Coffee is undoubtedly a popular drink and for many people, it is an essential part of their daily routine.
Although some individuals depend on coffee to get them through the day, it seems unlikely that anyone would actually spend $4,500 on two cups.
But in a surprising turn of events, a Tulsa, Oklahoma, couple was shocked to find they were stuck paying $4,500 just for an iced macchiato and frappuccino at a neighborhood Starbucks because the service member miscalculated the tip price.
For the past 16 years, Jesse O’Dell and his wife, Deedee, have been regular Starbucks customers. On average, they spend around $10 on coffee every day. But on January 7, their usual transaction took an unexpected and costly turn.
“My wife always orders a Venti Caramel frappuccino with an extra shot and it’s usually between $9 and $10,” I said, ordering an Iced Americano. A second drink can go up to, say, $10.75, Jesse told Fox23.
The cafe mistakenly added a $4,444 tip to the couple’s order, resulting in a staggering total bill of $4,456.27. According to NBC12, the huge amount went unreported until Deedee’s card was declined while she was shopping with their four children at the mall.
Jesse immediately contacted the Starbucks district manager, who clarified that a network problem contributed to the incident. The couple ended up getting two checks for the amount they were overcharged.
However, they were relieved briefly as both checks bounced when deposited into their accounts. Out of frustration, they repeatedly called Starbucks customer service to resolve the issue.
We probably called the customer support hotline 30-40 times that day, evaluating every new issue that came up until we got an answer, which we did. One of the reps from Seattle called to talk to us. We were told new checks were being sent, but we still haven’t received them yet,” stated Jesse.
Unsatisfied with how the issue was handled, Jesse and Deedee decided to report the incident to the Tulsa Police Department in hopes that their issue would be fairly investigated and resolved.
The strain on the family’s finances forced them to postpone a much-anticipated trip to Deedee’s native Thailand. Jesse said: “We were planning a trip but had to cancel and the tickets are non-refundable.
Jesse mentioned his fears about returning to Starbucks and emphasized the pain the experience caused his family. He advised others to maintain their vigilance by carefully reviewing and keeping all receipts to avoid such a terrifying experience.
According to a Starbucks spokesperson, the pair were issued new checks and are believed to have since received them.
While this incident was undoubtedly unfortunate for the O’Dell family, it serves as a reminder to always stay on top of financial transactions and promptly address any issues that may arise. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in customer service, as such errors can have serious consequences for individuals and families. As for Jesse and Deedee, one can only hope that their situation will finally be resolved and their future coffees will be much smoother and less financially burdened.