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Goodbye Old Friend... a message to my Barista

By
Mortgage and Lending with 214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com NMLS # 322646


Dear Starbucks Barista - my friend,

We have seen each other for years. You knew me by name and knew exactly what I would order, even though you have thousands of other customers. I'm not sure it was a good thing or bad that you knew me by name, but it sure made me feel at home when I visited.

In California, I would visit the barista but it wasn't the same. She would only see me maybe 1-2 times a week. When I moved to Texas, you started charging me sales tax but I was okay with that because you offered a drive thru. Besides, it was only a few cents over $4. Overall it was your kindness and your drive thru that really caught my attention.

Shortly after my move, you increased the price - only $.15 cents which is no big deal, but I was visiting you 3-4 times a week now. But this last visit, I noticed you increased your price again. I do love your drinks, but after adding tax, my drink is $4.93. I just cant justify paying $5 for a drink in the morning on the way to work. Sure, I could get the typical drip and add cream,, but I can make regular coffee at home. My choice for starbucks was that I could get something different... even though I always got the same thing.

Its with a deep sadness that I have to end our relationship as you know it today.  I may make an occasional stop but it certainly will not be often. Over time you will forget my name and probably my order. Maybe that will entice me to order something new.

I wish you nothing but success! So long my friend.

Your long time customer, 

John - Mocha light whip

*** p.s. My name has an 'H' in it. I didnt tell you before because it didnt matter. Just thought I would mention it now. ***

Posted by

 

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The views expressed on this site are mine alone and do not reflect the views of my employer.

SarahGray Lamm
Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC 919-819-8199 - Chapel Hill, NC
Realtor - 100K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience

Dang, Marc reminds me of why I stopped getting my nails done...

Aug 31, 2009 12:19 PM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

John,

Okay...this looks like you might have serious side affects from breaking off this "relationship"?

Every time you are so tempted think of the money in your pocket, the calories that YOU HAVEN'T CONSUMED and how YOU, yes, YOU had the will power to break off an abusive, money hungry relationship! 

Cheers!

Aug 31, 2009 01:34 PM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Thank you Sarah.  I may have to look into that machine.

Jake - I was not aware of that. Perhaps I'll have to ask her about it. I'd hate to have to make a trip to McDs instead.

Bruce - I think it would be worse if I used that as my office. It wont save me any money to just sit in there.

Jason - I'd like to tell you Im giving up caffeine. Just dont see that happening. I love sitting at night with a warm cup of coffee, watching a movie. or a warm cup of coffee and read some AR.

Aug 31, 2009 01:55 PM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

It has always amazed me how much money people throw away at Starbucks.  I'm not a coffee drinker and can't stand the smell, and I have no idea how they've conned so many people.  I stopped eating the Frosty when they weren't $0.99 anymore.

Aug 31, 2009 02:00 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

John - I don't have any plans of giving it up either.  I just thought that it would take a lot to give up a friendship with your barista.  :)

Aug 31, 2009 02:12 PM
Naoma Doriguzzi
Virginia Beach - Virginia Beach, VA
New Media Director

Wow - so serious...well congrats on being able to end it.  I am sure it wasn't an easy decision but in the long run - better for you!  :)

Aug 31, 2009 02:15 PM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Marc - Scary thing is that I ran the numbers many times and was still going. I dont find them addicting, but it was on the way to the office. It turned into the norm. Perhaps I needed to change that up anyway.

Thats funny Sarah. My wife did that also. She stopped getting the acrylics because it was costing a lot of money and that was years ago.

Sheila - Certainly I was the giver in the relationship. The only thing I got from the Barista was too many calories and an empty bank. Thanks for the reminder.

Donna - It is amazing to see just how busy that place always is. The really make a killing, or so it appears. As for the frosty's... you cant get them for $.99 anymore? Havent been to a Wendy's in a while.

Jason - Its a relationship that has lasted for  years. It was a hard decision. Perhaps I'll pick it up during the holidays (you know they have the Eggnog Latte's and the Gingerbread Latte's... those are good). But who knows. For now, its best for me and my bank.

Thanks Naoma. The decision had to be made or else she will just keep taking and taking.

Aug 31, 2009 03:05 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi John ~ Five bucks - no kidding!  Have you read David Bach's books?  He talks about the "latte factor" and how much money you can save by eliminating some of those miscellanous expenses that add up.

My coworker worked at at Starbks years ago and has sold $2M worth of real estate for a former customer.  You just never know....

Liz

Aug 31, 2009 03:50 PM
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

Hi John,

I feel your pain. I can't even remember that last time I stopped in Starbucks to buy $5 coffee. I cut business expenses last fall and trimmed all the fat off my operation. My coffee at home tastes great!

Aug 31, 2009 03:50 PM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Liz - that is crazy. Havent read the book, but I'll check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.

Lizette - I agree that my coffee also tastes great at home. Just need to take 2 minutes to make. I'll certainly be doing that moving forward.

Aug 31, 2009 04:32 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Oh John I actually felt your pain as I was reading what your post! I'm not a coffee drinker just a tea for me. I got hooked on an imported British tea and there was only one importer in the USA, and sadly he gave up the business :(

Sep 01, 2009 04:16 AM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

What a cute post, John!  I love coffee... it IS my vice.  I love the wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee.  I seldom go to Starbucks anymore but there was a time when I felt I had to have a cappuccino every day.

Sep 01, 2009 04:49 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

I guess I'm lucky in the sense that I have never liked coffee so I have never been to Starbucks.

Sep 01, 2009 07:10 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Cynthia - I've never been a tea drinker, unless you count Iced Tea. I've had that plenty.

Shirley - I'm with you. Love the smell of a fresh roast. I can make a similar feel at home with the right creamer and brew. It will be better for my wallet.

JL - You are better off without it. It can easily save you $80-$120 a month. Sad but true.

Sep 01, 2009 07:15 AM
Brett Tousley
Keller Williams Realty - Richland, WA
Tri Cities Real Estate | (509) 420-0013

Loved the heart felt letter to your coffee server, you should send it to Howard Shultz. :)

I've always been far to cheap to frequent Starbucks, besides I refuse to call a large coffe a "vente" or whatever the heck they call it. 

The only use I see for starbucks is a convenient place to write up contracts while I'm out and about.

 

Sep 02, 2009 07:31 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Brett - You are right that its a good place to do some paperwork and/or meet up with a client. Many people frequent SB. Its crazy to think how much they make.

Sep 02, 2009 07:38 AM
Angelia Garcia
Pure Realtors - Dallas, TX

My dear coffee drinker friend,

it was a tough decision I can imagine.  However, that $1,200 comes in handy, doesn't it. 

I have visited a SB but never bought coffee.  I like the smell but not the taste and I don't want to be addicted to caffeine. 

Sep 02, 2009 01:47 PM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

See Angelia, you made the right choice a long time ago.

Sep 03, 2009 12:45 AM
Jake Planton
www.JakePlanton.com - Portland, OR

John, if you have not talked to your barista yet, here is some advice:

Get a mocha americano, with room for cream, lots of room.  Then, take that, and put whatever milk you want in it.  It will be hot, taste similar to what you normally get, and save you, probably, $2 per trip...any of their drinks can be made as an americano, and taste wonderful.  I get a white mocha americano....it saves on the fat in the drink, and you get an extra boost of caffeine :)

Sep 09, 2009 04:38 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

An Americano? Hmm... perhaps I'll give that a shot in the near future. Thanks John I appreciate it.

Sep 09, 2009 06:29 AM