Starbucks
Reviews and Complaints

Employee spoke to me like I was stupid in the Starbucks located in the Target in Derby, KS. I am certain this employee is not modeling the behavior expected by Starbucks. Will not go back.

10/03/09, 7:31a.M., store #06486
Why am I leaving this store carrying my new coffee press by the handle? I should be carrying this product in a bag or at least in its original packaging. Instead, i’ve been forced to buy the display coffee press and walk out like a thief who’s just shoplifted because starbuck employees couldn’t be bothered to serve me properly. Why, as a paying customer, am I made to feel that i'm interrupting them?

Three starbucks employees, (no other customer in the entire store but me), and not one of them can exhibit any modicum of respect. No greeting when I enter the store. They simply can’t be bothered to attend to this sale correctly. They're just too... Untrained, rude, inconsiderate, uncaring? As i'm paying, one of the female workers actually rolled her eyes when I declined a coffee sample, rolled her eyes! The male employee had to say to her, "she said no”, (talking about me whilst i’m standing there!) and then laughed.

This isn’t a laughing matter. Their behavior is rude and unacceptable. My day shouldn’t start off with rude starbucks employees treating me inappropriately. Bag my product. Get a non-display press from the back. Care about customer service. They won’t care, (i’ve read the complaints and blogs about how unresponsive this corporation is), but now I will boycott their stores and spread the word about their rude service. Shame on the rude little employees and shame on this corporation for allowing this poor customer service to continue.

Starbucks coffee mission statement: to establish starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffees in the works while maintaining our uncompromising principles as we grow.

Uncompromising principles:
To maintain a great work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity

Embrace diversity as an essential component of the way we do business

Apply the highest standards of excellence to the purchasing, roasting, and fresh delivery of our coffee

Develop enthusiastically satisfied customers all of the time

Contribute positively to our communities and our environment

Recognize that profitability is essential to our future success

On february 21st starbucks laid off over 250 employees they call “partners” in an effort to control costs. Not a single executive took any kind of pay cut and the new ceo howard schultz even gets paid more than the previous ceo jim donald. They created a new cco position with a six figure salary, yet they cut over 250 “partners” who need to feed families and have benefits. This coming from a company that claims to be different and “people focused.” starbucks violated its very own mission statement to save upper executives and board members from having to lose a small portion of their income. There was no “great work environment” on february 21st and there hasn’t been one since. Ever since mr. Schultz took over the “partners” working in the ssc in seattle have been walking on egg shells.

I was told I could take a lower position with a significant pay cut or look for another job. I was given a small amount of time to decide. I am forced to work there due to needing medical benefits. This is coming from a person who used to vehemently defend starbucks because I believed it to be special. I guess I was wrong. It’s just another big greedy corporation, except it claims to be something it’s not. This needs to stop.

It seems that starbucks only follows its mission when the stock price is favorable.

Went in starbucks to get a pastry and tea at 9:30 at night. They close at 11:00 pm. All the food was cleared out but 2 cookies. We saw some cakes, etc. On a tray behind the counter. We ask if she could set the tray out so we could select a piece of cake. She said she couldn't because they weren't supposed to be touched by anyone. (I didn't want to touch the food, I just wanted to look at it so I could tell her what we wanted.) then we ordered tea. My daughter ordered tea, and asked for cream to go in her tea. The woman gave her some remark about different kinds of creme and how she wanted it that was not understandable. She made it way too difficult to even get some cream for your tea. The whole transaction made it seem like it was a problem to be served because it was taking away from their time for nightly cleaning before closing time in a hour and a half.

I like starbucks but will not go back in this particular shop. The management needs to talk to their night employees about courtesy to customers, and good service.

