metro, have an example?

Some people expect everyone they encounter to be perky and sweet 100% of the time, and act like they're trying to win a popularity contest. I guess I'm one of the few that doesn't expect that from everyone. Now if you are downright surly, that's another thing.

Is Melody focused? Intensely so.
Is she committed to putting out a really great product? Absolutely.
Is she the most personable person on the block? Not everyday, but then, not everyone is a shiny, happy extrovert, nor should they be expected to be so.

I have NEVER had a problem with her and have been going in at least 2x a week since they opened. I go in on weekends a lot, too. I've engaged in several conversations with her and find her to be quite pleasant.

I guess you have to decide which type of service you like best -- the constant "upsale" service at 7-11 (no I don't want an ice cream bar with my coffee and gas at 7 in the morning, but thanks); the "look how cool/cute I am because I'm singing into my headset" sachherine-perky service at Starbucks, or the somewhat less effuse but steady service at Coffee Slingers.

Chacun a son gout, alors!

I've found her to be arrogant and extremely rude to myself and others in line.

x2

Oh come on folks. Melody may be quirky and certainly intense about doing coffee a certain way, but arrogant and rude? I go to Coffee Slingers at least once every week or so, and I'd compare the vibe to that of Sauced. They're real people, they're artistic, and they're not perfect robotrons with perfect robotron dimples and smiles.
Here's my own guide on coffee shops. Let it be known I'm still mourning the loss of Uncommon Grounds and I don't miss BrewHaHa.
If you're in the mood for a very refined style coffee or tea (they do have good coffee) and a very laid bac atmosphere, go to Coffee Slingers. If you're wanting more of a family style, mom and pop coffee shop, go to The Buzz and tell Tim and Allison I said hi. If you want to meet up with the movers and shakers downtown and don't mind the hustle and bustle of a busy place, go to Java Daves. If you want mediocre coffee, good corporate music selections and comfortable chairs, go to Starbucks. If you want to enjoy a ballgame on tv with your coffee or play a game of checkers with your son while sipping hot cocoa and you're in northwest OKC, go to Vintage Coffee and Alan will do what it takes to make you comfortable.

Oh come on folks. Melody may be quirky and certainly intense about doing coffee a certain way, but arrogant and rude? I go to Coffee Slingers at least once every week or so, and I'd compare the vibe to that of Sauced. They're real people, they're artistic, and they're not perfect robotrons with perfect robotron dimples and smiles.
Here's my own guide on coffee shops. Let it be known I'm still mourning the loss of Uncommon Grounds and I don't miss BrewHaHa.
If you're in the mood for a very refined style coffee or tea (they do have good coffee) and a very laid bac atmosphere, go to Coffee Slingers. If you're wanting more of a family style, mom and pop coffee shop, go to The Buzz and tell Tim and Allison I said hi. If you want to meet up with the movers and shakers downtown and don't mind the hustle and bustle of a busy place, go to Java Daves. If you want mediocre coffee, good corporate music selections and comfortable chairs, go to Starbucks. If you want to enjoy a ballgame on tv with your coffee or play a game of checkers with your son while sipping hot cocoa and you're in northwest OKC, go to Vintage Coffee and Alan will do what it takes to make you comfortable.

I'm not sure, but i think this post is full of WIN.

WIN?
I just checked out the urban dictionary (a great tool when you're over 40 and unhip). OK, I think I get it now.
:doh:

The coffee is good enough that I'll take the attitude. There are 4 different people that I have ever seen working at Coffee Slingers: 3 women and 1 guy. 2 of the women are VERY nice, know who I am and what I drink, and are friendly without being fake like at Starbucks. The guy is nice but doesn't say much. The other girl who has been working the past few mornings I've been in is pretty snobby and rude. So for me it's 1 out of 4 that I don't like and like I said the coffee is really good, IMO, so I'll be frequenting the place as long as it lasts.

I've found her to be arrogant and extremely rude to myself and others in line.

Oh good God. This is getting ridiculous. She's not a warm fuzzy, but she doesn't openly insult the customers. They make good coffee. It's a smooth transaction. You won't get lots of "honeys" and "sweeties" but you'll get your coffee and move on with your day.

Sometimes I'm wondering if some folks on this thread are looking for a combination of Starbucks and Hooters. And for all I know, such a business venture exists in real life. It's probably coming to Bricktown right after Coyote Ugly.

[QUOTE=metro;218552]Can I suggest we change the name of the title of this thread? "Barely hanging on" sounds unfair considering that this thread was created 7 months ago and the place is still open.

