105716371412945828
Now I know the blogosphere is supposed to be powerful, but what do we make of this? One day after I post my letter to Starbucks on this weblog I get another letter from “Michael,” the bot that runs the “Customer Relations” email service at Starbucks (I’d post a link to that critical department of the company, but they don’t have a website):
Thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company. Here is the latest news for your weblog.
Starbucks Coffee Company and Haida Bucks Caf� have recently resolved their trademark dispute. Whenever trademark confusion arises, it is always Starbucks preference and desire to resolve disputes of this nature informally and amicably, rather than in a public forum.
In response to a letter sent by Starbucks in March 2003, Haida Bucks Caf� has made several important changes to its name and logo that address many of Starbucks initial infringement concerns.
Starbucks believes that these changes are a satisfactory compromise and is pleased that this matter could be resolved without legal action.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact us at info@starbucks.com, or call (800) 23-LATTE to speak to a customer relations representative.
Again, thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.
Sincerely,
Michael
Customer Relations
Starbucks Coffee Company
There were ten referrals in my log from Starbucks.com over the past two days. And one from NIPR.mil. I still don’t know what that means.
Anyway, my inquiry into the marketing genius of Starbucks (how a global coporation loses customers with heavy handed legal threats) has not convinced me that my latte dollars should be spent there. So I’ll go in search of other sources of “superpremium” coffee products and services. Starting with my very own Bowen Island based coffee house, The Snug.
