Starbucks Consumer Reviews - Page 6

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- I worked for Starbucks for 18 months. During that time I worked very hard, provided outstanding customer service and was even promoted. I never received a warning or write-up during my whole time with Starbucks. But in late January both my mother and mother-in-law faced sudden serious illnesses. In March, I had to go out-of-town suddenly because of one of these illnesses. I called my store and left messages, but when I came back home after 4 days, I was told I was terminated because I did not speak to my store manager directly. Can you believe this!

I had left messages of what was happening, where I was and why, but this was not good enough. To say I was shocked and surprised is an understatement. I always thought that Starbucks was a company that cared for the sick in Africa or the poor farmer in South America. Well, that may be true but they don't seem to care for the hard-working employee who is facing a serious personal crisis. I have worked for over 30 years with other major companies and never received or saw anyone treated this way. Trust me I can say more if I had to but I do not want to see anyone else be subject to the same treatment I received!

At the Starbucks on Lamar and Collier in Austin the manager is a lesbian which does not bother me in the least. What does bother me is that the partners that are gay or lesbian are treated better than the straight partners. They can ask for anything and it is automatically done where the straight partners are not even allowed to ask off weeks in advance for their birthday.

This manager talks down to these employees in front of customers or called to the back to be screamed at like the customers can't hear the tirade. If this situation was turned around and it was a straight manager treating or talking to a gay partner that way, believe me something would be done. This woman does not need to be a manager or any position of authority.

WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA -- DISAPPOINTMENT IN SERVICE AND LACK OF ACTUAL SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. I have a broken foot and sent my teenage daughter into our local Starbucks store [where we are regulars] with her Christmas Gift Starbucks card to used to purchase drinks. The female clerk threw away our plastic registered Starbucks card after we used available funds for the purchase. The printed Starbucks receipt even noted "€˜this card is registered."€ Typically I add funds and recharge the card on the next visit. The clerk did not ask her if she wanted to retain or recharge the card.

Within minutes I sent my daughter back into the store to retrieve our Starbucks card, a new clerk had taken over the register and told my daughter our registered card "€˜was in the garbage" ™and refused to retrieve it. The clerk told my daughter to "˜just go online and register another card." a) That response demonstrates no respect for the customer's time needed to re-register the card (I am a working parent). I would suggest to put on a pair of rubber gloves and get the card out of the trash, to correct the mistake.

b) The practice of throwing away plastic Starbucks cards, after two uses, really defeats their purpose and diminishes Starbucks' claim of sustainable practices. I know, I work professionally on sustainability action plans for large corporations and direct the national practice for greenhouse gas management at a major international consulting firm. I have not returned since. Standalone Starbucks store in Walnut Creek, CA on Bancroft Road in Countrywood Shopping Center.

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- 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 Starbucks employees couldn't be bothered to serve me properly.

Three Starbucks employees, (no other customer but me) and not one of them can exhibit any modicum of respect? No greeting when I walked in. They simply couldn't be bothered to attend to this sale correctly. 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. You 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 those employees and shame on Starbucks corporation for not providing better training and expecting excellence from their employees.

NYC, NEW YORK -- On Sept 13 my husband and I went to the Starbucks in NYC on 23rd Street near Broadway. We placed our order for iced mocha and cafe Americana and then the wait began. One young woman was making all the drinks -- store was crowded. At least 50% of the drinks she was making were wrong and refused by customers so had to redo. We waiting at least 10 minutes, and when asked where our drinks were. She said "I don't have your order." Of course what we finally got was incorrect.

What really upset me was that I complained to district manager and registered a complaint on Starbucks website. I did not even receive an acknowledgement. There are plenty of places to buy coffee in NYC. I would think Starbucks would care if they lose customers, as I go somewhere else now.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- I went to Store #624 with a "MyStarbucksVisit" coupon for a free tall drink from a recent visit. As I hand it to the cashier, Janice, she tells me she can't accept it since I only had the bottom section of the coupon. I had removed the top part of the receipt that had the visit date on it. I asked "If you can just check my customer code, which was on the receipt, or the complimentary beverage ID code, since all of these were directly linked to my previous purchase". She said no. Clearly, I am not happy and as I look at the coupon it says nothing about not removing the top portion, etc.

But the barista won't budge, so fine Starbucks, after fuming for a few minutes over what I think is poor customer service, I ask her to cancel my order and refund my sale of $6.70. I walk 1 block down Melrose and go to The Coffee Bean and happily spend my money there. So, you may have saved $1.95 by not giving me my tall coffee, but you've lost a customer. I think you need to specify on your coupons that they should remain intact, even if they are 12 inches long, or they won't be honored. Oh, and I think a call and apology from the barista would go a long way! You have my number.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON -- My complaint is that why fix it if it is not broke. Starbucks is a trend setting, leader who sets its own standards and adheres to them. Why would you attempt to conform to a neighborhood or section of town or a culture of people? Why when you are one of the largest companies on the planet, would you want to change horses in mid-stream? Why change your famous name? Why change and incorporate booze? Why change when you are the leader and doing something right? Why not simply downsize if you find that you are too big? Why change to please the "loud few, rather than keep it wonderful for the silent majority?

Why? Why think that you need to change instead of simply improving? Why? Is it for more money? Is it for more security? Simply step up and take care of your present customer perfectly and you will grow... Booze in our day and age is not a positive. Please do not try to take a classy product like Starbucks Coffee House and turn it into a drunken place for losers...

CARSON, CALIFORNIA -- There are at least 5 Starbucks in my neighborhood, all within a five mile radius. Two of which I refuse to go back to due to the poor customer service. I have experienced bad attitudes by staff members, not smiling, not thanking me as a customer, and my drinks have not been made as I like them. I have left Starbucks several times and returning back due to having the wrong drink. The unprofessionalism is a turn off. My drink has been handed to me dripping with caramel and whip cream on the sides of the cup. I strongly recommend some of the staff be re-trained in order to provide quality service or these branches will lose a great deal of customers, including me.

WACO, TEXAS -- I was treated to a large cup of heaven at the Starbucks in the Central Texas MarketPlace in Waco, TX. This was my first time at a Starbucks and had no idea what I wanted, so I told the cashier this and boy, I was in for a treat. I didn't catch her name, but she never stopped smiling and I made a custom order with ease. I had ordered a cold coffee with extra chocolate syrup and layers of whipped cream! There was so much whipped cream in fact, that the cashier put the extra iced coffee in a small cup. Best customer service I had ever experienced.

I'm having a "can't sleep" night so I grab my laptop and walk over to the 24 hour QFC on 8th in Bellevue, Washington. Grab a seat and wait for the Starbucks to open. I doze off for a minute waiting for the barista to open for business. I'm tapped on the shoulder by an Asian manager and told no sleeping is allowed. No problem.

I order a coffee. Around me are a bag lady and four homeless guys all in various states of slumber, yet I, the only paying customer, the one who bought a coffee not two minutes ago, am told by the assistant manager that I've been there quite a while and maybe it's time to leave.

In this state, any business can refuse service to any person. But can the little blond barista engage in overt racism. I won't tolerate and was quite vocal about my belief that blondie needs an attitude adjustment and unemployment benefits.

My only regret is that after my complaint, to cover her racist butt, she has the police trespass the unfortunate bag lady while the other continue to indulge in prohibited dozing. I make it my business to approach the officers who are citing the bag lady and explain what just occurred and mention that this is but a sequel to last months encounter with this blatant racist. They suggest that they too are all too familiar with the problem and suggest that a responsible business would take action against the little racist. So here's the complaint. I don't really expect Starbucks will do the right thing.