you might want to rethink how this could affect your stocks worth. It shouldn’t just matter what you or I think. There are a whole lot of angry people out there that we are hearing from, and a heck of a lot more that we will never hear from. But…..It’s been decided, and only time will be the indicator. Speaking again only for myself….. I know for at least the immediate future, I will be forced to decide how much money I am actually willing to spend. @Jo – My family spends a lot of money at Starbucks, and they share a lot of peoples sentiments. Magnify that, and see how much potential this has to fail as much as some hope it could succeed. That’s my 2¢! Later all……( ;
Melody the comments here are just outstanding and I have to say too that I learn more from your blog about SB than I learn from partners, etc. in the store. I do get the store managers and partners that are surprised to hear about new programs, new foods, etc. I also agree that the training needs to be revamped in a real way especially with this new program going into effect. I truly think it will be chaos when October 16 rolls around. Melody thanks for being up to date on things related to SB.
I was just at my local SB and chatted with the SM about the new rewards program. Granted I did not have alot of time with him as the store was packed, but I sort of get a sense from him that he will just see what happens and when I asked about training and being ready for the launch, he just shook his head. He did show me the brochures which were on the counter. This attitude sort of makes me nervous. I know there is time before launch but I also know the frustration from customers that will occur if partners are not ready for October 16. I am only thinking of a few from my local store (customers) that will go crazy if there is not any order or system in place.
@chgo – good morning to you too!
I made my money on the stock prior to the big drop down to $7-ish, sold most of it in the mid 30’s on the way up to $40, again before the drop. I got in pretty early – mid 1990’s – and so did very well. Left a little house money in and it’s still there today; have watched it fall to 7 and then slowly claw it’s way back.
Did msr contribute to the recovery? Probably to some degree. But from what I’ve seen and heard from talking to people is that they (finally) got disciplined about running the company in a lean way, taking huge amts of cost out of their structure. I think prior to the fall their profit margins and success worked against them, they were sloppy and complacent. Nothing like a huge fall to wake you up!
Will they lose customers over this change? Undoubtedly. Ultimately whether this is smart of them will depend on the value of those they lose – which I expect in some cases is negative. But as I’ve said before, it to me didn’t make sense to reward some members a lot more than others simply based on like certain products. It’s more equitable now.
Purple1 – I’m on my phone. Sorry short and sloppy. I have been very impressed w/ the quality of the conversations in this thread! Thank you!
Jo Taylor – Thank you for joining in. Btw, I was at the 2008 annual meeting, and actually every yr thereafter.
@ Suzanne – With all due respect, you were the one who commented with frustration over other people complaining, but now you say you have a right to complain yourself. I agree we all have a right to complain. So how can we be in disagreement and agreement at the same time? You kind of lost me on that one. I’m not sure we are in disagreement, but the point I was trying to get across was that everybody whether they agree or not has a right to their opinion.
Melody,
Thanks for the update on the program. I thought originally that the changes were just for green members and not Gold. I just hate the free soy milk and syrups are now gone.
I linked to your summary and to this post (I will have to visit an Evolution store next Seattle visit).
As one of those who mainly choose Starbucks and stuck with the gold card program because of the free soy (and occasional syrup), count me in as one of those who are disappointed. However, in all the discussion and whatnot, I’ve noticed something that hasn’t been brought up – why is soy more expensive than dairy? In reality, it should be the other way around, but no – courtesy of dairy subsidies. (which keeps the price of dairy artificially low) So yes, making the soy users pay “vegan/lactose-intolerant tax” while dairy users get off scott free is crap. (Meat is usually more expensive than vegetables/fruit)
Regardless, I will in the future either not go to Starbucks as often and/or just get cheaper drinks (plain coffee, etc) By the way, is it standard practice not to charge for soy/different syrup in iced coffee (it’s rare I get charged for it)
After reviewing the email that I received a second time, it appears as though the birthday reward is now a green level benefit. (previously welcome) So the green level will have more than one reward, and I guess welcome will now only have balance protection?
Here’s what the email says:
Here’s a quick summary of what to expect as a Green level member.
HELLO faster, tastier rewards.
Something Good On Your Birthday
Now your free “birthday drink” is a free drink or food item
on your big day.**
Free Refills in the Store
Go ahead, stay awhile. Enjoy free refills on iced or brewed coffee or tea while you’re in the store.*
No More Postcards (#1 member-requested change)
Your free drink (or food) will load right onto your Starbucks Card. You’ll get an email alert close to your birthday. Then bring your registered Starbucks Card or the Starbucks Card mobile app to a participating store and tell your barista.
Nathan, I hadn’t caught that. Good catch! But it’s not tough to get to 5 transactions, so the effect may be small.
@Michelle – the prices we charge are related to the prices we pay for the product, and whether the low price of dairy is artificial or not, it is lower. Milk is also more locally sourced than soy – our soy all across N. America comes from one of 2 warehouses in the States. That is an added cost to me over the dairy. Also, the more choices we have for anything, the more safety stock I need to have, different equipment, more waste. Charging extra for soy is certainly not the only way to rectify the added costs, but it *is* the way Starbucks has chosen to. Local shops who don’t charge either have the ability to buy local soy at the ‘similar to dairy’ prices, or they are choosing to compensate in a different way for the added cost.
