text:
My Starbucks Rewards UK&I
Many of you have been talking about our new My Starbucks Rewards programme. I want to let you know that we've been listening and thank you for taking the time to tell us how you feel.
I'd like to talk about why we've made these changes.
When we developed the programme, we took great care to listen to what our customers were saying. They told us very clearly they wanted a rewards scheme that gave them free drinks when they visited us regularly, no matter what they ordered. Also, they wanted extra benefits if they came more often, which is why we introduced the new Gold level.
That's why this scheme is a little different to the one that has been launched in the US, and why every registered card holder immediately qualifies for free drinks, without the need to reach Gold level.
I know that some of our customers who drink filter coffee or buy whole bean have lost a discount under the new scheme. That said, they will now get a free drink every 15 visits and receive a number of other benefits. I appreciate that we could have told you about this more clearly.
This isn't the only way that we're giving customers more value. In recent months, we have also introduced free Wi-Fi and free iTunes downloads. Just last week we created a faster and more convenient way to pay using the iPhone app, and we'll be following up with the Android version soon.
In the last few days, we've seen more people than ever using their Starbucks Cards in our stores, which gives me confidence we now have a programme that can reward the loyalty of each and every one of our customers – regardless of what they drink.
You have my personal commitment, we're going to keep listening. This kind of feedback is incredibly valuable as we find ways to improve what we do. We have many more exciting developments to bring you in the coming weeks and months. Thank you for being a Starbucks customer.
comments (200)
- 3224dave
- 11/01/2012 03:34
Hi Ian. as you say, Filter Coffee drinkers have really lost out - 50p discount per drink. The free drink is in no way free for me - 15 Filter Grandes used to cost £18. They now cost me £25.50, so the Free drink costs me £7.50! Great. I think you will see people voting with their feet, and moving to Costa or Nero.
- njohnson101
- 18/01/2012 04:19
- karljhamilton
- 30/01/2012 14:34
I've switched from being a Starbucks addict to Pret-a-Manger. 99p fresh filter vs. £1.50 and just as good. Easy equation to work out.
- maxijazz
- 23/05/2012 09:42
Ditto for me. I was in Starbucks every day last year. With the £0.5 price increase and only 1 free coffee for every 15 coffees it is Pret for me. I still love the Starbucks filter coffee BUT with an estimated loss of more than £100 per year the choice is simple. Surely Starbuck's can still make a pretty penny for £1 for simple filter coffee?
- Paulandclairenorman
- 08/02/2012 11:56
Like so many other People I really feel that I loose out with the new scheme. I used to buy ground coffee on nearly a weekly basis, having a free drink each time ... Now I only get one every 15 weeks ... Where is my incentive to buy Starbucks coffee over costa? - answer: there no longer is one ... As a real Starbucks fan this pains me .... But as mentioned, people vote with their feet!
- Paulandclairenorman
- 08/02/2012 13:13
Also, I know it was mentioned that the new scheme is not the same as the us scheme, but this privilege is even available on the basic level over the pond. When I looked at the recent book from the founder of Starbucks it spoke above serving people and going out of your way to please a customer ... Is this the same company? ... Judging on how many negative comments there are to this blog, I'm not sure!
- kriskkan
- 29/02/2012 06:29
Yes I agree, on top of which we have to wait up to 3 weeks for a starbucks
voucher. That really is an insult. Nero, Concertina, and even McDonalds, Reward is
instant!! Thats Loyalty Appreciation!!. This scheme hasnt been thought through, there has been no customer input, and quite frankly it *****.
But why wouldnt it? , Your company are a corporation out to make as much money as possible, profit first, customers second. Simple as that!
- bryan.steele
- 14/03/2012 05:51
- Gripfill
- 11/01/2012 03:42
As a filter coffee drinker I do not believe that the new rewards programme 'is better than ever.' The loss of the discount off each cup is not matched under the new scheme. The email I received informing me of the new scheme failed to mention this information. Poor communication from a global company or a deliberate ploy to mislead has caused confrontation for customer focused staff.
I will not be 'topping up' my card again and visiting stores in protest to this cavalier attitude.
- Limesmoothie
- 11/01/2012 04:07
You've made a good scheme poor and are trying to spin the consequences. Cardholders are invariably 1) customers who spend frequently in stores and b) much better informed and social media savvy than you take them for. In a crowded market place, this is a PR disaster - already the subject of 2 articles in Marketing Week in the last 2 days. I've run my credit down and will be using other retailers until/unless you see sense. Twitter/Facebook responses to reasonable queries are patronising at best.
- tconey
- 11/01/2012 04:36
Based on last years figures, how many(% and number) of the existing card holders which you 'gave' Gold to for a year would fail to meet the new criteria of 50 visits for next year based on usual visiting paterns? I assume this was researched by the team deciding the figure of 50 stars or was this figure plucked out of the air?
Also to state free wifi is a bit dis generous as this use to be a very benefit of the rewards scheme before you made it available to everyone!!!
- adiebriggs
- 11/01/2012 05:09
Free wi-fi and iTunes were introduced before this 'improvement', so to include these is disingenuous at best. You talk about the face that you listened to your customers, can I you say when you asked all reward card holders what they thought? No one I know with a card has been asked for any feedback so one can only assume you asked no reward card and to give 1 day notice is poor.
Where is the apology for the mis-information that Brian Waring gave in his interview to marketing week?
- astennett32
- 11/01/2012 05:30
The new scheme is appalling, highly insulting to our intelligence to expect us to believe it's a better deal.
I'd suggest given the amount of notice given about the change that Starbucks knew it was going to be unpopular. I'd recommend scrapping this new scheme and bringing back the old benefits. until that happens I and many people I know will be using either Costa or Nero.
- robinleggett
- 11/01/2012 05:37
"listening" is an active verb - there's no evidence you are actively engaged with justified concerns. No comment on why US customers get a better deal, you shout about tech but free drinks are done through vouchers, to name but two. That's great that you see growth in stores but you fail to mention a similar upturn in customer complaints which might lead you to conclude something different. This is a marketing AND PR fail of epic scale. You won't see my reaction in store - unless you go to Costa.
- 3224dave
- 11/01/2012 05:52
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- 11/01/2012 06:13
Guys its one thing changing your loyalty program but to make it significantly less beneficial (to your customers) than the US one is adding insult to injury. Here are a few things customers are missing out on in the UK:
Free drink on your birthday (1 drink purchase in 12 months to qualify in US)
Free drink when you buy a bag of beans
Free syrups/customisation etc kicks in @ 5 stars in US vs 50 stars in UK
Your post actually tries to mislead in this area, why?
- robinleggett
- 11/01/2012 07:50
To be fair, the US scheme isn't perfect. We'd lose out on free shots and it has the same "loony tunes" way of reward by transaction rather than spend but at least it would be FAIR rather than the new "rip off Britain" approach they have opted for. I'd probably be slightly worse off with the US system but I'm arguing for it because it is fair.
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:19
> I want to let you know that we've been listening ....
It would be hard not to listen, given the number of complaints made on Facebook, by email and elsewhere, but it's a pity that Starbucks can't be bothered responding to emails, and the responses on FB have been lame, rehashing the same few statements about how you've listened to what customers wanted, and that they don't understand points systems - did you only asked your most stupid customers for feedback?
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:20
> I'd like to talk about why we've made these changes.
Excellent - I'd like to hear that. My opinion is that you thought you'd get some great publicity out of announcing a 'new' rewards scheme, and heck let's get rid of those discounts we've been giving to loyal customers, we'll charge them full price, and our customers don't even understand points-based reward systems, so they'll be too stupid to realize we're milking them for extra cash.
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:20
> When we developed the programme, we took great care to listen to what our customers were saying.
Looks to me, like you just said let's remove the discounts, then we'll rehash the USA rewards scheme so that the benefits are less - those UK and Ireland customers are too stupid to realize they're being done. And if a few people make any noise about it, we'll tell them how we listened to our customers and this is what they wanted, and it'll all blow over in a little while.
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:22
> They told us very clearly they wanted a rewards scheme that gave them free drinks when they visited us regularly, no matter what they ordered.
So how many customers did you ask - did you do a straw pole for ten minutes on a wet day outside your nearest branch?
Did you think of doing a survey amongst your existing cardholders? Or are you only interested in new customers, not your existing?
Did you tell them the existing discounts would be removed?
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:23
> They told us very clearly they wanted a rewards scheme that gave them free drinks when they visited us regularly, no matter what they ordered.
Did you tell them they'd only get a star/point whatever per transaction, not per coffee like every other rewards scheme?
Did you tell them that you'd have more transactions than in any other scheme to get a benefit? Where I live, reward schemes equate to a free hot drink after from 4 to 10 paid coffees (note I said coffees, not transactions).
- bryan.steele
- 14/03/2012 05:53
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:24
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:26
> That's why this scheme is a little different to the one that has been launched in the US
Did you ask something like this?
How would you like a new rewards scheme - it'll actually give you less than the old one, but we'll have a spiffy new name for it and we'll have this thing called a 'gold level' so that you can feel more important than you really are?
And to top it all we'll let you be 'gold level' member for a while for free!
But do keep spending with us or we'll take that away
- crookedjack007
- 16/01/2012 00:23
I agree with barrybyrne. When I had the notification of the new 'improved' scheme through the post it did make me smile. Less benefits all round, but I get to be 'Gold' so I'll feel special.
As if.
Nero's - 9 Coffees. 10th Free. Simple. And so much better than 15 VISITS for a free tall beverage. Which is rubbish. Voting with my feet.
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:27
> I know that some of our customers who drink filter coffee or buy whole bean have lost a discount under the new scheme. That said, they will now get a free drink every 15 visits and receive a number of other benefits. I appreciate that we could have told you about this more clearly.
Actually you didn't tell us about this at all. We found out when we looked at the balance on the receipt after paying for our coffees.
- kentland31
- 09/02/2012 02:41
I am a filter coffee drinker and I didn't find out about these changes until I read my receipt and questioned the transaction as being erroneous. How dare they take away benefits they already promised!! I have no objection to them adding rewards, but taking them away just drives loyalty away. I used to get a free drink after spending £3, now it will take me £22.50 to get a £1.50 drink coupon! Disgusting treatment for such loyalty don't you think??
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:28
So now we get a free drink after 15 transactions for what we used to pay £1 or €1.40, after we've shelled out an additional £7.50 or €12 (or more that that if you buy more than one item a time) over what we used to pay.
And what are the 'number of other benefits' to filter coffee drinkers that you mention? I don't see any.
- ponchymonchy
- 17/01/2012 03:09
Hey Mr. Half Empty, you are overlooking the app that lets you pay instead of using that oh so clumsy plastic card. No more fumbling around in your wallet looking for that card, Now you just show everyone in the store that you have an iPhone and just hope you don't get mugged for it
An app - now I don't mind having had the rug pulled from under me....Oh wait, I don't have a smartphone!
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:29
Did you also think "let's not bother giving you this benefit electronically. We'll stick a voucher in the post, and it'll expire a short while after we send it to you. I know this will cost us lots in terms of paper, stamps, ink, and administration, but as most of the vouchers will get lost in the post or by you or will expire before you get to use them, so we'll actually save in the long term, as we won't have to honour most of the vouchers"
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:29
> This isn't the only way that we're giving customers more value.
It's been a long time since I was in school, but my maths don't seem to be the same as yours in working out the more value. For my 500+ coffees a year, it'll cost me about €370 per year more. Is that how you define more value? Or did you mean more value for Starbucks?
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:30
> In the last few days, we've seen more people than ever using their Starbucks Cards in our stores,
Not surprising given that you have posters and stars up everywhere and have the staff asking all their customers to sign up. But your posters don't explain the benefits lost to existing customers. When I pointed out the additional expense at the counter, I got the 'but you get a free drink after 15' response. When I explained the maths, I was told I should email my thoughts.
- astennett32
- 11/01/2012 06:35
- ponchymonchy
- 17/01/2012 02:27
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:30
- markdavidhaus
- 11/01/2012 06:30
YOU HAVE ***NOT*** LAUNCHED THE IPHONE APP IN IRELAND!!! Don't sit there and tell us what you have done when you clearly haven't. Who do you think you are just making up stuff you did. Ireland or as you like to put it "I", is ALWAYS left out in the big promos and new features. Launch the pay my iPhone app in Ireland maybe before working on other ideas like android. And lastly, 50 is WAY to many, when you listened to people saying they'd like more rewards did they say nearly double US rewards?
- liirtrism
- 11/01/2012 12:11
Im still waiting for the iPhone app which my sister can use in the uk...
Get ur head out of the clouds and keep Ireland in the Loop.. NOW!!!!
- ponchymonchy
- 17/01/2012 03:11
- sferson
- 26/01/2012 06:04
Just rejoin the UK then you won't have all these problems :)
And lets compare the number of iPhone users in "Ireland" with the number of Android users in the UK and see which makes more sense, especially since the iPhone App already works for at least a third of the population of Ireland.
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:31
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:31
- barrybyrne
- 11/01/2012 06:31
> Thank you for being a Starbucks customer.
Sorry my card balance has now run dry and I haven't bothered to reload - perhaps when Starbucks management wake up and smell the coffee, put their hands up and admit they screwed up, and do something about it, then maybe I'll come back.
- markdavidhaus
- 11/01/2012 06:35
I agree with my fellow coffee drinkers. We are most certainly not better off. As an American living in London, I've accpeted at Starbucks here, I will often have to wait for coffee to be brewed. I get that the UK is an espresso culture but Starbucks was born on filtered coffee, correct? Now, I'm required to pay £1.50 ($2.30) for the same tall pikeplace that is $1.91 in NY. I'm afraid Pre-a-Manger will be my solution
- tconey
- 12/01/2012 06:14
- adiebriggs
- 11/01/2012 06:41
Also it should probably be pointed out that this is a redevelopment and not a new development . Also the android app is already available in the states, strip away all the fluff in that statement and you're left with: we've taken a lot away replaced it with a free drink scheme that is worse than our competitors because it's what you our customers want. even with my own cup it's still cheaper to buy filter elsewhere and mcdonlads even give every 7th one free..
- ejk424
- 11/01/2012 07:29
Rewarding customers with a free drink every so often is *absolutely* the right thing to do, but this is *absolutely* the wrong way to do it.
To award stars per transaction rather than per £ spent is completely unfair on customers who regularly place larger orders and, as has already been discussed at length on facebook, most people will get around this by paying for each item they buy as a seperate transaction, this increasing queuing time for everyone. What awful planning.
- Limesmoothie
- 11/01/2012 07:32
- rewaltonhayfield
- 11/01/2012 09:23
- ejk424
- 11/01/2012 07:31
Also, making us wait for vouchers in the post, then having to spend them in a limited time (some of us don't live right by a store, y'know, and can't visit often!) is nonsense in this day & age. Why can't the free drink be claimed immediately via the card? You might as well admit you're making it hard to claim in the hope that people won't.....
- jennytablina
- 11/01/2012 08:19
I'm not planning on ending my Starbucks days but must express my dissapointment at the new scheme.
I wanted to support it and be excited because over the past 3 years Starbucks have been pretty kind to me as a Starbucks Rewards member, plus I enjoy my Starbucks visits, but I liked having filter as an option (despite being a latte fan), and while infrequent, did enjoy getting a free drink with my beans or VIA
IMO You could of at least done an online survey of members to get better results
- robpurbrick
- 11/01/2012 08:25
Apart from a free TALL drink for every 15 drinks what other benefits have I gained that I didn't have previously?
As others have said 15 tall filters would have cost me £15 and now cost £22.50 with a free Tall only drink of £1.50 if I stick to filter. £6 more than before.
I DID get asked my opinion in a survey last year and there was no mention of how rewarding me for drinks might work or that you would remove current benefits.
Like others my balance will not be topped up again!
- robpurbrick
- 11/01/2012 08:34
Why no statement regarding the article in Marketing Week when Brian Waring states "one will lose benefits, but now in addition they will get a free drink with 15 visits" NOTE he says in addition I get a free drink!
Read the full article here http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/sectors/food-and-drink/qa-starbucks-vice-president-of-marketing/3033060.article
Still waiting for a reply to the email sent last week asking exactly this?
- rewaltonhayfield
- 11/01/2012 09:22
I am disgusted with this iniquitous reward system that gives the same reward on a potential spend of 50p to that of £25. I have 4 children and EVERY week I spend £10 on lunch for myself and 2 youngest children, most weekends my husband and I will spend £25-30 on lunch for all of us. FOR ONE STAR ??? Without mentioning the Via and filter benefit loss. I don't know who you asked - your board ? Both my husband and I have cards, loads of mugs, thermal cups, VIA. & loved SB. Absolutely appalling.
- wsrowatt
- 11/01/2012 13:46
Totally agree... I have similar situation where I buy 3 drinks and food all at once... Well I'm going to brave it and make sure I get 6 stars for every visit from now on.
Otherwise I'm losing all the benefits I had before under the whole bean scheme... and I refuse to spend about £300 to get one free coffee back.
- rewaltonhayfield
- 11/01/2012 09:26
As you 'have seen more people than ever using cards' I can only presume you are happy to be replacing your loyal customer base with new people. We can all go somewhere else and these new people will fill your coffers... and they call it a 'loyalty' system. How ironic.
