Guns, Starbucks, and "repeating the same action and expecting different results".

[friendly_iconoclast]

First, there was the Brady Campaign boycott because Starbucks basically ignored them
and refused to flatly ban open-carry of guns in their stores where otherwise legal:

http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/press/view/1219/

Brady Campaign Urges Starbucks To Prohibit Guns In Its Retail Outlets

Feb 5, 2010

Washington, DC – Radical gun enthusiasts have begun parading into California restaurants and coffeehouses in recent weeks brazenly displaying handguns. The gun activists have frightened customers, alarmed police and caused at least two restaurant chains to establish firm policies prohibiting firearms in their retail locations.

Ten days ago, gun violence opponents in California started urging a third chain, Starbucks, to similarly prohibit the "open carry" of firearms in its retail establishments, but Starbucks has rebuffed their requests. Today, the national Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence joins with its chapter leaders in California and across the nation in urging the Starbucks Coffee Company to bar the carrying of firearms in its shops.

Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign, today sent a letter to Howard Schultz, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks Coffee Company, asking him to change their policy. "I am writing to urge you to reverse Starbucks’ current policy allowing persons to carry guns, both openly and concealed, into your stores," Helmke wrote. "On behalf of the Brady Campaign and its chapters across the country, I ask you to consider the rights of the vast majority of your customers to bring their families, including their children, into your stores without being confronted with the threatening presence of open-displayed guns."...

That didn't work out so well for the Bradys, as see:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x312487

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=163516

Starbucks posts significant increases in earnings and sales in second quarter
by Austin Lewis
April 22, 2010

Coffee retailer Starbucks Corp., based in Seattle, Wash., reported significantly higher earnings based on improved domestic and international sales. Starbucks surpassed Wall Street’s estimates by four cents. The stock rose slightly Wednesday.

Starbucks earned $217.3 million, or 28 cents earnings per diluted share, in the second quarter ended March 28, up nearly eightfold from $25 million, or 3 cents per diluted share, in the same period last year. Earnings reflected a $5.8 million charge related to restructuring....

Now, remember those numbers. Cut to one year ago- some bright spark declares that HE will succeed where
the Brady Campaign failed (emphasis added):

http://gunvictimsaction.org/blog/2012/01/press-release-starbucks-boycott/

Press Release About Starbucks Boycott
Posted Jan 30 2012 by ngac with 0 Comments
Starbucks’ “Pro-Gun” Policy Prompts Gun Victims’ Advocate Group to Launch Nationwide Boycott on Valentine’s Day 2012

CHICAGO, Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – A nationwide boycott of Starbucks stores and its products will be launched on Valentine’s Day 2012. Its goal is to eliminate the risk of guns in public places and ultimately to bring sane gun laws to the U.S.

This boycott is being called by the National Gun Victim’s Action Council (NGAC), a network of 14 million gun victims, the faith community including the: Episcopal Peace Fellowship, United Church of Christ, Fellowship of Reconciliation (46 peace fellowships and 43 affiliate fellowships), secular groups working to reduce gun violence and many of the organizations that support passing sane gun laws...

...Starbucks has the legal right to ban guns but despite having been petitioned by thousands, asked at a shareholder meeting, and a direct appeal made to their Board, Starbucks clings to this policy that puts millions of Americans at risk every day and encourages the spread of guns being carried in public.

IMPACT OF STARBUCKS BOYCOTT: Fineman says, “Starbucks steadfast support of the NRA’s lethal pro-gun agenda damages its ‘socially conscious company’ brand. Further,” adds Fineman, “Monte Carlo Simulation risk analysis indicates that 90% of the time, our boycott will reduce Starbucks stock price by an amount no rational company would allow.”...

Result:

http://articles.marketwatch.com/2013-01-24/industries/36522385_1_starbucks-posts-starbucks-shares-higher-profit

Starbucks posts 13% higher profit
Market Pulse
January 24, 2013|Jim Jelter

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Starbucks Corp. (US:sbux) reported late Thursday its fiscal first-quarter profit rose to $432 million, or 57 cents a share, from $382 million, or 50 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 30 rose 11% to $3.8 billion from $3.44 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had expected the Seattle-based coffee giant to earn 57 cents a share on $3.85 billion in revenue. Starbucks stood by its fiscal 2013 revenue growth target of 10% to 13%. Starbucks shares fell 1.1% to $54.00 in after-hours trade.

