Starbucks — Restaurant in Pomona

Dear Starbucks Customer Service,

I am reaching out because of a frustrating and disappointing experience I had at one of my favorite Starbucks locations today. As a loyal customer for over 10 years, I visit various locations—especially in the Pomona area—on a regular basis. I have spent thousands of dollars at Starbucks over the years and genuinely enjoy the experience of visiting your stores.

Today, however, I felt completely unwelcomed. A barista whom I see often approached me while I was sitting on the patio and asked if she could "help me with a purchase"—a clear attempt to ask me to leave. I visit this location daily and always make a purchase, yet I was treated as if I didn’t belong. What’s more frustrating is that I had just recently bought a $30 reusable cup from the Buena Park location and have been excited to use it. I had gone through the drive-thru earlier, and because this employee didn’t see my purchase inside, she seemed to assume I hadn’t bought anything and was just sitting there with a cup of water (it was my iced triple espresso). It bothers me because I know they all see me on a regular basis as a loyal customer.

This experience left me feeling unappreciated, frustrated, and frankly, a bit insulted. I’ve noticed this same employee asking homeless individuals and kids on bikes to leave the patio, which I understand given Starbucks’ policies on non-paying guests. However, I am a loyal, paying customer and should not have been treated the same way.

I’m taking the time to write this because I genuinely value Starbucks and the experience I’ve had over the years. I’d appreciate some clarity on the expectations for patio use and reassurance that loyal customers like myself won’t continue to feel unwelcome at a place we frequent and support.

I look forward to your...

German exemplified exceptional professionalism, providing one of the best service experiences I've had in a long time. When I discovered that my usual drink order was unavailable due to quality concerns, instead of simply denying my request, he offered a thoughtful alternative and assured me that it would meet my expectations. The drink he recommended was fantastic, highlighting the kind of customer service that is increasingly rare today, where many simply inform you of unavailability without offering solutions. German's dedication to ensuring a memorable experience sets this Starbucks apart from others, making it clear why I should choose this location over nearby options. I appreciate the management and team for cultivating such a high standard of service, and I look forward to my next visit. Thank you, German, for making my experience truly...

I ordered a small coffee with whole milk. The cashier repeats my order as I said it. It was a bit more than usual but how prices are always increasing everywhere I didn’t think much of it. When I went to grab my drink I instantly noticed it was not a small but a grande with regular cream. He literally repeated the order back to me but typed in something else. He did charge me for the larger size. I was in a hurry, so whatever. I’m convinced the workers just mess around with customers because this probably happens 80% of the time. Where I order a tall but get charged and receive a grande instead. There is no way it’s just a coincidence. It happens often at many other locations too. But it’s not like the workers or company even cares. It’s just a reminder to stop...