Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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A problematic repeat customer (venti sized rant) (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by musclesbear
Holy cow where do I begin.
So I am in a licensed store (Krobucks). I have this one customer and she's just an absolute nightmare to deal with to the point I just want to get a new job even though I love being a barista.
Shen she comes in which is like multiple times a week, sometimes twice a day, she'll try and say the other baristas don't charge as much for her drink and give her stuff for free because she comes there a lot. OK so her order is a cinnamon dolce latte with 4 extra shots, mixed very well then add whipped cream on top, cinnamon dolce powder with those crunchies that come on the CRCF, THEN another layer of that with a freaking 1INCH LAYER OF CRUNCHIES, whipped cream, etc etc. She will be telling you it's never enough, she will keep asking for more.
It holds my queue up so bad because of her, since I'm alone, plus her kids are rude just as her, order TikTok drinks, she tries to pay with EBT and it fails so much, and to top it right off her and her significant other have shouting matches in my lobby then leave.
Last time I tried to charge her fairly (I legit think I undercharged her for her toppings) she had a fit and demanded to talk to my manager. I tried to say I'll get the higher up assistant store manager and she backed down. She tried to load her starbucks card with EBT too, and various other illegal things too. Everyone knows about her but I'm so sick of serving her she's a nightmare.
Edit: bless all of you folks for you amazing insight. May your tips be plentiful today 🙏
So I am in a licensed store (Krobucks). I have this one customer and she's just an absolute nightmare to deal with to the point I just want to get a new job even though I love being a barista.
Shen she comes in which is like multiple times a week, sometimes twice a day, she'll try and say the other baristas don't charge as much for her drink and give her stuff for free because she comes there a lot. OK so her order is a cinnamon dolce latte with 4 extra shots, mixed very well then add whipped cream on top, cinnamon dolce powder with those crunchies that come on the CRCF, THEN another layer of that with a freaking 1INCH LAYER OF CRUNCHIES, whipped cream, etc etc. She will be telling you it's never enough, she will keep asking for more.
It holds my queue up so bad because of her, since I'm alone, plus her kids are rude just as her, order TikTok drinks, she tries to pay with EBT and it fails so much, and to top it right off her and her significant other have shouting matches in my lobby then leave.
Last time I tried to charge her fairly (I legit think I undercharged her for her toppings) she had a fit and demanded to talk to my manager. I tried to say I'll get the higher up assistant store manager and she backed down. She tried to load her starbucks card with EBT too, and various other illegal things too. Everyone knows about her but I'm so sick of serving her she's a nightmare.
Edit: bless all of you folks for you amazing insight. May your tips be plentiful today 🙏
icelessTrash 40 points 1y ago
Try to discourage this nightmare behavior.
Make sure you charge her correctly, and don't budge, it's the right thing to do. Loudly tell her if you don't charge her for all ingredients you could lose you job(very true), and/or ask who has been undercharging her so you can pass along the info to management (even if you don't, it's a great tactic that always shushes the "but other Starbucks/baristas..." BS). And yes, call store management whenever she escalates! You can mention her ahead of time, tell them what's been happening and how she tries to get things for free (if they are the type to be on your side, and not just give away everything she complains about).
Ugh, those bottles of sprinkles are expensive, giving away that much for free is insane!
If she says it's not enough, try to put a bit more sprinkles in a little cup and tell her she can add more herself, see if your confidence deters her. If she demands a remake, make sure to dump out the first drink. HOPEFULLY you run out of sprinkles, which you can warn her about too when the bottle is low (ours have been recalled, maybe yours will be too... Then she can't be so crazy with them for a bit😜 and you get to say no). Just keep telling her you won't do anything against the rules with authority to back it up. And she won't come to you as often 🤞🤞
Make sure you charge her correctly, and don't budge, it's the right thing to do. Loudly tell her if you don't charge her for all ingredients you could lose you job(very true), and/or ask who has been undercharging her so you can pass along the info to management (even if you don't, it's a great tactic that always shushes the "but other Starbucks/baristas..." BS). And yes, call store management whenever she escalates! You can mention her ahead of time, tell them what's been happening and how she tries to get things for free (if they are the type to be on your side, and not just give away everything she complains about).
Ugh, those bottles of sprinkles are expensive, giving away that much for free is insane!
