The Truth About Starbucks
by Wilda A Lahmann on Nov 03, 2009 with 16 Comments
Having received an email stating that I should not drink at Starbucks anymore because they do not support our military in Iraq, I decided to do a little investigating of my own. What I found may surprise you as much as it did me….
The forward printed below recently came through to me in my Yahoo inbox. As a former Pacific North-westerner, Starbucks lies very near and dear to my heart. I felt that I had to do some research in to the matter. In this article I am going to tell you some things that I learned about Starbucks. I think you may be pleasantly surprised as I was.
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Subject: Guess I Won’t be Drinking at Starbucks Anymore
Recently Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Marines thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and they would not send the troops their brand of coffee. So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by buying their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war may not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn’t mean we don’t support the boys on the ground fighting street to street and house to house. If you feel the same as I do then pass this along, or you can discard it and no one will ever know.
Sgt. Howard C. Wright
1st Force Recon Co
1st Plt PLT
Well, once I read this and saw all the other names who had read and forwarded this on, I knew something wasn’t right and I was determined to get to the bottom of it. First I went to Snopes to see what it had to say about this rumor regarding Starbucks. Just as I suspected, Snopes say it is FALSE. In fact, it pointed out that as part of Starbucks’ generosity, their partners at an Atascadero, California store sent their weekly mark-out coffee (the employees’ perks) to troops in Afghanistan so they are able to enjoy a little piece of home. Customer relations in Seattle donated hundreds of pounds of coffee to the sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier.
According to Fortune Magazine Starbucks is the #2 best company to work for. Fortune reports that Starbucks benefits are very generous. For instance, a part-time employee and their same-or opposite-sex partners receive comprehensive health coverage. This coverage even includes hypnotherapy and naturopathy. The magazine reports that the average annual pay for salaried employees is $44,790 and for hourly employees, that figure is $35,294 (figures gathered in 2005). Starbucks also has a tuition reimbursement program available for partners who have at least one year of continuous service.
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It looks to me like Starbucks is a company who really appreciates their employees and go the extra mile to show them their appreciation! I am in the process now of reading the book How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill. This book contains both entertaining and informative insight to the Starbucks corporation.
Ok, time to get back to my chocolate chip Frappucino now. I hope that I might bump in to you at a Starbucks one of these days. Not sure which side of the counter you might find me on, but undoubtedly, I will be there.
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Published in: Consumer Information
athena goodlight | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for researching and bringing the results out in the open. Most of the hate mails I receive are mainly black propaganda such as this. Well done.
LovelyWolf | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
Hmm…maybe I will buy some of those overpriced coffees…now that i know what most of it goes to.
sihana | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
Don’t forget to click on ads. For explanation read my article “Help Triond and You’ll Help Yourself”
deklin42 | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
I live right next to a Starbucks.
Andromeda | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
With all due respect to the military personnel listed here, I cannot believe that any Starbucks “suit” would ever dare to make a public declaration, especially via any tangible and verifiable correspondence, that they do not support anyone in the war. That is PR/HR suicide. Great call on investigating this and finding out the truth! I love my Starbucks although I have been brewing my own at home lately.
Tina Cassello | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
It’s nice to know that some companies do know how to treat employees and I know they also have a policy of giving some of their profits to those who grow their coffee. No wonder they are one of the best and fastest growing companies. I had not heard this rumor and would not have believed it. I’m glad you exposed it.
sweet sunshine143 | Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
Great article and information you brought to the open. thanks. Good benefits Starbucks offers to their employees. salary not too bad either.
Patti McDowell | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
This was a very informative article, with much research to back it up. I was surprised to hear how well Starbucks accomodates their employees with good pay and benefits. I didn’t realize the corporation donated coffee to our troops overseas, unlike the rumors that have spread. Thanks for enlightening the public on the Starbucks corporation, as we truly love their coffee and pastries here in the Northwest.
Momof4 | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for sharing this info with us. I really hate the idea of giving up my Starbucks, but if it had been true about our troops, then Starbucks would have lost several customers here.
ronica paige | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
people are so desperate to bring starbucks down. hate mail or no hate mail, people would still be going to starbucks because of all the celeb endorsers, even if with the price of a cup of their coffee,one could feed a starving family in the slums:l
Themax | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the research
Very helpful Tips!!!!
Kara Mae Adamo | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
checkout the information on Ethiopia’s coffee trading discrepancies and the collapse of the ICA –I think you’d find that interesting, too. A good documentary to check out is “Black Gold”
~Kara~
Valerie Curtiss | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
I can’t stand these people who spread vicious rumors, they need to get a life and stop the hate. Thank goodness for people like you who did the research and spread the truth. KUDOS
locofish | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply
Que estupidez apoyar primero una cadena de cafes “americana” que la paz
Para ustedes importa mas el “defender” una cadena de comercios que vende cafes que una sola persona del país de Afghanistan
Con toda razón su sociedad es pura decadencia
Paul2KAD | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
It’s sad there are so many rumours around like this. The Internet provides a medium for them to take hold so much more effectively than would have been possible years ago. Thanks for putting us all straight on that one.
In my case it won’t make much difference as I’ve never been into a Starbucks as I’ve never seen one in real life. I don’t think there are any around here?
Wilda A Lahmann | Nov 8, 2009 | Reply
Thanks everyone for such great comments and feedback on my article. I really appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to respond.
Wilda