This is a warning to all disabled Starbucks patrons: do NOT go to Starbucks if you want to be treated fairly.
First, I'll preface this letter by saying that before the incident described, I had been a loyal Starbucks customer, and had no complaints against them. Also, I am a disabled person; I use an electric scooter to get around.
In early January of 1996, at about 9:30 AM, I went to my local shopping mall's Starbucks store. I ordered a small Hammerhead (half each of espresso and coffee), and was charged $1.55. Since Starbucks was the only store open at that time of the morning, I had no opportunity to exchange my Christmas gift money ($150 in a $100 bill and a $50 bill) for smaller bills, but Starbucks makes huge amounts of money, so I felt that there was no problem.
I handed the baristo (who was either a late teen or young-twenties male) my $50 bill, explaining that I had no smaller change. He then stated that they "don't accept anything under $20". I looked all over the place for a sign to this effect, but there were none, and I stated this to the baristo.
He then reached over the counter, grabbed the coffee away from me, turned to the sink, poured the coffee out, then swung back around really fast and pointed out the door, saying "get the hell outta here, you stupid crip! You're wasting my time!"
At that point I didn't want to argue with him, so I left, and have never been back to any Starbucks since then.
They also had set up shop a short distance away from a small coffee store that had been in the mall for at least five years; within six months, that store could not keep up with Starbucks and was forced to close.
I pass by the Starbucks store every time I go to the mall, and I let others know of my experience; it is up to them to decide whether they want to patronize Starbucks or not. I choose to NOT do business with Starbucks; I will not be treated as if I am less than human by anyone.
Henrik
San Marcos
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