Starbucks — Restaurant in Bellevue

Ok I used to work here, and have to give some context to my former review so it's actually a review, not an angry rant. There's a reason there's inconsistent/poor reviews on this location, and sadly, that is the management. Unfortunately, it is not her fault personally, she is an excellent leader ordinarily, but post covid, this store never regained it's good energy.

Before covid, we all worked hard but got along with each other. Management was understanding to our needs as workers and gave us good hours. Everyone more or less got along and worked hard.

Then covid hit. Everyone had issues at home, and started to project that on the floor. Our boss kept saying "leave it outside" but no one did or even could, it was a shitshow. We weren't getting good hours, we weren't even getting paid well for the hours we were getting (one time our yearly raise was something like 10 cents per hour..... adjust that to the economy around us...)

People brought a more negative energy to the store, we found ourselves working in what I would consider an unfair condition. We had our month off, but the company sadly wasn't able to recover after that.

Customers were mad too. I had to argue with a pregnant woman to keep her from using the restroom in an emergency. The same happened with a mother who's little girl needed to use it. I was commended by my supervisor for holding ground but went home feeling like a piece of shit, the mother ripped into me, and I kinda sympathized with her, but didn't want to lose my job.

Politics were rife and there was always a dynamic of someone being the odd man out. Someone was always gossiped over, insulted behind their back, and wham hit with complaints from the boss at once. This was a repeating pattern with anyone the established people who worked there considered the "weakest link". One time it was this high school kid, the next time it was a girl my age, and before I knew it, it was me. If you weren't on the store snapchat group you were at risk of everyone ganging up on you.

I still get mad at how I was treated there but I hope writing this review will clear my mind and let me just move on with it. So I don't have to think about this place again.

I seriously hope they improve, the manager is a good woman and a lot of the older staff/people who once worked there were very kind and deserve a healthy income and work environment, I hope for their sake this store resolves its longstanding issues.

EDIT: They have since resolved their issues and are a very hardworking and friendly store now. Thankfully the waves of time have eroded the negative effects covid had on this establishment. Marta is...

EXTREMELY rude staff all around! Came in and ordered a drink for my co worker and I. We sat down at a table. I drank all of my nitro cold BREW so I went to order another for a free refill like I have done occasionally over the years and never had an issue. Marta wasn’t taking my order but over heard I was requested a free refill and but chimed in inquiring if I was going to be staying in the store for a while in a short, irritated, and put out tone. I responded yes and why she was asking when she was very quick to point out that it was against policy to get a refill and then leave the store. I had let her know I hadn’t heard of that in all the years and she said it wasn’t enforced due to Covid. I mentioned that I wasn’t aware of this even before Covid but said yes we are going to stay.

I when and sat back down with my co worker and they called that the refill was ready, but it was a regular cold brew and not a nitro. I inquired that there was a slight mistake of a regular cold brew and not a nitro. Taro the employee proceeded to tell me in a rude manner that it was against company policy to give me a refill of the nitro cold brew. I mentioned that I get them previously at other stores no problem over the years and have been told by Starbucks customer service previously several years ago that nitro’s are included with free refills. Taro then proceeded to tell me in the rude manner it was my responsibility to find where it says that. Completely caught off guard on this continuous rude conversation with multiple employees I tried finding the email change saying this.

I wasn’t able to find the email so I called the Starbucks customer service line to get an answer. A representative came online and I told her what the question and the issue around the situation. She then agreed like the previous customer service agents that nitros are part of the free refill. I then asked her to speak the Taro and the team where she told them and Taro argued with the representative that it wasn’t, then Marta brought a tablet out and the product manager or something and was quick to show the the policy to me that according to it Nitro’s aren’t included.

At this time I couldn’t believe the team was so quick and insistent to argue in a rude and unprofessional manner when I was told by the current and previous Starbucks customer service opposite. Not ONCE did the on site team say sorry for the mixed communication and we can see why you thought that. I continued on with the customer service person on the phone where she was apologetic and...

I have lived in Bellevue for a few years and I will say that most of the starbucks in this area are awful. Especially the Kelsey creek starbucks that drive thru is absolutely the worst. This starbucks however is my go to starbucks in the area. They usually get the drinks on point and if they do so happen to mess up they don't just push out bad drinks , they actually will remake them if they don't think they are up to par. The people are always friendly and welcoming. You don't get that from starbucks anymore it's more transactional now then personable but this starbucks seems to still hold the culture close. They even remember their customers. The location is on the smaller side but that does not stop me from taking my sons to sit in and have coffee dates. Overall I love this starbucks and the people they have hired. Great job to the manager and the staff. Also, shout out to Mana for making things right with my drink even though the mistake did not happen...