Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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How does your store verify partners from other locations who use their numbers at your store? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Undead_Emo_Kid
I ask because I was upset by how I was treated by the window-planted barista another store earlier today.
I chose to take advantage of the "preferred name: ______" option we're offered as partners when I was first hired. So, my legal first name is tucked away for billing purposes only. Every schedule, every call list, every register, and every partner at my store knows me by my chosen first name instead. I'm really grateful that I was given that option from the start and that my choice was honored!
Today, though, that became an issue when I tried to mark out my food & drink for the day at a location other than the store I work at because it was most convenient. After the partner in the window punched in my numbers, he asked to see my legal ID, as in, a driver's license or passport. I felt that my privacy was being violated, but I showed it to him while I assured him that I used the "preferred name" option we're given. Obviously, the last name on my ID would still match the last name attached to my numbers, and I figured that's what he was checking for anyway.
He handed me back my ID with my items and said, "Well, I suppose I can give it to you this time, but they probably won't let you use this person's numbers again." That person is me!
If I had more time, I would've asked if I could park and speak to a shift supervisor or manager, but I also didn't want to Karen out on them, because maybe I'm not even totally justified in feeling so upset about this. He's just trying to make sure that nobody is wrongfully using someone's numbers, or that the number is correct and not mistyped.
All the same, the "preferred name" option is probably just as or even more valuable to other partners, especially trans partners, and I don't want any other partner to feel like their privacy is being violated over something as silly as a Starbucks order! After all, doesn't that defeat the purpose of the "preferred name" option?
So, I was wondering: What other ways different stores and partners try to verify a visiting partner's numbers?
I chose to take advantage of the "preferred name: ______" option we're offered as partners when I was first hired. So, my legal first name is tucked away for billing purposes only. Every schedule, every call list, every register, and every partner at my store knows me by my chosen first name instead. I'm really grateful that I was given that option from the start and that my choice was honored!
Today, though, that became an issue when I tried to mark out my food & drink for the day at a location other than the store I work at because it was most convenient. After the partner in the window punched in my numbers, he asked to see my legal ID, as in, a driver's license or passport. I felt that my privacy was being violated, but I showed it to him while I assured him that I used the "preferred name" option we're given. Obviously, the last name on my ID would still match the last name attached to my numbers, and I figured that's what he was checking for anyway.
He handed me back my ID with my items and said, "Well, I suppose I can give it to you this time, but they probably won't let you use this person's numbers again." That person is me!
If I had more time, I would've asked if I could park and speak to a shift supervisor or manager, but I also didn't want to Karen out on them, because maybe I'm not even totally justified in feeling so upset about this. He's just trying to make sure that nobody is wrongfully using someone's numbers, or that the number is correct and not mistyped.
All the same, the "preferred name" option is probably just as or even more valuable to other partners, especially trans partners, and I don't want any other partner to feel like their privacy is being violated over something as silly as a Starbucks order! After all, doesn't that defeat the purpose of the "preferred name" option?
So, I was wondering: What other ways different stores and partners try to verify a visiting partner's numbers?
Kittens_bean 7 points 3y ago
You can get it switched, ask your sm about it, however if you only have your numbers you should be ided since it's not a physical Starbucks card or the app. It is in the guide book that if even just have the temp card you have to give photo id. I would ask for your store location and ask if the name connected to the numbers were correct. It is a big issue because in a normal situation not DT a customer could copy down the numbers and use your discount. It's not supposed to be privacy invading it's just assurance, I'd get one of those cardboard temp cards and talk to your sm about switching your name. I had a partner who goes by his middle name and he got it switched over no problem.
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 2 points 3y ago
I think I'll take you up on getting a temp card, because I definitely want to use the name attached to the numbers, I just don't want to run into this again. Thank you!!!
Kittens_bean 1 points 3y ago
It's pretty understandable especially in your situation. My store had to crack down on it since our sister store had a high turnover rate. And we were a small cafe but we didn't ask for id, even though we are supposed to that's a bit excessive.
Skitsskatss 5 points 3y ago
I don’t even understand why some
baristas get so upset and suspicious anyway. They act like you’re personally stealing from them.
baristas get so upset and suspicious anyway. They act like you’re personally stealing from them.
Kittens_bean 2 points 3y ago
Some partner had their card stolen and someone showed up with it . My sm knew the partner the real one and she was like you aren't ___.
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 2 points 3y ago
I wondered if he'd ever worked a job where a theft or register mistake would have been docked from his paycheck, because those are usually the people who get to working for a megacorporation and their old habits die hard, yanno?
snidejenner 1 points 3y ago
When it's a customer trying to scam their way into a free drink through exploitive methods its frustrating. As a barista I am still a human being and I would rather have a customer tell me they forgot their wallet or something than have someone go through the trouble of stealing someone's numbers (which can get a partner fired) and using them just for free coffee.
I've even had partners come thru DT with a car full of friends, separate orders for everyone, then the partner asks to have their discount put on all the orders. Which if you a partner doing this, can get you fired.