This was the starbucks facing loop 288 that is in the golden triangle shopping center. It is not the one that sells starbucks coffee in barnes & noble.

i recently went to starbucks and i ordeered 4 shots of expresso, with breve and 2 pumps of sf cin dolce in a grande cup. iwas told that this drink had to be ordered as a latte only because it was a increase of 2.oo$ in cost. yes i am an avid drinker of starbucks coffee and i ordered a drink that i wanted and it was less than the price of the latte. i was told by the employee at killeen tx starbucks that it was like ripping-off starbucks and i can no longer order this drink i could only order it as a latte. i spcifically order 4 shots of expresso, 2 pumps of sf cin dolce and extra breve in a grande cup, this comes to $3.62. the latte in turn comes to $5.47. i have been insulted, and i do not go back to starbucks because i feel embarressed because of being accused of ripping-off starbucks. is this legal for the company to do. i have made 2 complaints to starbucks web site and no response, i have spoken to managers about this situation and the harker heights manager janet was understanding and made the drink that i ordered at the price indicated on the menu with no problem. what can i do

Starbucks supposedly prides itself on being involved with projects that help improve the community, recycling and "making a difference in the world." I volunteer with a local animal shelter and when I asked if we could put up a flyer with animals available for adoption at the local animal shelter (keep in mind this is no profit to me, just something to help make a difference for local animals, possibly save some from being euthanized, and promote pet recycling -- and possibly even reduce our taxes since higher adoption rates means less money is needed by our shelter system!), the barista refused. In fact, he didn't even seem to know what an animal shelter was! Talk about ignorance like a rock. Anyhow, I'm really disappointed in Starbucks all the "trying to help the community and make a difference" is just a crock of grounds. .

Barista cofee grinder is under recall because of safety concerns of it coming on when you are emptying, filling, or cleaning. The recall requires you to mail your coffee grinder to the company, and wait for 8 WEEKS, for a replacement. Thanks Starbucks, that's exactly why i payed $30 for your cofee grinder, so I could not have one for 8 weeks. Would it be that difficult to allow consumers to exchange them at the local Starbucks where you bought it? Also all replacements are the black grinder, apperantly Starbucks doesn't care if their customers bought a different color, one color fits all now. Thanks guys.

Upon reviewing by bank statement online, I discovered 6 current and 2 pending withdrawals by Starbucks for the SAME transaction, a Double Latte and Lemon Pound Cake. I called the bank Saturday, and lo and behold they already had a statement from Starbucks noting the problem and ensuring me the funds should have been returned by Friday.

So what did I get? ONE refund of the $4.65, leaving only about $30 due to me. I was informed that this problem occured in Starbuck's computer system and could affect anyone using a Debit/Credit card at their stores.

Apparently, if you do not check, you will not get fully re-imbursed, meaning Starbuck's pockets the rest. Nice 'accident', sounds like wire fraud to me. Customer service said they would forward my info to whatever computer department created this mess, but asked no summary of what charges I was disputing and they were very vague about how this would be corrected. Should I be unable to resist that yummy Lemon Pound cake, I will be paying CASH.

Here is the letter I sent to Starbucks, regarding an incident at their Cloverdale California store, which caused thousands of dollars damage to my pickup truck.

"I have been a Starbucks customer for many years. I go there daily, sometimes like today, multiple times per day. I went to the Cloverdale, CA Starbucks today, to the drive-thru window. I don't usually stop at this location. I received my order and started to drive away. The drive-thru lane has multiple angles (turns) in it. Right after the drive-thru window, the lane bends to the left at about a 45 degree angle. IMMEDIATELY around the bend, apparently, is a 3-foot crash bumper; a pipe filled with concrete. Driving in a pickup, this is not visible due to its location in proximity to the bend. Additionally, it is so small that it cannot reasonably be seen from a F-250 pickup truck. To further make matters worse, this post is painted GRAY, the same color as the building. As I pulled down the road, I was clear of the building. I have large (5th wheel) towing mirrors which were well clear of the building. I rounded the bend and I began hearing noise. I thought I had run over a can or something in the roadway, until the sound got very loud. I then stopped and looked around. I couldn't see any obstruction. I opened my door and saw the side of my truck caved in, but I still could not see the cause. After a few moments, I made out the gray, 3-foot post. This post should not have been located immediately around a bend, which would hide it from view. Additionally, it should have been about 2 feet higher in length, and it SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAINTED REFLECTIVE YELLOW... like most every other barrier of this type is.
My truck now has a creased dent, extending through the driver door, past the extended cab, and 1/2 way through the bed. The gas tank cover is ruined.
While I do not need or want it to be restored completely, I would like to recover some of the funds it would cost to get the dents pulled out, and the cover fixed. I would recommend that this location be notified to correct this issue. I am sure that I am not the only one who has (will) hit this post."