I’m surprised that no one has commented on the ‘bonus stars’. I wonder how specific the ‘featured product’ will be:
“Periodically, the My Starbucks Rewards™ program will offer Bonus Stars as a promotion to our members. During the promotional period, when you purchase one of the featured products, you will receive a Star for the transaction (as normal) and an extra Star for the specified product. This is another way we are helping you earn Stars and free drinks and food faster!”
Melody,
I was so excited about the new changes- and then I saw they are taking away the soy milk! I am lactose intolerant, and I don’t think it is fair that I have to pay more to put a basic cream in my coffee just because I have a medical condition. My condition was one of the main reasons I was a gold card member-so my creamer was free. What are your thoughts?
@Michelle – yes, there is a “vegan/lactose-intolerent” tax, but it’s levied by the government, in the form of subsidies to the dairy industry. Sbux is just going back to collecting the tax. I’d humbly suggest if you want soy pricing to come in line with dairy, lobby your congressional rep to kill the dairy subsidies (or create some for soy).
As you point out, similar story with meat vs. veggies.
Use our political process to effect change rather than expecting Starbucks to continue to pay the tax for you.
And for everyone who says they’re headed to the competition, guess what, some don’t even offer soy (dunkin, mickey dee), or they also charge. Some more than 60 cents.
@Liz B, If you are using soy as a “creamer” you should not be charged for it. The charge is only if you are upgrading to soy in a drink that contains a lot of milk. So you shouldn’t be charged for it in beverages such as a brewed coffee topped with cold soy, iced coffee, Starbucks double shot, etc. In these beverages, the baristas should be using the “with soy” button instead of the “soy” button and it doesn’t charge, just accounts for the inventory.
I’m going off topic here, but did anybody else get an email for a Verismo Machine from Cecile today?
ps: I hope I haven’t insulted anybody with my opinion on this thread or came off the wrong way. I am very opinionated and always in a rush. Sometimes it’s easier for me to convey my thoughts and opinions person to person instead of rushing through my words in type. I just want you all to know that I have nothing but respect for all of you, whether we agree or disagree. I’m glad we are all different. It’s what makes us human.
@chgo – classy post there, thanks. Good to see humanity still lives!
@Steve at Grocery Alerts – Thank you for the mention on your site!
@ Liz B – My thoughts are really outlined in this blog post. I love the changes. Much better reach to a larger segment of customers, and fantastic flexibility. I suspect Bistro Boxes are going to be given aweay like crazy as a reward.
@ Jo – I don’t know that the bonus stars thing is new. Starbucks has done that before this summer with Iced Via. There was a short time frame where if you bought Iced Via, you earned extra stars. I think we’ll see more of the same kind of promotions.
@ Chgo – I am totally impressed by the conversations in this thread. Lots of insightful and thoughtful comments. We don’t all have to agree. One of my favorite expressions is “reasonable minds may differ.”
By the way, I received a generic email from Starbucksstore.com about the new Verismo, but nothing from Cecile. ??? What did you get? (I’m Melody at StarbucksMelody dot com)
@Melody – I got a short email today thanking me for engaging in an idea on the Verismo at msi, from Cecile. Included was the link where I needed to respond by Sept. 28th to receive a Verismo Machine from them. I keep reading it over and over to make sure I’m not crazy, but it say’s they will send me the machine, and not just pods.
These are the kind of things that make me question why sometimes I find reasons to complain when maybe I shouldn’t. Recently they sent me free Decaf K-Cups for an old Decaf K-Cup thread I commented on. Previously I have responded to a couple such emails, but never received anything. Of course I replied to today’s email. I may give it away as a gift.
@Chgo – I think it is a real giveaway. Starbucks can afford to send you a machine! 🙂 Slightly jealous even! On the official MyStarbucksIdea.com blogs (Ideas In Action), there is a thread about the Verismo, and “LadyKathryn” also mentions getting the same email. They must be sending out a whole group of them. I hope that DadCooks, BetterBefore, and Hayley get one too!
BTW: It’s kind of funny, but I don’t remember the thread at msi where I posted a comment on the Verismo. I’ve been so busy lately and trying my best to avoid msi as much as possible, that I just don’t remember too much of anything I have contributed the last couple of months over there.
If it were up to me, Verismo Machines for everybody!!! ; )
I had to read that email several times to make sure I hadn’t misread it– a Versimo machine! An unexpected but much appreciated bonus 🙂
@Gobo – I must have re-read that email at least 10 times. Congrats to you and LadyKathryn and everybody else who will receive one. I’m feeling a bit humbled at the moment for doubting Starbucks at times.
Don’t be jealous Melody. You know you have been blessed in way’s that make some of the rest of us jealous and envious of you at times. : )
Good Night Everybody!
@Chgo – You are totally right! I am happy for everyone!! Yay! Will be curious if anyone else reading this got a free Verismo.