I agree with Metro here, please change the name of this thread. I also seriously doubt anyone on this board has ever known their financial situation in the first place.

guess they've been "barely hanging on" for a while now, eh... thread title changed. -M

I love all the slams from people who've most likely never even been half as successful (or even tried) to run a small business like Coffee Slingers. I went a few times when they first opened. Not really my kind of place and yes the customer service is lacking so I question their ability to stay in business. But the personal attacks on someone who's actually taking all the risks to operate a business in this economic climate is ridiculous and wreaks of jealousy.

Why not change the title - Lord knows the board has no problem changing people's posts.

let's get back to topic, kids... coffee slingers.

been a few times. the place doesn't excite me, but i wouldn't say that the staff have ever been rude to me.


-M

Thread started in October. I was in today, Melody was entertaining at least a dozen customers. Barely hanging on... yeah, sure. Melody must have some sharp claws.

I'm wondering why Coffee Slingers is in the #2 spot on this tread...still...????????

I'm sitting at Coffee Slingers right now sipping on some Honeybush herbal tea, enjoying the atmosphere and really loving the local art by Vanna McAllister.... vanna mcallister (http://www.vannamcallister.com/home)

Whatever happened to the "barely hanging on" thread title?

^
coffee slingers outlasted it. ; )

-M

They were full this afternoon. Every table was taken, people sitting at the counter.

They were full this afternoon. Every table was taken, people sitting at the counter.

how many tables do they have?? just wondering. never been there. trying to gauge how big/small this place is.

I like working/studying at coffee shops, but haven't visited coffee slingers because apparently they have weird wifi policy?

how many tables do they have?? just wondering. never been there. trying to gauge how big/small this place is.

I like working/studying at coffee shops, but haven't visited coffee slingers because apparently they have weird wifi policy?

The only thing that's weird about it is the fact that they don't allow people to use wifi on Sundays. They call it "community day" or something like that. I guess the point of it is to encourage people to talk to each other or something to that effect. A lot of people have complained about it, but that's their policy.

Whatever happened to the "barely hanging on" thread title?

scroll back a page for your answer:bright_id

The only thing that's weird about it is the fact that they don't allow people to use wifi on Sundays. They call it "community day" or something like that. I guess the point of it is to encourage people to talk to each other or something to that effect. A lot of people have complained about it, but that's their policy.

I think a lot of people complain because they actually have a wi-fi "policy," which includes a one-drink minimum per hour of wi-fi used, and no wifi on Sundays, where folks are encouraged to engage in actual face-to-face interaction (imagine that).

Some folks (and I've seen em) think it's just fine to come in and poach off Coffee Slinger's wifi system without making a purchase. Others have parked outside and sat in their vehicles with their laptops while poaching off of the system.

Outside of that, I don't think the rules are really that "weird."

Afterall, this is a business that is trying to recoup its operating costs, one of which is wifi. Seems to me like if they are paying for it, they have the right to put forth a reasonable policy in regards to its use.

If people want completely free wifi, they can go to the library.

I stopped in this week. EXCELLENT coffee. Also, the service was very friendly.

I went to Java Dave's around the corner this morning and the coffee just doesn't compare; I'll be sticking toe Coffee Slingers from now on. Although Winan's in Norman still has IMO the best coffee in the metro.

I stopped in this week. EXCELLENT coffee. Also, the service was very friendly.

Perhaps they read the thread. :)

I'm going to make an effort to stop in this week; I'll report back.

I went to Java Dave's around the corner this morning and the coffee just doesn't compare; I'll be sticking toe Coffee Slingers from now on. Although Winan's in Norman still has IMO the best coffee in the metro.

Java Dave's is a clear step below Starbucks, which is a clear step below places like Coffee Slingers. As an avid coffee lover I had hopes for a local place like Dave's after moving here a few years ago - all hopes were dashed after 3 tries of their poor quality beverages.

I think a lot of people complain because they actually have a wi-fi "policy," which includes a one-drink minimum per hour of wi-fi used, and no wifi on Sundays, where folks are encouraged to engage in actual face-to-face interaction (imagine that).

Some folks (and I've seen em) think it's just fine to come in and poach off Coffee Slinger's wifi system without making a purchase. Others have parked outside and sat in their vehicles with their laptops while poaching off of the system.

Outside of that, I don't think the rules are really that "weird."

Afterall, this is a business that is trying to recoup its operating costs, one of which is wifi. Seems to me like if they are paying for it, they have the right to put forth a reasonable policy in regards to its use.

