Starbucks Customer Service Issues

I stood at the register and observed three employees working without receiving any eye contact or acknowledgment for over 5 minutes. I eventually asked to speak with a manager and was directed to one of the women. I politely tried to address the lack of attention and was met with dismissiveness as she didn't even turn around. Despite trying to offer constructive feedback, the manager appeared disinterested and simply muttered an apology. I left feeling unassisted and unnoticed by the staff at the Starbucks location at the foot of Palisades Road in Pacific Palisades, California. This encounter occurred around 10:30 this morning.

My name is Jeffrey W. and my Starbucks Card number is 6[redacted] 3[redacted]. When the Red Cups were released, I asked a Barista about the offers I heard on TV. They mentioned a benefit of half-price Christmas drinks after 2 PM with the purchase of the card. Excited, I bought one for $4.95. To my surprise, the next day when I ordered a Christmas drink, it was only 50 cents off, not half-price, costing me $4.75. This was unexpected and disappointing given my limited income at 70 years old. I usually visit Starbucks every day for over four years and before my income decreased to $1,[redacted] monthly, I used to go almost every other night as well. Spending around $[redacted] a month at Starbucks is a significant expense for me, but it's a treat I enjoy despite this setback.

Last weekend, I used my star reward for a Carmel Brûlée Latte, requesting no foam. Unfortunately, it came with a lot of foam, which I couldn't drink due to a sensitivity. Today, on Thanksgiving, feeling overwhelmed due to my sick child and family loss, I treated myself to a hot quad venti vanilla latte at the Apache Junction Starbucks. Despite the holiday rush, my drink was again made with foam. After a frustrating trip back to the store, the remake still didn't meet my order - missing two vanilla pumps and shots. This experience left me feeling disappointed and emotional, turning a day I hoped to enjoy into another challenge.

I visited Kaiser at Baldwin Park hospital where I work once a month. Yesterday's experience was disappointing. The staff showed poor attitudes. When I ordered my Medicine Ball, it only had one tea bag instead of the usual two. I was given three honey packets to add myself, something I've never experienced at any other Starbucks. Another issue occurred at the Hesperia drive-through on Main Street. After waiting in line, I was told they didn't have Medicine Balls and suggested the Citrus Defender as a substitute. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. In summary, Baldwin Park had bad service and attitudes while Hesperia had good service but lacked the product I wanted.

Subject: Feedback on Marble Falls and Granbury Starbucks Stores To Whom It May Concern at Starbucks, I am writing to express my disappointment after a recent visit to your Marble Falls store. Last night, 11/25/18, around 9:20-9:38 pm, I found the condition of the store and the behavior of the employees to be unsatisfactory. This specific location, [redacted] Gateway Loop, Marble Falls, TX [redacted], has been a regular stop for me while traveling between home and DFW. However, during this visit, I was let down by the cleanliness of the floors and counters, lack of amenities like cup holders, and the overall demeanor of the staff. On the contrary, the service I received at the Granbury store on 11/24/18, around 10 am, was exceptional. The staff there managed a busy crowd efficiently with a positive attitude. The contrast between the two stores and their employees was significant and worth noting. I recommend acknowledging the outstanding service at the Granbury store and addressing the issues at the Marble Falls location. I believe my sisters and I should be compensated for our experience with gift cards and would appreciate a replacement for my drink. Additionally, I have a $10 credit I would like to redeem. I attempted to provide this feedback through email but encountered technical difficulties. I suggest revisiting your communication channels to ensure customers can share their experiences effectively. Thank you for receiving my feedback. I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyful holiday season. Sincerely, R. Petitfils [redacted] Red Bird Loop Center Point, TX [redacted]

Subject: Quality Concern with Recent Starbucks Cup Purchase Hello Starbucks Team, I recently embarked on a road trip in California and collected various Starbucks cups, including the “Been There” series cup from San Diego. Unfortunately, after a minor bump, both my San Diego cup and Disney California Adventure cup chipped and cracked, rendering them unusable. I am disappointed by their fragility, as they hold sentimental value and connect me to my daughter, who lives across the country. Could you please assist me in obtaining replacements? Thank you, Cassandra Baker

