Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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AITA? Espresso Frappuccino edition (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by I_Main_Oru
I've been a partner for less than 2 months so this is the first time I've delt with this. It happened the other day, right at the end of the lunch rush. I was solo on drive thru, taking orders and handing out drinks. This lady orders a venti espresso Frappuccino in the drive thru, with extra ice to make it thicker. Then she says something else but it's really loud in store and she's sort of mumbling to herself but what I make out is that she also wants an extra cup. So she pulls up and I take her payment and she's already complaining about how no Starbucks ever get her drink right. She also asks me to break up her 5 into 1s. I say sure, and let her know I'll be right back because I can't open the drawer by myself. She gets upset at that and when I come back and get the drawer opened she's even more upset I left her at the window. Then I get her her drink, and as I'm handing it off she's like, "There's more, right?" I'm confused so I give her kind of a blank look as I'm processing what she said. I said, "You got just the one drink, right?" So she gets super mad at me and starts berating me about how I can't do anything right. Appearantly she wanted the leftover frapp that was left in the blender in an extra cup, and she went off about I can't listen and she knows there's extra Frapp from the blender that we poured down the drain that she paid for. You don't pay for extra ice so I was very confused in the moment. She kept yelling and was really upset me and gave me the old tip threat like," I was going to tip you guys!" Then she drove off. It felt like one of those tricks people do to get more drink for free. AITA?
Comfortable-Plane944 185 points 8m ago
Lol no you’re not, she is. she doesn’t pay for the “extra” plus if it’s made right, there is no extra and she shouldn’t expect that.
I_Main_Oru [OP] 49 points 8m ago
That was what I was thinking. She paid for the venti size Frappuccino and I think she wanted more ice so she'd get a tall, too. She was pretty rude in general so even if she needed her drink fixed I didn't really want to accommodate her.
Comfortable-Plane944 37 points 8m ago
Lol right like extra ice doesn’t mean extra drink 🙄🙄🙄
NOTcreative- -75 points 8m ago
I’m an venti espresso frap with extra ice there’s definitely more frap than the venti cup can hold. Asking for change for a $5 is always an indicator a tip is coming.
Comfortable-Plane944 46 points 8m ago
Doesnt mean the customers entitled to the extra
NOTcreative- -52 points 8m ago
It’s not extra. It’s leftover. Is it that big of a deal to hand out it rather than pour it down the drain? It’ll get you more tips and positive customer interactions.
Comfortable-Plane944 41 points 8m ago
It sets an expectation for the customers. And it’s for sure against policy
I_Main_Oru [OP] 23 points 8m ago
It was already not a positive customer interaction. She was rude and complaining from the start. Plus the moment she started berating me, I will no longer be patient and accommodating.
I_Main_Oru [OP] 24 points 8m ago
I'm aware it indicated she might tip, but a 2 dollar tip isn't going to make me want to go against what my shift lead and coworkers tell me
ari_thedarkone 18 points 8m ago
It doesn’t always indicate tip either. We’re not going to get berated and treated as though we aren’t human beings over MAYBE two dollars that gets split between 15+ other partners. She could have asked nicely from the beginning, it’s not that hard. 🤷♀️
Distinct-Apartment39 2 points 8m ago
I was just about to say. Not to mention the fact y’all tip share so they’d MAYBE get 20¢ of that $2 if they’re lucky. I don’t go above and beyond if you won’t treat me like a person 🤷🏻♀️
jupiter_bug 1 points 8m ago
That doesn't excuse her atrocious behavior.
piratedashel 172 points 8m ago
As far as I’m aware, you get what fits into a venti cup, as that is the largest size Frappuccino we sell. It’d be the same answer if she wanted it in a trenta cup- no.
