Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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I think I was a Karen today (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by TechnicalCap6619
24M: ex-256xxxx, 1.5 years
I deliver packages for a living and stopped at a store I frequently visit on my break. Ordered a SE, sat down, finished it, went to the register to ask for a cold brew refill.
Side note: I did not recognize a single partner in the store, which was weird. I think the shift must've been a new hire, too.
The register partner, warming partner, and shift all thought that refills were only if you purchased one of the eligible drinks as the original beverage. They were all very rude and short with me. One of them gave some BS about "it's never been like that" and then changed it to "the policy changed".
I pulled up the policy on Starbucks customer service site and the shift refused to look at it, repeatedly telling me that she would double check with her SM and then refused to listen even after I clarified that this was a corporate store and should follow corporate policy.
Long story short, I let her make me look like an asshole in front of the entire lobby and she looked so smug doing it, too. She of all people should've known that's the policy. End rant.
I deliver packages for a living and stopped at a store I frequently visit on my break. Ordered a SE, sat down, finished it, went to the register to ask for a cold brew refill.
Side note: I did not recognize a single partner in the store, which was weird. I think the shift must've been a new hire, too.
The register partner, warming partner, and shift all thought that refills were only if you purchased one of the eligible drinks as the original beverage. They were all very rude and short with me. One of them gave some BS about "it's never been like that" and then changed it to "the policy changed".
I pulled up the policy on Starbucks customer service site and the shift refused to look at it, repeatedly telling me that she would double check with her SM and then refused to listen even after I clarified that this was a corporate store and should follow corporate policy.
Long story short, I let her make me look like an asshole in front of the entire lobby and she looked so smug doing it, too. She of all people should've known that's the policy. End rant.
TechnicalCap6619 [OP] 101 points 1y ago
Here's the policy if you're curious. This has been policy since at least September 2012.
How do free refills work? Published 09/04/2012 01:22 PM | Updated 01/04/2021 03:38 PM
When you use your registered Starbucks Card or Mobile app to purchase a beverage and then present that same Starbucks Card or Mobile app, you can get free refills of brewed coffee (hot, Iced Coffee or Cold Brew), and tea (hot, or iced) during the same store visit regardless of the original beverage at participating Starbucks stores.
Once you leave the store, your visit has ended and any subsequent coffee or tea refill thereafter would be considered a new purchase. Refills are not available in the Drive Thru.
How do free refills work? Published 09/04/2012 01:22 PM | Updated 01/04/2021 03:38 PM
When you use your registered Starbucks Card or Mobile app to purchase a beverage and then present that same Starbucks Card or Mobile app, you can get free refills of brewed coffee (hot, Iced Coffee or Cold Brew), and tea (hot, or iced) during the same store visit regardless of the original beverage at participating Starbucks stores.
Once you leave the store, your visit has ended and any subsequent coffee or tea refill thereafter would be considered a new purchase. Refills are not available in the Drive Thru.
the-OG-darkshrreder 24 points 1y ago
They may have all been new. I was ENT taught this in my training a few months ago. 320 here, i found out about the refill thing about 2 weeks ago.
chamorrobro 5 points 1y ago
I remember working for Starbs years ago during college and going to another store to do work. I asked for a tea refill after I finished my cold brew and the ASM was like “You can’t really do that, but I’ll let it go just this once,” and that’s when I immediately looked this up on my phone and felt too awk to correct her as she was technically a superior lmao.
That’s so dumb that they didn’t listen to you, though. I’m the type of asshole who would’ve read it out loud VERY loudly. If you pay for expensive Starbucks product and want the amenities you paid for, you absolutely deserve them. They literally just weren’t doing their job by not even listening to you.
That’s so dumb that they didn’t listen to you, though. I’m the type of asshole who would’ve read it out loud VERY loudly. If you pay for expensive Starbucks product and want the amenities you paid for, you absolutely deserve them. They literally just weren’t doing their job by not even listening to you.
IfuDidntCome2Party -2 points 1y ago
Would a Shaken Expresso be considered a hand-crafted drink, since it's not a simple pour?