If she says it's not enough, try to put a bit more sprinkles in a little cup and tell her she can add more herself, see if your confidence deters her. If she demands a remake, make sure to dump out the first drink. HOPEFULLY you run out of sprinkles, which you can warn her about too when the bottle is low (ours have been recalled, maybe yours will be too... Then she can't be so crazy with them for a bit😜 and you get to say no). Just keep telling her you won't do anything against the rules with authority to back it up. And she won't come to you as often 🤞🤞
musclesbear [OP] 13 points 1y ago
Great stuff, maybe hiding the sprinkles better should be in order
Lost_Treat_6296 23 points 1y ago
Alright here's my tips.
Whenever they start an argument just say "okay" and continue whatever you're doing. Don't fight. If they aren't looking to actually be educated and just want to fight, just say "okay" and leave it like that. When they tell u you're charging them wrong, just say "okay, it's going to be ___$". Don't give in, don't enable it. Stand strong in the price and keep repeating that.
If they're upset about their stamps not working, then just explain and to every objection, just say "okay" and repeat what you just told them. Repeat as needed. It's hard to argue with someone who just keeps explaining something over and over again and not giving in.
If they're screaming in the lobby you need to tell them that they need to quiet down. If they fight you about it, don't hesitate to call the police non-emergency line. They're violating our third place policies. If you let them get away with it, they'll believe It's going to fly every time.
Also take off your nametag when you deal with them. 👍 Best of luck my man.
Whenever they start an argument just say "okay" and continue whatever you're doing. Don't fight. If they aren't looking to actually be educated and just want to fight, just say "okay" and leave it like that. When they tell u you're charging them wrong, just say "okay, it's going to be ___$". Don't give in, don't enable it. Stand strong in the price and keep repeating that.
If they're upset about their stamps not working, then just explain and to every objection, just say "okay" and repeat what you just told them. Repeat as needed. It's hard to argue with someone who just keeps explaining something over and over again and not giving in.
If they're screaming in the lobby you need to tell them that they need to quiet down. If they fight you about it, don't hesitate to call the police non-emergency line. They're violating our third place policies. If you let them get away with it, they'll believe It's going to fly every time.
Also take off your nametag when you deal with them. 👍 Best of luck my man.
musclesbear [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Sounds good friend!
Lost_Treat_6296 2 points 1y ago
Ofc! Best of luck 🤞
Responsible_Snow7109 2 points 1y ago
Lol at first, i thought u said at the end "also take off your nutmeg when you deal with them" when instead u said nametag 🤣 but yea thats good with just saying "ok" because this lady one time had ordered 4 shots of espresso over ice in a grande cup with cream and some syrups. She ordered at the register and it was clearly visibly busy at that time. Then shes literally not even waiting 8 minutes and she goes "ummm why is everybody getting their drink before me??"....ummm maybe cuz they ordered mobile before u ordered urs in store and maybe cuz u got 4 shots on ice wit some shit in it while others after ur order got quick iced coffees or cold brews or iced teas. Im not guns just stand there n stare at her 4 shots pulling just so she could get her shit before anyone else. Anyway i told her "oh its cuz were busy rite now and ur 4 shots on ice are in the process of pulling so im doing other quick drinks in the meantime" and she says "i dont care. It shouldnt take that long" lmao i said "ok" and she stopped fighting but of course still had the salty bitch look on her face. Mind u i was on bar myself that day and it was morning rush for us like between 7 and 10 am
thecoloraskan 23 points 1y ago
Damn I didn’t know you could get Starbucks with an EBT?? That’s ridiculous. I hope your manager handles it and tells her that’s the best your store can do. I hate having my queue held up bc if ppl who want something remade
musclesbear [OP] 21 points 1y ago
I didn't know before this job too! I think it's due to being in a grocery store. Its going to change in June (please hurry June 😫)
icelessTrash 11 points 1y ago
Not sure what laws may change in your state, but only iced drinks count for EBT, it's a loophole that some of our items qualify as eligible at home cold items. Never ring up a hot drink as cold for anyone, don't break the law or skirt the rules, esp for her. Though, sometimes there is a cash amount they have on their card from other benefits that might work on other stuff (not loading other cards though!), depending on your state's other food programs for homeless, elderly, etc that can be loaded on that card. Some details:
>Starbucks accepts EBT at some of its licensed stores located in grocery stores and retail stores. There are more than 6,300 licensed Starbucks stores in the United States. So, you may be able to use your food stamps when you visit a Starbucks inside a grocery store, like:
Safeway
Fred Meyer
Target
And other grocery chains that accept food stamps
There, you can use your EBT card to purchase SNAP-eligible items.
>But what exactly are these?Well, items that are eligible for SNAP are, generally, cold foods that you have to prepare yourself at home.