- scoobyroo2
- 11/01/2012 10:37
> some of our customers who drink filter coffee have lost a discount under the new scheme. That said, they will now get a free drink every 15 visits & receive a number of other benefits.
Being rather self indulgent, I've worked out I would have been around £200 worse off pa thanks to your 'improved' rewards scheme. 2x filters per (working) day, 5 days a week... even with a free cup every 15 (wooo!). I say 'would of' as I've been drinking .99p Pret since Fri & am now £5 better off pa! So long!
- scoobyroo2
- 11/01/2012 10:42
> I know that some of our customers who drink filter coffee or buy whole bean have lost a discount under the new scheme. That said, they will now get a free drink every 15 visits and receive a number of other benefits.
(darn character limit!) Now, do tell me about the "number of other benefits"? You have taken away benefits and added none, it's as simple as that. Man up & admit that this was a money grabbing move & you have absolutely no interest in cust loyalty... I'd at least respect that!
- pcolmer
- 11/01/2012 14:28
> That's why this scheme is a little different to the one that has been launched in the
The preceeding paragraph really doesn't explain why you aren't still offering a free drink when beans are purchased (like the US) or why you aren't offering a free drink on our birthday (like the US). In fact, the BIGGEST difference between UK & US is we have to get FIFTY stars to get to Gold, not THIRTY!
Shame on you for trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
- Dancinannie3
- 11/01/2012 17:09
I'd just like to lend my support to the above complaints. Very disappointed that Starbucks UK are no longer offering a free tall drink with the purchase of a bag of coffee beans and no discount on filter coffee for registered card holders.
It is quite likely that myself, mother and fiance will move from being regular customers to infrequent visitors.
I hold loyalty cards for The Boston Tea Party, Pumpkin, Wetherspoons and Ritazza, they all offer free drinks for fewer purchases.
- roydavidson
- 27/01/2012 10:32
Went into my regular store today without realising that this benefit had been removed! Not pleasant to have to insist at the till that their system had made an error only to find out the benefit had been removed without me being told!
No more organic whole bean coffee available!! The most loyal customer ever is now looking for a new supplier.
- cariadeccleston
- 12/01/2012 08:13
I have to agree with everyone up there before me -- this is a TERRIBLE change for existing, loyal customers. I loved the discount I had on filter coffee, but now Starbucks is a more expensive option on the high street. Guess where I won't be going any more? And you really shouldn't be so proud of the iPhone app. Most of your staff haven't ever heard of it, and they're reluctant to accept it. I wish I could get a discount on my top-up now.
- cariadeccleston
- 12/01/2012 08:15
I also can't believe we get a star only per-visit, not by the amount we spend! If I was going to buy a coffee, a sandwich and a cake, then it would be a better deal for me to queue and pay THREE TIMES. How is that more efficient for me, your staff or the other paying customers? Why should that behaviour be rewarded?
- jdoogiek
- 12/01/2012 09:35
Barrybyrne seems very much hacked off by these changes. Given that costa have demonstrated that people prefer their coffee this seems to be somewhat nearsighted. Only thing keeping me going back to 'bucks was the cheap filter coffee. Surely even at a £1 starbucks were making a healthy profit. since the card is a cashless system i can't see how the iphone app is even a perc? I'll be joining the masses voting with their feet. Even the friendly girl who served me my last pike thought this was nuts.
- andygill
- 12/01/2012 14:25
- P21gjcox
- 12/01/2012 14:55
I have to echo all the comments above. Frankly appalled that my morning tall filter is now costing 50% more, while all I am getting as compensation is a free drink every 15 visits. Like other people here, I have emptied my card of its balance and am not going to top it up again. Also, 2 emails and 3 tweets for @StarbucksUK to even acknowledge my complaint, no explanation though. Poor. Very, very poor.
- Gomacadeshez
- 13/01/2012 05:17
Filter Coffee is a rip off now. It also must make such a big margin on it as it is so cheap to make and produce. Surley it is better to loose £5.60 per customer per 15 drinks than loose your filter coffee customers (once their current balances expire).
plus it's false advertising to say "better than ever".
New scheme: £1.90 * 15 - £1.90 = £26.60
Old Scheme : £1.40 * 15 = £21
- dawraggster
- 13/01/2012 05:21
The first time I knew that the 50p discount on filter was gone was when I bought my usual filter despite reading the literature that Starbucks sent. This was the reason I used a card and bought Starbucks, if you value your customers bring this back, listen to your customers who are upset enough to take the time to post on this board.
- Gomacadeshez
- 13/01/2012 05:23
I take out my filter coffee. I have no desire for any other "benefits", which don't benefit me at all. Starbucks is no longer a worthwhile option (once my card balance is emptied).
- Gomacadeshez
- 13/01/2012 05:24
- srhicks57
- 13/01/2012 06:29
- flemingdh
- 13/01/2012 12:48
If you wanted to simply introduce the American version of the rewards program to the UK market, that would be fine, but you've decided to cancel a pretty good program by withdrawing most of its benefits and replace it with a VASTLY inferior program that bears no resemblance to its American counterpart. I do not believe that ANY marketing reseach was undertaken - who would say "Yes, Starbucks, we want less for more"?? The new program shows complete contempt for your customers.
- lisacampion
- 15/01/2012 10:10
There's no benefit to topping up my card with you. Myself and hubby are lactose intolerant so the free soya milk was the reason for our loyalty. I visit on average with my husband once a week, but can't get to you every week, so will probably fall short of the 50 stars required to keep the benefit another year. If it was per drink, we'd be ok. So we spend about £10 a week with you and top up every week, what's the point? Get a free drink every 15 weeks? Big deal! Worse off by at least £20 a year!
- adiebriggs
- 16/01/2012 06:02
- giant_frying_pan
- 15/01/2012 16:23
I've been a long-time user of the old Rewards card and it encourages me to top up a significant amount over the years and therefore spend a lot with Starbucks. Not just on discounted drinks but I purchased and enjoyed other things I wouldn't normally have like food and Via sachets.
I was also really happy that over time, Starbucks was only ever adding the the scheme, rather than taking away.
- giant_frying_pan
- 15/01/2012 16:26
However, with the removal of the discount for filter coffee and free drink with a bag of beans or Via purchase, I see myself visiting Starbucks a lot less often. I probably won't 'defect' to any of the other big chains, but I'm more likely to visit independent coffee shops now, of which there is no shortage of in my city.
Again, I'm really disappointed in the changes and it's the method of which they have been implemented; seemingly sneaking them in, which is the biggest letdown.
- allottcpsb1
- 16/01/2012 06:51
Free wifi had it before with the Starbucks card anyway, so hardly giving anything back to your card holders are you?
I'll still go to Starbucks. The staff at my local one are friendly and it's a nice location. However, with the filter coffee offer withdrawn it'll just be once a week now rather than 4/5 times.
- ponchymonchy
- 17/01/2012 03:13
You've not really explained why you got rid of the £1 coffee
The only reward I used was a £1 coffee and a free cup with whole beans. Both have gone, so I've no reward worth having. Thanks, but I can get a free cup of coffee a lot sooner elsewhere
Surely you're still making a good profit on filter even at £1 - how many do you get out of 1 bag? Plus you're sat on £1000s of reward credit earning you interest too
A new Costa near me gets ALL my trade now, I don't just buy £1 coffees you know
- nearlyheadlessian
- 17/01/2012 14:04
- macnurna
- 17/01/2012 14:47
- awjlodge
- 18/01/2012 03:54
- altafearn
- 18/01/2012 04:52
Starbucks have turned a great scheme into a terrible one. With the card, I have enjoyed free shots and a free drink when I purchased beans. The shots are now contingent on clocking up 50 transactions (not drinks) and the free drink has been deleted. I am going to empty my Starbucks Card and go to Costa, Nero, M&S etc where drinks come with 2 shots anyway and typically you get a free drink for every 9 purchased. So long Starbucks!
- mickrick
- 18/01/2012 06:07
> When we developed the programme, we took great care to listen to what our customers were saying.
Shouldn't that read "...we took great care to listen to what our SHAREHOLDERS were saying."
Anyway, this was just the excuse I needed to get an espresso maker for our kitchen in work. That way I'll see rewards everytime I fancy a cup of coffee, to the tune of about £2 a cup.
Bye, Starbuck$$$
- El_Raberto
- 18/01/2012 12:58
Yes, it doesn't seem very 'green' (see Responsibility\ Environment\ Recycling & Reducing Waste -at top of page!) sending out a voucher to redeem your free coffee once you hit visit number 15 when surely you could just do it at the till?
- El_Raberto
- 18/01/2012 13:15
Also, I got a free americano last week (with a free extra shot) when I bought a bag of beans. I take it this was some sort of fluke? On a U.S. site it's mentioned that the old packaging still gives you a free coffee but the new style doesn't? Also I'm unlikely to make 50 visits in a year so its bye-bye to free coffee with beans and free extra shots.
- chris_notton
- 18/01/2012 14:18
Just realised I've been paying £1.90 per filter coffee for the last few weeks rather than £1.40. I Googled to get this page and I have to agree with every comment. The new rewards suck big time and I'll not be topping up again thank you.
No wonder you made the reciept optional, stops people knowing how much they are spending. Really you are doing so much harm to your business. I never set foot in the last Coffee house that did something like this.
Time to hit the twitterverse...
- mickrick
- 19/01/2012 04:11
Lol. I left a comment yesterday about how "...we took great care to listen to what our customers were saying." should have read "...we took great care to listen to what our SHAREHOLDERS were saying.".
I went on to say that this is just the excuse I needed to get an espresso machine for work (which I have been given free of charge) and how this would save me on average £2 per cup anytime I fancied a coffee (I usually have a venti triple shot latte).
It appears my post was removed. 8¬)
- mickrick
- 19/01/2012 04:13
- Kodour
- 19/01/2012 04:23
Whom ever came up with this "Wise" decision should be awarded "The How To Lose Your Customers" award of the year.
- mickrick
- 19/01/2012 04:25
- jontynorfolk
- 19/01/2012 06:09
- IainBrodie
- 20/01/2012 14:37
I sent an email complaining and the reply had a link to here. This blog has just reinforced my Unhappiness. It's ridiculous to say this change is an improvement and try's to treat me like a fool. I was in my local Starbucks at least twice a day and on first name terms with the staff. I use to actively seek other Starbucks when I was out and about (even when on holiday in the US). Now I feel like actively avoiding Starbucks.
- IainBrodie
- 20/01/2012 14:38
There in a costa, Nero, M&S, Pret and others in the same area as my office. Ive just run down my card to £0 and now trying to decide where to get my coffee in the future. The silence from Starbucks on this blog says it all - cant defend the change eh!
I plan to post my empty and well used card to the most senior person I can get an address for. Any suggestions?
- Frapucapuchino
- 21/01/2012 02:59
Wrong pricing structure for the eco cycle. The new styled rewards scheme is aimed only at people who buy premium drinks, not for low-priced lower-cal filter coffee drinkers. The reward for these customers has disappeared, it is a pity Starbys can't cater for both types customer. I'll be reducing my filter coffee intake, and afternoon teas with my niece, low £ coffee during the week afforded me weekly treats with her. PS it's pretty arbitrary if staff give the discount for the Starbucks thermos.
- bmspence
- 21/01/2012 10:23
- paulheskes
- 21/01/2012 16:49
I've had a reward card and enjoyed the benefits for some time and I'm amazed at the disregard shown toward loyal customers. There is no reason to load a card now, when the reward is a £1.50 coffee for every £22+ spent. In the past I've searched out a starbucks, but now that McDonalds offer good coffee with a free cup for every 6 bought, I can't see any reason to stay loyal to Starbucks. The recent survey is obviously to blame but were we telling the truth? They're about to find out.
- johnnykearney
- 22/01/2012 03:33
- limesmoothie
- 22/01/2012 08:47
Its fairly telling that of 90 comments on this post, none appear to be positive. Starbucks also appear to have stopped responding to their UK Facebook wall and the Twitter feed is only updated with 'positive' retweets. Criticism or reports of poor in-store customer service are ignored.
One of the most dismal marketing 'fails' in quite some time. If you don't like what social media is telling you, disengage? People dislike being taken for fools by corporations -these are your customers, LISTEN!
- abates-cw
- 23/01/2012 23:23
- 22/01/2012 10:37
I think at the very least Starbucks should award a star for each beverage purchased, as opposed to each visit. My wife and I visit our "local" Starbucks virtually every weekend and it means that I will only just qualify each year for Gold membership on this basis. Paying in two goes to maximise the number of stars per visit is a hassle and just wastes the staff's time too.
Also just purchased my last bag of beans, unless Starbucks bring back the free tall drink reward.
- chrisksaunders
- 23/01/2012 04:16
The new rewards system is awful. I used to stop by and buy my beans almost every week, hey they were a little more expensive I thought but I got a free caramel latte so I didn't mind the extra expense. Now I'll be looking elsewhere for beans! Oh and for my Latte treat... Costa or Nero here I come.
- sandieleo94
- 23/01/2012 15:33
Just found out instore today that I will no longer get my free tall drink with my bag of coffee, only found out then because I questioned staff about why I had been charged for the tall drink. Feel annoyed I had not been informed earlier, if I had I would not have put money on my card today, I will not in future. Will have to find another source of beans too.
- leelew17
- 24/01/2012 04:59
The good news is you make your Iphone app really usefull especially as I can top up my card and pay with the Iphone BUT then you make the rewards of no use whatsoever! talk about shooting yourself in the foot. I used to buy your beans which represented fair VFM as you got a free tall drink, but now the beans cost £4 and quite frankly I can get much better at that price. Bye Bye Starbucks
- thomasdavies89
- 24/01/2012 05:39
I too would like to echo the comments here. I used to buy a grande filter daily whilst at work, taking advantage of the 50p saving. My 'free' coffee now effectively costs £7.50 in lsot savings.
I'll stop replenshing my coffee machine at home with starbucks beans too, now I've lost my tall drink reward.
I hope that everyone votes with their feet, starbucks are far from the only option for my daily coffee, with others offering much more attractive reward schemes.
- aerotec
- 25/02/2012 09:50
- P21gjcox
- 24/01/2012 09:20
- daruma3
- 24/01/2012 09:58
Part of me says it isn't worth adding a comment here because in truth there's been absolutely no sign whatsoever that you're listening - whatever you claim in your blog. But I will because I don't want you to interpret silence as acquiescence. As many of the other filter coffee drinkers have said the new deal is far worse for us and what's more you've communicated it terribly. The only eneficiary of this mess is Pret a Manger...
- daruma3
- 24/01/2012 10:01
- The Jaspers
- 26/01/2012 04:11
We are also very disappointed, I hope adding my comments about the new scheme Starbucks will work out what to do next & improve the scheme back to it's former glory. I wrote an email to complain (which I never do) because I was so incensed the new scheme was being sold as an improvement not as it's true purpose, which is to water down the benefits. Maybe they make too much profit, maybe the queues are too big or maybe they want us to try other places! Looks like they'll succeed on all three!
- uzboz01
- 26/01/2012 05:14
Disappointing removal of perks of being a card holder. Certainly won't bother buying Starbucks beans any more and I was buying at least a bag a week on average and that meant I was also usually stopping by and buying food when I visited.
I'm not in the "I'm going to boycott Starbucks brigade" but I'll certainly visit less and spend less.
Dumb move imo probably initiated by someone who over analysed a spreadsheet.
I should imagine Darcy is pleased he left before this debacle
- brettjgilbert
- 26/01/2012 06:41
Dear Starbucks,
Now that my existing card balance has been used, I won't be refilling it. I will still visit your cafes, but less frequently and with less enthusiasm. Your new 'rewards' scheme is nothing of the kind. It is patronising to new customers and insulting to old. For the record:
— It is NOT a loyalty scheme since it requires prepayment. No other British retailer has a loyalty scheme that requires prepayment; they wouldn't dare.
- brettjgilbert
- 26/01/2012 06:41
— It is NOT an attractive prepayment scheme, since prepayment now offers only extremely deferred discounts, and then holds nothing but the threat of them being withdrawn if customers do not regularly and repeatedly top up their card. Again, no other British retailer offers such a prepayment scheme, and for exactly the same reason.
- brettjgilbert
- 26/01/2012 06:41
By conflating two fundamentally distinct types of retail incentive scheme you have made a category error, and created a scheme that offers nothing and serves no-one. The very best interpretation of this is that you have effected an 'inadvertent con' on your customers, but I am not prepared to be that charitable about a billion-dollar corporation.
Fool me once, Starbucks, shame on you. Fool me twice...
- Sharon2011
- 27/01/2012 05:24
I just drink filter coffee, and with the reward card, I didn't even look at other coffee places, as I got a few pence off EACH TIME. In fact, I used to go in every morning, as it was near my work. AND the wifi was for people who joined the reward scheme - not for everyone. I will now run down my card and check out other places. NOT a good move folks!
- tselliot
- 29/01/2012 09:51
- davefood
- 30/01/2012 07:56
I am pretty sure the "new and improved" scheme could be had under trade descriptions, its not improved for many people, actually I think you are just trying to reduce costs. Connecting i-tunes and free wire-fi is irrelevant they came long before these other changes!
Also because the scheme will now be per transaction I will be buying one coffee at a time, which will slow the queue down not speed it up?
Why is Welcome break still not on the card scheme?
- thernanz
- 30/01/2012 10:12
- avensis20
- 31/01/2012 17:56
The new reward scheme is crap. As a person who only drinks black filter coffee, I always enjoyed using the Starbucks card as I got the discount on each purchase. I noticed the price did not have the discount recently when using the reward card, but have only realised this is due to the new reward scheme, which Starbucks conveniently forgot to mention. I shall be going back to my favourite coffee shop in future. Costa Coffee.
- Grpogson
- 01/02/2012 00:58
I find it interesting that they said they've listened to their customers to come up with the new scheme. I don't remember saying i wanted a new rewards programme and they appear to have no intention of listening to us now - no responses to e-mails or Facebook posts. do you actually have a sales team Starbucks. Good luck in India by the way - if you don't listen to customers, you might as well stick to the two introductory outlets.
- brookal_1
- 01/02/2012 04:00
Having one scheme for US and one for UK is very confusing when you log into starbucks.com. It says that I should be eligible for free drink with whole beans but isn't right.
This was one of the benefits that brought me to Starbucks in the first place.
- brookal_1
- 01/02/2012 04:00
I am now going to go somewhere else for my coffee (Whittards factory outlet) as it is cheaper.
Therefore, by changing the reward system, Starbucks have lost out on some business.
- brookal_1
- 01/02/2012 04:00
