HELP! Starbucks overcharged me yesterday and now I am negative in my account!!!

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I gave her advice on the first page of this thread. She didn't have to supply all of the details that she did in her OP, nor did she need to come back and justify her decisions any further.

I'm walking a similar path that the OP is on with two sick parents on the other side of the state, a husband who may need open heart surgery in the very near future and a business to run on my own while he recovers. And on top of that, I also have to keep a house in order and handle all of the other physical tasks that he used to handle. This is how life is and I don't complain or make myself out to be a victim of my circumstances. But I do know that I don't need more stress in my life. I imagine that the OP is the same. And that's why I question whether it's a wise decision to spend down ANY bank account to the point where even a slight error such as this one would put you in the red. In my eyes, she doesn't need the stress that was caused over this situation and it could have been avoided if she left a bigger buffer in the account and didn't flirt with being overdrawn.

Call it "self-righteous" if you want to, but I just call it common sense.

I stand by my earlier comment. She didn't ask for anyone's approval or critique on the choice of her purchases. She asked for assistance and suggestions on how to solve her banking issue. To go any further, and chastize her for the items she chose to buy, was going well outside the advice sought in her OP and became judgemental versus helpful.

 

[Kae]

Hey OP get a starbuck GC that you can load, register & then you will get rewards. At least a free drink on your birthday. Glad it worked out. That's all I have to add

Kae

 

[Tink2Day]

I stand by my earlier comment. She didn't ask for anyone's approval or critique on the choice of her purchases. She asked for assistance and suggestions on how to solve her banking issue. To go any further, and chastize her for the items she chose to buy, was going well outside the advice sought in her OP and became judgemental versus helpful.

Absolutely!

As for the OP feeling like she had to justify why she might have any issues, shame on those who made her feel that she needed to do so.

For those comparing their issue to hers and saying they would never do that? Never say never and frankly I'm sure there are a large number of people on here with sadder stories to tell, if they were so inclined...including this poster. I also seem to recall the person your post addresses (Marionnette?)getting pretty heated at someone on another thread trying to tell THEM how to handle their finances...

 

[Marionnette]

Absolutely!

As for the OP feeling like she had to justify why she might have any issues, shame on those who made her feel that she needed to do so.

For those comparing their issue to hers and saying they would never do that? Never say never and frankly I'm sure there are a large number of people on here with sadder stories to tell, if they were so inclined...including this poster. I also seem to recall the person your post addresses (Marionnette?)getting pretty heated at someone on another thread trying to tell THEM how to handle their finances...

Whatever, sweetheart! I didn't disclose financial details like the OP did. I told another poster not to make judgements without knowing the facts.

But the facts as the OP presented them were that she had $11.85 in her bank account, had made other transactions which would have brought that amount down further but not to zero and then proceeded to spend another $4.50 on Starbucks, where she did not get a receipt and only later discovered that she had been overcharged for an amount that would put her account into negative numbers even before the other transactions hit.

The OP leads a stressful life, as mentioned in a number of other posts that she has made. Dealing with fees and headaches from being overdrawn on a bank account can be avoided by not allowing your balance to drop so low. She doesn't need to add to the stress in her life by living so close to the edge...especially when it involves a "just for fun" bank account. I gave her the same advice that I would have given my kids...make a quick cash deposit to cover the pending debits and then leave a cushion in that account so that it doesn't happen next time.

 

[Tink2Day]

I didn't agree with his comment to you either. He was making assumptions based on your comments, but the OP here didn't offer full disclosure either.

You have a tone about you that's unnecessary. I wasn't disrespectful to you don't be so condescending.

 

[Alesia]

I gave her the same advice that I would have given my kids...make a quick cash deposit to cover the pending debits and then leave a cushion in that account so that it doesn't happen next time.

But she's not your child. Do you really not see that treating her like one is incredibly condescending?



The OP came here panicking and looking for answers to a very specific question and was instead told over and over again how stupid she was. How is that in anyway constructive?

Would it really be so difficult to give someone the benefit of the doubt and assume that they already know what they did wrong? Is it really necessary to try to shame someone? When you make mistakes, do you find it helpful to be treated like an idiot?