If people want completely free wifi, they can go to the library.


wow. one-drink minimum for every hour of wifi used seems excessive to me, and it's not really fair because certain drinks (like drip coffee) are a lot cheaper than other drinks (e.g. macchiato, latte, etc.). I guess I'll just continue to hand Starbucks my money because my dad has an AT&T account...so I don't have to pay for WiFi by the hour. and I get to stay as long as I like.

furthermore, every time a coffee shop is said to have free wifi--I'm skeptical of it because its usually not reliable. too many laptops and the bandwith sinks. there are places around the metro that have free wifi w/no strings attached..i.e. full circle, hastings, panera. I've seen people come in, and not buy anything..though I would never do that (I NEED my caffeine fix every day)

I'm skeptical of it because its usually not reliable. too many laptops and the bandwith sinks.

Yes, imagine if they only had a policy to help keep the number of uses down that benefited paying customers...:fighting2

Coffee Slingers has a one drink minimum for every hour of wifi used? What's their deal? They have a tendency to be very anal about things.

They must be philosophically opposed to welfare then.

If you pay in the system, you can get the benefits. If you don't, you're a drain and can leave.

They must be philosophically opposed to welfare then.

If you pay in the system, you can get the benefits. If you don't, you're a drain and can leave.

Well whatever. We'll see if treating customers like children works for them.

Sometimes I'm wondering if some folks on this thread are looking for a combination of Starbucks and Hooters. And for all I know, such a business venture exists in real life. It's probably coming to Bricktown right after Coyote Ugly.

You can have such a thing?

That reminds me of the survey Denny's did years ago. I think there were six or seven questions. It went something like this:

1) Was the food delivered promptly?
2) Was it cooked to your satisfaction?
3) Would you like to see other items on the menu?
4) Was your waiter or waitress courteous?
5) If after 10:00 pm we went topless, will you still patronize?
6) Keep in mind, these will be the same waitresses

i gave them a shot, didn't really care for their service, not really up to par. the coffees were just set on a ledge, sure enough - some dude walked off with mine so minutes later I had to go reorder.

the acoustics were so bad that the girl @ the register talked to me for about 3 minutes before I busted out laughing because i really understood nothing that she said.

I don't know, it seems that many of the people posting here visit Coffee Slingers expecting to fill some void in their life and not to enjoy good quality coffee. I've been there many time and not one time did I feel the staff was rude or condescending. Perhaps what some people expect from lowly "service staff" is to play the role of sycophant for them.

...if you need to leech WiFi for hours on end without supporting the business supplying a bandwidth limited resource - then that's a parasitic, entitlement mindset.

what does sycophant mean?

- then that's a parasitic, entitlement mindset.

I don't like when people adopt that mindset either.

what does sycophant mean?
Try this: Dictionary.com (http://www.dictionary.com)


I don't know, it seems that many of the people posting here visit Coffee Slingers expecting to fill some void in their life and not to enjoy good quality coffee. I've been there many time and not one time did I feel the staff was rude or condescending. Perhaps what some people expect from lowly "service staff" is to play the role of sycophant for them.I believe that is EXACTLY what most folks around here think. My guess is not many have traveled to New York, or other countries where service in many establishments is, well, nil! Get over it (and yourself while you're at it). And if you don't like the service, just go somewhere else. Plenty of people like the place enough to keep it in business. I personally hope it sticks around for a long time.


...if you need to leech WiFi for hours on end without supporting the business supplying a bandwidth limited resource - then that's a parasitic, entitlement mindset.

I believe many more people ARE starting to get this mindset when it comes to what they expect from businesses. They don't "get" that on the other side of the coin is money that needs to keep that business running.

I was in a restaurant the other day where a young college-aged girl walked in with her yorkshire terrier DOG sticking out of her purse. She actually expected to go through the line and be served, and didn't really seem to understand that there is such a thing as a Health Department, which has codes against such things. She felt she was ENTITLED to take her animal anywhere she wanted, and kind of threw a stew when asked to leave.

Back to this thread, I really find it hard to believe it's still going on and on in such a manner.

If you don't like Coffee Slingers, by all means, do yourself the favor, and do not go there.

If you do like Coffee Slingers, stop by, grab a cup of their GREAT, organic, free-trade coffe, and give Melody & Co. the props they so richly deserve for breaking into this picky market. Who knows, you could even be their customer of the week?

I'm sitting at Coffee Slingers as I type. Two young women were at the helm when I arrived some time ago, and they both were spectacular, explaining the shot of espresso I ordered, as well as the peppermint latte I had afterward---touched up with a bit of vanilla to temper the bite of the mint, so explained the one who prepared my drink. Both were friendly and talkative, and the requisite coffeehouse soundtrack of music- you've-never- heard was present. I will say that while I LOVE the layout and decor of the place, it indeed is not a good acoustic environment. I'll live.

