Caribou Coffee — Restaurant in Fridley

On March 16, 2024…..

Dear Caribou Coffee,

I was encountered by a sickening situation on March 16, 2024. After loosing my nephew (Feb. 14th), my best friend’s little sister (March 1st), and one of my best friends (March 8th) and my birthday being on March 10th.

My wife and I went to the Cabin on University Ave and 81st (8094 University Ave., Fridley, MN) I was rudely interrupted multiple times with “Is that all?” while trying to give my order. Then, when I pulled up to the window, I asked the cashier if she would review the order and this appeared to make her very unhappy. After a glare, while she backed out of the screen she was in, she read back my order to me and me and I thanked her. The cashier (who was not the one whom took my order) then began to berate and badger me attempting to tell me (snotty tone) “this is why we read back the order…” I told her I wasn’t interested in her opinion and just wanted to pay for my beverages and go on with my day. She then began to raise her voice to force her unwelcome opinion on me, tell me I was being rude, belittled me by stating “you’re arguing with a 16 year old girl”, while I calmly continued to ask her if I could simply pay for my purchase and proceed with my day. At one point she even began to refuse me service until a woman from the back came forward and semi-intervened. I believe the woman was the manager. I believe she was assuming that I was being unruly at the window and came forward to the situation to stand up for her employee, understandingly. Once the manager figured out I was just trying to pay and leave, she agreed and the cashier still continued chirping.

My regular order is an XL, X-Hot, Turtle Mocha with milk chocolate, double moosed and no turtle topping. This drink comes to be a little over $10.

With the inconsistency of flavor and actually witnessing baristas not put all of the espresso shots in, I really try to ensure I am getting what I am paying for.

Previous Bad Encounter——Crew is usually great. Today, though, I was greeted with a lady barking, “pull forward, you’re order just came through.” As I attempted to verify one drink had skim milk, I was again barked at, “Pull forward sir.” Also paid for Moose It! x2 for both drinks and neither were had extra shots....

Paying with ApplePay ? Please Beware ! Potential Drive through Scam by particular worker !!! This one particular staff has done this before & I had totally forgot. So if you use Apple Pay (drive thru) be on alert , they use a tap machine & the first question on the machine usually asks if you want to tip, & have the option to say ‘No’ or chose an amount , THEN you’d tap to pay. My Medium Carmel High Rise is usually $6.47, & when i approached the window it suddenly changes to $8.47, the person did not present me with the tap machine tip options , instead it provided me with only one option on the screen & that was to pay. When I asked why it was $8. instead of $6. I was told “I don’t know, I don’t keep up with the prices”!??! This person was extremely annoyed & rude for no good reason, Red Flag 🚩 So After requesting and speaking with a manager, it was discovered that there was a tip that I applied to the order (which I didn’t), & she offered to reverse the charge but I said no it’s ok, but on my way home I remembered this same person doing this to me before at this same location in the drive thru window because this person was very rude at THAT time as well when I questioned the upcharge , & that particular time I drove off and didn't say anything, I feel like this is a secret ongoing scam for this person, so that made me feel that I needed to report it this time & alert others on this potential scam. I called & spoke with a different manager who was very nice & genuinely concerned about this matter so I appreciate how this was handled by both managers. People Please Beware because this maybe happening to others who are innocently unaware of what is happening. Since when are we...

THIRD UPDATE: Caribou reached out to me and asked if I'd send details, I did. They updated my perks account adding two free Coffees of my choice. I did not expect that. It was a very nice thing to do for a customer. Because these were free, I chose to use them at this location. Their statistics are improving. The gal that got my coffee for me yesterday was sweet, funny, great positive attitude. It was my first time ordering from the app, so she turned confusion into an engaging game. Gave me some giggles for the day. Excellent service. And the coffee was perfect. (3/5) I'ma try them again, for now, I'm adding some stars back for their efforts at fixing the issue, and for continually improving the customer service atmosphere.

Updated review: i didnt contact customer service last time, i wanted to go back and try again, see if it was an off day. It wasn't. It was a repeat of the first time. I've gone 4 times now, (2/4) and been served a medium as a large twice. And told I'm wrong. A medium is 20oz. A large is 24oz. An x-large is 32oz. I know they CAN do a large, I've gotten one here. One of the two times I wasn't overcharged. Consistent overcharging is Unacceptable. Turns out, looking at my "perks", it was rung in as a medium. I wasn't overcharged, the order was entered wrong.

1st visit-original review- Was overcharged. Ordered a large, got a medium. I questioned it at the time, the cashier said, "no, that's a large." I didn't believe her so I drove over to the Caribou up the street and asked how many ounces in a medium and large. They sold me a medium at this location for the price of a large. It was well made, but I dislike being told I'm wrong...