It's really Not the same thing....

[lizbaby007]

So I was in my local target the other day and decided to pop into Starbucks for a cup of coffee. I asked for a cup of Decaf (YES, I actually LIKE the taste of coffee and don't need the caffeine!). As I was walking away from the counter I took a big drink and immediately spit it everywhere. I went back to the counter and told the guy I thought his machine was broke cause this sure as heck didn't taste like Starbucks coffee. I asked if he could make me another cup. He then informs me that they don't actually brew Decaf after 12noon...they fill a cup 1/2 full of regular coffee and the rest with hot water !!

I just kind of stared at him for a moment. Then I said "You mean to tell me you just charged me $4 for watered down coffee?" He said it was their policy. I told him to give me my money back and find a manager. Of course there wasn't a manager available. So I went and found a regular Target manager. I explained the situation to him. He was actually pretty shocked as well. He said he knew they no longer brewed Decaf after noon BUT when asked they were supposed to make a fresh pot. He said he would make sure it was taken care of. He also walked me back over there and made the kid brew a fresh pot.

While we were both standing there the guy kept trying to insist it was normal and that it was the same thing. I asked if when they make a pot of Decaf if they use the same number of scoops (coffee grounds) as the Regular pot...he said yes. I asked him if he would then add twice as much water to the Decaf pot because in essence that is what he did to my coffee. He just rolled his eyes and when handing me my freshly brewed cup of coffee he said I was the only one who ever complained no one else had a problem. I find that hard to believe

Sorry to vent. I'm not usually one to complain but I just couldn't let this go. For some reason it just really irked me. It was like someone was getting paid to do their job halfway and essentially rip people off by watering down their product. I just can't believe that no one else ever said anything.

 

[MichelleVW]

What a moron!!!

 

[Caropooh]

OK, I have to know....
did you really spit it everywhere?
That is pretty incredible! I wonder if it's company-wide?

 

[Pakey]

Obviously this employee has never tasted his creation because anyone would be able to tell the difference. I wonder what his manager would think?

 

[CathrynRose]

It doesn't even make any sense. I would imagine AFTER noon is when most people might need or want the decaf.

I want coffee that has expresso bean chunks in it, first thing in the morning - not before bed. (not really - but you know what I mean...)

That's disgusting. Write to Starbucks.

 

[ilovejack02]

Call corporate and ask, might get a gift card out of it.

 

[FireDancer]

I can understand not brewing decaf after a certain time if they don't sell enough to make it worth the expense but to water down regular is just ridiculous.

It is like getting a Cafe Americano in Italy. It is espresso with some hot water added to it. Also not the same but you know what you are getting and can choose not to order it.

 

[lspst8]

That's nuts! I'm super sensitive to caffeine, so I would have been bouncing off the walls with even 1/2 a cup of regular coffee. Not to mention, any beverage watered down 50% tastes awful. I don't make home-made caffeine free Coke, by adding water to regular Coke! Not the same thing at all.

I find it hard to believe that watered-down coffee is store policy. The clerk was just too lazy to make a new pot for you.

 

[Kathi OD]

I would also write to Starbucks. According to DS, who works for Starbucks, the staff at Target locations are not Starbuck employees, but Target employees, so Starbucks might not even be aware of this "policy."

 

[lizbaby007]

OK, I have to know....
did you really spit it everywhere?
That is pretty incredible! I wonder if it's company-wide?

No not literally. I did gag a bit. Its one of those times when you expect one thing and get another...it was very hard to swallow.

It doesn't even make any sense. I would imagine AFTER noon is when most people might need or want the decaf.

I want coffee that has expresso bean chunks in it, first thing in the morning - not before bed. (not really - but you know what I mean...)

That's disgusting. Write to Starbucks.

Mmhhhmmm chunky espresso beans Yes, give me the sludge first thing in the morning!!

I should write to starbucks thats a good idea. They should know their no brew after noon policy is being misconstrued.

 

[foolishmortal]

writing to starbucks would be useless, you have to write to target. All it is is a frnachisee location, it has nothing to do with corprate starbucks other then they bought the name and brand for target stores.

 

[emma'smom]

Did you get your 4.00 back?

 

[dismom2]

Doesn't that still have caffeine in it, watered down or not? That's false advertising! I would be upset, too. What a rip-off.

 

[Kathi OD]

writing to starbucks would be useless, you have to write to target. All it is is a frnachisee location, it has nothing to do with corprate starbucks other then they bought the name and brand for target stores.

Actually, it might not be useless. I am sure that corporate would want to know how their product's image is being tarnished by their largest franchisee. If the practice is found to be prolific enough, it might even be enough to pull the franchise.

 

[kafitty]

i've actually been told to do this myself, in a (non-chain) restaurant.

i just told my customers we didn't have any decaf. i'm sure they much preferred that than being misled.

 

[foolishmortal]

Actually, it might not be useless. I am sure that corporate would want to know how their product's image is being tarnished by their largest franchisee. If the practice is found to be prolific enough, it might even be enough to pull the franchise.

good point! I guess I would much rather go to the source (target) myself, but you do have a valid point.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

What a load of crap!! I'd be mad too, since I've been ttc then preggo, I've been VERY careful about caffeine. What a moron. At least he could have been a little less of a jerk and said they didn't have decaf Not like that's OK, but it's better than give you what they did!

 

[lizbaby007]

Did you get your 4.00 back?

You betcha! The target manager was really nice about the whole thing. If he is really the one who is over the Starbucks then I hope he really takes care of it. He seemed sincere at the time.

I didn't realize that Starbucks were just like a franchise inside of a target. It makes sense. They should still follow or adhere to Starbucks standards.

i've actually been told to do this myself, in a (non-chain) restaurant.

i just told my customers we didn't have any decaf. i'm sure they much preferred that than being misled.

Yikes! I guess it is a cost saving measure. I would definitely have appreciated being told first....I wouldn't have ordered. I think because I drink coffee black it was more noticeable. Maybe they bank on most people not saying anything and just assuming it was weak coffee?

What a load of crap!! I'd be mad too, since I've been ttc then preggo, I've been VERY careful about caffeine. What a moron. At least he could have been a little less of a jerk and said they didn't have decaf Not like that's OK, but it's better than give you what they did!

Oh, I never even thought of that! I choose to limit my caffeine intake but I'm sure there are people with legitimate health concerns who this could have really affected!

I think I will write a letter. Thanks all for listening

 

[okeydokey]

Call corporate and ask, might get a gift card out of it.

Why? It sounds like the store manager has already taken care of the problem.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It doesn't even make any sense. I would imagine AFTER noon is when most people might need or want the decaf.

You'd think...