San Francisco...Peets Coffee pleasant ambience! Faulty unreliable wireless service...

Sullen faces a turn off!

If you're up in the Castro district at the crack of dawn and in dire need of a cup of steaming hot java - or soothing hot tea - Peets on Market is a hang out deserving of your kind patronage for the most part.

Stroll in at seven o'clock in the morning, and a posse of servers are on duty, anxious to deliver up your order with a smile (except for a sour puss or two with sullen faces who should think about moving on instead of taking out their discontent about their failings in life on the customers).

The display window at the counter is packed with scrumptious-looking goodies - bagels, scones, and appetizing cakes and cookies - that appear to have been home-baked out back.

And, there is a definite energy in the air, so unlike those other dreary places with all the attitude.

Some folks will argue that because I'm a famous individual in the glare of the spotlight, that the staff in cafes and trendy little watering holes, fall over me.

"You get special treatment," they chide.

True, for the most part, elsewhere.

When baristas normallyspy me coming, they hop to attention and assume their best behaviour, alright.

Here, though, the attractive well-heeled baristas treat all the customers with the same care and attention as they would a food critic there on the sly to pen a review (moi!)

By the way, Peets provides wireless service for folks on the go with any purchase (large or small).

However, there appears to be a bit of false advertising, in respect to that promise.

Either the wireless service is faulty, or slack attention to details may account for a persistent problem I have encountered over the past few days, while jostling around San Francisco taking in the sights.

For example, although the coupon for the wireless promises a two-hour session, on many occasion right when I am smack dab in the middle of a task the connection shuts down forty-or-fifty minutes later.
Annoying!

I have noticed that when a cashier rings up the customer's bill - usually they input the data - and issue the coupon for the wireless service on the spot.

But, on occasion, they open a drawer and snatch up a ready-made one and toss it at the patron.

Is it possible that the "prepared ones" have been sitting for so long that they are out-of-sync with the computers - hence - the reason the service shuts down before the promised hour?

If that's the case, an inquiring mind may wonder aloud, is some discrimination going down over there at Peets?

In spite of that glaring irregularity, and staff's tendency to gossip about customers when they are just out of earshot, the ambiece is quite appealing.

Logging on, and relaxing in these environs for an hour so, is sheer heaven (if you ignore the minions).

Also, the handsome strangers who tend to frequent this cafe are worth striking up a conversation with.

No one appears to mind if customers leash their pet pouch out front, either, where fresh water is generously provided,.

Ah, that "other place" could learn a lot about public relations (how to treat a customer) if they sauntered into the welcome revolving door at Peets.

But,  the folks at the Seattle-based outfit, are too busy flogging CD's, mugs, and packets of instant (!) coffee at exhorbitant prices.

See 'ya at Peets!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Starbucks...baristas short-changed. Tip issue taints image!

Image of greed and questionable labor practice!

On the heels of news in recent months that sales are down at Starbucks - the java King was hit with another whammy this past week - where it hurts the most.

In the tip jar!

After reviewing pleadings in a class-action suit filed against the Seattle-based corporate giant, a Superior Court Judge in San Diego found that the company's policy of collecting tips and divvying out a portion of the baristas' spoils to supervisors and managers, was wrongful.

In her ruling Judge Patricia Cowett issued a directive that Starbucks cough the tip money back up with interest and that the practice of siphoning off funds to management stop.

In response, Starbucks vowed to appeal on the grounds that:

"The decision today in our view represents an extreme example of an abuse of the class-action procedures in California."

I disagree.

I have a number of friends who toil as professional waiters in expensive restaurants.

Usually they work together as a team and at the end of the night the tips are shared among the waiters, busboys, wine stewards and bartenders on duty.

The Starbucks practices are outrageous.

According to court pleadings, money collected in tip jars is stowed away in safes daily and divided up each week based on the staff's work schedule.

But - get this - supervisors and managers receive a portion of the tips!

It appears that instead of paying their management teams a proper salary, the coffee-maker has opted to supplement the incomes of the management teams off the backs of the baristas and the sweat of their brows.

Disreputable, at best!

But, what of the customers?

They have a right to be outraged, too.

Personally, I tend to tip based on the quality of service that day. And, if I plunk some cash into the jar, I expect that it be passed on to the person I am giving the nod to.

It irks me - as it does many others - that some employee down the line I've had no interaction with is receiving a portion of that tip money.

Moreover, to hold the tips is unconscionable!

Generally, waiters, bartenders, and service people rely on the cash flow each day to make ends meet.

How dare the managers lock up the funds and make 'em wait!

If Starbucks appeals the ruling, then consumers should boycot.

Otherwise, when will the greed end?

Yes, Java Devour - that new upstart down the street - is starting to look mighty appealing.

In the evening - I often saunter in there for an organic tea - then slip into a deep leather armchair and pen a post or two.

What do I find most appetizing about this little detour past Starbucks?

The understated decor, the flattering lighting, and - most of all - their inclination to provide a relaxing ambiance that is relatively commercial-free.

Java Detour entices!

Starbucks...sly competition outwits the leading java King. Gotcha!

Everyone was pretty much astounded this past week when Starbucks closed their doors mid-afternoon - posted an ominous sign on the door that said "Closed for Training" - and proceeded to leave their caffeine-deprived clients twistin' in the wind.

How dare they!

Seemed like such an oddball thing to do - or just maybe - it was a clever ploy to attract some attention at a time when the top bean in the java industry saw sales slipping through their fingers in recent days?

Sure worked.

I mean, didn't the little foray into the loopy world of uncertainty end up on the evening news, summarily landing 'em a lot of free publicity nationally?

Deny someone their fix and just see what's bound to happen!

Yup, the sly competition down the street one-upped 'em.

That "other place" posted a sign in their window, in eye-catching bold-faced type, which simply read:

"Try us. We're Trained already."

Ouch!

Yummie!

Starbucks...troops not coming home, according to staff!

I zipped into Starbucks tonight to grab one of my favorite snacks - the breakfast sandwhich - which I am fast-becoming addicted to. Built with peppercorn bacon, very tasty!

One of the service helpers asked the elegant woman in line in front of me if she would like to buy coffee for the troops. Under their new promotion, if a customer buys 6 lbs. for the men in the trenches, he or she gets 1 lb. of java free.

"Do they actually get the coffee," she chided the starbuck's server.

Yup, the young gal nodded in the affirmative.

The woman was a curious one, though. She probed further, "Do they have coffee grinders, too?"

"Oh yes," the fast-talking saleslady responded, quick on the uptake.

"We send 'em everything."

The woman turned and gave me a disbelieving look.

My turn.

When she asked me to make a contribution, I teased her a little.

"I thought the troops were comin' home?"

"No," she replied matter of fact. "They'll be over there for a while."

Huh?

Does Starbucks have an inside scoop on things?

Do tell, Jim Donald, we're all ears.