I sent this off. I received no response. After a week or so, I filed a BBB complaint against Starbucks. After about another week, I received a phone call from their Customer Service department. The clown who called told me that I would have to deal with the property management company, blah blah blah. I informed him that the property management company is not operating that facility; that the name in the sign is Starbucks. He proceeded to fault me for hitting an "inanimate object", even though it was too small to see, camouflaged with gray paint (to match the building) instead of reflective yellow like most barriers are painted, and completely hidden from view. After laughing at him, I told him to cease calling me, and to use the BBB complaint process. A few days later, I got ANOTHER call from Starbucks. I informed them immediately to not call me, and to use the BBB process. Their C-MINUS rating at the BBB is well deserved. I informed them that I would pay for the repair of my truck, out of the estimated $2000+ per year I USED to spend at Starbucks, and seek recovery through the BBB. I will never go to a Starbucks again. EVER.

I was sitting with my husband drinking our frapuccinos, one of the workers (she was wearing a Starbucks apron ) was sitting at a table with her husband and baby. After making sure she and her husband had plenty of goodies to drink, on the house I presume, she proceeded to change the baby's diaper on the counter. I and another customer sitting next to me stared in disbelief. After spending more time at the table with her husband she went back behind the counter. I watched her to see if there would be some hand washing. Nope. Is this a daily occurence? The other employees did not seem to mind. This employee was definitely not pulling her load in addition to putting the store in jeopardy with the health department which I am planning to notify.

I just visited a Starbucks coffee store located at the Richter Library in University of Miami. And I requested for a pump of classic syrup, and they charged me 30 cents.
They charged 30 cents everyday whenever I requested for just a pump of syrup.
Also, a few days ago, I requested a refill and was denied. Usually, I could refill a cup of coffee by paying 50 cent to 99 cent depending on the location of Starbucks.
This store also did not accept my Goldcard membership card which allows 10 percent discount in any starbucks locations.

What's the identity of this Starbucks? Is this Starbucks? Is it violating a general franchise agreement and policy with Starbucks, corp?
Is this store gaining competition benefits by its monopoly status in a main library on campus?

I have worked for Starbucks for over a year now. I love my job but like anyone else I have bad days too. I try to drop everything at the door before I start my shift and look at all the reasons I should be happy. I am happy. But some customers are so rude! I dont mean to beep my own horn or anything, but I really really try to be super helpful to the customers if they have questions about something or are perhaps confused about something else. Well, I work the drive through and the rudest of the rude come through the drive through. Those with really loud trucks, those with drivers side windows broken, those who like to prank us and make orders then drive away, and especially those who come everyday and we know their orders and make it right EVERYTIME yet they still persist on yelling their order at us. And of course the cell phone customers. People, give it a REST. We would like to ask you how your day is and if that drink is what they were hoping for (if they havent been to a Starbucks before). We cant do our job if you dont let us. The baristas i work with are for the most part proactive on the job, but where one falls short another pulls through. My last thing is, if you have a complaint please please talk to us before going to our manager. And when you do talk to us please dont be in defense mode because basic people skills tells us that one tone person's bad day turns another's into a bad day... thus resulting in a whole ton of people having a bad day. I want to be helpful to you so please LET ME. I will try my hardest to do the best job I can. But to all you customers, if you choose to be rude... we can choose to not serve you.

Ok the week before last I went to my local starbucks located a block from my house (mind you I got there pretty much everyday they know me and the only drink I EVER get there)

Ok, so I go in at 6am Friday right before work like always. I ask for my Cinna-dolce frapp with extra whipped cream, cinna-dolce sprinkles and caramel drizzle on top and to put it in a venti cup. (I order a grandee in venti cup)

One of the usual baristas (she's my fave person who works there) takes my order and starts to make it then she says "Oh, I'm sorry Ann we are out of the regular Frapp blend. I do have the Lite version. You can try that and if you do not like it just let me know I'll get another one." I said "Sure, no problem."