Protip: Don't let Eliot Fineman give you financial advice- or believe gun control advocates who tell you
how 'popular' their views are...

[another_liberal]

1. I wonder how much . . .

I wonder how much more profit they might have made if gun-packers had been turned away? Seeing some caffeine-crazed clown with a .45 or a Glock openly displayed on his hip would make me find the nearest door.

[Clames]

2. Less profit.

Those who supported Starbuck's decision to follow local laws spend well. They also tip well too.

[Pholus]

3. Citation please.

I would love to see this study. Unless, of course, it is completely made up.

[another_liberal]

8. Good point . . .

Good point indeed. Thanks for mentioning it.

[Clames]

15. You mean like the study that supports the post I...

...wad replying to? What an obvious and poorly considered question. Not made up but is based upon personally witnessed events which is a hell of a lot more than what you have...

[Pholus]

18. Grammar FAIL.

Learn the difference between a question ("I wonder...&quot and a declaration of universal "fact" ("They also tip well too.&quot .

[Clames]

28. I know the difference.

Learn to frame you questions in such a way that it doesn't make you look like a complete newbie to this topic. Fear not, you have years to catch up if you apply yourself.


And yes, during those events it was common to tip with $2 bills. Easily Googled information if you are so inclined.

[Pholus]

30. Oh wise gunner, I stand in awe of you.

Not. The worst coworker I ever had to put up with, that gun waving bastard, was also the guy who usually tried to skin out on the check or failing that he would conveniently forget the tax/tip. The kind of guy whose going away party was celebrated the day AFTER he left.

So, please stop trying to portray your generosity as a group. It is, well, cow excrement.

[Clames]

31. Bullshit.

That's all that little story is . As a group we are very generous, we actually put our money where our mouths are as opposed to those like you who do their capital expending attempting to be witty on message boards. Oh anti-gunner, have you sent one penny to the VPC or Brady Campaign this year? Ever? Don't worry, vast majority haven't either.

[Pholus]

36. Bwahahahaha.

You're having to guess at what I did or didn't do? You lose!

[Clames]

38. Don't have to guess.

As obvious and simple as they get these days...

[Pholus]

39. Wow, thanks for admitting you maintain your own "facts."

You do not deal in evidence, you simply "know" your reality and conveniently it fits your preconceived notions.

Conclusion? That probably applies to everything you say. Not that this was any big surprise, frankly.

[Clames]

40. Easy when you actually research a topic rather than regurgitating....

...whatever pops up from the usual anti-gun nonsense. You put forth nothing original so why waste the effort on you? Facts and citations aren't going to change your mind.

[holdencaufield]

5. I don't think anyone should leave Starbucks ...

... just because they see a firearm.

Unless ... they're in the queue ahead of me ... in that case, Buh-bye!

[another_liberal]

7. If strangers with guns . . .

If non law enforcement type strangers with guns in a public places don't bother you, then they don't bother you.

As to the lines at Starbucks: True that.

[holdencaufield]

10. If I thought I would get my Venti any more quickly ...

... I would come in carrying an M249 and wearing a necklace of human ears.

[another_liberal]

21. That sounds . . .

That sounds about right.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

26. A friend of...

...Daniel and/or Aurelio I assume?

[holdencaufield]

29. Nah ...

... just hate queuing and I'm a big Colonel Kurtz fan.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

34. ;)

"... you have no right to call me a murderer. You have a right to kill me. You have a right to do that... but you have no right to judge me."

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. And you can tell plainclothes LEOs from civilians?

[another_liberal]

20. Do they carry . . .

Do they carry their weapons on their hips while on plain clothes duty? Seems like that would defeat the purpose of being in plain clothes?

[gejohnston]

22. they do in Florida

detectives/investigators do, not to be confused with under cover.

[another_liberal]

23. I hope they enjoy . . .

I hope they enjoy their coffee. Starbucks will, however, have to do without my business.

