After what seems to be many confusing and unpleasant visits at Starbucks in the past year or so (Why do I still go? I don't know. Maybe I'm too cheap to pay for a Blenz drink, which taste way better IMO, or there aren't many choices around), I finally wrote an email to Starbucks. I didn't think anyone would get back to me right away. Who doesn't complain about Starbucks on a regular basis, anyways? There must be a thousands of us complaining about virtually the same thing all the time! I fired an email to customer service last week, and I was surprised to get a response back from a real person (I think?) after 2 days.
Hello Josephine,
I was very sorry to hear about your recent experience at the Safeway 191 at Richmond Starbucks store. I appreciate you taking the time to bring this matter to our attention. I will share your comments with the district manager responsible for the store in order to address the issue properly.
I wrote and complained about my visit to Starbucks on a Tuesday night about 2 weeks ago. I wanted to get a tea misto before worship team practice and I walked into Safeway at 7:45pm. I waited at the till for about 5 minutes and finally got the barista's attention (she was reading a trashy magazine with Britney on the cover. What the fork?). I ordered for my drink and was in the process of digging out my change pouch when....
Snobby barista: Sorry, we're closed.
Me: Oh? I'm sorry. What time are you closed?
Snobby barista: 8pm on weeknights.
Me: *looked at own watch* It's 7:50pm. Is my clock fast? What time does your watch say?
Her: I don't wear a watch.
Me: *points at the clock inside Safeway* Oh, it IS 7:50pm!
Her: Sorry, we're closed at 8pm. Our machine has already been shut off anyways. We have to shut off the machine a little earlier than our actual closing time.
Me (getting grumpy): *trying to be nice* Ok, can I just get a hot tea? You know, a tea bag in some hot water?
Her: Sorry, we're really closed.
Me: Noob. (I actually did mumble this under my breath and walked away).
Interesting experience. I was almost tempted to just ask for a cookie and see if she'd sell it to me, but I couldn't bother. I was already ho anger by then. Maybe I had a bad day at work and my patience was at an ultimate low. Anyhoo, in my original email to Starbucks, I also asked (read: whined) about the soy americano misto issue that I've been trying to find the answer to for the longest time. My concern (read: rant) was basically the fact that I get charged extra for asking soy when ordering the drink, but a) this extra surcharge is inconsistent amongst most stores I frequent (and each barista ring this up differently), and b) the fact that I already get dinged extra when asking for soy. Ok, soy is bling. But, if you were to charge me for milk and soy in an americano misto, shouldn't you be including both milk and soy in my drink? I PAID FOR BOTH. What gives? Anyways.
I was also very sorry to hear about your experience at the No. 1 & Westminister Starbucks store. Regarding your beverage, you should simply be charged for a Misto with added Soy, as the added Milk is accounted for in the Misto price. I will pass on your comments to the store management team responsible for the store in order to address the issue properly.
Sincerely,
Alyssa A.
Customer Relations Representative
Starbucks Coffee Company
There you go, kiddos.
4 comments:
I've had both really bad and fairly decent customer (lack-of) service at Starbucks, though the really bad tends to outweigh the good. From experience, Safeway Starbuckses suck! (eg. Seafair Mall, Oakridge Centre)
Case in point: The one at Oakridge is usually run by 3-4 barely-old-enough-to-work Chinese boys. I went there, knowing they're incapable of making drinks, but thought, "how hard is it to put a teabag in a cup and fill it with hot water?" Well, it became apparent that it was just TOO HARD. The cashier ran my order through while the *barista* went to get my drink. 1st one he brought back was a dark coffee of the day. i told him he was wrong, he apologized, then he went to get me a MILD coffee of the da. i shook my head, repeated my order, then i watched in amazement as he tried to find the missing teabag. (oh, did i forget to mention that before the cashier took my order, he was busy flirting with the customer before me, while his co-workers stood around and chatted amongst themselves?)
Anyways, if you were to re-visit Starbucks, why not bring a printout of the email you received? (though you might have to highlight certain parts to help make the point clear) ugh!
That was actually my first and last visit to a Safeway starbucks! The funny thing was, something was telling me I shouldn't go to that store on my way there... and I must have been really tired because I should've went to the Blundell mall one instead!
I need a coffee place that sells better, fancy coffee/tea drinks for a cheaper cost (for cheap people like me). Or, just give me a store that sells hot vitasoy in a bottle and I'll swear never to go back to Starbucks ever again.
Hmm I thought I commented... I guess not.
Did they give you a free drink coupon or two? I SHOULD HOPE SO. I always get one or two when I complain!
Safeway Starbucks are Starsucks!!
snerk - yes, I got 2 drink coupons! I was surprised. I thought they'd just send me another customer survey to fill out, along with a oh-I'm-sorry letter. And some spam.
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