Couple’s Holiday Plans Go Up In Smoke After Starbucks Charges Them $4,444 Tip For Two Coffees

When a coffee run costs more than a luxury vacation.

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 17, 2024

We’ve all had that moment – pulling up to the coffee shop, thinking you’ll just grab a quick caffeine fix, only to be hit with a total that makes you second guess every life decision. But for one couple, their casual coffee run took a turn from “I’ll just treat myself” to “cancel everything; we’re broke.”

Jesse O'Dell and his wife, Deedee, from Oklahoma, are no strangers to spending a modest $10 a day on their beloved Starbucks beverages. But what happened one afternoon at their local drive-thru turned into a nightmare that cost them more than just a little extra change. It cost them their holiday.

Like many of us, this couple had their regular Starbucks order down to a science. Jesse would grab an iced Americano, and Deedee would treat herself to a Venti Caramel Frappuccino with an extra shot – simple, predictable, and usually around a few bucks. But on this fateful day, that morning run set off a chain of events that neither of them saw coming.

Deedee, feeling the post-coffee buzz, later headed out to do a bit of shopping—and that’s when things took a turn for the bizarre. Her card was declined. 

Confused, she checked her bank account, only to find that Starbucks had sneakily slapped on a whopping $4,444 gratuity fee. Yes, you read that right—four thousand dollars as a tip! And no, there wasn’t a private concert or diamond-studded straws involved.

Scroll down for more details on this intriguing story...

The couple's love for Starbucks ran deep, but after this, well, they weren’t so sure anymore

Jesse immediately reached out to Starbucks, who were quick to issue refund cheques for the amount. Crisis averted, right? Not so fast. 

To add insult to injury, the cheques bounced, leaving the couple stranded financially. After 40 frantic calls to Starbucks customer service (and a healthy dose of caffeine withdrawal rage, I’m sure), they were told replacement cheques would be sent out. 

From coffee lovers to bankruptcy survivors – courtesy of a $4K tip

The problem? Their vacation to Thailand was supposed to happen in the meantime, but with their funds tied up, they had no choice but to cancel. Non-refundable tickets and all.

It was a brutal blow to a couple who had been loyal Starbucks customers for years. Can you imagine missing out on sandy beaches and exotic food all because of a frappuccino faux pas? It’s enough to make anyone swear off coffee forever. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they received their refund and managed to cash it—but the damage was done. 

The stress, the canceled holiday, and the hours spent fighting for their money back left the couple questioning their loyalty to the coffee giant. Starbucks, on their part, acknowledged the "unfortunate situation" and said the tip was an input error.

So, what’s the lesson here? Maybe double-check that tip screen before finalizing your order. No one should ever pay the price of a vacation for a cup of coffee – no matter how good the Frappuccino is.

Jesse