The couple was forced to cancel their holiday after seeing how much they were charged for two coffees at Starbucks.
An Oklahoma couple’s holiday plans were derailed after they faced an alarming billing issue at Starbucks.
Jesse and Deedee O’Dell’s experience highlights the potential pitfalls of routine transactions.
Their case reveals a costly error that led to significant financial strain.
The couple was forced to cancel their holiday due to a Starbucks bill
In January 2023, Jesse and Deedee O’Dell visited their local Starbucks drive-thru for their usual order.
They ordered an Iced Americano and a Venti Caramel Frappuccino.
Typically, their bill amounts to around $10 (£7.60), with the occasional extra shot pushing it to about $10.75.
However, this time, they were stunned to later find their bank account charged an exorbitant $4,444 gratuity fee.
The couple faced to the financial fallout
Hours after their purchase, Deedee’s card was declined. Upon investigation, she discovered the enormous charge.
Jesse contacted Starbucks immediately, leading to the issuance of two cheques to cover the erroneous fee.
Unfortunately, these cheques bounced, leaving the O’Dells out thousands of dollars.
“We reached out to their customer service helpline 30 to 40 times that day,” Jesse recounted.
Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, the couple struggled to receive a resolution.
“We contacted their customer service helpline probably 30 to 40 times that day and just blasted every new case that we could just until we could hear from somebody, and we did,” said Jesse.
“We got a call from one of the representatives in Seattle. They assured us that they are sending new cheques, but as of today, we still have not received the cheques.”
The financial stress caused by the incident was so severe that the O’Dells had to cancel their planned trip to Thailand.
“We had planned to take a trip but had to cancel, and the tickets are non-refundable,” Jesse explained.
Starbucks responded to the incident
Eventually, new cheques were issued and successfully cashed.
A Starbucks spokesperson commented on the situation, stating, “This was an unfortunate situation that took place nearly two years ago and has long been resolved. There was an error regarding a customer tip at a Starbucks drive-thru, and we worked to address the situation as quickly as possible. Checks were issued and cashed by the customer on February 6, 2023.”
Despite the resolution, Jesse and Deedee O’Dell’s experience with Starbucks has left them disillusioned.
The ordeal not only disrupted their finances but also led to the cancellation of a long-awaited holiday.
The incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with everyday transactions.
It also highlights the importance of thorough financial oversight.