Lady Sues Starbucks Over An Excess Of Ice In Their Iced Drinks

A class(y) action

Seinfeld

An irate customer is taking Starbucks to court for allegedly over-promising and under-delivering, in terms of fluid ounces.

“A Starbucks customer who orders and pays for a cold drink receives much less than advertised — often nearly half as many fluid ounces,” the lawsuit states, adding that the practice is “by design and corporate practice and procedure.”

Starbucks said the lawsuit is without merit.

“Our customers understand and expect that ice is an essential component of any ‘iced’ beverage,” Starbucks spokesperson Jaime Riley said Monday. “If a customer is not satisfied with their beverage preparation, we will gladly remake it.”

This lawsuit raises some fascinating questions. How much ice do you expect in your $5 iced beverage? How much makes you feel cheated? If you do routinely feel cheated, why not, you know, just ask for less ice? Do baristas, if asked, refuse to give you less ice? I have, in various situations, asked for less ice, or even no ice (!!), in my Diet Coke, and no server has ever given me so much as a side-eye. Perhaps coffee chains are different? Starbucks spokesperson Jaime Riley’s statement seems to indicate that, if you ask for less ice, you would be accommodated. But maybe you tried it once and ended up 86’ed?

If you’d like to join this 21st-century Erin Brockovich in her quest for justice because you too have been wronged by your Iced Caramel Macchiato and/or your local barista, you should reach out. She’s trying to get approved to bring a class action.


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