Subject: Request for Replacement Starbucks Cups Dear Starbucks Customer Service, I recently purchased the San Diego cup and Disney California Adventure cup from your "Been There" series during my vacation in California. Unfortunately, after a minor bump, both cups have chipped and cracked, rendering them unusable. This has left me feeling quite disappointed and upset as these cups hold sentimental value to me. As a loyal Starbucks customer, I am reaching out to you in the hopes of getting replacements for the damaged cups. I believe that despite the slight impact, the mugs should not have chipped and cracked so easily. I value the connection these cups create between me and my daughter, who lives far away from me in San Diego, and I would greatly appreciate your assistance in resolving this matter. I kindly request your help in sending me replacements for the San Diego cup and Disney California Adventure cup. Your attention to this issue would mean a lot to me. Thank you for your time and understanding. Sincerely, [Initials]

During my recent two-week vacation in California, I drove over 1,[redacted] miles in a rented car while visiting various Starbucks locations to collect souvenirs from the "Been There" series. After struggling to find the San Diego cup, I was delighted to stumble upon some in an unexpected Von’s Grocery Store in Mira Mesa. Ecstatic about my purchase, I carefully transported the cups alongside other fragile items back home. Upon returning, I hand-washed my San Diego and Disney California Adventure cups, only to have them chip and crack with a minor clink while placing them in the dish drainer. The damage rendered both mugs unusable, despite the gentle impact. Distraught over the incident, I appeal to Starbucks to uphold their standards of quality and durability for their products. These cups hold sentimental value as they connect me with my 19-year-old daughter living in San Diego, representing a link between us despite the distance. I am hopeful that Starbucks can assist with replacements, as I am deeply saddened by the loss of these cherished mugs.

Hello, I am currently substitute teaching, which makes it difficult for me to take phone calls. Please reply to me via text or email. Today, I purchased a juniper latte on my way to work, looking forward to it. Unfortunately, the milk used in the latte was spoiled, leading to a disappointing experience. I kindly ask for a refund for the drink and for the disappointment caused, if possible. Being a substitute teacher is already challenging, and not having my coffee has made this day even more difficult. Your quick assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Melissa K. [redacted]

I am currently facing an issue with placing my mobile order at the [redacted] and Rufe Snow location in Keller, Texas. On multiple visits, my mobile orders have not been ready upon my arrival, resulting in unnecessary wait times. Today, despite ordering before several cars in the drive-thru, I still had to wait to pick up my order. This recurring problem is frustrating, as the whole point of a mobile order is for it to be ready by the time I arrive. I believe that ordering online should benefit both the store and the customer, but in this case, it seems to not be working efficiently at this particular location.

I spent around an hour attempting to send a Starbucks gift twice without clear confirmation on your website. After searching for your support phone number, I had to wait to connect with third-party E-gift support who were unable to assist. I was then directed back to support, facing further delays without resolution. This level of incompetence was frustrating. Ultimately, after multiple attempts, I was advised to try the gift order again on Monday. This experience has been a waste of my time, preventing me from engaging in my planned activity for the evening. I believe compensation of $25 is owed for this aggravation.

I recently downloaded the app and connected two gift cards to my account, one valued at $25 and the other at $[redacted]. Everything was working fine until the app stopped opening a few days ago. Following advice from the store manager, I deleted and reinstalled the app. Now, my cards and points are not visible, and it seems like I have a new account. This situation has caused me to lose a significant amount of money, and I am quite frustrated. My main email is [redacted], and I have two additional ones: [redacted] and [redacted] I hope to resolve this issue promptly to utilize my points and gift cards. Thank you for your assistance. - Lindsey J.

Subject: Disappointed with Customer Service Response I am writing for the third time regarding the poor customer service experience I had recently. I must report my dissatisfaction with the representative who handled my query. Their unhelpful and dismissive response led to losing me as a customer. My issue remained unresolved, leaving me extremely disappointed and surprised by Starbucks' lack of empathy. I simply requested a 24-hour extension to redeem my birthday drink, as I reside far from any Starbucks branch and couldn't make it before the expiration. Despite being near other stores downtown, my location made it challenging. Additionally, I previously faced disappointment at Starbucks due to items being out of stock, which was the main reason for my visits. This experience has driven me to consider alternatives like Peet's Coffee, which is more accommodating. Sadly, this will be my farewell to Starbucks. Regards, A.W.