[gejohnston]

24. They wear their badges on their belt

in my county they sometimes have a polo shirt that says "CCSD". It is obvious who they are. After being in real coffee shops in Japan in the 1980s, Starbucks doesn't do it for me. At best it is hipster/beatnick chic.

[another_liberal]

25. Good point.

They have pretty good coffee, but not equal to the prices they charge.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

27. Everyday and even off duty

Location and holster type varies. I am old school and prefer a shoulder holster when carrying concealed. Hardest to see, but it can be "read" by someone who knows what to look for.

[another_liberal]

32. I once had to carry . . .

I once had to carry a loaded weapon for self protection, did so for over a year. I did not like it much at all.

You guys can have all of my remaining share of that shit.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

33. Today I carry because of where I live and that I ride a motorcycle.

Its a practical matter not political.

[another_liberal]

35. I hear you . . .

I hear you, brother. It was entirely practical in my case as well, but I hated to think what might happen.

[Phillip McCleod]

4. correlation is not causation.

show some connection between the boycotts and the profit increases. until then this is bobbing upside down in the tank.

[GreenStormCloud]

6. It does show that the boycott was ineffective. N/T

[Phillip McCleod]

19. as they usually are.

[iiibbb]

9. I enjoy a good fail as much as the next guy, but

They could have surpassed Wall Street estimates by double, or their profits boosted by 20%.

That being said, this is why concealed carry is preferred in spite of those who say people who conceal carry are cowards... conceal carry is polite and shows deference to those around you.

Gun Control always complains though... concealed carry is for cowards, they should open carry and be a "man"..... becomes open carry is menacing.

For me, a gun should be properly holstered, and the posseser polite and calm

[Tuesday Afternoon]

11. remind me again - what of, is that the definition ?

lol.

[jimmy the one]

12. GUNNUTS EAGER TO SPEND $5 FOR CUP OF COFFEE

Clames Those who supported Starbuck's decision to follow local laws spend well. They also tip well too.

Dunno what's so smart about spending 3 or 4 dollars for a cup of coffee. I spend that much for a 13 ounce can of maxwell's house which lasts a couple weeks. My cost for 2 weeks coffee $3, gunnuts $56, what a dummy I've been to boycott starbucks (as well as every other coffee shop the past 25 years).
And then gunnuts add a tip to that? cheesess...

Then, could be 'other' reasons for a profit rise, that I guess people who would spend $4 for a cup of coffee, could not put together on their own...

Mar 8, 2012, Starbucks raises prices on a premium brew .. A “short” cup of Clover-brewed Sumatra went from $1.75 to $2.15, a nearly 23 percent hike. A “grande” French Roast will set you back $2.65, up from $2.25. The latest price increase follows a 10-cent Starbucks price increase in January for a “tall” brewed coffee in Boston and a handful of other cities and regions throughout the U.S.
The rise in prices comes even as expectations of a bumper coffee crop in Brazil put downward pressure on coffee prices, as the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2012/03/08/starbucks-ups-clover-coffee-price.html?page=all

nov 2012: But while coffee companies, cafes, and corner delis often raise prices, they rarely cut them. Earlier this year, Starbucks (US:SBUX) increased the prices of many drinks by around 1% in much of the Northeast and Sunbelt, including in New York, Boston, Atlanta and Dallas. That followed a 17% hike on Starbucks packaged coffee in 2011. The company hasn’t cut prices this year, despite the fall in wholesale prices.
http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-11-08/finance/34981340_1_coffee-prices-ground-coffee-coffee-companies

[iiibbb]

13. Jimmy's right

The opinions of anyone willing to spend money on Starbucks coffee is immediately suspect... gun controllers and gun nuts alike.

[Eleanors38]

17. Yeah, I went to Starbuck's only to protest the Brady's protest. Not impressed...

I prefer the 3 independent coffee houses on S. First here in Austin. Much better coffee (I rarely drink it), and very good teas (I do drink that). But if Brady's outfit were to pull their stunt again, I guess I'll have to slog back over to that chain.

[friendly_iconoclast]

37. I only buy from them when there are no other coffee joints available...

...or the alternative is truly dire, like a conference I was at once where the hotel coffee was swill.

[Clames]

16. I don't see what is so smart about drinking coffee period.

I don't even waste the little money you are spending.