Time to re-think those coffee meets...Starbucks apparently caves...

[sudden valley gunner]

I think Howard was always bigoted toward guns, his previous position was trying to avoid being painted into a corner and of taking a public stand, his new position is using an excuse of the actions of a few to justify his bigotry.

These few showboaters actions helped hasten and give Howard the rationalization he needed.

 

[.45ACPaddy]

Well, despite the fact he may have been bigoted against guns even before all this, we do gotta give Starbucks credit for taking a neutral stance for all that time. Despite the politics and controversy, they did put up with a LOT. I can only imagine that other businesses, as California Pizza Kitchen did, would have jumped immediately on the anti gun bandwagon to satisfy a large group of customers, and actively enforce a no gun policy. My previously written sentences, however, should not be taken to defend Starbucks as a company, though. I'm just stating my opinion.

But alas, they finally folded and took a "stance" on things. Not really much of a stance, though. They went from going by the law to asking politely without enforcing the rules. They're counting on us gun owners to be respectful.

Can you imagine if a mall went from being neutral to simply asking customers not to carry their lawfully possessed firearm, while instructing mall security to not enforce that policy?

That's the kind of situation we're looking at. How gun owners and open carriers react to it will really project a huge image to the general public about us.

If gun owners and open carriers in general choose to ignore it and continue open carrying into Starbucks, people will paint us in a bad light, portray us as being disrespectful of rules. If the open carriers and gun owners in general disappear from Starbucks, people will stop and think that we actually listened and chose to live by their rules, at least while in their establishments. They'll see us as good intention-ed people that actually care about the rules of the place we choose to visit.

This could also be a huge trap due to the (true) fact that they know that there are a few out there who will openly defy their suggested rules and OC anyway, and they will exploit the disrespect of a vast minority for their own gain. I suppose we could do the same to the anti-gunners, but which situation would make the news?

Personally, I'm gonna respect their rules that they set on their private property, just as I would expect anyone would respect my rules while at my house.

I guess we'll see how this plays out.

 

[amlevin]

I think Howard was always bigoted toward guns,

One should be careful how and when they use the term "bigoted"

**********
big·ot·ry
ˈbigətrē
noun
1.
bigoted attitudes; intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself.

**********

There's more than enough of that here on this Forum to go around.

 

[fire suppressor]

So I have been quiet on this I really needed a few days to stop and think on this. Personally I do prefer Starbucks coffee not because it is Starbucks but because I like the bitter taste. I read the letter put out by the CEO and for what it was I thought it was very well written. While Starbucks has never officially supported any second amendment rights they have bent over backwards and tried very hard to stay neural on the subject and that is something I also gave them credit for. Starbucks politely making a request to have its customers not bring in guns open or concealed is taking a strong stand against gun rights.

Part of me can not blame them the company has made it very clear it has wanted no part of the fight either way and yet advocates from both sides have continued to push the issue on them. While I respect the company's authority to be able to refuse service to anyone it wants after a lot of debate in my own mind I have deiced I can no longer financially support a company who is going to deny me my most basic second amendment rights. I am one of those Starbucks rewards card guys and I currently have money that is prepaid on my card as well as a few free drinks waiting to be used. Because this is money I have already paid the company I have decided I will use the remainder of the cards balance and use the free drinks I have earned. After that is all used up I will no longer frequent Starbucks due to a difference in morals

 

[sudden valley gunner]

One should be careful how and when they use the term "bigoted"

**********
big·ot·ry
ˈbigətrē
noun
1.
bigoted attitudes; intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself.

**********

There's more than enough of that here on this Forum to go around.

Interesting you choose the noun...

: a person who strongly and unfairly dislikes other people, ideas, etc. : a bigoted person; especially : a person who hates or refuses to accept the members of a particular group (such as a racial or religious group)

I think he never liked guns or gun guys was trying to make take a neutral stance for business reasons only.

 

[Bernymac]

Are there any businesses or maybe just one store who folded due to lost revenue from gun owners? :uhoh:
I doubt that Starbucks will lose enough profit because of their stance. They can always recoup the loss from their customers by increasing prices.

 

[acmariner99]

I have decided that this matter is fairly simple - regardless of how or why Starbucks did what they did, what is done, is done. They stated that they do not want armed persons in their stores. It is a request and not a demand. Since I believe I as a person and we as a community should hold to our integrity in this matter, I will honor their request and not visit their stores while armed. I don't think it qualifies as a boycott per se, just honoring the request of those making policy.

 

[Lovenox]

I have decided that this matter is fairly simple - regardless of how or why Starbucks did what they did, what is done, is done. They stated that they do not want armed persons in their stores. It is a request and not a demand. Since I believe I as a person and we as a community should hold to our integrity in this matter, I will honor their request and not visit their stores while armed. I don't think it qualifies as a boycott per se, just honoring the request of those making policy.

