Is Starbucks really that bad?

the main problem i have with them is that they go into established neighborhoods and open shop where other coffee shops have served their communities quite happily for years. then the other shops close down, and only starbucks remains.

i guess that's capitalism for you, and i shouldn't be surprised that people want the convenience of an established brand. but there's something sad to me about watching cities become completely homogeneous. unlike web businesses, physical real estate is scarce, so a loss of business to starbucks in a city neighborhood can completely change the character of how people live.

and while it's true that starbucks creates jobs, those same jobs would be created by a locally owned coffee shop, and all the profits would go to local small business owners.

When I worked there I used to dream about being at work nearly every night. I'm glad I don't work there any more. However, I don't think they're all bad. While it's true that it might be nice for the jobs they create to be created by a locally owned coffee shop how many of those small businesses offer their employees health insurance even if they're just part-time employees? How many local coffee shops offer profit sharing and 401(k) plans? Very few, I think.

that may be true, but i still would rather have a country of entrepreneurs and cities that you can tell apart, than a country with a handful of chains and 401(k)s for all. but it's hard to measure such benefits.

It's a tough call. I hate talking to telemarketers, but I know they're just regular people trying to earn a living. I wish companies wouldn't use such campaigns, but I find it hard to fault the employees for participating in them.

the problem is that you just described the coffee industry in general. mom and pop shops rarely carry the fair trade stuff. maybe if starbucks led the way and drove the market for fair trade beans, the price might drop and everyone would have greater access.

heh. i wouldn't feel too guilty if i were you. i spent a solid year as a telemarketer when i was in college. telemarketers are, for the most part, either college students or sleaze bags who live to sell unwanted crap to complete strangers. anyone who has any shred of decency either quits after a few weeks or, if they're like me, sticks around for the humor value. turnover is high. no one who i met was doing it to feed their kids.