Starbucks has been in the news many times over the past few months. From raising prices to the horrid War On Cups, the popular coffee tycoon could possibly write their own sitcom and have it be a popular show on television. Not even a week into the New Year, Starbucks is at it again with news. Unfortunately, it isn't a heartwarming story dealing with baristas using ASL but something sinister: a barista committing fraud.
Juana Martinez went to a Lakewood Starbucks on New Years Day and after she handed her card to an unnamed 19-year-old barista at the drive-thru, the barista claimed she was out of receipt paper and went to the back before shortly returning with the credit card. A few days later, Martinez noticed over $200 missing from her account and notified the police. After catching the young barista using the card's information on a security camera at a local grocery store, Juana Martinez decided to confront the young lady about the illicit actions while she was working.
The video that is steadily becoming a viral video shows Martinez driving up to the window after explaining what happened. She pays for her coffee and after receiving her card back, she then (explicitly) tells the barista she knows about the shopping spree and that the cops would be arriving shortly. The barista admits fault and the profusely apologizes for the "inconvenience" and begs the customer not to press charges. After a few more words are exchanged, and the barista explains she is a "good kid who plays soccer," the video cuts out.
People all over the internet have taken this chance to give their two cents about the video. Some people say that because the barista spent the money at the local grocery store, that she obviously needed the money and others are of course, condemning her for her illegal actions. Some have even gone so far to chastise the mother for cursing in front of her children and taking the situation further than necessary since the police were already informed of what happened. Since the incident, Martinez reported on her Facebook she wouldn't be pressing charges, since the public humiliation and forever infamy was punishment enough. Either way, a crime occurred that shouldn't have.
As a Starbucks barista, I am embarrassed. The customer puts his or her trust in the baristas to receive a great experience from Starbucks. This young barista does not follow the golden rule of Starbucks that each partner is to create inspired moments in each customer's day. A quote that is stitched inside every Starbucks apron.
Starbucks employees have access to many different channels of financial support. They are given free schooling through Arizona State University if they haven't already received a bachelor's degree. On top of that, baristas also have access to "The CUP Fund," a financial aid to baristas in need. That's not including the weekly tip money that every barista receives and the paycheck that comes every two weeks. It is really difficult for me to understand why she would resort to stealing a customer's hard-earned money with all the different support systems she has access to. There is no excuse to steal.
To the barista who stole from the customer, I hope you are very ashamed. Your apology sounded like the cliche I'm-sorry-for-the-inconvenience line we tell disgruntled customers. As Dailymail reports, you are no longer a Starbucks partner, but the damage has been done. Now, whenever I go to work, customers will be worried that I am stealing their card information or even worse, I will be verbally berated for your illicit actions.
To the customers who still decide to share their business with Starbucks, thank you. Though some people don't believe that being a barista is a serious job, it is. Coffee makes the world go round and it can determine if someone has a good or bad day. I made a promise when I became a Starbucks employee that I would make every interaction with customers a positive one because that is the kind of employee Starbucks hires. Don't let one bad bean ruin the coffee for you.