If hand-crafted, it would not be eligible for free refill of same or other offerings.
If hand-crafted, it would not be eligible for free refill of same or other offerings.
kitcat1210 21 points 1y ago
For refills, it doesn’t matter what the original drink is. It’s literally stated right there in the policy that OP posted. You can get ANY drink and then go get a refill of hot or iced coffer/cold brew/hot or iced tea. You cant get a refill of shaken espresso, but if you get a shaken espresso you can get a refill of any of the drinks listed above.
IfuDidntCome2Party 2 points 1y ago
Thank you for the information.
Some people are so sensitive here when you ask a simple question. They take it personally. It's just a drink question.
Some people are so sensitive here when you ask a simple question. They take it personally. It's just a drink question.
FfierceLaw 70 points 1y ago
I hope you got your cold brew, you were right, I’m getting Karenish vibes from that shift
kortette 45 points 1y ago
I’ve found that a lot of baristas just go looking for situations where they can win against customers; it makes them look good. It’s easy to assume that all customers are the same short-tempered skid marks who will push for something even if it can’t be done, so much so that some ppl forget that there is usually a genuine way to solve a situation rather than just say you’re wrong.
[deleted] 6 points 1y ago
The best thing to do in those situations is just go silent and let the costumers don't respond back. I usually try to offer different suggestions. Or switch partners as last resort.
greegsoon 17 points 1y ago
I actually didnt know this, nor have i encountered a situation where someone wanted this since working at starbucks (255****). thanks for the information, and youre not in the wrong.
MrsClaireUnderwood 17 points 1y ago
Following policy, or informing people what the correct policy is, is not Karening.
If your facts are right, you weren't a Karen.
If your facts are right, you weren't a Karen.
melissa12ly 15 points 1y ago
This actually happened to me once! I ordered a SAR and wanted a iced green tea refill the barista was super rude about it and said that they didn’t do that even thought it literally said it in the app…I ended up contacting customer service and they refunded my money and offered me a $10 gift card for the inconvenience.
givemeapples 8 points 1y ago
You weren't a Karen, the shift was :| I honestly would've gone as far as to contact the DM and let them know that one of their stores are clearly not following policy and in fact don't even know the policy exists. Who knows what else they are doing wrong 🤷
Bright_Earth_8282 3 points 1y ago
I think Karen gets too overused. So if I’m a 40 something female and I’m not happy, or am being taken advantage of, I’m just supposed to take it for fear of being called a Karen? I’m not being rude Seems misogynistic.
cancel94 3 points 1y ago
What's an SE?
PumpKiing 5 points 1y ago
> SE
Shaken espressso
Shaken espressso
imtotallysurebro 3 points 1y ago
(Iced) Shaken Espresso
cancel94 7 points 1y ago
Thanks, sorry, used to seeing the code as SD (Starbucks Double shot)......I feel smart as a 182xxxx
imtotallysurebro 4 points 1y ago
You’re good! It threw me off too. RIP Starbucks double shot.
FfierceLaw 1 points 1y ago
Oh, I assumed it was a single espresso, which would have still qualified OP for a free refill
omgtee 1 points 1y ago
I was unaware of this until but I honestly would’ve done the same thing tho. Wish they taught us this stuff in training 😔 hope you get your refills from now on
LZARDKING -4 points 1y ago
I mean it’s not a common policy. I don’t think most of my partners know that either. And it’s kind of a weird policy too? I mean it doesn’t make a ton of sense.
coffeesparklez 4 points 1y ago
...it's the policy? Honestly the shift could have, and SHOULD have, taken 5 minutes to verify. It's not that hard. I understand disliking customers, but the absolute arrogance is super off putting. I was the shift in this situation. I "made the moment right" then looked it up. Found out I was in the wrong. Printed the policy and shared with everyone in my store. Created some knowledge. It made EVERYONE'S life easier.
LZARDKING 3 points 1y ago
Yeah that was definitely the right move on your part. I also think OP was within their rights I’m just saying I think it’s a weird policy and I doubt most baristas know about it. Not really anyone’s fault but corporates for having random policies they don’t train anyone on.
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