I like the idea of a good reward system but surely the emphasis should be on the word "reward". If the whole bean offer was there then I would go back to spending more money at Starbucks again as the coffee is nicer but sadly finances have to be considered as well as taste so Whittards it is..
Sorry Starbucks - but to quote Homer Simpson - D'Oh!!!!!!
- kim.wong168
- 01/02/2012 09:24
- kim.wong168
- 01/02/2012 09:38
I'm not terribly impressed with the need to acquire another 50 stars each year to keep the gold status. We live in a rural area and the nearest Starbucks is 8 miles away, at current fuel prices for my car that's about £2 a round trip. I almost always buy a coffee in Starbucks when I am near one, but that isn't every week, so the chances of earning 50 stars is very low. This is a very poor show Starbucks, very poor indeed.
- kim.wong168
- 01/02/2012 09:41
Just one other point, you have our money in your bank up front, so this is more than a simple reward card. I'm not so sure if I'll bother to top up again, or if I do, it'll be at the till for the amount I'm about to spend. I can't see why I should lend you the money any more.
- Klein905
- 04/02/2012 10:30
- gillesj
- 01/02/2012 14:40
I too am disappointed with the new reward scheme as I frequently drink filter coffee and buy bags of coffee and I also frequently buy food so all in all I will be worse off with this scheme and think I will be using separate transactions whenever possible to at least get better value for my money
Also found out today that they have stopped giving free refills on filter coffee although don't seem to be advertising that they have withdrawn this too busy trying to up sell their new rewards system.
- Klein905
- 04/02/2012 10:32
- PirateTimelord
- 26/02/2012 06:53
As a note - though the new scheme has been very poorly implemented, thought out and communicated (and many details are still rather hard to find, if present at all, on the website), the free filter refill hasn't been stopped - that wasn't part of the rewards they say. What they did do with filter refills, is rather than offering the refill with the purchase of any hot drink, you now only get the refill with filter purchases (though this was introduced months before the 'reward' scheme change.)
- Skinqueezy
- 02/02/2012 02:41
I can understand why filter coffee drinkers are annoyed. These new benefits do seem to ignore you. As for anyone else. THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOU ANYTHING FREE.
As a registered card holder, the same FREE benefits still apply, as they started you on gold. THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT. And I don't think asking its customers to make 50 separate purchases in a year is a lot to ask to get these benefits. And I'm sure, in time, they will tweak the benefits to include all LOYAL customers.
- gireesh
- 03/02/2012 00:49
- lorimartin61
- 02/02/2012 04:38
I am very disappointed in the new rewards scheme, especially has I have four registered cards. When you said that you took great care to listen to what our customers were saying, who were those customers because I was never given the opportunity to voice my opinion. With the old rewards scheme, using my registered card, I received free syrup, cream, 50p off fresh filter. You have taken away and not stayed the same. My 16 years of loyalty with Starbucks (USA & UK) have now come to an end.
- gireesh
- 03/02/2012 00:41
Terrible! I asked about how to refund the money that is on the card as the benefits are useless to me as I prefer filter coffee. I had no reply from customer service which apparently listens to their customers! Just waiting to use up the amount and I will go elsewhere for coffee.
- spietrosanti
- 06/02/2012 15:21
- 07/02/2012 04:58
Thanks everyone for all the comments above I wasn't aware of the changes and was just about to advise members of my teams to buy a Starbucks card each instead of using the company credit card. In view of all the above comments I will now not be making that recommendation. And will be recommending that they us alternative coffee places.
- alexcomerford
- 08/02/2012 01:31
Starbucks don't understand what loyalty actually means. I used to be loyal to them. I even went to the government planning inspectors hearings when the local council tried to shut my nearest store for breach of planning permission. What do I get in return? My coffee goes up in price 50% on top of the (quickly removed) increase to £1.75 for a tall drip before xmas.
Most of my drinks are now brought from my local indy - cheaper, better and an instant reward after 9 cups.
- saint100
- 08/02/2012 15:42
Unbelievable! Didn't think I would see an American company try to top the coca **** blunder of many years ago and then try to tell us it was what the customer wanted. however not only that but you have compounded it by then ignoring those customers. Well congratulations you have made me a Costa customer - a company where my loyalty will be more generously rewarded and my intelligence and custom will be respected.
- olivershawo
- 09/02/2012 03:51
- 6028878889757669
- 09/02/2012 16:51
Hi Starbucks,
Just to let you know since the new rewards scheme started and I started losing more than I was being rewarded I have stopped drinking my daily filter coffee.
I now buy Kenco Millicano.
Shame as I really enjoyed my daily visit to Starbucks and my filter is now a distant memory!!
- ruskiny
- 10/02/2012 21:20
- 13/02/2012 05:58
I have moved to PRET A MANGER
They have filter coffee at 99p, also free wifi + the one I go to now free newspapers.
I sent an email to the customer services which they ignored about losing the 50p discount.
I asked for a refund on the balance on my card to put on my PRET card, sent the forms weeks ago + still no refund from the balance on my card.
Theya re obviously not interested in keeping regular customers who possibly are low spenders (around £4 or £5 a week in my case). PRET wins!
- sullyatt
- 13/02/2012 08:32
- ali5244
- 13/02/2012 10:04
- paulandclairenorman
- 13/02/2012 23:35
Given all of the negative feedback that I have seen here and in other places, when are you going to turn a marketing disaster into a marketing sucess by re-instating a free tall drink with a purchase of coffee beans and the £1 tall filter for gold members, really showing that to listen to and care about what scheme members say ... and because you care ... you do something about it?
- chrish0rn
- 14/02/2012 02:47
- waytoday
- 14/02/2012 12:04
Me and 2 friends used to visit our local Starbucks literally every day because we could get a filter coffee and a refill for a pound. We would often buy food and sometimes treat ourselves to a more expensive coffee. On average we would spend between 10 and 20 pounds each per week as well as bringing other friends into the shop. Now that the cost of our coffee has trebled we no longer go there. Well done Starbucks, nice way to treat your loyal customers.
- Dpreeves
- 15/02/2012 08:46
I'm not impressed by the new scheme. When I visit a Starbucks at a service station or in a hotel I'm told that they don't accept the starbucks card so the visit can't count towards the rather high requalification limit of 50 stars. I'm always told that Starbucks is working on solving the problem, ive been hearing the same line for over a year now. As a consequence I've started favouring Costa as at least each visit there earns me some reward. Oh and thanks for removing the £1 tall coffee offer..
- taiernest
- 17/02/2012 05:11
- ernieglenman1
- 18/02/2012 06:41
I have not used my card or Starbucks since finding out by experience rather than communication that the free coffee with a bag of beans was now gone. I am also a filter coffee drinker and have lost out there as well. What used to be a 3 / 4 times a week visit has gone to zero. I had to wait 17 days for a reply to an email, obviously customer services are inundated. Ill thought out and an absolute disaster. Costa & Nero have better Americano and better parking in my area. Supermarkets for beans.
- Dbinqs
- 19/02/2012 06:13
I have only just realised that I am not getting my coffee for £1 no more.
This is a bad move Starbucks n I will most certainly be using Costa or Pret A Manger who both sell coffee for 99p plus after about 12 stamps get a free one with Pret.
Your reward card does not really feel like a reward at all and in fact it's a bit misleading as there is no real reward at all.
Well done though for losing a loyal customer.
- srhicks57
- 22/02/2012 04:17
Okay. So one minute I'm a Gold member. Next I get three emails telling me I'm a green member.
- brookal_1
- 22/02/2012 04:31
Similar to srhicks57 I have just got 3 emails saying that I am a green member when I should also be a gold member as I was told that as I have the card before the new scheme came in, I would be assigned a gold level membership to start with but I would have to do the correct number of visits in a year to keep it. What is going on Starbucks??????
- acraceea
- 23/02/2012 04:33
With regards to the rewards scheme or rather, lack of it, why when I buy 15 large coffees do I only get a free small one??
Have a really got to resort to splitting my purchase up each time to ensure I get my rewards? I could not believe it when, I took my family (5 of us) to starbucks and after paying for 5 drinks and 5 paninis, and upon checking online noticed I had received 1 star - whoopee !!!
I'm sure the staff would have loved it if i had split this into 10 separate purchases.
- aerotec
- 25/02/2012 09:55
Well it sure is a bunch of unhappy people in here.
One one hand I am not surprised the £1 filter coffee has gone. It was probably a loss leader for them. All these people taking up seats when it could be full of Frapucinno buyers must have hit the bottom line for them.
- PirateTimelord
- 26/02/2012 07:06
TBH it can't have been that big a loss for them, since their cited reasons for removing it were that filter coffee drinkers were only a niche market. If they were only a niche market, they can't have cost the company that much, or taken up that many seats. That said, it was an offer (albeit a very long running one), so removing it isn't that big an issue. Not telling anyone, and ignoring questions asking what happened to it however was not really acceptable.
- aerotec
- 25/02/2012 09:56
The free tall coffee with the beans was also a very good deal, to good to keep so I am not surprised it has gone. I used to use that offer frequently as it made the beans better value. However at around £16/kg it is not a cost effective way for me as I go through a lot of beans at home.
So as much as I can understand the removal of these "rewards" they should really have made the rest of the scheme better. Starbucks coffee is pretty weak without the extra shot. However I probably visited...
- aerotec
- 25/02/2012 09:58
30-35 times a year so I won't manage to renew Gold status. And there is nothing in between worthy and worthless. I reckon they picked the 50 "Stars" threshold as it will only apply to 20% of card holders. Guess it has to be earned to be a reward but this threshold is too high for most. And with it being one star per purchase and not per beverage that just adds insult to injury.
Lastly, why not make it a free cuppa after 12 drinks, email us when earned and apply it to the card.
- aerotec
- 25/02/2012 10:00
Paper vouchers are blatantly used in the hope that most people will lose them or they will expire. If they think electronic Starbuck cards and iPhone/Android apps are they way to go then the use of paper vouchers is just a joke.
Luckily I have discovered www.nextdaycoffee.co.uk and my local Camden Coffee House. Both of which are excellent and worthy of my spend with better quality latte than Starbucks ever gave me.
- nbonaparte
- 26/02/2012 00:47
I think starbucks have based these changes on the marketing theory that removal of a discount is not perceived negatively by consumers. The theory assumes that we consumers use the published price (e.e £1.50) as a reference "fair" price, with any discount seen as a bonus. This fails to recognise the fact that anyone with half a brain cell knows that £1.50 is hugely overpriced for a brewed coffeee that costs 5 to 10p to produce. Our reference price was the 75p cost after discounts.
- nbonaparte
- 26/02/2012 01:05
Needless to say I agree with all the negative comments above.
The changes prompted me to look for an alternative, so now, having run down the Starbucks card balance I get my coffee from a local coffee shop that offers 99p brewed and a free drink every 8 purchases.
Starbucks has really angered me by trying to sell these changes as an improvement. My loyalty was maintained by the 50p discount on brewed coffee and the free refills, both now withdrawn. So I'm withdrawing my custom.
- fowlerrr
- 02/03/2012 02:23
- brookal_1
- 27/02/2012 02:50
It says in the blog "You have my personal commitment, we're going to keep listening. This kind of feedback is incredibly valuable as we find ways to improve what we do".
Are they listening to all this negative feedback? I hope that they are as the reward scheme is a brilliant idea but extremely badly implemented and not the best of public relations exercises.
- jtraxy
- 27/02/2012 03:38
Irritated that this is a backwards step on the rewards. It does seem like the other cafes will be getting more of my business now. And of others if the comments are anything to judge by.
I guess Starbucks don't mind though as they always seem to be doing a roaring trade. In business, if you can raise the prices and still get the custom then you do so, so I guess that's what they are doing (in a way).
Thanks Starbucks.
- cliffwilkes
- 28/02/2012 04:17
Just returned from ordering my regular bold filter coffee to be told by the Barista that from next week, ALL Starbucks will only be offering Pike Place. This is the final straw - the loss of the discount was bad, but I was prepared to chalk that up to Starbucks being a business and wanting to increase its profits - but removing the bold option from the filter coffees - I'm sorry, but Pike Place tastes like dish water. Bye bye Starbucks.
- johngdyke
- 28/02/2012 04:15
- 02/03/2012 07:34
- Saint100
- 02/03/2012 09:33
- Bootle27
- 02/03/2012 13:59
I think everyone's comments highlight what a disaster this 'change' has been; wait for it to appear as the example what not to do at your local college! Costa are benefitting significantly judging by motorways services!
The other advantage I found (but I think not mentioned) was avoiding lots of change, and being able to load cards for kids. As I and others run off balances, Starbucks is going to loose a lot of prepaid money which would sit for some time - £100000s across the country? Dumb!
- billmurdo
- 03/03/2012 04:16
The new rewards is a PR disaster
The rewards is not per 15 drinks butVISITS - so if visiting with 1 friend and family each time this means 30 purchases before a free drink.
OK the rules are there but VVVVVVVV misleading anda rubbish reward scheme
NERO offer 1 free ANY drink or size every 9 so I have started to go to NERO.
Goodbye Starbucks
- billmurdo
- 03/03/2012 04:23
- blackchop
- 05/03/2012 09:48
I'm from Seattle and I've been a Starbucks customer from the beginning and forf over 30 years. This new incentive scheme in the UK is complete rubbish and a rip off. Poorly planned and whoever came up with the genius idea should get a pink slip. After 2 decades as a loyal Starbucks customer I've switched to Pret. Better coffee quite honestly and at 99p a much better deal, even if no refills. I might consider returning to Starbucks if I return to America and the old deal is still honored.
- paulheskes
- 07/03/2012 06:10
My 2nd and last post on the matter, in the hope that Starbucks do actually read this blog and listen?
The main reason I chose you over other High St brands was partly due to your very good rewards scheme, but mostly due to the fact that I could visit a few times a week, enjoy a mug of good filter coffee and try out different types of drip coffee.
I really enjoyed some of your seasonal premium blends and I regularly bought your standard blends to take home and brew myself. tbc ................
- paulheskes
- 07/03/2012 06:48
cont.. Now, it would appear that you have a vendetta against your filter drinkers, as all of your recent changes to the rewards scheme have been to the detriment of us. Well for me it was the final nail in the coffin when you decided to take away the choice of drip blends. I'm not going to buy a bag of beans when I don't know how it tastes and as I can buy fresher online, I cannot see a single carrot in front of me to keep my custom. tbc....
- PaulHeskes
- 07/03/2012 07:00
- 89jessica
- 07/03/2012 11:04
- ben_darras
- 08/03/2012 11:53
- garethprobert
- 12/03/2012 05:30
Another very dissatisfied voice to add to all of the above regarding the loss of the filter coffee (50p off) benefit.
Please don't try and suggest that you have done us any favours by giving a free coffee after 15 purchases when it used to be after just 3!
I appreciate that latte and capp drinkers may not have got much out of the old system, but why remove the flagship benefit for us? Crazy.
- jwb39uk
- 12/03/2012 06:34
I agree with all the above. I used to go to Starbucks several times a week in London and Cambridge for the a tall filter coffee, and regularly bought my bags of whole bean coffee at Starbucks because of the free tall drink that came with it. I now buy my morning coffee in London from Eat, Pret, or a small local place, and bags of ground coffee at the Co-Op. I've been a regular at Starbucks for 20 years (starting in Chicago in the early 1990s when I lived there), but no more.
- kevirving
- 12/03/2012 11:11
- sleepmonsta
- 12/03/2012 13:52
- lobo666
- 14/03/2012 04:23
- bryan.steele
- 14/03/2012 05:50
I used to drink filter coffee quite often. The first I knew that the discount was no longer available was when I was charged 50% more than usual. The new rewards scheme is definitely inferior to the old and poor value when it comes to feee drinks compared to much of Starbucks competition. The incentive to select Starbucks over the competition has gone.
- Ttz212
- 14/03/2012 10:10
- billmurdo
- 19/03/2012 07:51
Starbucks PR disaster
Sat in Starbucks on the A3 watching the coffee world go by & reading the Sunday Papers.
Pay for my filter
Pay again for wife's latte
Pay again for the daughters hot Chocolate (queue got pretty long by this time)
Disappointed - filter choice now only Pike Place
Forgot latte now has 2 shots so return the wife's latte for single shot the way it used to be
Lose count of numerous latte's being returned too strong
why not just add a shot (if you want it) for free!!!
- Saint100
- 21/03/2012 10:02
- kdyank
- 22/03/2012 04:59
Perhaps the new rewards scheme has attracted some new customers but, as a long time card carrying customer, it's caused me to do several things: bought a Nespresso machine, won't be topping up my Starbucks card (what's the point?), more frequent visits to Nero and Costa both of which have better loyalty programs. Very disappointed in Starbucks UK.
- vikki3716
- 09/04/2012 09:39
- Syrupie
- 19/04/2012 04:41
- aujo79
- 22/05/2012 07:55
- iain.caird
- 14/06/2012 15:20
- mark_forrester
- 25/06/2012 06:07
- Colinmack01
- 03/07/2012 12:11
- surreytyke
- 12/07/2012 02:46
- butlerchris
- 09/01/2013 07:38
now it's 2013 and I'm now ditched from gold to green because I didn't quite collect 50 stars before my anniversary date! say what!
It looks like Starbucks is trying to do away with the Gold tier.
How much do I need to top up with to go back to gold? I drink soy milk rather than cows milk and that healthy stuff is expensive compared to calfs milk.
- vandermerwe.jacques
- 09/01/2013 07:55
Same here. Been dumped like an old rag. Too bad though. It is unfortunate that Pret can make profits on 99p coffee and Starbucks can see past the failure of an expensive reward scheme.
I am sorry Starbucks, but as much as I like the coffee I do not approve of the way you generate profits at the cost of customers.
- feedthewolf66
- 30/01/2013 08:55
I registered my card 2 years ago to enjoy the not having to pay for soya milk. My shock today at being charged an extra 35p has made me question the word 'loyalty'. Starbucks are being 'disloyal' to their customers!! It is also about time the non-milk drinkers stopped being penalised for doing so. Proportionally speaking soya milk does not cost that much more than milk!! I'm taking my soya coffee custom to local Independant drinkeries not charging extra for soya drinkers!!
- feedthewolf66
- 30/01/2013 08:56
- Workin4ALivin
- 31/01/2013 15:33
I just got hit with the 35p for the extra shot which was always free in the past. I had not really noticed the program change until I contacted SB twice. First response was long but never answered my question about charging for the extra shot. I asked again and then finally got a direct reply. I figured the free shot was ok in return for my free loan to SB every time I put money on the card. I'll spend down the money on the card and call it a day with SB. I guess they don't need me anyway.