Remind you she along with a few others always treats me well there. She then said "Personally I really do not care for the Lite kind since there's no sugar in it they use splenda." I said well I'll try it because I need my Frapp! :)

So I take it to work and I try it and OMG! There was like NO taste at all it was not good to me.

So I went back on Monday at 6am as usual but she was not on that morning but someone else I like was there and also one other barista he sometimes comes off a bit gruff.

I ordered my usual he already knew it and had my total ready for me to pay. So I give him my money (I over looked the nasty LITE kind from Friday since they treat me so well I didn't see it as a problem) he started to prepare to make my drink then came back to me and said in a blah tone

"Oh, were out of the regular frapp mix." I said ok well could I try it with the crème mix? He said yeah. So after about 5 minutes he came back and said "were out of the crème mix too." I was a bit irritated by since I had to get to work and the fact that they do not have ANYTHING I want now. I said well I really do not care for the LITE kind since I tried it already.

He just stood there looking at me. I said well what do I do now. He said I can give you a refund. Hmm um yeah he could give me a refund since I can't get anything I want...you would have to give my money back. SO he gave me my money back and I left out that morning empty handed.

Later in the afternoon I called and asked to speak with a manager. I told the manager about both days and that I was unhappy very unhappy with the service on the second day and that there was NO frapp there at all...he pretty much told me in a sarcastic tone " We can't help it if they aren't sending our supplies so that we can do our job." after 15 minutes off talking to this manager I was like well I know it's not your faults but could I at least get a coupon or a rain check of some kind for a frapp once you get the supplies?

He said why would you need a coupon when we get the supplies since then we will have the supplies and you can be happy then.

I was taken back by what he said. I said No I would not be happy to pay for a drink I have tried to get multiple times I have been a very very good customer and think I should get something for my inconvenience. He said FINE what's your name. I told him and he said well when are you going to pick it up I said when you get your supplies for the frapps.

He snarled and said fine it'll be here. I then went to their website and wrote a complaint on the manager and also told them the whole story just like this. I have heard NOTHING back from them at all.

It's a beautiful fall Sunday morning in New York City and I stopped in for a latte on my to work. Horrible! Not only is it a really bad latte (especially compared to the local coffee shops popping up everywhere) but the barista was extremely rude. When a gentleman and I were confused about which drink was ours she snapped at us. It's as if all workers laid off from the DMV collectively got jobs at Starbucks. It has gotten really bad I am taking my coffee addiction elsewhere.

Starbucks needs to computerize their ordering system, because it seems as though their baristas can never get an order correct. One would think with the pamphlets Starbucks provides on how to specialize your drinks and key words to use when ordering i.e. non-fat, skim, and iced, that they would also parlay that to their baristas... but sadly they do not. As 7 out of 10 times that I have ordered drinks from Starbucks they have gotten my order wrong. It seems as though we are suffering from a skim milk deficit... as I never seem to get skim milk in my coffee though I request it and even go as far as to double check that they did indeed use skim milk and I almost always receive a yes...but once I take a sip I find otherwise…

Starbucks needs to train their baristas better and to be able to distinguish the difference between whole milk and skim milk. I once had a barista argue with me that I ordered a Caramel Mocchiato with whole milk and not skim, but when I showed her my cup that had a clearly marked "N" on the cup... she said it stood for whole milk. Finally, she asked the cashier who took my order and the cashier corrected her and told her that "N" stands for non-fat. She re-made my drink, but was quite obvious that she didn't want to do it.

I feel that the prices we pay for Starbucks the least they could do is get our orders correct.

A Starbucks barista said "You should leave here" so I had to leave a Starbucks shop in Munich. Though Starbucks Deutschland and I planned that a shop manager will either apologize me or explain me, the manager has been ignoring me since May 6. I've been uncomfortable since the barista's words, it's sometimes difficult to breath. I'm down these days.
I attached an email from me to Starbucks. This accident was happened to me. Please help or indicate what I should do.