I'll be returning.

I'm just amazed that a coffee shop has sparked such a raucous debate here.

FritterGirl, we should get over the lack of hospitable service? Just because NYC and other places have poor or rude service, doesn't make them hip, or us less hip because NYC does it. That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. It is called service for a reason, if people don't want it they should move to NYC then. OKC is known for it's very hospitable and down to earth service. I'm as big of a downtown supporter as anyone, and I don't want places with service such as Coffee Slingers. I did patronize them again on Saturday, it seemed to be a little better, only the lady didn't say anything other than what'll you have? after that nothing.... I had a macchiato and it was pretty good.

made it by coffee slingers this past weekend... the service was fast, friendly and the mocha that i ordered was mighty tasty.

-M

If you want to enjoy a ballgame on tv with your coffee or play a game of checkers with your son while sipping hot cocoa and you're in northwest OKC, go to Vintage Coffee and Alan will do what it takes to make you comfortable.

thanks steve, we certainly try. :kicking:

I'm not certain how fresh roasted (served within 7-14 days) beans from an artisan roaster (Barefoot Coffee Roasters) that is ground and prepared on a per-order basis in a press pot could ever be considered "terrible" - something doesn't make sense.


maybe because they dont prepare it right? Just because a steak is aged to perfection, seasoned just right, and put on a grill at the perfect temperature does not mean that it will be good if the person making it sucks at what they do. It is the same logic.

Wow, almost a day went by without the Coffee Slingers thread being bumped. Thanks, Jim, for keeping it real.

maybe because they dont prepare it right? Just because a steak is aged to perfection, seasoned just right, and put on a grill at the perfect temperature does not mean that it will be good if the person making it sucks at what they do. It is the same logic.


Yeah, but they do. If you don't believe they do, then you just simply don't know what your're talking about (you can dislike it, but that doesn't make it "bad"). If fresh roasted-immediately ground-french pressed coffee using 200F water brewed for 5min is your idea of "bad" coffee...stick to Java Dave's.

Wow, almost a day went by without the Coffee Slingers thread being bumped. Thanks, Jim, for keeping it real.

In all fairness, Jim was just doing his usual self promotion in a competitors thread

Geez guys, can we do with just a little less snarkiness today? The put downs really get old. Go out and enjoy life ...

Geez guys, can we do with just a little less snarkiness today? The put downs really get old. Go out and enjoy life ...

That's no fun.

;)

yeah... i don't think jim saying 'thank you' amounts to self promotion. don't you guys want people from local businesses posting on okctalk? then don't chase them away. -M

The put downs really get old. Go out and enjoy life ...

Mine wasn't supposed to be a putdown. I was just riffing on the hilarity of this thread that shall never die.

I wasn't referring to you Sooner.

Go out and enjoy life ...
I think this is as "out and enjoy life" as some people get.
Some people just aren't happy unless they are miserable.....

I talked to a couple today that use to go to Coffee Slingers but have lately found that the owner has been rude and snooty to them. Apparently, you can't make any alterations to how you want your coffee prepared. I was told that there even is an active "boycott" against this place.

Can someone please kill this thread and put it out of its misery?

173 posts over a coffee shop.

Pretty controversial stuff here.

Can someone please kill this thread and put it out of its misery?

Why shouldn't people be allowed to post their comments. Obviously there must be some truth to the rude or "snooty" service, as there have been quite a few posters stating this, as well as quite a few that like it. I actually went there today for breakfast. For the first time in several times that I've been there, they weren't rude, but they werent exactly nice either. I would say it was "neutral." On the flip side I saw several friends and Wayne Coyne there. It has it's place downtown, but to say this place has service is a far stretch.

...they weren't rude, but they werent exactly nice either. I would say it was "neutral.".

That's pretty much what my experiences have been and what I attempted to convey previously. If this were a restaurant, perhaps their level of neutrality would be off putting. But as a coffee shop where I get a cup and go...it works because of the quality of the product.

Why shouldn't people be allowed to post their comments. Obviously there must be some truth to the rude or "snooty" service, as there have been quite a few posters stating this, as well as quite a few that like it.

The length of the thread proves nothing more than the fact that some people (amazingly not me this time!) have the capacity to engage in protracted 'debate' over one of the most inane topics imaginable.

The length of the thread proves nothing more than the fact that some people (amazingly not me this time!) have the capacity to engage in protracted 'debate' over one of the most inane topics imaginable.

Arguing about a coffee shop is almost cathartic in comparison to arguing politics and other more important subjects.