text:
Marquette Magazine
Marquette Magazine is published
quarterly by the Office of Marketing and Communication and
circulated to 125,000 alumni and friends around the world.
The 40-page, four-color magazine is designed to engage and
reconnect alumni to the university and represent a university
community that is exciting, engaged in advancing knowledge,
committed to students, and dedicated to education because
of its power to improve the world.
The online edition complements the
content of the print version with net extras, links to
additional resources
to deepen readers' understanding of subject matter,
and the opportunity to join the online alumni community,
Connect, and submit Class
Notes and wedding and baby pictures
for the
photo galleries.
Marquette Magazine reflects the key characteristics
of this
Catholic, Jesuit institution through engaging stories about
the people
and programs who give it life. Submit ideas for alumni profiles and tips about great stories to
feature in upcoming issues.
Marquette Magazine Staff
Joni Moths Mueller
Becky Denham Wernlund
Staff Writers
Nicole Sweeney Etter
Rebecca Dubin-Jenkins

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Are there any special rules regarding rendering to an FBO when there's a geometry shader involved?
I'm trying to implement shadow mapping in a scene which includes different types of objects being rendered in different ways:
Meshes, rendered in the standard way through VBOs and shaders
Point sprite particles, rendered with a vertex and fragment shader
Quad particles, sent in as points but expanded to quads in a geometry shader
I'm doing shadow mapping in the standard way, which involves creating a depth FBO and rendering to it the object's depths from the light's point of view. The meshes and point sprites work fine, but the depths of the geometry shader quad particles aren't being rendered to the FBO.
Here's the standard (non-FBO) depth buffer. Note the large circular-shaped particles in the foreground.
Here's the same view rendered to the FBO. Note that only the depths of the meshes and point sprite particles are drawn.
My FBO is set up as follows (it's based on Chapter 7 from the OpenGL 4 Shading Language Cookbook):
const bool Renderer::generateShadowMap(FBO & f, string & error) { uint depthTexID; uint width = f.getWidth(); uint height = f.getHeight(); glGenTextures(1, &depthTexID); glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, depthTexID); glTexImage2D( GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, GL_DEPTH_COMPONENT, width, height, 0, GL_DEPTH_COMPONENT, GL_FLOAT, NULL); float border[] = {1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0}; glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL_LINEAR); glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL_LINEAR); glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_S, GL_CLAMP_TO_BORDER); glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_T, GL_CLAMP_TO_BORDER); glTexParameterfv(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_BORDER_COLOR, border); glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_COMPARE_MODE, GL_COMPARE_REF_TO_TEXTURE); glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_COMPARE_FUNC, GL_LESS); glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE1); glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, depthTexID); uint fID; glGenFramebuffers(1, &fID); glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, fID); glFramebufferTexture2D(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, GL_DEPTH_ATTACHMENT, GL_TEXTURE_2D, depthTexID, 0); glDrawBuffer(GL_NONE); if(!checkFBOstatus(error)) { cerr << error << endl; return false; } glClearDepth(1.0); glClear(GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT); glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, 0); glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0); f.setFBOID(fID); f.setTexID(depthTexID); return true; }
The shaders that should render the depths of the quad particles are:
//VERTEX SHADER #version 400 in vec3 aPosition; in float aSize; out float gSize; uniform mat4 vWorldView; void main() { gSize = aSize; vec4 v4Vertex = vec4(aPosition.xyz, 1.0); vec4 transformedVertex = vWorldView * v4Vertex; gl_Position = transformedVertex; } //GEOMETRY SHADER #version 400 layout (points) in; layout (triangle_strip, max_vertices = 4) out; in float gSize[1]; uniform mat4 vgProjection; void main() { vec4 oPosition; float halfSize = gSize[0] * 0.5; oPosition = (vec4(-halfSize, -halfSize, 0.0, 0.0) + gl_in[0].gl_Position); gl_Position = vgProjection * oPosition; EmitVertex(); oPosition = (vec4(halfSize, -halfSize, 0.0, 0.0) + gl_in[0].gl_Position); gl_Position = vgProjection * oPosition; EmitVertex(); oPosition = (vec4(-halfSize, halfSize, 0.0, 0.0) + gl_in[0].gl_Position); gl_Position = vgProjection * oPosition; EmitVertex(); oPosition = (vec4(halfSize, halfSize, 0.0, 0.0) + gl_in[0].gl_Position); gl_Position = vgProjection * oPosition; EmitVertex(); EndPrimitive(); } //FRAGMENT SHADER - empty as depth should be written automatically #version 400 void main() { }Depth testing is enabled, of course. I've also tried telling the fragment shader to try to draw something to see if that makes a difference.
I've run this through gDebugger which can't detect any errors at all. I've tried telling the fragment shader to actually draw things but that doesn't make a difference either.
The only difference between the point sprite particles and the quad particles is the use of the geometry shader. I'm rendering both at the same time and with the same uniform values (and I've run gDebugger to make sure).
I've tested this on a computer with a nVidia GTX 560 Ti with driver version 184.108.40.206 (the latest, I believe, at the time of writing) and another with a Radeon Mobility HD 5650. I get the same result on both.
Am I making any obvious mistakes or are there some specific things I should know about?