Distinct-Apartment39 1 points 8m ago
I think it’s the same even if it’s a grande. If you have leftovers, oh well. You ordered a grande you get what fits in a grande. Sometimes I’d be nice if it was a kid ordering and give them the extra or a regular so they had a lil extra treat but you don’t HAVE to give them extra that’s leftover in the blender
bailmads 58 points 8m ago
I hate when they say “I was going to tip you!” Like… ok? I don’t need your $1 lmao
Megaman3220 44 points 8m ago
Starbucks policy is you pay for the size cup of product, not the amount of ingredients. So you can just tell her that Starbucks policy dictates that you pay for the cup size, and that even if there's lettover, she is not entitled to it. She can fight it all she wants but that's policy.
karliseofdeath 41 points 8m ago
NTA. the was being a bitch. and the extra ice in a frap is the thing Karens do to get a free drink. I once had this couple that would come into my Starbucks and ask for extra ice, then the wife would go stand by the end of the bar and tell whoever was making the drink to "just put whatever is left in a cup" for her. one time when she said this to me, I pretended I couldn't hear her and she literally screamed "NOOOOOOO!" as I dumped it down the sink and rinsed the blender.
Assiqtaq 29 points 8m ago
So we used to routinely do this for customers. I get what a pain it is turning into, and I am sorry for my contribution to this attitude. We honestly didn't know better. To be fair, it was also when we got better pay than we do now, relatively speaking. Did you know Starbucks was once known as a very generous company to work for? Good times, good times.
So I had a customer back when I first starting in the kiosk I am now employed at that ordered a something frap with an add shot. When I was serving it to him he began to say something about the extra when I was pouring the blender into the sink, but one, he was too late, and two, there really wasn't much extra. Because I have been working with this company a while, and I know what I'm doing. I know how to adjust the recipe so that the standard amount is poured at the end, more or less. (No one is perfect.) So I just said, "sorry I've worked at Starbucks for a long time now. I know my measurements." He has not returned. (Starbucks would not approve of my modifications. I know that. Lucky for me, I work in a kiosk.)
So for the EF drink, you put the FR, shots, milk to line, ice, base, blend. For extra ice, measure for a grande instead (still venti pumps though), rounded venti ice scoop. Do not do the shots after the milk, which I know is standard, because it throws your measurements off and you get a more runny drink overall. I promise it works. And tell anyone who complains, "you paid for 26 ounces, this is 26 ounces." Or don't. You literally are not being paid to deal with complaints.
So I had a customer back when I first starting in the kiosk I am now employed at that ordered a something frap with an add shot. When I was serving it to him he began to say something about the extra when I was pouring the blender into the sink, but one, he was too late, and two, there really wasn't much extra. Because I have been working with this company a while, and I know what I'm doing. I know how to adjust the recipe so that the standard amount is poured at the end, more or less. (No one is perfect.) So I just said, "sorry I've worked at Starbucks for a long time now. I know my measurements." He has not returned. (Starbucks would not approve of my modifications. I know that. Lucky for me, I work in a kiosk.)
So for the EF drink, you put the FR, shots, milk to line, ice, base, blend. For extra ice, measure for a grande instead (still venti pumps though), rounded venti ice scoop. Do not do the shots after the milk, which I know is standard, because it throws your measurements off and you get a more runny drink overall. I promise it works. And tell anyone who complains, "you paid for 26 ounces, this is 26 ounces." Or don't. You literally are not being paid to deal with complaints.
dazedandconfusedhere 10 points 8m ago
Just want to add that it IS standard to measure the shots in the cup before the milk !
Assiqtaq 5 points 8m ago
Ah, didn't used to be. That is good, because it does come out much better that way, and now I don't have to worry about our regional manager seeing me do that and getting mad. Not that she'd know because she has no idea how to make drinks, but still. Now I just have to hide that I do syrup first. Shhh.
amichiban 3 points 8m ago
Just asking because I’m a little confused: are you working at a licensed Starbucks or a corporate one?
