Starbucks
reviews and complaints

The store manager (Mary) at the Potomac Valley Starbucks off of Darnestown Road is over-working her employees and manipulating them as well. She has employees coming in on their day off (sometimes to cover her shifts) and working them over-time. She doesn't replace these days off that these days off that she asks employees to give up. A lot of the time she is not even at the store and will be out "running errands" or at home. I'm very upset about the over working of the employees. She needs to stop asking employees to take days off. When the employees say that they can't, she manipulates them and tells them reasons why they have to come in on their days off. This must stop!

I go to this starbucks almost every day for the last 5 years, pretty much all the employees there are very friendly. That's why I was so surprised today. I purchased a grande nonfat no foam late using a drive-thru. When I got to work and took a sip of my coffee, I realized that they gave me the wrong drink, I looked at the label and it said grande chai tea latte. I did not see the label at first, because they double cupped my drink and the label was hidden. Well, it happens, all of us make mistakes.
Since I work only 5 minutes from the starbucks, I got in my car and drove back. I walked inside and nicely explained the problem. Although the barista apologized, the tone of her voice was very uncomfortable and unsincere. She gave me my new drink, which was the nonfat no-foam latte. I held it in my hand and immediately recognized that at least 1/4 of the cup is the foam, because it was so light. I did not say anything since the barista was quite rude and unfriendly, but I was very angry. I think that as a regular and long time customer I deserve better treatment. I was not even offered a complimentary drink or a coupon. Wow.

Behind a car, making a left hand turn from busy hwy 126. After a long parade of traffic, the car in front of me has plenty of time to make her left hand turn so that the three cars behind her do not have to sit through the light again. Instead, she waits for for a very slow moving van to go by before she turns. There was enough time for four cars to safely turn left before the van passed by. Annoyed by having to to be a sitting duck, longer than necessary, I gave a quick honk thinking maybe the driver in front had fallen asleep or was busy dialing in her radio and gave the hands up as in, "what are thinking?" the driver then flipped me off. I laughed and gave her the bird right back. She flipped me off again and deliberately waited several seconds after the slow moving van passed before she finally made her left turn. All the while, she would look in her rear view and flip me off every couple of seconds. She waited until the light turned yellow to finally make the left hand turn.

Then, I pull up to the drive through at starbucks and while i'm placing my order, I hear this woman in the background yell, "is that the lady who was in such a hurry?" then, I pull up to the window to pay for my order and this woman (a starbucks employee) walks up to the window with a snotty look on her face say to me, "oh, you were in a big hurry to get your coffee huh?!" I said no, "no, I just don't care to be sitting on a busy highway waiting to make a left hand turn for unnecessary amounts of time while the car in front of me is preoccupied with something besides safe driving." she threw a smirk my way and walked off.

I told the young man working the window that it was unfortunate that she would treat a customer that way. He looked embarrassed. I asked him if she handled my order. He assured me that she didn't.

Traffic incident and bad driving skills aside, the woman, as a starbucks employee should not have treated a customer at the window with such disdain. It's not my fault she's an idiot behind the wheel. There isn't anything I can do about that. But being an idiot at work and approaching a customer in poor taste? That, I plan to pursue.

I did not taste my drink prior to leaving the store; hence no formal complaint was registered directly. I used to go to starbuck's every day. Little by little I changed my drink choices because the expresso drinks tasted "stale" as if the grounds had not been cleared and the ground holder properly cleaned. I grew up in new orleans so I know coffee from an early age. We had coffee bottles and I remember asking for mine in my highchair, hence the love of lattes as an adult. I am also a true italian, hold the passport, so I also know expresso. What is all of this leading to? Years ago I changed my starbuck's order to chai because the expresso drinks were substandard in my opinion.

After not going to starbuck's for a very long time, I went this morning to order a tall double chai latte with skim milk. Once in the car and on my way, I tasted it and it was chai mixed with expresso. I really do want to frequent starbuck's but the first time quality is no longer there and has not been for a very long time.