>This means that even at Starbucks locations where you can use EBT cards, you won’t be able to use your EBT card to get any hot beverages like coffee, or foods that are hot at the point of sale. Instead, you could purchase cold drinks, like a Frappuccino and cold foods, such as pumpkin bread at Starbucks with an EBT card.
>Since SNAP is designed for cold foods that you prepare yourself, this leaves those who’re unable to cook for themselves without a lot of options. This is why the Restaurant Meals Program was launched.
>RMP is designed to allow eligible EBT cardholders to purchase food at SNAP authorized restaurants using their SNAP EBT cards. The program is designed for those who’re homeless, elderly, and disabled to be able to get hot foods. The RMP is only available in about 6 states, which are:
Arizona
California
Rhode Island
Michigan
Illinois
Maryland
>Starbucks accepts EBT at some of its licensed stores located in grocery stores and retail stores. There are more than 6,300 licensed Starbucks stores in the United States. So, you may be able to use your food stamps when you visit a Starbucks inside a grocery store, like:
Safeway
Fred Meyer
Target
And other grocery chains that accept food stamps
There, you can use your EBT card to purchase SNAP-eligible items.
>But what exactly are these?Well, items that are eligible for SNAP are, generally, cold foods that you have to prepare yourself at home.
>This means that even at Starbucks locations where you can use EBT cards, you won’t be able to use your EBT card to get any hot beverages like coffee, or foods that are hot at the point of sale. Instead, you could purchase cold drinks, like a Frappuccino and cold foods, such as pumpkin bread at Starbucks with an EBT card.
>Since SNAP is designed for cold foods that you prepare yourself, this leaves those who’re unable to cook for themselves without a lot of options. This is why the Restaurant Meals Program was launched.
>RMP is designed to allow eligible EBT cardholders to purchase food at SNAP authorized restaurants using their SNAP EBT cards. The program is designed for those who’re homeless, elderly, and disabled to be able to get hot foods. The RMP is only available in about 6 states, which are:
Arizona
California
Rhode Island
Michigan
Illinois
Maryland
musclesbear [OP] 6 points 1y ago
Thank you! This is insanely helpful.
thebestdaysofmyflerm -2 points 1y ago
> Damn I didn’t know you could get Starbucks with an EBT?? That’s ridiculous.
I mean we do serve food...
I mean we do serve food...
Necessary_Low939 4 points 1y ago
Her drink sounds just like her. A bitch.
Lost_Treat_6296 3 points 1y ago
Alright here's my tips.
Whenever they start an argument just say "okay" and continue whatever you're doing. Don't fight. If they aren't looking to actually be educated and just want to fight, just say "okay" and leave it like that.
If they're upset about their stamps not working, then just explain and to every objection, just say "okay" and repeat what you just told them. Repeat as needed. It's hard to argue with someone who just keeps explaining something over and over again and not giving in.
If they're screaming in the lobby you need to tell them that they need to quiet down. If they fight you about it, don't hesitate to call the police non-emergency line. They're violating our third place policies. If you let them get away with it, they'll believe It's going to fly every time.
Also take off your nametag when you deal with them. 👍 Best of luck my man.
Whenever they start an argument just say "okay" and continue whatever you're doing. Don't fight. If they aren't looking to actually be educated and just want to fight, just say "okay" and leave it like that.
If they're upset about their stamps not working, then just explain and to every objection, just say "okay" and repeat what you just told them. Repeat as needed. It's hard to argue with someone who just keeps explaining something over and over again and not giving in.
If they're screaming in the lobby you need to tell them that they need to quiet down. If they fight you about it, don't hesitate to call the police non-emergency line. They're violating our third place policies. If you let them get away with it, they'll believe It's going to fly every time.
Also take off your nametag when you deal with them. 👍 Best of luck my man.
59625962 2 points 1y ago
Starbucks shouldn't be allowed eith EBT wtf
musclesbear [OP] 11 points 1y ago
It makes me so sad (I've been on EBT so I super empathize with anyone in this situation) She's using her EBT on overpriced coffee drinks for her kids; you could get your kiddos a nice meal instead.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
Oh lord that’s terrible. Is there some way you can tell a white lie and say you had a store meeting and all the buttons are now preprogrammed to a certain price and there’s no way anybody can make it cheaper. Sometimes u just gotta fool the fool into thinking their fooling you.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
hermitcraber 0 points 1y ago
idk how committed you are to your morals, but when i have a customer like that i make something up like “oh sorry new company rule you’re only allowed three modifications to each beverage” and if she throws a fit and calls your manager you just gaslight her
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