Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Am I allowed to leave a bad review of a Starbucks as a barista myself? (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by sucksaboutpluto
So, I’m on vacation with my family and noticed there was a Reserve Starbucks nearby. I have been a partner for a little over four years now and hadn’t been to a Reserve store before this one. Needless to say, I was super excited. But, when I got there I was faced with the rudest barista I have ever met. I was personally insulted by him and yelled at because I used my mother’s credit card to pay for the order instead of my own. I was told it would “get him in trouble” and I “should have known better”. I have never heard of this being Starbucks policy. I apologized for my mistake but he kept insulting me asking “how I could be a barista”. I’ve worked at over five different stores (having to transfer back and forth for school and as a borrowed partner) and have never seen anyone treat a customer the way I was treated.
I saw a review of a similar experience by another customer on Yelp and really want to reply to her review or leave one of my own as I felt the exact same way as she did because of the same employee.
Is this allowed? I really don’t want to bring down the reputation of the company that I love working for, but I was so incredibly hurt by that interaction.
I saw a review of a similar experience by another customer on Yelp and really want to reply to her review or leave one of my own as I felt the exact same way as she did because of the same employee.
Is this allowed? I really don’t want to bring down the reputation of the company that I love working for, but I was so incredibly hurt by that interaction.
goldqueen287 138 points 1y ago
Honestly? Leave a bad review. And contact whoever you can to handle him cause wtf? That kind of behavior is morally unacceptable and it’s way beyond what any other sbux barista could act like
sydbey_ 92 points 1y ago
You’re more than allowed - you weren’t clocked in and working in that store - you came in as a customer and had a pretty bad experience. Either call and speak to the shift or manager about it at that location or leave a review. Either way, I wouldn’t want anyone else to have the same experience I did and letting someone else know is a step in the right direction if you ask me.
Pheebers713 45 points 1y ago
If I were in your shoes, I’d go back and ask to the manager directly. I’d explain to the manager that your a barista yourself, and the way their barista spoke to you would have had you fired at your own store. If it’s too confrontational for you to speak to the manager, I would call the corporate number and make the complaint. In my opinion Starbucks listens to complaints made to corporate more then reviews. Even mention the review if you call.
lunarena11 17 points 1y ago
He shouldn't have treated you that way, but he is correct about the policy.
You can't use your discount and have someone else pay for it, you have to pay for it with your own money/card. However, doesn't excuse his behavior, he could have kindly let you know what the policy is as it's one that is usually overlooked.
You can't use your discount and have someone else pay for it, you have to pay for it with your own money/card. However, doesn't excuse his behavior, he could have kindly let you know what the policy is as it's one that is usually overlooked.
breakfastpurritoz 18 points 1y ago
I don’t believe there is enough information here to make a decision about him being correct. How did he even know it was her mom’s card?
Also, OP, you’re allowed to leave a bad review if you want to.
Also, OP, you’re allowed to leave a bad review if you want to.
doing_my_best_here 8 points 1y ago
Our credit card machines are on the customer side of POS, so we don't even see the card. Does that mean that if someone gives me their Partner numbers, I have to ask for ID.....AND if they want to use a credit card, I have to make sure it's theirs? Again, I'm not asking for their card - they put it in??
lunarena11 0 points 1y ago
No, you don't check. Most of the time you can see someone pull out their own card or you can hear someone offer to pay instead of the partner.
This policy is usually overlooked. I have worked with people who have gotten fired for abusing it so just be careful. Your discount and benefits are supposed to be for you.
This policy is usually overlooked. I have worked with people who have gotten fired for abusing it so just be careful. Your discount and benefits are supposed to be for you.
esaeklsg 3 points 1y ago
In theory it could be a shared account too. Still not technically supposed to sign for someone else’s credit cards technically, but that’s on the credit card company, not Starbucks. My parents set up my account for me so they (at least used to) also have a credit card that goes to the same account.
drinkliquidclocks 11 points 1y ago
Just leave an anonymous review...
nowateramericano 6 points 1y ago
First when handling another partner’s transaction he should have checked the card FIRST. He is right he could get in trouble because he wasn’t checking everything. We all make mistakes, it just sounds like you weren’t 100% up to speed on current policy. But he should never have treated you in such a manner. Leave a review and contact corporate. You wouldn’t want a real customer to get the same treatment... again as it already sounds.
esaeklsg 4 points 1y ago
As a partner I’d personally be more inclined to call and speak to a manager than leave a public facing review, but you’re well within rights to do either or both.
MsMeggers 3 points 1y ago
Reserve stores are the worst! Used to live down the street from one and they are awful. They are usually miserable because they make so little in tips (tourists usually don't tip, especially foreign tourists), not that it's right but they are usually pretty rude. I think you can totally either report them tot heir SM or just write a review. But being another batista you do have an in to just call their SM and tell them what happened.
tacticalcop 2 points 1y ago
absolutely leave a bad review. i get that this job is difficult and annoying, hell i’ve already put in my two weeks, but that’s NO excuse to be cruel to people for no reason. please report, they’re probably toxic to their coworkers as well!!
EeePeeTee 1 points 1y ago
I have left bad reviews for experiences like this. I've also left good reviews for my own coworkers for good service. You should do whatever you feel is right.
rudebii -36 points 1y ago
Don’t shit where you eat. If you feel you need to, reach out to the store directly as a fellow partner.
Ask yourself, what would you want, be dimed out to corporate or some professional courtesy?
Ask yourself, what would you want, be dimed out to corporate or some professional courtesy?
EnneagramYogaCoach 10 points 1y ago
Why is it THIS partner’s responsibility to have professional courtesy when the offending partner clearly had none? We all deal with enough without other partners adding to the stress.
59625962 7 points 1y ago
This is the kinda thought process police use to "protect their own"
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