Assiqtaq 5 points 8m ago
I used to work at a corporate store, for seven years. Then I worked somewhere else for a few years. Now I work in a licensed store and have for the past couple of years. Yep, that was confusing, I get it. But that is why.
amichiban 2 points 8m ago
Ohhh okay! Thank you for explaining!
Assiqtaq 3 points 8m ago
No problem, I'm just confusing in general!
SunBusiness8291 17 points 8m ago
Starbucks as a company has to decide if they get the extra or they don't get the extra. It should be one policy, all stores, all the time. While I would never request something like this, I have to say customers can't help but be confused when one store does it and another does not. I vote no extra, but whatever the decision, it should be across the board, everywhere, always. On lots of things, but start with this.
Apprehensive-You5261 4 points 8m ago
It’s policy to give what fits in the size cup you ordered. And we can’t actually sell fraps larger than a venti. Her asking for extra ice made more frap than standard would doesn’t mean she’s going to get what’s left in the blender. She paid for 24oz she got it. OP did the right thing by just giving her what she paid for and like others said it’s just feeding bad customer behaviour and her thinking that all stores will do this. By one store not following standard these customers will go to others expecting the same thing.
Late_Pomelo_999 14 points 8m ago
NTA. You did the right thing and screw people who blatantly are asking for freebies
jlansden 12 points 8m ago
You order a drink, we make you *that drink*.
Tmj-warrior-1996 9 points 8m ago
Nope. Also what if she wanted to complain about the drink, and your manager isn’t super off by it then take that one back since she doesn’t want it. Trash it, wash your hands well, and start again. because different managers have told me that if customers are blatantly saying they get free drinks and start complaining to take the “wrong drinks” back.
Cultural_School_2280 6 points 8m ago
Is it against policy to put a venti frap in a trenta cup?
deathbeforedecaf1984 27 points 8m ago
Frappuccino never goes in a trenta
I_Main_Oru [OP] 9 points 8m ago
I believe so. We we're out of venti cold cups last night and my shift said we can't put them in trentas, we could only give them grandes
imuyBonita 3 points 8m ago
Definitely against policy. You do it once for a customer and others will expect it as well. Out of Venti iced cups? Your getting a Grande today sweetie. 🤷🏽♀️
dazedandconfusedhere 3 points 8m ago
Yes and also it doesn’t help much unless they wanted no whip, because we don’t have dome lids for trentas
Comfortable-Plane944 2 points 8m ago
Def against policy
borrowedurmumsvcard 5 points 8m ago
yeah no we’re not allowed to do that
JHOOOOBI 3 points 8m ago
You get what fits into the cup. Not the extra.
Traditional-Emu-1403 3 points 8m ago
No. She’s a weirdo. I’d dump the excess in front of her if she were in there because you’re not gonna get away with talking to people like that.
rwwhys 3 points 8m ago
The one I love that customers do after verbally abusing the employee is the “ well… you just lost a customer, I’m never coming back here i hope your proud of your self”
I sometimes wish we could say “ is that a promise ? Can I hope you to that “
I sometimes wish we could say “ is that a promise ? Can I hope you to that “
dontgiveah00t 3 points 8m ago
I swear I used to have this customer at my store 😅 was it a double blended decaf americano with heavy cream and sf vanilla, and whip lol
peepeepoopaccount 3 points 8m ago
I mean sure sometimes we will give it to them but they gotta ask. She was a total AH about though, and honestly it’s a nice thing we do they’re not entitled to it
sp00kygiirl 2 points 8m ago
we weren’t allowed to give any excess to customers, they pay for whatever size they get, nothing more than that.
Veldora12 2 points 8m ago
We have a regular who gets the extra milk from the pitcher in another cup but she is the nicest person ever and doesn’t try to order it at other starbucks since she knows that it isn’t what we are supposed to do. For the person you came into contact with I would leave room at the top of the venti cup and tell her that there was no extra.
vanilllacakez 2 points 8m ago
Girl nobody wants your left over coins lmaoo
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