 

[Marionnette]

I didn't agree with his comment to you either. He was making assumptions based on your comments, but the OP here didn't offer full disclosure either.

You have a tone about you that's unnecessary. I wasn't disrespectful to you don't be so condescending.

I am not trying to "attack" the OP. She comes across as someone who deals with a lot of stress both at work and at home. I feel -and this is MY opinion - that this is an area where she could avoid adding to her stress.

I'm not flaming her for losing track of her spending, because it's so easy to do when you're using plastic instead of cash. And by her own admission there should have been sufficient funds to cover her purchases without being overdrawn. I'm not flaming her at all and I'm sorry if you think it comes across that way. I'm not trying to be judgmental and I don't really care how many bank accounts she keeps in order to separate her finances.

She just comes across as a nice person who is dealing with a lot problems (God knows that I can relate!). An accidentally overdrawn account should not be one more problem to add to the heap and it's pretty easy to avoid.

And I apologize for calling you sweetheart. I've had my own stressful day, with the news about my husband's open heart. I should not have ripped into you the way that I did.

 

[Marionnette]

But she's not your child. Do you really not see that treating her like one is incredibly condescending?



The OP came here panicking and looking for answers to a very specific question and was instead told over and over again how stupid she was. How is that in anyway constructive?

Would it really be so difficult to give someone the benefit of the doubt and assume that they already know what they did wrong? Is it really necessary to try to shame someone? When you make mistakes, do you find it helpful to be treated like an idiot?

The advice I gave is still sound advice, even if it is tinged with emotion. I never called her stupid or even said that it was a stupid mistake. I suggested that she should keep a larger cushion in her account. It would go a long way toward avoiding the same problem in the future. It's not meant to "shame" her.

 

[Alesia]

The advice I gave is still sound advice, even if it is tinged with emotion. I never called her stupid or even said that it was a stupid mistake. I suggested that she should keep a larger cushion in her account. It would go a long way toward avoiding the same problem in the future. It's not meant to "shame" her.

The first sentence was a direct response to your statement.

The rest was more of a general statement. If you look through the thread, you will find plenty of posts that seem to have been made purely for the sake of making the OP feel stupid.

 

[Marionnette]

The first sentence was a direct response to your statement.

The rest was more of a general statement. If you look through the thread, you will find plenty of posts that seem to have been made purely for the sake of making the OP feel stupid.

Okay, then in response to ONLY your first sentence:

My kids are young adults. I speak to them as adults who lack the life experience that I have. If any of them came to me and asked what they should do about a situation identical to what the OP posted, I would have given them that same advice (and I probably would have added a few more choice words for my kids because I've had numerous discussions with them about finances and this is one of those topics). I don't find anything condescending about it. It's more like "this is what happens sometimes when you do X and someone else makes a mistake that could cost you $, so here's how you fix it for now and how you avoid it in the future".

 

[Alesia]

Okay, then in response to ONLY your first sentence:

My kids are young adults. I speak to them as adults who lack the life experience that I have. If any of them came to me and asked what they should do about a situation identical to what the OP posted, I would have given them that same advice (and I probably would have added a few more choice words for my kids because I've had numerous discussions with them about finances and this is one of those topics). I don't find anything condescending about it. It's more like "this is what happens sometimes when you do X and someone else makes a mistake that could cost you $, so here's how you fix it for now and how you avoid it in the future".

In your advice wasn't bad advice, but it probably would have come off as more genuinely helpful if you hadn't started out by agreeing with a snarky post.

It was really your subsequent posts that came off as a bit judgy. They certainly were pretty mild compared to many of the posts here, though.

Honestly (and again this isn't directed at any one person,) it's not just this thread. What happened here is what happens nearly every single time that someone asks for help on the budget board. Someone asks a genuine question, the first 2 to 3 posts give helpful answers and then the "Is this serious?" "Why would you do something so stupid?" pileup begins. It really does feel like some of the people here derive pleasure from tearing other people down.

 

[tvguy]

I wasn't going to post anything per my last one, but several have sent me messages asking for an update.

I put money into that account so I now have a cushion.
Bank posted all pending so I am still in the positive.
The mgr at Starbucks and I are meeting tomorrow and she will credit my account.