text:
Manufacturer: Motorola Manufacturer: Blackbox 2 Results
Blackbox i10
Oh, sure -- you've got at least 893.1 options (at last count, anyway) when it comes to noise cancelling headphones for your iDevice, but do any of those plug directly into the dock connector instead of requiring a separate battery? Exactly. That's the claim to fame for Blackbox's i10, a new set of earbuds that rely on power from your iPod or iPhone in order to achieve that active...
Motorola VA76r Tundra Earbud Hands-Free Headset
This OEM Motorola VA76r Tundra OEM Handsfree Headset allows you talk on the phone with your hands on other tasks.


text:
I installed Fedora Core 5 on my IBM T43 laptop a few days ago. I waited a while for a new kernel that supported the proprietry ATI 3D drivers.
I'm VERY pleased with the outcome. Firstly the install went like breeze. Video worked, sound worked hardwired network worked. Next I installed the firmware for the centrino Wireless built into the laptop. Got wireless working with the standard Fedora network tools.
Then I did the big update since the DVD was distributed. Around 300 Megabytes! Included was the patched 2.6.16 kernel. After rebooting and downloading the livna rpm to gives access to the grey packages, I installed the ATI 3d driver. It worked like a charm.
Started PowerManager and now the machine suspends to RAM just fine with lid closure. NetworkManager handles different wireless networks beautifully. The video out works nicely so I can make presentations with my laptop (I do a LOT of these now).
Plus there is a whole load of useful goodies in FC5. Gnome-2.14, Beagle, Tomboy, F-Spot are great programs. The FC Extras and Livna repositries now hold a whole slew of useful applications and now the "pirut" graphical interface to yum allows these programs to be discovered and handled easily.
Unfortunately "pirut" has a really dumb behaviour of closing immediately after having installed software. Sum1, our really cool AbiWord bug meister, found that there is a bug for this, and after adding a "Me Too" to complain about this, I discovered that it is possible to load up every thing you want before installing. This wasn't obvious to me and I think most users would find the same thing. Since "pirut" takes a long time to start up, closing the app after a single install really sucks.
Anyway after discovering the right way to use "pirut", via the bug report, it was very easy to find a whole lot of interesting software. (Including the all the patent restricted stuff.)
So in all, I'm very, very happy with FC5 on the T43. Plug and play with USB devices works great. The nautilus based CD and DVD reader and writers "Just Work" beautifully. I'm learning how to use Beagle and desktop search.
I'm looking forward to finishing the integration of AbiWord with Beagle and other search tools via dashboard.
Crossover Office 5 is there when I absolutely must have MS Word and Powerpoint alhough AbiWord is more than enough for almost all my needs now that we have fully integrated Equation support. I've been creating problem sheets and solutions with AbiWord for my 2nd year Thermal Physics classes and it works great. It is much easier and faster than MS Word or OO.o Equation Editors to an old Latex Hack like me.
FC5 definately raises the bar to whole new level for Linux distros. The GL-based Window Managers from Novel and RedHat should make Linux desktop fully competitive with Vista and OSX. There is every chance Novel Linux Desktop-10 will take things this new level, especially since they can ship patent restricted software like mp3 and various video codecs.
Anyway I also wanted to send a big "Congratulations" to the whole community that made FC5 possible. It's great to see how a huge group of competiting and cooperating people can raise the water level so that "everyone floats ups".