I have been a regular starbucks customer since approximately 2006. On average I have probably spent $150 per week at starbucks since that time. I registered for their rewards program and, even since registering my card, I have spent, at least, $200 that was not put on the card.in any event, clearly the rewards email tells me that a latte drink falls under the free refills in a same store visit. Yet, when I went for my refill reward at the starbucks inside the safeway store in the 3000 block of east camelback road, phoenix, az today, I was told by the starbucks employee and manager that no hot coffee or coffee drink is included, despite the email I have from starbucks stating otherwise. It is absolutely wrong and fraudulent for us to receive written statements from starbucks and, then, at their store to be told tough luck.

I want the safeway manager and the starbucks manager at the store to receive a lesson in the rules. And, in fact, a friend of mine shannon kline, has run into the same type problems with iced coffee drinks. She was told at a different store that it only applies if you go to a "corporate-owned" starbucks. That said, I suppose we have to try to discover which starbucks are "corporate-owned" since that information is not provided at the starbucks locations.
Starbucks please educate your employees or provide your customer with bold print disclosures specifically stating which stores will honor your rewards before you suck us in!

Selling 16 oz tumblers for 19.99 with free refills in the month of january. Sounds great except not at in name only stores in supermarkets. I was told by customer agent only can refill at free standing starbucks stores. The closest store other than in supermarkets is at least 15 miles away when pointed this out to customer no service and proceeded to ramble on about taking it up at a meeting in the meantime the sale continues without resolution maybe x-mas 2012.

They discontinued the chonga and the hawaiian bagels and replaced them with "new york style" bagels. I've been to ny and these are no where close to ny style bagels. They taste like hard thin rocks. Bring back the hawaiian and chonga bagels! Starbucks employees even complain about the loss of the good bagels to these nasty hard and bland bagels. Whyyyyy?!

Why is it everytime I stop in starbuck's there is always some idiot who doesn't know what they want to drink, then can't make up their minds what they want to eat. They need to have a line for those of us who just want a cup of coffee.

Have been to this location many times and have never felt comfortable here. Maybe it's because it in front of a large state university and they only want to wait on like kinds of people (young). They all have this "can I get this senior citizen out of here as quickly as possible" attitude.

Many folks in line and the orders were taken very quickly; but everyone in front and behind me got their orders and I was left standing; finally mine we done after all other people were served? If they had an explanation for this; it was never voiced to me... Ie we had to brew yours or something? I did have the least complicated order. Your employees need training on communication, smiling, being civil even! This is the rudest starbucks I have ever been in and I will go to the local competition in fairborn from now on!

I have been a regular customer at starbucks in ennis, texas for going on 2 years now. I am a quiet-natured person who usually communicates as minimally as possible. For the most part, I have had a pleasant experience, but this morning I had an issue with an apparent disgruntled employee, whom I know as don (who was at this time in charge of making the drinks).

I ordered my regular tall mocha. I waited and waited (for about 15-20 minutes... There were no other customers waiting for their drinks for at least the latter part of 10 minutes), and I finally approached the counter again. This then. By this time I am standing by the counter and don was just standing there sipping a drink through a straw. His manner of disrespect was quite obvious!

When don noticed that I was standing there, he made some excuse that he "thought" I had ordered something different this time (or something to that effect). About an additional 5-10 minutes later he placed my drink on the counter. It was the worst mocha that I ever had with a very funny taste to it. Normally a tall mocha has a whipped topping, this one did not.

Once again I approached the counter and spoke with the short-haired lady that took my order before & explained the taste of my drink to her. This time I ordered a strong coffee (due to the fact that I couldn't see what don was doing behind the counter). She apologized again & said that the coffee is on starbucks & that she also bring me a free drink coupon. When she came over to where I was sitting, I asked her where I could go to make a report to starbuck & she said she didn't know. I asked if it could be starbucks.com & she said "probably." I told her that I am going to make a report, but not about her. She on to say, "this is don's last day here." I told her that I knew something was going on, but I wasn't sure what.

Now that don had caught my attention I sat there and watched & listened for any observation of any vindictive behaviors toward me (due to the fact that by this time he was aware that I was visibly upset). Don started making several under-the-radar comments, seemingly for my benefit, like "I get off at 5:30" (as if to say "if you want to fight, I get off at 5:30"). I don't deserve this kind of treatment!

