THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

A worrying trend at world’s biggest coffee chain?   

A worrying trend at world’s biggest coffee chain?   

In 2000, when I first arrived in Thailand, a Starbucks Grande latte cost Bt85. After many incremental rises,

it is now Bt130 – a price increase of 50 per cent in only 18 years. (Bottled water has increased only Bt1 per bottle in the same period.) Since then, the Venti cup size has been added and costs Bt145. I still enjoy Starbucks beverages, but lately I have noticed a worrying trend: the level of drinks served has dropped to 1 to 2 inches below the lip of the cup. For years, the baristas filled the cup to the top, placing a lid over it to avoid spillage. However, now a Venti is only a little more than a Grande, and a Grande is a little more than a Tall-sized beverage. So, you pay for one size, but receive something closer to the size below. The barista often adds a lot of foam, which makes the problem worse. I have noticed many branches in Thailand are now following this trend. 
When I return the “short-measure” drink in protest, staff have agreed to make another – which reduces profit and absorbs worker time unnecessarily. As a Gold member I once spent over Bt30,000 per year at Starbucks, but now spend less than half of that and falling. Complaining seems to do nothing. Starbucks needs to know there are plenty of other options available for customers who are seeking a little more honesty and value.
Ron
Bangkok

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