Sampling Free Starbucks Coffee in California

Free Starbucks? How did I miss this memo?! As a writer, I consume enough coffee that, one would think, I would never sleep. Perhaps that is from where my insomnia comes-musing on that. Musing over, moving on. I decided that I would stop in at the two, yes two Starbucks locations near me. The first was right next door at the Albertson's grocery store. Lauren was quite polite and very helpful. Service with a smile!

I know that in-store locations operate differently than regular locations, but I decided to ask her what she thought of the promotion anyway. She said only about 10 costumers even knew about the promotion. And, since they were an in-store location, they ran the promotion differently. She said they received the memo about the promotion late last night and had to frantically prepare for today. Instead of offering the short (8 oz) sample of Pike Place Roast, they were offering short samples of their regular House and Decaf House blends. The in-store location wasn't very busy, and we both figured it would be busier at the location right along Pacific Coast Highway.

Ever onward, ever forward, I trudged the extra 50 yards to the Starbucks Coffee House. I noticed a severe lack of customers at 10:45am. There were three employees, a girl and two guys. One of the guys was the shift manager. He never did tell me his name, but his demeanor gave me the distinct impression that my presence was not welcomed there. I suppose saying, "I have four questions about the promotion," probably didn't make him happy. But, really, what else was there for him to do? There weren't any customers-I'd waited until those two left.

I noticed they had a sign up with prices for the Pike Place Roast. They were selling the short samples (that were listed on Starbucks' website as being the "free samples") for $1.30. I didn't bother to ask if they were just giving sample cups. The sign on the register counter indicated that to me. I am not a member of the Coffeehouse Illuminati and, therefore, did not feel the necessity to query further. I did, however, ask if they were a "participating store." He gave me an abrupt answer of 'yes,' as if to say, "how can you be so stupid?" So, I asked if the customers were aware of the promotion and if he felt the promotion were helping his store. He said most of the customers knew about the promotion, but he simply did not run a high-volume mid-day store. Had the promotion began at 9am EST (6am PST), he would have had a better idea. I explained the in-store location at Albertson's had mentioned a delay in getting the word and asked if he had the same. He said they'd received the memo a few days before hand. I thanked him for his time and left. Sans coffee.

In my area, we have our selection of Starbucks Coffee Houses. If one wishes to drive to a, in my opinion, better coffee house, the closest one is about half a mile from my house and is a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Considering the location of said coffee house (and the fact that I think they're coffee and prices are better), I would say that Coffee Bean is wholly unaffected by the promotion. There is a Starbucks across the street from the Coffee Bean, but, again, the comparison between service, prices, and quality is definitely in the favor of Coffee Bean.

Slogging back home, sans free coffee from a convenient Starbucks location, I decided to make my -own- free coffee: Seattle's Finest, Sumatra Whole Bean, ground coarsely and pressed in a...Starbucks' French Press. Oh, the tasty, tasty irony! With a shot of Mint Bailey's, I almost forgot about not receiving my 8 oz. of Pike Place Roast.