Earning "stars" or a starbucks "gold" card is virtually useless. Finally, after several emails and calls with starbucks I understand their card-plan. To earn a free drink, you must use their card (loading it and reloading it with money) for 45 transactions.in other words, purchasing 2 drinks at the same time in one transaction with your card amounts to a single transaction in the elusive goal of obtaining that free drink. Better to buy 2 drinks in 2 separate transactions. After 45 transactions, you then get a free drink after an additional 15 transactions. So, they don't count how many drinks you purchased with your card; rather it's the number of transactions. Why would anyone want this card? Why does every other coffee company allow a free drink after significanly fewer drinks than this multi-$ company?

Employee leans over me while I was sitting at small table with my pc causing a full cup of coffee to spill on my laptop ruining it. I did not ask for her assitance and I don't know why she came to my table did not need or request help from her.

Top urgent/ need immediate corrective action:
Complain/ incident report / starbucks, sanstefano/ alexandria / egypt
Dear sir, wish you a good day
This to report my complain against starbucks/ san stefano/ alexandria/ egypt. I am a very regular customer for starbucks shop, mainly san stefano branch.
In my visit yesterday tuesday 19th july 2011, at 12 am, having my breakfast, 2 of my friend approach me I stand up to shack hand in my turn towards them I hit small fixed pipe/ with sharp edge in my right leg fore bone (tebia), I suffer saver pain and a moderate bleeding, first aid was given immediately. I inquire why this steel pipe there?!, they answer we can not remove we need an order higher up, I ask about day manger, never appear, the stewards who know me well as I am regular customer apology. I advice them we need an immediate action as this might hit a kid or lady or an old man, the answer this happen many time even for us while cleaning, and during my visit about midnight I see one of staff who welcoming me, and asking about how I feel now, I ask him do you know the story he say no, no, this also attract me that no one even hand over the incident or even give awareness about what happen.,,, this force me to take a photo and drive me to put a formal complain, even staff welcome me to do so as they have no say and he himself show me his leg that he also trip over this few dayes ago.
Conclusion:
I am ok, but I am afraid this will be repeated and no lesson learned, I need your help for an immediate action to remove this hazed, or at least to do an barrier to stop a repetition.

Well this is not a big deal of a situation but I still think it's a health hazard and very wrong. I went into starbucks to get a drink, and where they were making my drink, they had taken these huge spray bottles out full of chemicals and were putting the nozzles on etc---right where my open drink was sitting...I told them that this wasn't safe and that I am also sensitive to chemicals on top of that and to remake it--so they began to remake it, and then the guy working there sprayed all the trays with tons of foamy chemicals...and just let them sit there...while customers were still coming in..and ordering drinks- then they remade my drink-- with the open chemicals just sitting there...and lots of foamy spray on cutting boards just sitting right there in the open...and made it right next to those boards...needless to say my drink was full of chemical residue, especially for those who might be sensitive in the first place, and the person did not even clean the chemicals off, and jsut let them sit while making drinks right there...maybe it is not that bad or the worst, but this is not safe for some people's health to have potential chemical residue in their drinks, and I'm not sure why these people just did not care, esp after a customer already expressed that they were allergic...I'm just outright irritated because I had to end up throwing my drink away and getting sick from it as well...and being exposed to so many chemicals that were just sitting out there while they are making customer's drinks...I just hope they have better cleaning practices in the future and do not spray chemicals or use chemicals where there are open drinks and while they are making drinks, and not even cleaning the spray off but just letting it sit there...

Worst Starbucks ever..Food is always stale and the selection is tiny. I don't think the bathroom has been cleaned in the past six months.
Usually the coffee tastes burnt. The barristas are pleasant enough though.

I would like to list a complaint regarding a Starbucks here in town that has treated my husband poorly as an employee by terminating him in less than 80 hours of employment without warning, no evaluation, not even letting him that there existed a deadline for him learning specific tasks. that type of treatment is not good for our local economy as far as workers being able to support their families and being able to trust local employers. They also had him sign some paper work and didn't give him copies. I am appalled. My husband gave up a steady similar job to work at Starbucks. NOT once did they tell him that he had 80 hours of work to become completely proficient in all tasks or he would be fired. My husband is a diligent hard worker and good with customers. They never gave him a written list of tasks they expected of him nor one evaluation. Just a sit down and said you don't shape up and so you are out. Good managers train their people, bad managers don't train, don't explain and then fire you to cover themselves. Starbucks should be ashamed of themselves as an employer. As much as I like their coffee, they have lost me for a customer.

