In 2009, Ms. Darkroasted and I paid $25 each to become
Starbuck's Gold Card members and reap the benefits of this exclusive club. For our money, we received 10 percent off of all our purchases from drinks to beans to merchandise. It was a great deal for high volume users like my family. As we cracked 2010, I received my updated card in the mail. It was shiny and had my name personalized on it once again making me feel special. Then the truth ripped the shine right off that worthless piece of plastic.
Gone! Gone was my
10 percent discount. Under the new plan, I get some peripheral perks and after every 15 drinks I get a freebie. This hurts a little bit. I mean, anyone who knows me is aware that I am a leading spokesperson for Starbucks. And now, I am left to swim in the same pool as the unwashed masses.
I have to hand it to the Starbucks marketing department. Here was the explanation for those of us who became members back when this perk mattered:
"To our dear early adopters of Starbucks Gold... You made 2009 a great year, and you showed us that a rewards program was exactly what you wanted from Starbucks. As a special thanks, we're inviting you into the Gold Level of My Starbucks rewards."
Let me translate for you:
"Dear existing Gold member. Wow, you really took us for a ride with that discount. I mean, whew, we couldn't afford that for another year if we tried. So here are some nice words and we are going to hope that this prose and this new shiny card with your name on it will confuse you into forgetting the perks are all gone."
Message received.
10 comments:
Maybe you should check out Dunkin Donuts rewards program....I am sure they won't leave you high and dry in a year. Noticed you wrote this at 1:58am this morning.....Starbucks coffee might be keeping you up.....Cindy G.
I think Starbucks was informed of your traitorous new purchase. A Starbucks loyalist has no business owning a traveling case for a premium coffee device. Do you think they don't have informants?! You are probably under surveilence right now...MM
Starbucks Gold Card is a loser for everyone. It seems to me the program is designed to correct an economic problem where $2 purchases were resulting in too many perks. I am not sure, but I tried to illustrate it at starbucksrevolt.com.
Let me answer these all at once. Cindy G., even with this cruddy move, Starbucks will still always be about 600 times better than that swill at Dunkin. MM, I don't know what you are talking about and you can't prove anything.
Finally, Christian, I reposted your site and appreciate the work you put into that. Great site.
You should have received a full year of 10% discount. The Gold Card program lasts for one year from date of card activation.
The shiny gold version of the gold card is pretty meaningless. You can use any registered card to receive your new card benefits, assuming that your 10 percent expired.
Many many cardholders all expired on 1-5-2010.
Definitely true that the new "My Starbucks Rewards" has some problems. Largely, that stars are earned per transaction and not in relationship to dollars spent, and also that it's not as generous of a program as the old Gold Card program.
But if you were a Starbucks customer back in the day when there were no discounts or rewards now, not sure why you'd demand Starbucks keep a one year discount card program alive.
StarbucksMelody.com
Melody, I know that they fulfilled their year contract. I think Ms. Darkroasted explained it best. It is like being upgraded to first class on all your flights for a year and then being told you have to go back to coach for the rest of your life. Going back just ain't easy to do.
I will not leave Starbucks. In fact, I am typing this response from a Starbucks on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. right now. But, I also will not go quietly into the night and I am going to be a little bit bitter for a time. Thanks for your response.
Starbucks rules like jimmy choo shoes on the feet of a petite chick eating gabagool
After I completed two BOLD promotion cards and took home 2 lbs., of "free" coffee, I stopped my patronage of Starbucks because of the new gold card. I was told I don't receive any credits from the card unless I load it with money. I don't like being forced to spend my money at Starbucks, especially after being a loyal 25-30 time a month customer for the past 12-15 years. Looks like Trader Joe's french roast for me!
I wonder if this golden card promotion already expires. Anyway great article.
you guys are losers
and good thing this guy realizes he's a loser too and stopped posting pointless crap
Post a Comment