text:
We've seen 3 trailers and a lot of behind-the-scenes footage.
Do you have any fears about Episode II: Attack of the Clones?
"No, I have complete faith."
"I have certain concerns about this movie."
"Yes, this film is not going to work."
We've seen 3 trailers and a lot of behind-the-scenes footage.
Do you have any fears about Episode II: Attack of the Clones?
im kinda worried, i mean ep1 had its lame parts so im guessing ep2 willl also.
Master Obi-Wan has lost a planet, how embarassing. - the great yoda
I still think Ep.I was a fun and great movie. I don't think I'll have a problem with Ep.II
"Two in the box, ready to go, we be fast, and they be slow!"
Check out my art at The Terrace Room!
I'm sure this movie will be enjoyable but I hope Lucas restrains himself with those cute cuddly obnoxious creatures! This whole mess started with those damned Ewoks!
Senator Jar-Jar?! ....I'm feeling sick already! How about carbon freeze Jar-Jar?
Overall, I think it will be a good movie, but my biggest concerns are
1) Yoda fighting
2) Massive arena battle - I hope it isn't too bland and cheesy
My primary concern is how well Episode II will engage the audience. Episode I was a very passive movie, between the special effects and the liquidity of the plot. Episode II is shaping up to have even more effects and liquidity. Which means we'll probably be even more apathetic to the story. But I hope I'm wrong.
I?m really looking forward to ep2. In any film there are parts that don?t work as well as others parts. I don?t think ep1 was overly fraught with problems, so ep2 should be either. And am I the only person over the age of 10 who is not bothered by Jar Jar?
"I'm sick and tried of these motherfrakkking Sith on this motherfrakkker plane!"
Mace Windu - Episode 2.5: Sith on a Plane
I liked Jar Jar and I'll be 29 on May 16th.
From what I've seen and read, my main concern is that Lucas will try to cram too much into one film. Some of the action in TPM went by so fast that I had trouble caring what happened to the characters. If Ep2 is just a series of action sequences strung together by a shaky plot, then I fear the worst for Ep3.
Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split. - Robert E. Howard
You ain't seen nothing yet. Mark my words these next two films are going to blow your mind through the back of the theatre walls!
Casual George
I personally can't wait for EP2. I am literally counting the days until I can get in there and see it!! From reading the spoilers and seeing the trailers, this movie is going to make people forget about EP1. Now the story is set up, and we can get on with business in this film. Only 108 days, folks.
"You know I love the guy but I swear he writes like freaking Yoda."-Dean Winchester
R12:2-Be Transformed


