[gmku]

I'm thinking of picking up a few hours a week at Starbucks, if they'll have me. Anyone ever work there?

As a freelance writer, I have two problems. One is no regular check. Yes, I get paid well for my work, but I'm subject to the vagaries of various pay systems and their paperwork--it can be months before I'll see that $4,000 check, for example, for a project I completed. Even if I just make 100 bucks a week, that's album money and a few groceries while waiting for the windfalls.

The other thing is I'm very homebound in this job. I do get out to talk with people and research the stories, of course, but not daily. I feel I sort of need some easy interaction with other human beings.

Plus I'll get a pound of coffee free a month, and all the coffee I can drink during my shift.

Whatcha think?

You're selling out! gmku!

[gmku]

Hee hee, yeah, ain't it fun! Wonder if I'll get a free Sonic Youth Starbucks CD.

[phoenix]

I work at starfuz.. Its a good job. Pay not so great but there's other perks like the coffee and most of the people i work with are great. You do have to do a bit of training but its not hard..

[gmku]

I don't need great pay. I realize it's slave labor, but all I'm after is that bit of pocket change every week. And the coffee, of course. In spite of its corporate-ness, the stores always seem like nice places.

[tesla69]

Originally Posted by gmku

I don't need great pay. I realize it's slave labor, but all I'm after is that bit of pocket change every week. And the coffee, of course. In spite of its corporate-ness, the stores always seem like nice places.

From what I read over at http://starbucksgossip.typepad.com/ it seems it mostly depends on what your local managers are like. But you probably would never have to pay for coffee again.

Is there a big university in your town.? Maybe you could work as an assistant dishwasher for a sorority or something? Or work in ladies shoes in a big dept store. Sorry, I'm pervy this morning. I'm just thinking of possibly interesting jobs that don't pay much.

[gmku]

I would apply at the record shop if I thought I had half a chance. Maybe I will anyway.

[✌➬]

Apply at Costco instead, they pay well. Also if you are part-time you still get full benefits.

[jakeonguitar]

Originally Posted by ✌➬

Apply at Costco instead, they pay well. Also if you are part-time you still get full benefits.

Fuck yeah. And cheap (yet of better than average quality) pizza!

[Rob Instigator]

I have lots of friends that work at starbucks. or have worked there.it is a good place to work. you start off at aruond $6.50-$7.00 an hour, which is not much but better than mcdonalds or being a waiter, and there are tips, and there are benefits even for part time employees.
plus there are so many HOT HOT HOT women that love starbucks. you could have a rock hard wood all day long gmku, stave off the viagra for another couple of years.

don;t tell mrs. gmku why you come home every day ready to go balls deep for an hour....

[gmku]

Originally Posted by ✌➬

Apply at Costco instead, they pay well. Also if you are part-time you still get full benefits.

None around here. My sister-in-law's in the corporate side of it, and she thinks it's a wonderful company. Seems very fair-minded toward employees.

[!@#$%!]

no no no no no sir, fuck no, and no.

first of all-- and this is the important-- there is no reason you should have to "wait months before you see that $4000 check". i'll explain more below.

second-- your wife gets a steady paycheck from the feds. should be sufficient to cover most basic expenses, no?

and third-- there are other ways than working retail if you want to be out among people.

look, im self-employed too, and i used to get ripped off, paid late, etc. no more.

the reason is simple-- well not so simple-- but a) i work with contracts now , b) i don't work with wankers who don't have money to pay upfront.

yeah, my contracts often specify a 50% down payment or partial payments whenever an important milestone is completed. this is no joke. i can't finance my client's projects. contracts also specify penalties for late payment, etc.

and then at this point i have gotten good at sniffing bullshit-- i have good clients that require no contracts, people who pay the second i ask them, and i cultivate those. i can do small jobs for them without down payment because i know i'll have my money the moment i'm done.

rather than running back to the retail trenches, i suggest finding a lawyer and an accountant and getting your shit organized. you have to price late payments into the cost of doing business and you have to be able to say you neeed 20 or 30 or 50% down when you sign up for a gig.

now, if you are looking for an extra paycheck, i would suggest something that increases your visibility as a writer. something good for marketing. imagine you're whipping up a latte and one of your corporate clients shows up-- the same one you've told all about your professionalism-- no-- just no. if you were 22 and out of college and were working on a novel i'd say starbucks is a good company with benefits for part timers bla bla bla. let your kids work a starbucks. but you could maybe get a teaching gig at a local college, or pick up some journo work at a local paper or magazine, or write record reviews for no pay-- something that will increase your prestige with your clients and will make them pay you more.

anyway, you need an accountant and a lawyer. find them.

and if you need to see people, you can always take your laptop to starbucks and write there. pick a coffee shop and make it your home. become a regular. have "your" table. you'll make friends in no time.

[gmku]

Good advice. And I do this generally (advances), except in cases where the "system" just absolutely makes no allowances for it. Govt, universities, etc., are tough about this. Nonprofits (environmental groups, etc) seem more understanding. Commercial magazines? Forget about it. At least the regionals I've dealt with. The pay is terrible. And the schedules are brutal. As a former editor, I'm used to planning magazines months in advance--as spring's issue is on the designer's desk, you're already editing stories for the summer, and planning ideas for the fall. So when I started offering my services to local editors, I was thinking they'd assign me stories with deadlines monts down the road. No, these guys are like working a mere few weeks in advance of an issue's press date. Why!?

Nah, I'd do this for the pocket change, just for that coffee and album money, you know. It feels a bit bohemian, but frankly if a client's going to get snobby about me picking up a few bucks in retail, that client might not be somebody I'd like to work for. I know freelance writers who do this all the time, actually--work here and there for short periods, often during dry times when the writing isn't going well. I think it helps recharge the batteries for one thing. And isn't that the benefit of going freelance? Having the freedom to keep options open a bit?

[!@#$%!]

for governments i ask partial payments for the completion of each "phase"

say "research"-- it's a good way to say "down payment".

well seems you mind is made up so good luck to you. i'd never do that, but if you don't mind, well, go for it.

then again-- teaching, no? you can make $3-4K per course as an adjunct.

[gmku]

Nah, I haven't made up my mind. Just toying with it.

I am keeping my eyes open for teaching jobs, actually. Something in a community college, that kind of thing, a class or two a couple nights a week. Very hard to find around here, though.

[!@#$%!]

oh. hm.

what ever happened to your record store project, now?

ps- advertising copy. there's good money in it.

[gmku]

The record store. Yeah, sigh. Too much competition, too little start-up cash. Too hard.

[█████████]

is the coffee good? i've never been to a starbucks.

there are no starbucks in this country!

[gmku]

I've had better at my favorite local shops, frankly. Local places especially that use the drip method of making each cup of coffee. Starbucks makes their regular brew by the big pot full, so the taste is not as good as individually brewed cups. But their specialties--mochas and the like--are fairly good.

[█████████]

i need to try it once i spot one.
our coffee is good (seriously), you should try it.
that's probably one of the reasons there are no starbucks here.