Deal or No Deal - Starbucks Gold Card

// December 22nd, 2008 // No Comments » // Economy

Are you a Gold member? In this case it’s the Starbucks Gold Card.  It’s “For People Who Really Love Starbucks” according their website.

Here’s the fine and not so fine print.

Starbucks Gold is for those of you we see every day. You’re our heart and soul. You’re the ones who keep us going. Join for an annual membership fee of $25 and receive:

• 10% off most purchases in participating U.S. Starbucks stores *
• A free drink when you purchase your membership in-store
• Option to pay however you’d like (cash, credit card, etc.)

Then when you register, you’ll unlock additional value:

• A free beverage on your birthday
• Exclusive offers and discounts throughout the year
• Free AT&T Wi-Fi access for up to 2 hours each day in participating Starbucks stores

Available at all U.S. company-operated Starbucks locations equipped with a hotspot. Complimentary Wi-Fi limited to one session of up to two hours per day. You must register your Gold Card and use it within 30 days prior to access; open a complimentary account with AT&T; and accept the AT&T User Agreement.

* Gift cards/certificates, publications, digital downloads, and membership fees excluded. Cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons.

So, what’s your take.  The free Wi-Fi is nice.  How many cups of Grande Joe will you need to buy to make up the $25 difference.  I ask myself that same question every year when my Sam’s Club renewal comes up.  “Did I save more than $35 in merchandise discounts to cover the annual fee?”

Ooh, but the Starbucks vibe.  You either like it or hate it.  I suppose it’s just what they said…  a good deal if you can’t do without your Venti Bold.  Me, I’ll wait for a gift card (hey, one came in the mail today. what do you know?)

Starbucks update

// September 11th, 2006 // No Comments » // Blog

Well, the article I read about Starbucks old logo mentioned that the logo would only be on hot beverages in WA and OR for a few months. Not completely true. Yesterday while at the 5 points Starbucks here in Franklin several coffee packages had the old logo.

Starbucks celebrates 35th anniversary with old twist

// September 7th, 2006 // No Comments » // Blog

Starbucks is celebrating. The Seattle based coffee legend is celebrating its 35th anniversary and as part of the event, they’re reverting back to their old logo. No big deal right?

For some that original logo is offensive. Why? The 1971 original is a twin tailed mermaid, or siren as she’s called in Greek mythology… and, unlike Disney`s Little Mermaid, this siren doesn`t wear a bikini.

Every hot beverage cup in their Washington and Oregon company owned stores will feature the original logo over the next two months. Before Starbucks became a household name, the old logo was still well known around Seattle. You can still see it at the first Starbucks in Pike’s Place Market. But in the early 1990’s, there were growing complaints about the appropriateness of the original logo and the company gave her a ‘modest makeover.’ That’s the logo used widely today more focused on her face and barely showing her fins or chest.

So what do you think? Google starbucks old logo if you want see it for yourself.

Morning at Starbucks

// August 31st, 2006 // No Comments » // food

Morning at Starbucks

Originally uploaded by icon tact.

Typical day at Starbucks on Royal Oaks here in Franklin. I meet with Kerry each week here. Brandon, the Campus pastor of the Spring Hill campus of TPC is right behind us. Looks like he is gearing up for the full time campus ministry there with his group of friends. Check out the website for the TPC Spring Hill which begins full time on September 10th. My friend Rob over at Brainwave Studios put the Flash site together for them. He’s got a real creative eye and is great with all things Flash. When it comes to Starbucks, are you a drive through kind of person or do you go in and visit? Or do you just not like Starbucks and prefer Panera Bread?