(Heck, I’d rather have a $200 reload on my card than a machine. 😉 We can dream.)
Awwww, thanks Melody!! Sadly, I did not receive an email…well I got one from Starbucks store, but it was just the general one…no machine for me. 🙁 Unless I deleted it accidentally!! Starbucks, if you’re out there…and you sent me an email, please send it again!! 😉
It’s such an awesome thing that Starbucks would do that though!
@chgo and @ Melody……. yep. I’m in. The email (from Cecile) did not ask me to respond, however…… said she has my mailing and it will be sent. no link. Of course, I emailed her and questioned this 1000X…like you. (maybe karma???? but, appears to be a ‘good thing’! ) either that or we all got a really bad virus…:((( no, I’m going with believing. I corresponded back and forth with Cecile about it several times.
beats the ‘leaderboard’, huh? 🙂
@denise – Good for you =)
@denise r – (and everyone else who got one) – that’s great news and nice to hear you are being rewarded in such a manner. I too hope DadCooks gets one!
BTW, I saw they are selling both coffee and milk pods so you’ll be able to make lattes too. Nice.
I’m sending this from my phone. Can somebody tell me how to reach Cecile directly. I am now getting a conflicting email telling me something different now about the email she sent me. I replied and enclosed the original email she sent me as proof, but she is telling me she don’t see me on the list to receive the machine. I’m confused considering I replied to direct link in the email she sent me.
@chgo: I don’t know if Cecile’s e-address that I have will be any different BUT, I’d be glad to give you what I use…which seems to always work. I don’t feel comfortable putting that on here tho. If you want to put up some email address ? I’ll respond to that right away. (or if Melody has time…but if I were you I’d want to take care of this right away…..so??? ) If you can put out some email, I’ll respond with what I use for her. That’s too weird, that conflicting message….I’d be concerned, too. Get some #/email to me and I’ll send it right away?
ps: @chgo: if Melody wants to send you MY email, that’s fine with me.
also, the pods and machines will be sold in the stores, but none will come with the machine…I was told. I don’t know about some of the other items, ie: mocha SAUCE, some of the syrups etc. I know I’ve always gotten any syrup I wanted from the store…..but don’t know how many of them (ie:cinn.dolce) they sell?
@Denise – Thanks for trying to help. Cecile and I have since connected, but as of now, she claims all the machines have been claimed and she can’t make heads or tails of how this happened. She said there will be a contest coming up for one, but I told her that a contest isn’t the same as being told I would receive one. I forwarded the actual email she sent me and it is the email address she is using. She has my screen name and I gave her the time it was sent yesterday. I told her that nobody at msi knows my email address so the link couldn’t be forwarded to me in an attempt to use it.
I told her that she sent me an email and I did what I was told. I also told her that of the 4 times I have responded to receiving an email for a freebie for contributing to an idea, I only received one. Last month I received a box of decaf Keurig K-Cups. That is the only time I ever received anything for responding in the past. I never got the 1st 2 things they were supposed to send me, and it doesn’t look good for this. I can’t make them send me one. Whatever happens, it’s in their hands. I can’t complain about something that I never had.
Chgo I am sorry that you have had to go through this with SB. I would hope out of a positive good customer service gesture Cecile should send you a machine.
@chgo:HOLY COW!!!!!! BUMMER! that is absolutely SO not right. I’d be extra mad now…. that’s kind of illegal. really. KEEP those email copies. I’d pursue this to the max. This was a bit of removing some of the STING re: the new non-rewards rewards. I’d fight this to hell and back. She CAN get one for you. WRONG WRONG WRONG. when they tell you you’re getting one….they have to stand by that! that’s essentially FRAUD. I’d call/write customer service, tell them you will send them copies of all the email. I know you’re a good guy! (west side!) You’re not trying to scam them! (opposite, actually) PLEASE pursue! if nothing else, principle. oh……..I am so bummed for you! I’ll do all I can, too! (for you) maybe fwd your email copies to Melody….she knows people. please don’t give up. this is way way wrong! I’ll do all I can, too.
The problem is fixed. I am getting the Versimo Machine. When I originally set up my msi account, I used an old email account that was my secondary account. Any emails that come to that email address automatically dump into my primary account because one email address is an sbcglobal.net and the other is a yahoo.com email address. Well SBC became AT&T / Yahoo. Since we never login to msi under an email address, only a username & password, I forgot that the account was under the yahoo email address. So I asked Cecile if it was under that old email address and that was the problem.
It still makes no sense because Starbucks sends their emails to my sbcglobal email address and not the one associated with my username. So I assume the yahoo emails just automatically go to the sbcglobal email address without my knowledge of which email address they are actually sending it too. Confused??? LOL!! So am I. I asked Cecile why there was no similar mix up a month ago when I had to do the same thing to get my free Decaf K_Cups? Well we never got that far. All I know is that it is now straightened out, and Cecile was very helpful.
Thanks Purple1 and Denise for your support and help. ; ) Thanks Melody for allowing me to use your helpful site as a tool to fix my little problem. Ciao for now!