text:
Hi Folks,
I wanted to let you all know about an exciting seminar being held in Kemptville (Ottawa), Ontario - "Transformational Puppy Rearing: Creating Dogs that Enrich People's Lives". This two day workshop with Gayle Watkins, Ph.D. is being held March 2-3, 2013.
This will be a very interesting seminar for breeders, anyone who is contemplating a new puppy, does performance events with their dogs, has temperament tested litters for others or is just plain interested in puppies and how they can be reared and puppy tested from birth to 9 weeks. While Gayle obviously specializes in goldens, she has lots of experience with other breeds. This seminar is not just for golden owners! Please forward this information on to anyone who might be interested.
Here is a recent blog entry by Gayle that will give you a small of taste of what you can expect from attending this seminar as well as more information below. http://www.gaylewatkins.com/breeding...ifty-six-days/
For complete seminar details, please visit www.ovgrc.org or e-mail me at email@example.com.
Hope to see you there!
Pamela Martin
Dr. Gayle Watkins of Gaylan's Golden Retrievers has actively shown and bred multi-purpose golden retrievers since 1979. Over the past thirty years, she has produced, owned and/or shown over 50 American and Canadian conformation, obedience, agility and tracking champions, as well as Master Hunters and Qualified All-Age field trial goldens. Her breeding program has also produced over a dozen GRCA Outstanding Dams and Sires.
The keys to Gaylan's success are the techniques Gayle has developed to rear litters, evaluate puppies, and match them to homes based on measurable traits. The Gaylan's puppy rearing system is carefully designed, from conception to placement, to bring out the best in every puppy. It mixes science, nature and experience in a balanced blend of mental, physical, and social development opportunities with nutritional support. Furthermore, before pups are placed, they are thoroughly assessed on conformation (structure, type and athleticism), temperament, and working ability using a comprehensive evaluation process that seeks to give every owner the ideal puppy for them and provide them a training plan for their individual puppy.
The seminar will focus on the why, what and how of the ground-breaking system Gayle has developed to bring out the best in puppies. Day 1 will focus on Puppy Rearing from birth to nine weeks. During this session, she will present the many different things she does to raise pups, week by week, emphasizing Weeks 5 through 9 while not ignoring those important early weeks.
In Day 2, Gayle will present her Puppy Evaluation and Matching program. This portion of the seminar will focus on the temperament test that she has developed and uses to evaluate litters, as well as other opportunities she creates to assess puppies. She will also discuss how to use these assessment results to appropriately match puppies to buyers and guide new owners in the training and development of their puppy.
In recent years, Gayle has applied these methods elsewhere by working with breeders of field and show golden retrievers, German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, Irish setters and more.
For complete seminar details, please visit www.ovgrc.org or e-mail me at email@example.com


text:
The Saint Joseph's University Special Education Department is a vibrant department comprised of dedicated faculty members with a wealth of educational experience. It is the goal of the faculty to prepare exemplary teachers, innovative school leaders, and educational researchers.
We welcome you to explore the educational opportunities offered by the special education department, whether you are planning for your undergraduate experience or returning for graduate coursework and advanced degrees.
If you would like to learn more about the Department of Special Education, please contact the Chair, Dr. Virginia Johnson, Chair, by telephone at 610-660-1574 or e-mail at email@example.com.


text:
Owners Peppe Iuele and Enzo Ruggiero were childhood friends in Capri, and they combined their passions for food and wine, respectively, to open the flagship eatery in 2004, when Esquire food critic John Mariani picked it as one of the best new restaurants in America. Executive chef and co-owner is Pino Colodonato, who grew up on a farm in Puglia. He remembers the grains and beans of the land as well as the seafood, and his expertise in those foods shines in his menu.
The terra mare del tavoliere ($15.50) as an appetizer is a signature dish: the tenderness of the grilled baby octopus and cuttlefish, the definitive preparation of the broocoli rabe with it and the fava bean pureé on which they sit, highlight the chef's skill. The fritto misto del mare (fried calamari, shrimp and sea scallops, $16.50) does the same.
These appetizers are generous enough to share and worth every penny. Similarly, the crispy fried melt-in-your-mouth shoestring zucchini ($6.50) is a surprise. And mozzarella is made daily at La Masseria, stuffed with vegetables, then rolled and sliced ($9.50). Our incarnation had eggplant, asparagus, and roasted red peppers and was delicious.
Iuele prides himself on La Masseria's meatballs, made only from ground rib eye steak ($13.50). Our three dining companions could have stopped the meal at the meatballs and/or simply had more meatballs.
But a food reviewer's work is never finished with the appetizers, so we pressed on to the pastas and entreés. The whole wheat ziti with vegetables ($13.50) was quite tasty; the potato gnocchi with tomato-basil sauce ($15.50) were light and delectable. The most unusual dish among the pastas and grains, however, turned out to be "granotto," a barley-shaped grain from Puglia, prepared like risotto, with white beans and littlenecks. We all loved its toothsome but creamy texture.
The penne Masseria has a signature light tomato sauce, with pancetta, radicchio, and smoked mozzarella ($12.50), and Bill was attracted to its smoky overtones, though he wanted a bit more heft from the tomato sauce.
When we got to the entreés, I chose a fish dish (pan-fried swordfish, $23.50) and Bill the veal Milanese ($32.50). Both were breaded with crushed breadsticks, and the veal was a thinly pounded chop with an arugula/tomato salad on the side. Bill loved his meal, and I liked the non-greasy breading on the fish, though it seemed to overwhelm the delicate seafood taste.
Other seafood choices at La Masseria are grilled whole Mediterranean sea bream, grilled branzino or salmon, and grilled prawns. The chef is so pleased with the quality of squid in Rhode Island that perhaps it will be featured more prominently than just in a supporting role.
Table of Contents
Cover Archive
Masthead | Authors | Contact us
See all articles by:
All Slideshows


text:
It is with a heavy heart that I am posting this news. My dear friend Howard passed on this week at home. He was an amazing person and one of my dearest friends.
All of his close friends and relatives have been notified, so now I am passing the news on to the retriever community. All of you know how hard working he was, what an accomplished trainer, and what a giving person he was with his knowledge. He worked hard to keep our sport going in Alaska, and helped many a new trainer get their start. I can remember when he first took me under wing, he would come to this site and complain about how terrible I was in the chat room!
The retriever community has lost a great man, and I am so sorry to have to share this. I do not know when the service will happen. This news just came today. But I will try to keep you all informed. He would certainly not want a big fanfare. His dogs are all being taken care of...
Howard, may you find plenty of awesome fields with a certain leaf or branch hanging down to put a blind under! You know, the one gold one that's waving in the wind next to the tuft of yellow grass. You brought much joy to me and your training partners. I will see you again someday!


text:
Browser does not support script.
Subjects taught at LSE | Services and divisions (administration)
All research groups | Research subject areas
Dr Peter Skrandies, Language Co-ordinator (German)
Houghton Street
Tel: +44 (0)20 7955 7041
The German section are involved in many projects both within LSE and externally. Follow the links on the left hand menu for further information on these projects.
Use of this website is subject to, and implies acceptance of, its Terms of use (including Copyright and intellectual property, Privacy and data protection and Accessibility). The London School of Economics and Political Science is a School of the University of London. It is a charity and is incorporated in England as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Acts (Reg no. 70527).The registered office address of the School is: The London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK; Tel: +44 (0)20 7405 7686


text:
Papain is a protease enzyme that comes from the unripe fruit of the papaya tree. Proteins are made up of amino acids linked together to form long chains, and proteases break apart these bonds. Papain is an ingredient in commercial meat tenderizers. Meat consists of strands of muscle tissue held together by a tough protein called collagen. Papain breaks down the bonds in these collagen proteins, making the meat less tough and easier to eat.
Making meat tender isn't the only function of papain. It has a number of applications in the medical field as well. Because it can cleave the bonds that hold protein together, papain has been used in the past as an ingredient in products used to debride wounds. For some wounds to heal, it's necessary to remove dead and damaged tissue. Papain digests" damaged skin tissue without harming healthy skin tissue. Once the healthy tissue is broken down


text:
Withdraw Date
Students requesting a refund must withdraw from the College by submit a request in writing to the Registrar's Office. The effective date of withdrawal is the date the request is received by the Registrar. If the request is received on a weekend or a legal holiday, the next business day shall be the effective day.


