Very disappointing experience at the this Coldstone today. Unfortunately, the dismissive service here has been a recurring issue, but today was especially frustrating.
We placed a pickup order through the app, including a Halloween flavor for my daughter and a sugar-free banana option for my mom, who has diabetes. My girls kept asking when it would be ready, and we waited until the app marked our order ready before going inside. When we picked it up, all the ice cream was vanilla instead of the flavors we ordered.
I checked my receipt to make sure I hadn't made a mistake and noticed handwritten notes. I was the only customer in the store, and despite making eye contact with the employee, I still had to wave her down for help.
I asked whether the notes meant the flavors we ordered were out of stock--a straightforward yes-or-no question. She rudely replied, "It's because we don't have it." That was exactly what I had already asked. Instead of listening and answering politely, she responded with an excuse and an attitude. No apology and no explanation of why we weren't contacted.
I said, "Oh, bummer. Could we pick something else?" She told me no changes could be made. When I requested a refund, she also told me no. The red hair girl tried to step in, but more to back up her co-worker not defuse the situation. She nor the other employee offered guidance or empathy. The red head fiel then told me to request a refund through the app or another way to resolve the situation. The app doesn't have that option.
Their body language, tone, and overall presence made me feel like I was nobody--like acknowledging me or helping me was beneath them. I actually told them, "You don't have to talk to me this way. You guys represent the company, and I'm a customer who is confused about how I'm left paying for something I don't want." Even then, there was no effort to make the situation better.
I explained that ice cream is expensive and that we had chosen those specific options for a reason. My daughter was excited about the Halloween flavor, and my mom needed the sugar-free option. We were left paying for something we hadn't ordered and weren't going to eat.
I asked why they hadn't called us or held the order until we arrived instead of making substitutions without our approval. The response was that people ordering through the app want their orders quickly. That is an assumption. Getting an order quickly doesn't help if it's the wrong order.
When I explained that we're local and simply want a good experience at our neighborhood shops, an employee told me we could go to Calimesa. That completely missed the point. I want better service from my local store.
When I asked for their names, they replied, "We don't have to tell you." Again, it was the attitude and delivery. Every interaction felt like we were an inconvenience.
Being out of a flavor is understandable. No substitute options and making that call without contacting us, refusing a replacement or refund, and treating us this way is not. I ended up paying Cold Stone for ice cream I didn't want and a terrible experience. Basic courtesy, listening skills, and accountability should not be too much to ask.
They also added peanut butter to my child's ice cream. I guess I'm thankful she doesn't have an allergy or I'd be extremely upset and worried. Someone contact me. read more