A couple who loves coffee says they were charged about $4,500 for two drinks at Starbucks, even though they chose the “no tip” option at the register.
For sixteen years, Jesse and Deedee O’Dell have been patrons of the eatery. They typically begin their mornings with a $10 cappuccino and an iced Americano.
But in February 2023, that regular order turned into a nightmare when $4,456.27 disappeared from their bank account.
They didn’t know it, but they had been charged an extra $4,444.44 for drinks on top of the drinks they ordered.
Deedee didn’t see the mistake until days later, when her card was denied at the mall while she was shopping with their four kids.
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Jesse stated he remembers choosing “No Tip” because he knew how to press buttons. The New York Post says I didn’t click that button. If it wasn’t the barista, then it’s definitely your network, which is a huge problem.
Starbucks first sent the couple two checks for the sum, but both of them bounced. Jesse said that day we definitely phoned their customer support line 30 to 40 times.
Deedee and her husband had planned a trip to Thailand so she could see her sister, but the sudden withdrawal meant they had to cancel the trip.
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Although he disputes that version of events, a Starbucks staffer told the New York Post that Jesse himself gave the hefty tip. According to a district manager, it was most likely a network issue, he adds.
The O’Dells even went to the police in Tulsa, but the case was dismissed after the right checks were sent.
Since then, Jesse has told other customers to double-check their receipts in case they make the same mistake.
Starbucks has had other problems in the past few years than this one.
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Blanca Lopez, a customer in Texas, said that a barista sent her a “offensive” note on her cup. The lid didn’t say her name; it said, “What do you call a sick eagle?” Not allowed.
Lopez said she was shocked: “It’s basically saying that we are sick, illegal people who don’t belong in this country.”
When I read it, I was like, “Okay.” Should I have laughed, or what do I need to do? She told CBS Texas. Why did they say that to me? Why do they want to know if I have papers or not? Why did she do this? It’s rude to me.
Carlos Quintanilla, an activist who tried to organize a protest against the business, termed it “disturbing” and said, “Especially right now, when the media is saying that if you’re illegal, you’re a criminal, and if you’re a criminal, you’re illegal.”
“We want everyone in our stores to be treated with courtesy and respect,” Starbucks said in response to the store. We apologize and are investigating and resolving this. The company made it plain that it would not tolerate discrimination of any type.
Customers are expecting more responsibility from the company, which has been under more and more scrutiny because of claims of rude behavior and a $4,000 “coffee error.”