Starbucks’ Temporary Closing Pisses Off Dunkin Donuts Customers
In an attempt to capitalize on this temporary caffeine shortage, Dunkin’ Donuts is offering small lattes, cappuccinos or espresso drinks for a promotional price of 99 cents today from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. One might take that to mean that you could walk into Dunkin’ Donuts with nothing but a dollar bill in your hand and walk out with a caffeinated beverage, but as the mutinous customers at the D&D on 28th and Madison discovered twenty minutes ago, one would be wrong. You need a coupon. "Oh, so you guys don’t play by the same rules as everyone else?" said a suit, storming out. "Forget you guys," said the girl behind him. "Just gimme a coffee," I grumbled, suddenly first in line, and shelled out the usual $1.51.
Starbucks is all about customer service these days. They’re doing things like handing out customer surveys and giving out $5 gift cards to customers who’ve had to move seats to accomodate a book signing. In a couple hours, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., they’re closing their 7,100 stores across the U.S. for three hours of employee training, which will, according to a press release, "foster enthusiasm in its 135,000 U.S. employees and improve the quality of drinks made by Starbucks baristas."