So when people are doing things which can get baristas fired, yeah I'm gonna be frustrated by it.
I've even had partners come thru DT with a car full of friends, separate orders for everyone, then the partner asks to have their discount put on all the orders. Which if you a partner doing this, can get you fired.
So when people are doing things which can get baristas fired, yeah I'm gonna be frustrated by it.
anon71143 4 points 3y ago
my SM has always said NOT to ask for ID (i don’t think we can legally ask to see it but idk if that’s a rumor) I usually just ask their name and if it matches the name that pops up it’s good.
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 1 points 3y ago
That's been our method so far, and I'll definitely check the municipal laws on who's allowed to handle licenses and the like. Thank you!!!
[deleted] 3 points 3y ago
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Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I really appreciate your comment! I totally agree, I'm much more concerned with customers who abuse our customer service policies (and our partners) than I am with partners risking a fireable offense or someone hijacking another's numbers. Those are definitely alarming, but we lose so much more on customers being bad customers and we should focus on those losses more than creating friction between partners.
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
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snidejenner 3 points 3y ago
Asking for an ID to confirm that you arent using a partners numbers isnt really a violation of your privacy. It's pretty much the only way you can confirm you're a partner if you're not at your home store. I've had plenty of baristas ask me for my ID when I give my numbers.
I've also had people really obviously try to use someone's partners before when they clearly werent a partner. I had a girl come thru the DT 5 times and the first 2 times she showed me a card with her numbers written on it. I figured she was new and let it slide. Then by the third time she came in trying to do that, I asked her how she hasnt memorized her partner numbers yer considering how often you need to use them while working? She avoided answering and came in a couple times after that (I was not on register) and then I never saw her again.
We had just had a new store open up in my city so I had assumed she was a new hire for them but when. I asked a friend who had transferred to that store about her they said they didnt know who she was.
Edited to add: there was another store in my city and I knew all those partners too from picking up shifts there from time to time.
No, the barista is not being personally stolen from but if its someone's who trying to scam the store & barista that's really annoying and exploitive and I definitely wouldn't be happy or ok with that kind of treatment
I've also had people really obviously try to use someone's partners before when they clearly werent a partner. I had a girl come thru the DT 5 times and the first 2 times she showed me a card with her numbers written on it. I figured she was new and let it slide. Then by the third time she came in trying to do that, I asked her how she hasnt memorized her partner numbers yer considering how often you need to use them while working? She avoided answering and came in a couple times after that (I was not on register) and then I never saw her again.
We had just had a new store open up in my city so I had assumed she was a new hire for them but when. I asked a friend who had transferred to that store about her they said they didnt know who she was.
Edited to add: there was another store in my city and I knew all those partners too from picking up shifts there from time to time.
No, the barista is not being personally stolen from but if its someone's who trying to scam the store & barista that's really annoying and exploitive and I definitely wouldn't be happy or ok with that kind of treatment
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I'd like to clarify that he asked me for a legal ID, which doesn't state whether or not a person is a Starbucks barista. Again, we have the option of a "preferred name", so letting another barista see my legal when I've been asked to be called a different first name is an invasion of privacy. I have the numbers on my digital card, and he would not so much as scan it because he was probably trying his best to keep up with window times and have me on my way as soon as he could.
snidejenner 1 points 3y ago
I think it's odd your partner numbers were on your app but he still asked for ID. That's the only weird thing to me, since you can load your partner numbers onto your app so if gives you the discount right away without needing to double check.
I must have misunderstood because the only time my store asked for ID is when a barista comes in and just recites the numbers and isnt someone we recognize as a partner.
But your ID will have your full name which will normally match the full name that come up with your partner numbers.
The numbers wouldn't work if they weren't tired to a real active barista.
I understand you have a different preferred name and it made the situation difficult, but asking for an ID isnt a violation of your privacy. Its literally the way we check to see if the names match.
Edited to add: in situations where someone hasnt set a preferred name
I understand your preferred name and ID are different, but wouldnt the last name still be the same? Unless you have a completely different preferred first and last name?
I must have misunderstood because the only time my store asked for ID is when a barista comes in and just recites the numbers and isnt someone we recognize as a partner.
But your ID will have your full name which will normally match the full name that come up with your partner numbers.
The numbers wouldn't work if they weren't tired to a real active barista.
I understand you have a different preferred name and it made the situation difficult, but asking for an ID isnt a violation of your privacy. Its literally the way we check to see if the names match.
Edited to add: in situations where someone hasnt set a preferred name
I understand your preferred name and ID are different, but wouldnt the last name still be the same? Unless you have a completely different preferred first and last name?