To Starbucks,

My name is Yoshida, an Asian person, I live in Munich, Germany.

I went to your shop in Munich on March 2. While I was in your shop, a caucasian female customer had her personal speech inside your shop around 10 minutes for 5 other customers and a Starbucks barista who is also a caucasian female. After the speech, the barista, Ms.Flieschmann, said to me "You should leave here." so I had to leave your shop. I did nothing, I was just there, but Starbucks kicked me out. There was no explanation. Though I understand only a few German, there was a suspicious issue against race and culture difference in the customer's speech. And when I left your shop, Ms.Flieschmann explained me which actions are OK in Germany and which actions are not OK in Asia with repeating "In Germany", "We are" in English.

I complained this problem to Starbucks Deutschalnd on March 6 by email. But no reply. I called them on March 21, 28 and April 1. Finally on April 1, Ms.Stoppa in Starbucks Deutschland Essen office emailed me back "sorry" and we planed that I will meet the shop manager and the manager will explain me or apologize me about the problem.

It passed more than 2 months since the accident. I still can't meet the shop manger, Ms.Kindall, yet. I hope she will re-schedule soon, because I've been uncomfortable for more than 2 months and every time when I pass through your shops in Munich. When Ms.Kindall emailed last week that she can't meet me unless I don't go to a shop where is far and no relationship from the shop where the problem occurred, I was shocked, very uncomfortable and difficult to breath.

If Starbucks had a reason why you refused me to stay inside your shop, sure, I'll listen to your reasons and re-think about my problems. But if a stereotype/prejudice helped you to kick me out, I require you to apologize me officially properly. And I don't want you to allow any customers to have personal speeches inside your shops. I've been uncomfortable for 2 and a half months. If your shop manager can't meet me this week, I'll take another actions. Thank you, regards,
Yoshida

All I want to know is what happened to customer service! Especially when you pay $3.00 or more for a single cup of coffee.

Well the Pike Place Roast had just come out, and us ladies at the office wanted to try it. So I volunteered to go to our local Starbucks and pick up 3 coffees.

I walk in, and the whole place is an explosion of advertisements for the new roast. Signs are everywhere: "Try our new Pike Place Roast!" "Proudly serving Pike Place Roast!" (etc...) Well, I went up to the counter and said I wanted 3 Grande Pike Place Roasts. The woman looked at me, and with an irritated sigh said, "Well I'll have to brew it!"

Hang on. You guys are advertising it like crazy. It just came out two days ago. There are FOUR coffee carafes behind the counter. Not only do you not have any, but you're irritated with me for asking for it?! Strike #1.

So she dumped out one of the coffee carafes and started a new batch of Pike Place Roast. Let me say that what bothered me wasn't that they didn't have any brewed - it was the attitude I got when I asked for a product they're supposed to be offering like crazy TO SAVE THEIR SINKING IMAGE.

Well anyhow, it's always been common practice at Starbucks to offer a free coffee if the customer has to wait for a fresh brewed cup. Either they changed that, or the woman didn't want to be bothered, because I was never offered one. Strike #2.

To compound the issue, I asked her to please put the cream and sugar in the coffees. Two reasons why: #1 It's a service they offer, and somehow always manage to do it perfectly. #2 I was on a quick run to get 3 coffees for 3 different people. I didn't have the time to fix everyone's with cream and sugar, especially when Starbucks has always done it for me. But when I asked her, she pointed over my shoulder to the prep bar, rolled her eyes, and said, "We have all that stuff over there." Strike #3.

After a 12 minute wait for the 3 coffees, I asked if I could please have a short cup to put cream in, so I could at least take it back and have everyone fix their own coffees. She looked at me as if I lacked the intelligence to add 2 and 2 before handing me over a short cup. Strike #4.

You know, for $6.00 for 3 regular, no-fluff coffees, bought from a store who's trying to save their shinking ship, you'd think customer service would be their prime goal. Forget it - we'll go elsewhere.