I had a disappointing experience at Millennium Station in Chicago yesterday. I made a Mobile order which took over ten minutes, making me late for work. When I finally got my coffee, there was no whipped cream as I had requested and it had an overwhelming peppermint flavor. Even in the evening, the coffee was undrinkable due to the excessive taste of peppermint. I was determined to finish it since it was expensive but ended up throwing it out. Can anyone assist me with this issue?

During my recent trip to Starbucks, I experienced some frustrating issues. Upon ordering a snickerdoodle hot cocoa, I was disappointed to discover it was just milk and cinnamon dolce syrup with no cocoa. I felt misled considering the price. The cranberry Bliss bars seemed to have a different recipe without cream cheese in the frosting, only lard. The absence of sausage breakfast sandwiches puzzled me, and the staff couldn't explain. Moreover, while using the restroom, I encountered a dangerous situation as the loose toilet seat nearly caused me to fall from my wheelchair. When I raised this concern to the staff, they didn't seem alarmed. I believe prompt action is necessary to address these matters and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for customers.

Hello, I am reaching out for assistance regarding an issue I encountered at Starbucks in Kuwait. I initially contacted Kuwait’s Starbucks via email about the matter, but unfortunately, they did not respond as anticipated. I wanted to share my experience with you in the hope of finding a resolution. In summary, I had received a free drink offer through the Starbucks app. I proceeded to top up my e-card within the app and visited the Ahmadi branch to redeem my drink. However, upon arrival, the cashier informed me that they do not accept the e-card from the Starbucks app. This experience was disappointing for me, especially since I had chosen Starbucks specifically for the free drink offer. I am requesting compensation for the top-up I made to my e-card, as a cashier had informed me the day prior that they accepted e-cards from the Starbucks app. I trust that addressing this matter promptly will help in retaining me as a loyal customer. Thank you for your attention to this issue. Best regards, Mahmeed

Last night, I visited the Starbucks at Raleigh-Durham Airport. The service was quite slow, and when I requested a blonde coffee, they only offered Pike. It took them 15 minutes to make a pour-over, and the attitude of the staff wasn't friendly. When a different employee was there later, she didn't respond when I asked how she was, and the service was still lacking. I paid for a blonde pour-over, but they didn't communicate that it was ready, leaving me waiting for 10 minutes. This lack of communication and poor service seems to be a recurring issue, as I had a similar experience at another Raleigh Starbucks before. Overall, the customer service and communication skills of the employees need improvement, as acknowledging and valuing customers is essential in the service industry.

Starbucks, I recently noticed that the rewards attachments on your coffee bags no longer have the digits/characters for earning points directly. Instead, I now need to take a picture of my receipt and send it to Starbucks for credit, which is inconvenient since I don't own a smartphone. I appreciate the phone option for providing receipt information, but it's less efficient than before. I kindly request that you consider returning the numbers/characters on the attachments for customers like me who prefer the previous method. As a long-time Starbucks fan, particularly of Decaf House Blend, I trust your efficiency and am puzzled by this change. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yesterday, my partner and I stopped by the E. Santa Clara & 3rd Street store in San Jose around 2 p.m. Unfortunately, the cold box was nearly empty, offering us just two snack options. It took a while to place our order, and we had to request for our table to be cleaned. The store was quite messy, with overflowing garbage cans in the garage and dirty tables with condiments. Regrettably, the staff was unfriendly, and to top it off, the bathroom was locked and out of order. When we asked a staff member for alternatives, she replied that she hadn't needed to use the facilities, so she didn't know what to suggest. We usually enjoy visiting Starbucks, but this experience was a major letdown. We are visiting from Oregon, and our account number is 6[redacted]-5[redacted]. Just wanted to share our disappointing visit.

This morning, I visited the Linwood drive-thru with my new recyclable cup. There was no signage indicating the need to inform the server at the time of ordering, and I was not asked about it. When I reached the payment window, the server was extremely rude. He mentioned that I could have my coffee in my cup but would still be charged for the disposable cup he had to use for me, even though I didn't see it or receive it. I ended up paying the full price for a coffee in a disposable cup. I believe this is poor customer service as I should have been informed or asked about this policy. The server's attitude was dismissive and impolite, which has deterred me from using Starbucks again or utilizing the recycle cup, which I initially thought was a great environmental initiative. I did not receive a receipt and couldn't ascertain the exact charge or the server's name as he walked away. I am disappointed with such a negative experience, especially early in the morning, and from a well-known company. I appreciate your attention to this matter. Thank you. - Charlene