Starbucks — Restaurant in Modesto

Hello, I was in this Starbucks store (9741-84962) in Modesto, CA today and I left the store feeling belittled, embarrassed, and determined not to return to the store again. I am a frequent customer of the store on Briggsmore & Prescott. As a teacher, I have spent many afternoons and evenings lesson planning and grading in the store. I ALWAYS purchase a drink, food, or both. Today, I went into the store, there was a large group of people (around 7-8) that were standing around waiting for drinks. I could see that it was pretty busy so I was going to set up my laptop, then order a drink when the large crowd left. I typically order in the mobile app anyway because it is faster and has my previous orders. Less than 5 minutes of entering the store, a female employee came up to me and informed me that the lobby is now only for paying customers and asked if I planned on purchasing a drink. I said yes and that it looked pretty busy so I was going to wait to order. She then said she could help me at the register right at that moment. In all honesty, I was not ready to buy a drink at that moment, and although she was not rude or disrespectful in her delivery, I began to feel rushed and forced into buying my drink prematurely. I decided to order on the mobile app and within minutes I picked up the drink at the counter where a different female employee handed it to me. I sat down and began to work, maybe 10 minutes later I got up to ask for a grande water. This has never been an issue in the past, especially after purchasing a drink. This time, a male employee came to ask what I needed. I asked for a grande water and he responded by saying that water “is only for paying customers”, assuming that I had not purchased a drink yet. At this point I began to feel embarrassed and policed by the staff, not at all like a frequent paying customer. I pointed to my drink and stated that “I already purchased a drink” which was on the table and he said ok. He brought the water to me and as I was sitting down, I could hear him and another employee talking about me, stating that he “only saw a straw” since my backpack was covering the cup from his view. And another employee said “maybe she did a mobile order”, as if they were trying to investigate if I was lying about buying a drink. Once I heard them talking, I was on the verge of tears from frustration, embarrassment, and disappointment in the way they handled this apparently new policy. I also felt it was a bit unnecessary, as the lobby was not full of customers trying to sit. I was not bothering anyone and had already bought my drink.

After wrestling with myself for 15 minutes and unable to proceed working because I was so upset, I decided to leave and that I would never return to this store. I understand the policy may not have been created by them but the way I felt in those moments will stay with me. I just wanted to let management know that I did not appreciate the approach and I most CERTAINLY did not appreciate the associates talking about me behind the counter on whether they should give me a cup of water and if I really bought a drink or not. I will not be returning to the store or any other Starbucks, but I wanted to write this so no other customer has to feel the way I felt today. Thank you...

I love Starbucks, although it's pricey, so I only go occasionally as a treat for myself. A plain "venti" (large) latte with 3 shots costs $5.05. What!? That is pricey. And why does a medium and a large both come with 2 shots? If the small gas 1 shot, medium 2 shots, large SHOULD have 3 shots...according to my logic. But what can you do? That's why it's only an occasional treat, and not a daily, or even weekly splurge--any longer...I used to go more often, but as the prices went up, my patronage went down. As did tipping. I'm not tipping when my latte costs over $5, and I'm not ordering anything fancy....whole milk + espresso...that's it. And we don't tip at In-N-Out Burger. Why do we tip at the coffee shop? It's not a trendy downtown spot anymore....There's probably at least 3 or more Starbucks in every medium sized town. Small towns even have 1 or 2. And now most have a drive-thru (unless it's the Starbucks inside Target or Safeway. There's absolutely nothing fancy, quaint, or special about it or it's employees anymore. There isn't even the option of getting your cappuccino in a real ceramic mug. It comes in the same type of disposable cup as your gas station coffee. There's likely 2 Starbucks in the same shopping center in most towns--one stand alone store with a drive thru, and another one inside the grocery store or Target just a few, yards away. Ya, no. I'm not tipping anymore. Not on my $5.05 plain latte in a disposable cup. I used to, but the Baristas used to have charming, warm, friendly, outgoing personalities. I don't see much of that anymore. I will still tip the Baristas at a mom & pop coffee shop where the option to have your hot beverage in a real mug is still a possibility. I love places like that. And the employees at non-chain coffee shops seem to still have character and charm, as does the coffee shop. But Starbucks lost that with their drive-thrus. And the scandal a while back, where the employees had to sue because they weren't just splitting tips with co-workers...managers were taking a cut from the tip jar! Are you kidding me! F you Starbucks! I was a waitress for 10 years. That is bulls**t!! I like your coffee Starbucks, but the $5.05 you get from me for my plain latte in a disposable cup is more...

My fiance and I walk or drive to this Starbucks almost daily. Only because of convenience. The baristas are nice..if you can get their attention. I realize that it is a VERY busy establishment given its location and hours; however, when you have to stand there for 10 or more minutes without anyone acknowledging your existence, that is not okay. It is a hit or miss on the drinks, depending on who is making it. I would love to say that this place is great...it just depends...sometimes it is...and sometimes it's not so great....the being made to feel like your "invisible" is the worst, though...I recommend that they don't do that... UPDATE: Since I first posted this review, this Starbucks has changed tremendously by leaps and bounds. There are still occasions when we go in and they may be a bit distracted. But, overall, their customer service has improved greatly. UPDATED UPDATE: This place keeps getting better every time we go in...keep up the...