Interesting to me is the Comments, which often viciously and irrationally attack the customers. Seems to me there are quite a few zealous Starbucks corporate toadies working hard after hours to justify their paltry service. Really, who monitors such a site as this, except those whose competence might be challenged by the content? Duh. Creeps. You are Karen Vance. Get a life.

Continuation of previous complaint: I tried several times to call the district manager the following week, but she does not answer her phone, apparently putting off all customer issues until late Friday afternoons, which is when I heard from her next. I refused the call. Her message assured me she would try to call again, but did not, until I left her a message reminding her of her commitment to do so. Finally, some 2 or more weeks since the Feb 3rd ambush we spoke. Karen Vance began by stating that she had spoken to Carrie Anne at the franchise and was aware of the problem. I objected and suggested we take it from the beginning, since I am the complaining customer. I relayed everything to her, which I have included in these posts, and criticized her for not taking the customer's complaint first. Her bias was glaring. She did not make any attempt to address the late opening, nor the gross privacy violations caused by the bathroom access code fiasco and jumped straight in to justify Andy's ridiculous concerns. She said "I'm sorry you feel that way", which any person would take as another patronizing insult. One cannot apologize for another's feelings. One can only apologize for one's own (or corporate) behavior. She couldn't grasp that concept and went on consistently to justify Andy's betrayal, not grasping the essence of my outrage. I am insulted that Andy so terribly misconstrued my sincere overtures. And, furthermore, I am incensed that Carrie Anne thinks she has the authority to "manage" the customer. Karen Vance apologized for nothing, and went on to arrogantly list to me the number of things she was "not going to admit we did anything wrong". I ended up hanging up on her, while reminding her that Starbucks has lost a faithful customer of 9 years. I called back to corporate heaqdquarters in Seattle and expanded my complaint, and, by the way, that office keeps asking me for a "case number" and cannot find the history of my complaint simply by using my given name. I am not a number, and I am not an employee suject to "corporate policy", and I resent that no provision is made for this simple courtesy in Starbuck's "policies". I made clear to the woman at the complaint line that my complaints were growing (the Starbucks tarbaby) and that I wanted the opportunity to speak with 1) A man, and 2) one who knew nothing about this issue until he heard it from me. Starbucks, collectively, does not seem much interested in the "customer experience", seeming to favor the corporate crony version of things. Next I heard from a regional manager, a WOMAN named Tina, who called and left a message late on a FRIDAY AFTERNOON, saying that she had spoken to the district manager, Karen Vance, and was "Aware of the situation in San Rafael". I called her back, and of course she did not answer, so I left a message. I reminded her that she still had not heard my "customer experience" and that I preferred to speak with a man about my complaint, suggesting that a "conspiracy of hysterical feminism and corporate sycophancy was prevailing". Nobody from Starbucks has made any further effort to contact me to correct this grotesque saga. I will never set foot in another Starbucks, nor purchase any of their products. In fact, I will take great pains to slam their management, their insulting policies, and their incompetent employees. Good riddance, Starbucks.

Continuation of previous complaint: One day in late January I invited the woman at the register, Andy, to the San Francisco Ballet. She deflected, invoking her boyfriend, and I bantered that if she went once with me he would become jealous and henceforth by tickets for the two of them. End of story, right? I did not ask for her phone number, I did not condemn her for declining, I did not follow her to her car, and never brought it up again. On February 3rd I came in for coffee, and after receiving my latte the manager, Carrie Anne, came from behind the counter and introduced herself for the first time. I was taken aback, and disarmed by this sudden display of cheer and sociability. She said she hoped I enjoyed the coffee, and went on admonish me that "I can't let you ask my girls out." In the instant I realized that I had been betrayed and that this was an ambush. I assured her immediately that she was making a big mistake, and that I would never set foot in that Starbucks again. I then went to another Starbucks to obtain the district manager's (Karen Vance) phone nuumber to complain. I called her and left a message, but she did not respond until after 5PM on a Friday. In the interim I called corporate offices in Seattle to register my complaint, which now includes Karen Vance.