Starbucks — Restaurant in Temecula

I’ve been a loyal customer at this Starbucks for years — I stop by almost every day on my way to work, and the team usually recognizes me, greets me and usually memorizes my drink. The staff has always been kind and consistent, which is why I was honestly shocked and disappointed by how I was treated recently by an employee named Selena.

Yesterday morning, I ordered my usual drink through the app. When I picked it up, it tasted burnt and grainy — not at all like it normally does. I politely let the team know, and another barista remade it, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the remake still tasted bad. It was almost like the espresso was burnt or old and you couldn’t taste any of the syrup and I honestly get a lot. I called the store on my way to work (about 5 minutes after leaving the store) not asking for a refund, just asking to have it remade properly or have another drink made since I did pay for it and would like to drink it. The person I spoke with said that was fine and would write my name down.

When I went through the drive-through later, Selena said there was no note and immediately gave me attitude, acting like I was making the whole thing up. This felt so unfair because I did my part and it was not my fault that the employee hadn’t written my name down. I calmly explained what happened and told her I could show her proof of my order, and the call history between myself and her store earlier on in the morning but she was clearly irritated. She eventually agreed to remake it but was extremely rude and condescending the entire time.

She told me, “For future reference, you need to bring the old drink back next time,” in a snarky tone — I asked her if I’m expected to leave a drink in my car for 7 hours with milk in it just to bring it back even though I had called and it was a known issue that the drink was not correct because I had let them know and she said “yes”with an attitude. I have never been told this before. What made it worse is that she claimed it was “Starbucks policy,” which simply isn’t true. I’ve had drinks remade here before without ever needing to bring the old one back, and other employees and corporate have both confirmed that’s not required or true. It felt like she was just making something up to be difficult and to make me feel like I was trying to steal. She lies to her customers!

Her whole attitude was nasty — rolling her eyes, cutting me off mid-sentence, and talking down to me like I was trying to scam a free drink when all I wanted was the drink I paid for made correctly. When you’re a regular, you know how your coffee is supposed to look also, this coffee was extremely dark. When I tried to explain that it both looked and tasted wrong, she interrupted me and said, “Well, you only said it didn’t taste right,” basically accusing me of lying.

After years of coming here almost every day, I left feeling disrespected and embarrassed. Selena’s behavior was completely uncalled for — rude, dishonest, and unprofessional. I’ve never had an issue at this location before, but this experience was so unpleasant that I don’t feel comfortable returning. Thank you to Maya and everyone else at this location who has always been kind. I’m sorry you have to work with people with this type of energy...

Riley has the worst management skills and creates conflict. I pulled up to order, waited until the lady said can I take your order. I said, Can I have a trenta iced peach tea. After a few seconds the lady said can you repeat that so I said can I have a trenta iced peach tea. Once again after a few seconds she said again can you repeat your order. At this point I asked if there was someone else to take my order. Then she said what's the problem, I said your clearly doing something else so can someone else take my order. She said you don't have to be rude. At this point I wholeheartedly wasn't being rude but I did get irritated by the comment and the next lady who came on and said hi friend what's the issue. That would be Kiley, the manager. I said I've repeated myself 2 times and then asked for someone else, she said there's a misunderstanding of your order, I said what's the misunderstanding. She just ignored my question and tied me to pull up to the window. When I get up there, she tries to just hand me the drink. So I asked her what was the problem and she said nothing they were handling another issue and was distracted. I told her then just ask me to hold on or don't ask for my order. She said I was being rude again. I told her I wasn't and thats why I asked for a manager because she should be trained to handle a complaint. She said shes fine. I told her it seemed like a pretty simple request and I understand the lady was handling another issue but how am I to know, it's a drive through and when im asked for my order the individual taking is should be ready to listen or say hold on. She turned into a victim and wouldn't give me my drink, so no trenta iced peach tea for me......but wait there's more folks I drove 5 minutes away and ended up getting great service and my tea! Hey when one peach tea gets rejected one...

I’m a frequent customer of Starbucks and I normally have no issues with my drinks or the service. Usually I go to this location because it is the closest one to my house with a drive-thru, but I will not be returning. I came here yesterday and my drinks were messed up, they weren’t even the same type of frappuccino I ordered. It was fine, I wasn’t upset, and they remade my correct drink and I left. I came back again today once again trying to order my usual frappuccino and it was wrong again. I let them know it was incorrect and they tried giving back the same frappuccino with mocha drizzle covering the caramel drizzle even though they said they would remake it. I told them I actually do need it remade for allergy reasons because I can still see caramel in my drink. The employee with bright red dyed hair came over and said she remembers we came in yesterday and she “doesn’t know why they remade our drinks then” and told me not to order my drink that way so that they are “less likely to mess it up”. I was honestly kinda shocked that she would say that and almost imply it was my fault for ordering the drink I wanted and they’re only messing up because of that. I’ve been getting the same drink for years, a salted caramel mocha frappuccino with oat milk, no whip, and no caramel drizzle. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for. I’ll just continue going to the Starbucks in Target because I never have that issue there. I felt compelled to share my experience because it was very uncomfortable and unprofessional to blame the customer on...