Starbucks — Restaurant in Madison

We stopped by this location today. It was the first time after they moved to this location. There were interesting pictures on the wall so I took a photo while we were waiting for drinks. After waiting a while thinking it might take longer, I decided to look at other desert options and couldn’t see well, so I took photos of a display case to see better and order faster at my turn. Still, the line was not moving fast, so I was waiting and looking at the displayed mugs and checked the price. I didn’t want to wait too close to other customers respectfully. That was the time one guy popped up with his mouth full of food and asked me if I was taking photos. I said yes. Why lying? He said people complained (?)recently about being photographed and asked why I am taking a photo and if I am a “secret shopper”. I was offended but told him I didn’t take anybody’s face. He later told me he is the manager when I asked after a long conversation. I said it would have been nice you were a little polite and told me who you were first. He started showing his attitude and telling me it is a policy. As I have no intention of violating any rules, I said where the policy is and he could not find where it was at the beginning and pointed the one poster. It does not say anything about a photo. I didn’t want to make a scene. I wanted to end the embarrassing situation, so I said "You don’t have clear and better protocols to approach people to communicate your “policy” and you were somewhat offensive and he said he can apologize for that, BUT do you acknowledge your behavior?" That was the time I ran out of my patience and realized he wouldn't let this go and his huge ego got in the way deeply. I asked "what behavior, taking a photo"? I did take a photo and for that one yes. He said “are you going to continue the behavior?" condescendingly I said I don't need to come back here and he said "in any other Starbucks location? “ I was mortified and felt harassed. Wow. This is not normal and I went back and confronted with google reviews of others exposing everyone’s faces for this location. I said when you have public photos of store everywhere but accusing me of “behavior” with a condescending tone in front of all customers you need to apologize. He said he will call a police if I don’t leave as I am causing a scene as if he wants to see everyone to see this. That was the time I could see he is abusing his position and threatening me. Luckily there was a lady who works with Starbucks who could see how things were going and intervened which I appreciated a lot. Guess what in the meantime, a police officer really came but left soon. A police officer wasted his valuable time that can be spent to a community because of his abusive and childish attitude. I agree with other reviewers about a customer service. What a bizarre experience and waste of my time. We are escalating this matter to the company but for any reason the way he talked and behaved...

Updating my previous review to say the store has done a major turnaround. Now the service is awesome! New management in place breathed new life into the environment and to the staff. Very happy when I go there.

———- WHAT is going on at this location? Ever since they moved across the street it’s been bad. Another reviewer here wrote about someone shutting the window on them. I had a similar experience I was asking a question the cashier could not answer it. I asked to speak to somebody who could answer and she said nobody was here and aggressively shut the window in my face. This was after sassing me thru my entire transaction. Also, they can see you in your car when you order but you can’t see them. They do have the ability to turn the camera on but they don’t. If they did you can see who’s taking your order and get the hell out of there if it’s the woman who shuts the window in peoples faces. Because she’s still there.

Why does the price change on a daily basis? When I order the same thing every morning it costs X on Monday Y on Tuesday and Z on Wednesday? I’m afraid to ask because I don’t want the window slammed in my face again.

The wait times are ridiculous even if you order ahead on the app unless you use the drive up. But don’t ask any questions or you’ll get the window shut in your face.

As for the inventory, they routinely run out of product for days on end. Cold brew, protein boxes, etc. Florham park and Chatham are better all around but it’s out of my way on a weekday work morning.

Can corporate please fix the ills of the Madison location and make it the great place...

I visited the new Main St, Madison, NJ shop for the first time since it moved its location across the street. Staff needs more customer service training. With the exception of one out of 5 employees, this is the most miserable group I have ever met! Its early and the place is empty. Theres no line at the drive-through, so the mood can't be blamed on any chaos. I was also ignored for a couple of minutes while I stood at the counter too. No one bothered to acknowledge my presence and say, "I'll be right with you". The girl who finally took my order made it obvious she didn't want to be there and literally dragged her shoes on the floor while she got my plain Veranda coffee! No smile. No good morning.

It used to have such great staff at this branch. They would smile and sometimes small talk if there was time. What happened? Where did those people go??? I won't be returning to this Starbucks...