A coffee-loving couple has claimed that they were charged nearly $4,500 for two drinks at Starbucks - despite selecting the ‘no tip’ option at the register.
Jesse and Deedee O’Dell, long-term customers of the chain for 16 years, usually start their mornings with an iced Americano and a cappuccino that costs around $10.
But in February 2023, that routine order turned into a nightmare when $4,456.27 vanished from their bank account.
Without realizing it, the pair had been hit with a gratuity fee of $4,444.44 on top of their beverages.
It wasn’t until days later that Deedee spotted the error when her card was declined at the mall while shopping with their four children.
Jesse said he specifically remembered choosing “No Tip," saying: “I know how to press buttons. I didn’t press that button,” per The New York Post. “If it wasn’t the barista, then it’s definitely your network, which is a really big issue.”
Starbucks initially sent the couple two refund checks to cover the amount, but both bounced. “We contacted their customer service helpline probably 30 to 40 times that day," Jesse recalled.
The couple had been planning a trip to Thailand so Deedee could visit her sister, but the unexpected withdrawal meant the vacation was canceled.
A Starbucks spokesperson told the New York Post that Jesse himself had submitted the enormous tip, though he disputes that version of events. He says a district manager admitted it was likely a network issue.
The O’Dells even filed a police complaint in Tulsa, but the case was later closed once the correct checks were delivered.
Jesse has since warned other customers to double-check their receipts in case similar errors occur.
The incident is not the only controversy Starbucks has faced in recent years.
In Texas, customer Blanca Lopez accused a barista of targeting her with an “offensive” message on her cup. Instead of her name, the lid read: “What do you call a sick eagle? Illegal.”
Lopez said she was stunned: “It’s basically saying that we are sick, illegal individuals that do not belong in this country.”
“When I read it, I’m like, OK. Was I supposed to laugh, or what do I need to do?” she told CBS Texas. “Why did they call me that? Why are they asking if I have papers or no papers? Why did she write this? For me, like, it’s offensive.”
Activist Carlos Quintanilla, who attempted to organize a protest at the store, called it “disturbing,” adding: “Especially right now, when the narrative being thrown out in mass media is that if you’re illegal, you’re a criminal, and if you’re a criminal, you’re illegal.”
Starbucks responded to the outlet by saying: “We want everyone in our stores to be treated with courtesy and respect; we apologize and are actively investigating and addressing this.” The company emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for discriminatory behavior.
Between accusations of offensive conduct and a $4,000 “coffee error,” the chain has been under growing scrutiny from customers demanding more accountability.