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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
 Posted - 08/16/2009 : 10:00:47 AM
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This morning I went to Starbucks to buy 1 lb coffee beans. I chose the same flavor I always get and noticed they raised the price a bit over $1. I checked some of the other flavors that I've used and sure enough the $1 price increase is across the board. Didn't think that much of it since the prices have been the same forever but I chuckled to myself about all that I have been reading about Starbucks "lowering their prices".
Fast forward to reading the Sunday NY Times. There is a color 1/2 page ad (first section, p.14, big $$$) from Starbucks telling how the planetary-concerned & charitable Starbucks is contributing to the Global Fund in Africa. How much? $1 per bag of whole bean coffee.
Now that is all well and good but c'mon. It seems to me that Starbucks is actually contributing nothing. They are taking an extra $1 from the consumer and giving it to charity and reaping a fat corporate tax deduction.
These companies are so freakin' dishonest.
GFTC of NYCmy knitting photos on Flickr or Ravelry
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dschmidt
Permanent Resident
3920 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2009 : 11:40:16 AM
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Isn't that interesting? It certainly isn't charity on the part of Starbucks. Letter to the editor time? I'll have to check the Washington Post and see if the same ad is in there too.
Donna in VA
The Honor Roll? It's easier here than in school. Scroll up to "Want to Make Betty Happy?" and be an Honor Roll member.
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Beverly the Bronx Girl
Permanent Resident
USA
1026 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 08:22:37 AM
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Seems to me the customers should get the credit for the donation.
Blessings, Beverly |
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kbshee
Permanent Resident
USA
4130 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 11:48:10 AM
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Misleading at best.....I wish they would give you the option to contribute $1 rather than taking all the credit for it themselves.
kim in oregon
http://kbshee.blogspot.com |
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anderknit
Permanent Resident
USA
2551 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 3:25:54 PM
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I think that's really slimy.
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' " |
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Lanea
Permanent Resident
USA
5158 Posts |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2009 : 06:41:12 AM
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quote:
And who is getting the tax credit?
quote:
Starbucks is.....reaping a fat corporate tax deduction.
GFTC of NYCmy knitting photos on Flickr or Ravelry
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suecq
Chatty Knitter
USA
204 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2009 : 4:09:25 PM
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| Isn't that the same thing Denise Knitting Needled does when it charges $5 extra for the pink needle set and then donates the $5 to breast cancer? Seems to me the customer is donating. |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2009 : 8:17:39 PM
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I think this is coincidence. The price of coffee has risen all over, and a major promotion such as this is in the works for months. As GFTC stated, prices had been static for a long time; the most recent increases may have been to much to keep absorbing.
Brought to you by the tongue in cheek-y monkey
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Calamintha
Permanent Resident
USA
2886 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2009 : 10:17:29 PM
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| I'm sure it's very common that companies pass the cost of the donation onto the consumer. I actually try to avoid shopping with companies that toot their own horn about donating to charities. It's my money and I have my favorite charities that I donate direct to. I don't need a surcharge on my purchases. These companies have a heck of a nerve. They just want the PR. |
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anderknit
Permanent Resident
USA
2551 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2009 : 5:36:39 PM
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Yes, they want the PR. And although I stress that I am NOT suggesting the following about Starbucks, I have read that there are companies that ask customers to add $1 or $2 to their purchase totals for some charity or another, and then they do not actually carefully account for those donations. They might make a donation (or not), but there are often not good internal systems for ensuring that the donations are accurately accounted. In the piece I read, it was suggested that if you want to donate to a charity, do it directly (and reap the tax benefit if you itemize), but not through your store purchases.
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' " |
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Starbucks & Charity
