I began declining the Starbucks Planner promo card in Holiday Season 2006. Friends who know me very well know that I don't put up with anything that doesn't make sense to me, and buying a dozen cups of coffee at Starbucks just to get 1 measly planner that's nothing special (don't use that "It's limited edition!" line with me or I will slap you) makes absolutely no sense to me.
Consider this: 1 tall cup of coffee at Starbucks averages between PHP100-150, depending on the flavor and any add-ons like syrup, an extra shot of expresso, soy milk substitute, etc. It used to be that you needed 24 stickers to get the planner.
24 X PHP150 = PHP3600 (approx. US$72)
To get the 2011 planner, you will need only 17 stickers.
17 X PHP150 = PHP2550 (approx. US$51)
Why it's all bollocks to me:
#1 - I will never ever ever ever ever spend that much money on a planner.
#2 - It's just a freakin' planner! Who the heck still uses a printed planner? For the love of all the trees in the world, denuded forests, suffering rainforests, compromised ecosystems, and endangered animals -- I implore you to stop supporting this nonsense and just get a kickass digital gadget that can efficiently double as an organizer. There are lots in the market now. In the long run, it will not only be eco-friendlier, but will also be much cheaper ;-)
# 3 - This local Starbucks tradition is not only wasteful, it makes the company look ridiculous. Starbucks Philippines, have you heard of your HQ's Green Project? And, really, is this the only way you can raise funds for SparkHope? Get creative, come on! Stage a concert, get theater groups to do impromptu skits, organize "coffee dates", promote putting up mini-Starbucks kiosks in corporate offices, conduct coffee appreciation workshops, etc etc etc.
Instead of fussing over a little ol' planner, why not do these?
2011 Starbucks Planner
Toffee Nut Latte
Consider this: 1 tall cup of coffee at Starbucks averages between PHP100-150, depending on the flavor and any add-ons like syrup, an extra shot of expresso, soy milk substitute, etc. It used to be that you needed 24 stickers to get the planner.
To get the 2011 planner, you will need only 17 stickers.
17 X PHP150 = PHP2550 (approx. US$51)
Why it's all bollocks to me:
#1 - I will never ever ever ever ever spend that much money on a planner.
#2 - It's just a freakin' planner! Who the heck still uses a printed planner? For the love of all the trees in the world, denuded forests, suffering rainforests, compromised ecosystems, and endangered animals -- I implore you to stop supporting this nonsense and just get a kickass digital gadget that can efficiently double as an organizer. There are lots in the market now. In the long run, it will not only be eco-friendlier, but will also be much cheaper ;-)
# 3 - This local Starbucks tradition is not only wasteful, it makes the company look ridiculous. Starbucks Philippines, have you heard of your HQ's Green Project? And, really, is this the only way you can raise funds for SparkHope? Get creative, come on! Stage a concert, get theater groups to do impromptu skits, organize "coffee dates", promote putting up mini-Starbucks kiosks in corporate offices, conduct coffee appreciation workshops, etc etc etc.
Instead of fussing over a little ol' planner, why not do these?
- Drop a donation for SparkHope (if there's a way to do so) whenever you're at a Starbucks coffee shop, even if it's not the holiday season.
- Buy the reusable tumbler to save on paper cups. I think they still give a discount on your drink every time you use it. Or maybe they do that only on Earth Day (hmmm...). Even if they don't, be nice to Mother Earth and get the tumbler.
- If you're organizing a fund raiser or some other event, get in touch with Starbucks Philippines and ask if they could participate in some way.
- Just enjoy their traditional holiday menu offerings. I am a big fan of the Toffee Nut Latte :-)
2011 Starbucks Planner
Toffee Nut Latte
No comments:
Post a Comment