A heartfelt scenario unfolded for a couple from Oklahoma, who ended up in tears after what was supposed to be a simple coffee purchase turned into an eye-watering charge of $4,500 by Starbucks. Jesse and Deedee O’Dell are regulars at Starbucks, having enjoyed their coffees every morning for the past 16 years, normally spending just around $10.
What took them by surprise was discovering that their usual morning treat, an Iced Americano for Jesse and a Venti Caramel Frappuccino with an extra shot for Deedee, ended up costing them a phenomenal $4,456.27. This unexpected charge was due to an unintentional $4,444 gratuity added to their bill.
Initially unaware of the mistake, Deedee encountered the problem while out shopping with their four children. Her card was unexpectedly declined, prompting her to contact the Starbucks district manager, who attributed the issue to a network error.
Relief came when the couple received two reimbursement checks matching the erroneous charge amount. However, their relief was short-lived as both checks bounced, creating an even bigger predicament.
Frustrated, Jesse recounted their exhaustive efforts to resolve the matter, mentioning: “We contacted their customer service helpline possibly 30 to 40 times in a day, trying to open as many new cases as needed until we got a response. Eventually, we spoke with someone from Seattle, who promised new checks were on their way. Yet, to this day, we haven’t received anything.”
The mishap forced them to cancel their much-anticipated trip to Thailand, Deedee’s homeland, adding to the distress caused by the unresolved issue. In their efforts to find a solution, the couple proceeded to file a report with the Tulsa Police Department. According to a Starbucks representative, new checks were dispatched to Jesse and Deedee, and they have reportedly received them by now. Despite this, Jesse advises everyone to be cautious and double-check receipts to prevent similar unfortunate incidents.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder to us all about the importance of vigilance when dealing with financial transactions.
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