1 STAR EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE My girlfriend Taylor and I came into this Starbucks for the first time with our laptops and bags because we planned to get some work done and have our Bible study, something we regularly do at Starbucks locations. Before we had even been inside for FIVE MINUTES, a manager approached us and said, "Hi, you guys need to order to be able to sit in here." What made this especially frustrating was that WE HAD ALREADY PLACED OUR ORDER ONLINE. We always order through the app and then pick up our drinks when they're ready. Instead of simply asking whether we had already ordered, she immediately approached us as though we were sitting there without purchasing anything. The entire interaction felt judgmental and extremely uncomfortable. I am heavily tattooed, When I told her I felt judged because of how I look and my tattoos, she responded by saying she has tattoos too and even tried showing me hers. That completely missed the point it was the way we were approached and treated that made us feel judged and unwelcome. the way we were singled out almost immediately certainly made me feel judged based on my appearance. There was absolutely no reason to assume we weren't customers. Or maybe this was a religious matter with our bibles on the table , being judged for our faith and our appearance. It was also embarrassing having a manager approach us like that in front of other people. I am not someone who embarrasses easily, but this genuinely made both of us uncomfortable.
On top of that, the location itself was already not very welcoming when we walked in. It appears to be undergoing remodeling, with unfinished/unpainted walls, and we were actually debating whether we even wanted to stay. Then, within minutes of sitting down, we were confronted about ordering when our order had already been placed. We decided not to leave because I refuse to allow someone else's attitude to dictate our day, but this was an incredibly disappointing first impression. A manager should know how to make customers feel welcome not immediately make assumptions about them. A simple, polite, "Hey, just checking, have you guys already ordered?" would have resulted in a completely different interaction. Instead, we felt singled out, judged, embarrassed, and unwelcome.
For someone in management, I expected considerably more professionalism and basic courtesy. We visit Starbucks to work, study the Bible, enjoy our drinks, and mind our own business. We shouldn't have to prove that we belong there within minutes of walking through the door. We aren't ones to write a bad review but wow, this was Very disappointing experience, especially for our first visit to this location. The manager was sure in our business but has disappeared the rest of the time being here, conveniently not dictating any other customer. read more