Yup. And since I am always armed I won't be going in there anytime soon in order that I might not present our community in a bad light and fall into the CEO's "I-made-a-polite-request-and-they-still-didn't-honor-Starbucks'-request" trap. But some cannot resist the urge to purchase thier overpriced liquid crack and will make every excuse in the book to walk in their establishment because they are still of the tribal high school mentality whereby they will feel left out if they aren't holding the same cup as the rest of the lemmings are holding.

 

[MAC702]

... I don't think it qualifies as a boycott per se, just honoring the request of those making policy.

That is an outstanding point to highlight. Thank you.

 

[MSG Laigaie]

I did not shop at starbucks in the past. I started going to enjoy the fellowship of like minded people.
When the CEO made his exclusionary rule announcement, I had just reloaded my little gold card. I sent an email to starbucks asking for my money back and these are the messages.

1. To: <cardinfo@starbucks.cust-serv.com>
Subject: Returning a Starbucks Card
After the CEOs announcement that I and my weapon are no longer welcome, I would like you to refund the balance on my SB gold card. If you do not want me in your store as I am, you also do not want my money. Please return it. Thank you, Master Sergeant John Laigaie.


2. Hello John,
Thank you for contacting Starbucks.
Please note we are able to refund a returned Starbucks Card only if:
The card has not been used.
Proof of purchase is provided (this can be a receipt from a company-owned, licensed or grocery store, as well as an order number from an online purchase).
The 16 digit Starbucks Card number and CSC number (PIN) is also provided.
If you are a resident of one the following states, you may qualify to receive cash back at a company-owned store: California; Colorado; Maine; Massachusetts; Montana; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington.This allows cardholders to obtain or refund the value of a Starbucks card if equal to or less than the amount designated by the state.

Otherwise, rest assured the remaining value of your card will not expire. If you no longer wish to use the card it can be transferred to another user.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (800) 782-7282 (STARBUC).


3. Miss C you have missed my point. Your CEOs announcement that I am no longer welcome in your store puts me in a position where I cannot use my card. If I am no longer welcome, as he has stated publicly, my funds are no longer wanted either. Please tell me how I can transfer the balance on my gold card to something I can use elsewhere.
Should I go to my local shop and ask for the refund or can it be done at your level?
Thank you, Master Sergeant John Laigaie


4. Dear John,
I'm really sorry we didn't get this right the first time. We'll process the refund for you. A check will be issued to the address listed on your email and on your account. It will arrive in 3-4 weeks.
Sincerely,

Anjelika R
customer service


Not so hard. The "rules" say, you only get the last five dollars in cash. They "changed the rules" with the CEOs announcement. Bottom line is........my money goes where I am welcome. Not where I get a veiled threat of animosity.

 

[slapmonkay]

I did not shop at starbucks in the past. I started going to enjoy the fellowship of like minded people.
When the CEO made his exclusionary rule announcement, I had just reloaded my little gold card. I sent an email to starbucks asking for my money back and these are the messages.

1. To: <cardinfo@starbucks.cust-serv.com>
Subject: Returning a Starbucks Card
After the CEOs announcement that I and my weapon are no longer welcome, I would like you to refund the balance on my SB gold card. If you do not want me in your store as I am, you also do not want my money. Please return it. Thank you, Master Sergeant John Laigaie.


2. Hello John,
Thank you for contacting Starbucks.
Please note we are able to refund a returned Starbucks Card only if:
The card has not been used.
Proof of purchase is provided (this can be a receipt from a company-owned, licensed or grocery store, as well as an order number from an online purchase).
The 16 digit Starbucks Card number and CSC number (PIN) is also provided.
If you are a resident of one the following states, you may qualify to receive cash back at a company-owned store: California; Colorado; Maine; Massachusetts; Montana; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington.This allows cardholders to obtain or refund the value of a Starbucks card if equal to or less than the amount designated by the state.

Otherwise, rest assured the remaining value of your card will not expire. If you no longer wish to use the card it can be transferred to another user.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (800) 782-7282 (STARBUC).


3. Miss C you have missed my point. Your CEOs announcement that I am no longer welcome in your store puts me in a position where I cannot use my card. If I am no longer welcome, as he has stated publicly, my funds are no longer wanted either. Please tell me how I can transfer the balance on my gold card to something I can use elsewhere.
Should I go to my local shop and ask for the refund or can it be done at your level?
Thank you, Master Sergeant John Laigaie


4. Dear John,
I'm really sorry we didn't get this right the first time. We'll process the refund for you. A check will be issued to the address listed on your email and on your account. It will arrive in 3-4 weeks.
Sincerely,

Anjelika R
customer service


Not so hard. The "rules" say, you only get the last fife dollars in cash. They "changed the rules" with the CEOs announcement. Bottom line is........my money goes where I am welcome. Not where I get a veiled threat of animosity.