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 3 points 3y ago
My last name is the same, and I figured he would realize that, but I'm sure he suspected I was a family member instead of the actual barista. I'm still going to insist that asking to see my legal ID was a little invasive, because the point of setting the preferred name is to ensure that fellow partners know me by the right name, and handing over my given name defeats the purpose. This is especially important for trans partners, who would be much more severely impacted if someone was allowed to know their given name. If they're asking for a physical ID, let them ask for a Starbucks-issed partner ID, and if I don't have one on me for a given transaction, I'd be alright with paying full price instead.
colonade17 3 points 3y ago
It's easy. ask "oh what store do you work at" then follow up with "how do like working with\_\_\_"
If they can't answer the 2nd question they're probably trying to scam us. But we never ask for ID.
If they can't answer the 2nd question they're probably trying to scam us. But we never ask for ID.
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 1 points 3y ago
That's a great idea, thank you!!!
BreannaLyne 1 points 3y ago
At my old store we used to get so many scammers that we had to start asking for ID.
There was one in particular that was always rude and wanted drinks remade or ordering more items at the window. So one night I asked her for her ID and not only did she tell me she didn't have it and wanted to know why I needed it. I told her it was policy at our store and I could get a shift to explain it to her if needed. She managed to pull up her ID on her phone and as I handed out her stuff she made a comment about my customer service skills, and I never saw her again.
But honestly I don't care and I haven't ID-ed anyone since because it causes more drama than worth and you know how important drive thru times are.
There was one in particular that was always rude and wanted drinks remade or ordering more items at the window. So one night I asked her for her ID and not only did she tell me she didn't have it and wanted to know why I needed it. I told her it was policy at our store and I could get a shift to explain it to her if needed. She managed to pull up her ID on her phone and as I handed out her stuff she made a comment about my customer service skills, and I never saw her again.
But honestly I don't care and I haven't ID-ed anyone since because it causes more drama than worth and you know how important drive thru times are.
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Visiting baristas can definitely make some of the worst customers! There is one in my area who will report your store to district for insufficient caramel drizzle lmao.
I think the barista I interacted with was just torn between window times and numbers integrity, which is why it ended up being so unpleasant.
I think the barista I interacted with was just torn between window times and numbers integrity, which is why it ended up being so unpleasant.
cascadebabe 1 points 3y ago
The only policy is having the physical card or having it loaded onto your phone, and if you're caught giving it out to people you get in trouble (fired). There's nothing in there about the barista needing to "verify" it!!
WTF kind of power trip was that? I'm so sorry. I know its a lot of extra stress and extra work but I encourage you to go back in and \~lightly\~ Karen out. Just focus on how it made you feel and how the barista thought they have any right to ask for an ID. This has happened to me before and I never give it to them. I just say "I have my partner card..." and stare at them lol.
If you or anyone needs their physical card hop onto $1 and there's a tab where you can get them to mail you the physical partner card for free :)
WTF kind of power trip was that? I'm so sorry. I know its a lot of extra stress and extra work but I encourage you to go back in and \~lightly\~ Karen out. Just focus on how it made you feel and how the barista thought they have any right to ask for an ID. This has happened to me before and I never give it to them. I just say "I have my partner card..." and stare at them lol.
If you or anyone needs their physical card hop onto $1 and there's a tab where you can get them to mail you the physical partner card for free :)
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 3 points 3y ago
Thank you so much!!! This isn't the first time the barista assigned to window has asked for photo ID at that location, but the first time, I genuinely did not have it on me because I was the passenger in the car, and I told the girl working window that that was a little strange to me. She said something along the lines of "It's okay, it's kind of weird, our manager just makes us ask for ID." Maybe I should just talk to that particular manager directly.
mykotman12 2 points 3y ago
It’s actually in the partner guide. You need to have a physical card or have it loaded in your app. If you don’t have those, partners need to verify to make sure you are a partner. Even if you have a temp card (paper one), partners need to verify you.
It doesn’t seem like OP has a physical card or have it on their app. Since OP just told them the numbers, partners at that store have a right to verify OP (since no physical card or app was presented).
It doesn’t seem like OP has a physical card or have it on their app. Since OP just told them the numbers, partners at that store have a right to verify OP (since no physical card or app was presented).
Undead_Emo_Kid [OP] 1 points 3y ago
My numbers are, in fact, on my digital card, but he insisted that I give them verbally. My guess is that he wasn't sure how to ring partner numbers through a Starbucks card, maybe. I know nobody told me how to ring attached numbers when i was first trained, and while it's pretty simple, it is probably a bit confusing to have someone who isn't behind the register try to walk you through it.
After he put the numbers in as I recited them, I tried to hand him my card to scan, but he went through with the markout as he was telling me that I wouldn't get away with it next time. Really, it was just a rushed, poorly handled interaction, and again, I wish I had more time to sort it out then and there!
After he put the numbers in as I recited them, I tried to hand him my card to scan, but he went through with the markout as he was telling me that I wouldn't get away with it next time. Really, it was just a rushed, poorly handled interaction, and again, I wish I had more time to sort it out then and there!
Kittens_bean 1 points 3y ago
That talk to your sm about it, what store and who the barista was. Definitely .
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