This is what I saw and heard in the Starbucks drive through line this morning. The car in front of me pulled up to the window and handed over her Starbucks card.
Baristette: Your coffee is $4.74 and you have $3.17 left on your card. So your balance is $1.57.
Customer: I have at least $10.00 left on that card.
Baristette: I’m sorry ma’am, the computer shows you only have $3.17 left.
Customer: I know I have at least $10.00 on that card, I was just here yesterday
Baristette: Are you sure it was this card?
Customer: Of course it’s that card, do you think I’m stupid?
Me (to myself as the line behind me grows): Yes I do
Baristette: no ma’am, but the system only shows a balance of $3.17 on this card
Customer: Well the system is wrong, let me get my receipt from yesterday (who keeps their Starbucks receipts anyway?)
Customer obviously rummaging through purse, car seats, car floor. Drive through line continues to grow.
Customer: Well I can’t find it but I know it has $10.00 on it. Let me talk to your manager.
Manager: Yes ma’am, can I help you.
Customer: I told this girl there’s at least $10.00 on this card but she insists I owe her $1.57.
Manager: Yes ma’am. The system does show a balance of $3.17.
Line continues to grow, horns begin to sound.
Customer: (picks up iPhone, I assume to check her balance in her Starbucks app) Well this is wrong and I’m not giving you any more money.
Manager: (horns blaring) Yes ma’am. Tell you what, please accept this coffee on the house for the inconvenience, if you’d like to come into the store we’ll straighten this right out. Or you can stop by any other time and we’ll get this fixed.
Customer: (more horns blaring) I don’t have time for this…
Manager: (types into register): yes ma’am. Here’s your coffee, and I’ve got a $10.00 gift card for you for any inconvenience.
Customer : (grabs coffee) Well it’s about time!
Customer pulls away from pickup window
Baristette: (leans out pickup window, waves, hollers) Ma’am, you left your gift cards! Ma’am!
Customer: drives off, free coffee in hand.
Baristette: (as I pull up to the window) Bitch! It’s just a cup of coffee!
Me: (laughing)
Baristette: Oh, I’m so sorry sir, I didn’t mean to curse at you.
Me: No, no – she is a bitch.
Baristette: (laughs)
Me: (drops $2.00 tip for the entertainment. )