Thanks- Diane

And don't forget to get overdraft protection on the account.

 

[Judique]

Marionette - probably not the best thread to post this, but I hope all goes well with your husband's possible surgery. A friend of mine went in for tests a week ago and had bypass surgery done within 2 days - 4 bypasses. He's looking at about 10-12 weeks recovery, but he came through the surgery just fine.

You have a lot on your plate right now from what you wrote earlier, so I'm sure many of us will keep good thoughts for you. Keep your chin up - you know you have a great head on those shoulders!

OP - glad you didn't get socked for the big fees!

 

[Girldreamer02]

I have a suggestion for you. What if you just get a starbucks card and put a certain amount of money on it and then you won't have to deal with your bank card for small purchases like coffee? Then if they over charge you it will be caught then and there. Just trying to help.

 

[Beezle2]

The OP wasn't looking for judgement on her choice of purchases. She was looking for advice on the banking situation that was now before her.

OP, I am sorry you have received such harsh criticism from some of the folks on this board. Its one of the reasons I normally just read the Budget threads and don't reply. I often think it makes people feel much better about themselves to speak down to others....and yes, on an internet board, that will happen more often than not.

I hope you get things all worked out at the bank. And don't let the self-righteous attacks keep you from posting elsewhere on the Dis.

>>>

Plus 2!!

 

[Forum Jumper]

I have a suggestion for you. What if you just get a starbucks card and put a certain amount of money on it and then you won't have to deal with your bank card for small purchases like coffee? Then if they over charge you it will be caught then and there. Just trying to help.

And I will add that, if you go online and register the card, you get some small benefits from it. That is an excellent suggestion.

 

[ellochka]

I think having a separate fun account is a good idea especially when money is tight. The system needs to be worked out a little better, with either inexpensive overdraft protection, or just no overdrafts, period. I am glad the situation is resolved.

What is not a good idea is owning a DVC while having other debts. I understand those are not very large, but still. My advice - rent your DVC points until you get on better financial footing. Fun account is not the problem.

 

[lauradis]

I think having a separate fun account is a good idea especially when money is tight. The system needs to be worked out a little better, with either inexpensive overdraft protection, or just no overdrafts, period. I am glad the situation is resolved.

What is not a good idea is owning a DVC while having other debts. I understand those are not very large, but still. My advice - rent your DVC points until you get on better financial footing. Fun account is not the problem.

I know its the budget board, but I have never gotten this one. Dont buy but rent, Why buy a house when you can rent one.

Manageable debit isn't a bad thing. There are a ton of low interest loans out there right now. which is an excellent way to leverage your buying power to get the things you want now, instead of waiting for the when ever or the to late death happens.

Oh well to each their own.

 

[NancyIL]

I know its the budget board, but I have never gotten this one. Dont buy but rent, Why buy a house when you can rent one.

Manageable debit isn't a bad thing. There are a ton of low interest loans out there right now. which is an excellent way to leverage your buying power to get the things you want now, instead of waiting for the when ever or the to late death happens.

Oh well to each their own.

I think the previous poster meant for the OP to rent her DVC points to others.

 

[ellochka]

I know its the budget board, but I have never gotten this one. Dont buy but rent, Why buy a house when you can rent one.

Manageable debit isn't a bad thing. There are a ton of low interest loans out there right now. which is an excellent way to leverage your buying power to get the things you want now, instead of waiting for the when ever or the to late death happens.

Oh well to each their own.

DVC is a pre-paid vacation. Yes, you get a discount, but it's still just a pre-paid vacation, and a bit of a liability with the maintenance fees. It also tends to trigger additional expenses of the "in for a penny, in for a pound" type, i.e. since we paid out $600 for the DVC, how about we spend additional $1,500 to use it. The OP has other debts. High interest debts. This is why it would be prudent to rent out DVC points instead of using them. Not everyone can afford to vacation at WDW every year.

P.S. I happen to disagree with the definition of "manageable debt" used by most Americans. The problem with getting things one can't afford now is that consumption will have to be scaled back in the future to pay off the debts, and that's definitely not pleasant.