text:
"Collision," in which 17 artists were invited to install pretty much whatever they wanted in the RISD Museum of Art's Farago Gallery (224 Benefit Street, Providence, through June 19), typifies one of the major flavors of art of the past decade.
The style has been dubbed "Scatter Art" (or "Scatter Trash" by less charitable observers) because it generally involves seemingly random assemblages of junk, often garnished willy-nilly with spray paint. Rachel Harrison has become the paragon of Scatter Art with her absurdist sculptures of, say, a naked child mannequin in an Abraham Lincoln mask holding a Nascar trash can and standing on a papier-mâché boulder badly painted in rainbow hues. The defining survey of this stuff was the exhibit "UnMonumental" at the New Museum in New York in 2007.
Scatter Art comes out of Robert Rauschenberg's "combines," which were descendents of Dadaist collage. But it also echoes the Internet's glut of data. The experience of this art is something like when you spend a lot of time randomly surfing the Web and end up feeling empty and anxious and chagrined for wasting your time on such trivia.
The difference here is that a bunch of artists supply their own art as the raw materials for a room-filling Scatter Art gesamtkunstwerk. Painter Jackie Saccoccio, who served as ringmaster at the invitation of RISD Museum curator Judith Tannenbaum, described the three-week installation of the art as an "impromptu performance," in which artists "scheduled early in the installation period had the advantage of more space to choose from, but they also had to be willing to have their works covered or destroyed by succeeding artists."
Nicole Cherubini makes ceramic versions of cardboard boxes displayed on pedestals haphazardly splattered with paint. Saccoccio and Nader Tehrani wallpaper the gallery with a print that looks like someone testing a pen to make sure it works. Marilyn Minter screens a video of someone seemingly licking blue and green goop off the camera lens. Susan Jennings dangles scraps of silvery mylar and plastic shards from the ceiling. Lucky DeBellevue makes tinsel spiderwebs.
Doug Wada presents a flatfooted realist painting of a pile of plastic trash bags. A la Rachel Harrison, Jeffrey Gibson drops globs of urethane foam onto a child mannequin and then spray paints it all with drippy silver, black, and pink. Gibson also wallpapers one wall with a pattern of geometric shapes filled with black and white stripes. Atop this he hangs paintings featuring the same patterns with red, blue, and yellow paint haphazardly sprayed atop them. They seem like purposely halfassed knockoffs of 1980s knockoffs of 1910s geometric abstractions. Call it late Post-Modernist Mannerism.
Some pieces do stand out. Carl D'Alvia's bronze Slab is a rectangular bar bent up at one end, its surface covered with a hairy pattern for a fun Minimalist Surreal effect. And Saccoccio's twin oil paintings of black, blue, violet, and white drippy blobs show that Abstract Expressionism can still be vital.
Table of Contents
Cover Archive
Masthead | Authors | Contact us
See all articles by:
All Slideshows


text:
By Tiernan Ray
Shares of investment management software maker Advent Software (ADVS) are unchanged at $25.99 in late trading after the company this afternoon reported Q1 results that slightly exceeded analysts' expectations, forecast this quarter's results below consensus, and announced it instituted a quarterly dividend.
Revenue in the three months ended in March rose 5%, year over year, to $96.8 million, yielding EPS of 33 cents, excluding some costs.
Analysts had been modeling revenue of $96.54 million and 32 cents per share.
CEO Pete Hess declared, "We are in a great position with solid profitability and excellent cash flow, and we continue to strengthen our competitive advantage while at the same time committing to further enhance shareholder value."
In a separate deck of slides, the company said its "annualized recurring run rate" of revenue is $375.8 million, a 6% increase from the year-earlier quarter's run rate.
For the current quarter, the company sees revenue in a range of $96 million to $98 million, below the consensus for $99.1 million.
For the full year, the company sees revenue of $395 million to $403 million, which compares to the average $403 million estimate of analysts.
Separately, the company said its board of directors authorized a quarterly dividend of 13 cents per share. The first payment will be made on July 15th to holders of record as of June 30th. Last year the company paid out $470 million in a one-time special $9-per-share dividend.


text:
Graduate Program
The department's master of arts program in geography educates qualified students for work toward the PhD degree, and for professional careers in government service, industry and regional or urban planning. There is a thesis option for each of the four tracks. Each track requires a total of 40 credits, as well as defense of an approved thesis proposal or defense of a thesis.
The Master's Program
The MA Program allows students to specialize in one of four tracks:
- General Geography
- Cartography and Geographical Information Systems
- Environmental and Resource Management
- Urban and Retail Planning
Each track offers a mix of theory, practice, tools and techniques. Because of the applied nature of our program, students in each track are trained for work toward the PhD degree, and for professional careers in government service, industry and regional or urban planning. The MA degree requires 40 credit hours of coursework, including a thesis or project.
An undergraduate specialization in geography is not required for admission to the MA Program, but those without a geography background may be required to take appropriate undergraduate work beyond course requirements for the MA degree. Consult the Graduate School website for application materials. All applicants are required to submit scores of the Graduate Record Examination aptitude tests (GRE).
Students may also earn an interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Watershed Studies and Management (.doc, 37KB).
For further details contact :
John Frazier
Director of Graduate Studies
E-mail : firstname.lastname@example.com
Phone : 607-777-6179
Five-Year BA/Master's Program
The program is designed for exceptional Binghamton University students who want to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years. Students in the program receive a BA and a master's at the end of the program. The requirements for completion of the combined BA/master's degree are identical to those for completion of two separate degrees. However, because 16 credits of coursework taken for the master's degree (500-level courses) also count for the undergraduate degree, students are able to complete the course requirements for the BA in four years and the course requirements for the combined BA/master's degree in five years. By completing the BA requirements during the first four years, students are assured of the bachelor's degree if, for any reason, they do not complete the fifth year.
Students are encouraged to declare their interest in the program as soon as possible. Contact Mark Reisinger, the director of undergraduate studies, or John Frazier, the director of graduate studies. Early in the junior year, students should complete a departmental application, including a statement of purpose, transcripts and the recommendation of two geography faculty members.
Graduate Student Website Information Form


text:
Anyone know when more releases will be?
Anyone know when more releases will be?
Maybe next year?
Probably in the fall right before the holiday season.
The force will be with you- always...
So far, Lego is being tight-lipped, but they said no more SW sets this year. Basically, either we'll get new SW sets in late December or next spring.
Darth Vader is becoming the Mickey Mouse of Star Wars.
Kylo Ren - came from Space Brooklyn, although he moved to Space Williamsburg before it was trendy.
The use of a lightsaber does not make one a Jedi, it is the ability to not use it.


text:
Contact EFF
Can EFF represent me?
Maybe. Find out about EFF's Legal Assistance Services here.
Can EFF address an event in my community?
Maybe. Submit a request for a speaker here and we'll get back to you soon.
For all other inquiries, please contact us via the appropriate e-mail address below, or by mail, fax or phone.
Email Addresses
The webmaster account is no longer maintained. Please direct questions about EFF's work to firstname.lastname@example.com.
|For membership, donation, corporate giving or matching gifts information.
|For media inquiries.
|For issues or problems relating to the Action Center or Action Alerts.
|For questions, requests, or misc. queries. GPG Key fingerprint = F2F2 1BB8 531E 9DC3 0D40 F68B 11A1 A9C8 4B18 732F
|For reporting security vulnerabilities ONLY in EFF software or systems. For more information, see EFF's Security Vulnerability Disclosure Program. GPG Key fingerprint = 40C8 6122 D859 F8C0 A6D0 8619 798D 4A0A BFED F64F
San Francisco Headquarters
|Phone/Fax Numbers:
|Electronic Frontier Foundation
815 Eddy Street
San Francisco CA 94109 USA
|Phone: +1 415 436 9333
Fax: +1 415 436 9993
Send a Donation
Give to EFF online or by postal mail. Make checks or money orders payable to "EFF" and send to the Electronic Frontier Foundation at 815 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 USA.


text:
Saving the Bay through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration.
Generous Corporate support allows CBF to educate, inspire, and empower more than 30,000 students, teachers, and adults every year with hands-on environmental education throught the Bay watershed. Photo by CBF Staff
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation welcomes the opportunity to develop corporate partnerships, which help us reach out to a variety of audiences with important clean water and conservation messages, while raising funds to support our vital efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. We look for companies with a solid history and strong brand image that have made a genuine commitment to environmental sustainability and would like to make a contribution that is meaningful and clearly defined to their customers.
Download our Corporate Partnership brochure
Download our Promotional Partnership Application
Much of CBF's work throughout the Chesapeake Bay's watershed—spanning six states and Washington, D.C.—is made possible by the generous support of corporate partners, who support CBF for a variety of reasons.
Much of the good work that CBF does is made possible through the generous support of a diverse and unique group of companies that are committed to the Bay and their communities.
CBF's diverse programs throughout the Bay watershed offer a broad spectrum of opportunities— from local restoration projects, to statewide environmental education programs, to regional Bay-wide policy and outreach efforts—that directly match and further incorporate philanthropic and community relations priorities.
CBF hosts annual signature events with a variety of sponsorship opportunities: Bands in the Sand and Clean the Bay Day. Benefits range from recognition on event signage and in event publications to naming opportunities on apparel and favors.
Businesses can invest in their communities and help Save the Bay™ by hosting an event or promotion to benefit CBF. Download our Promotional Partnership Application
Partners can provide support to CBF by donating one of the many goods and/or services that we need to be successful in our mission. We accept a wide range of gift-in-kind donations, including apparel items, legal services, TV and radio advertising, and durable products such as boating equipment.
Encourage your employees to give to CBF by establishing a workplace giving program that allows them to donate a portion of their paycheck throughout the year. Also consider further leveraging these gifts by establishing a matching gift program.
Download our corporate partnership brochure
For more information about these and other partnership opportunities, contact CBF at 410-268-8816.
You will begin to receive Bay updates from CBF soon.
In the meantime, join the Bay-friendly conversation on Facebook and Twitter!
View Our Annual Report
Explore the Timeline
Bids & Proposals | Privacy Policy
© 2017 Chesapeake Bay Foundation.All Rights Reserved.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a nonprofit,tax-exempt charitable organization underSection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.


text:
Connecting with Canadians
Research Report:
Social Sustainability in Vancouver
Social Sustainability in Vancouver. Merrill Cooper. CPRN Research Report F|62. September 2006. 96 pp.
A year ago The Economist named Vancouver "The World's Most Liveable City." It has features other cities can only envy: a breathtaking mix of ocean and mountain, a vibrant multi-ethnic population, and a culture of innovation and eco-sensitive practices and policies. And yet, too many residents are being excluded from enjoying, taking part in and contributing to everything Vancouver has to offer. CPRN was commissioned to study the population and begin the process of dealing with the challenges it faces. The result is the research paper, Social Sustainability in Vancouver, by Merrill Cooper.
Release Date: 28 Sep 2006
Related Publications:
E-network: Vancouver – Move Now to Keep it the World's Most Liveable City


text:
Our church has a chili cook off coming up and a hot sauce contest.
I think Im getting talked into it.
I aint worth a crap at either.
My chili may be ok, cause it does make you crap
I think i have a real good chance at winning last place
Thanks for any help