Measuring Up: Lawsuit Alleges Short Serving By Starbucks
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- If you pay $4 for something, but get only $3 worth of product, you're probably not going to be too happy about it.
That is exactly what KDKA found Wednesday as we went Starbucks-hopping in Pittsburgh.
Prompted by a lawsuit filed against Starbucks in California, alleging short serving by the coffee chain, we wanted to know if it was happening here in Pittsburgh.
In the left coast case, Siera Strumlauf and Benjamin Robles claim Starbucks baristas follow a recipe that consistently delivers a drink 25 percent less in volume than what the customer has ordered.
The Starbucks menu in the stores clearly indicates a Tall is 12 ounces, a Grande is 16 ounces, and a Venti is 20 ounces.
When KDKA purchased drinks at Starbucks here is what we found:
- A 16-ounce Grande Mocha measured 14 ounces. Lost Value: $.57
- A 20-ounce Venti Latte measure in at 12 ounces. Lost Value: $.91
- A 16-ounce Grande Mocha measured in at 12 ounces. Lost Value: $1.14
- A 20-ounce Venti Latte measured in at 14.5 ounces. Lost Value: $1.17
Take any one of those drinks, and consume it a couple of times a week, and as one man said, "The money adds up."
By the way, KDKA also checked drinks at McDonald's and Taco Bell, and they also came in a couple of ounces below the promised amount.
Clearly, part of the issue is all of the restaurants base their volume promise on the size of the cup, but no cup can be filled to capacity without making a major mess.
The difference with Starbucks is what KDKA heard from several customers who complained.
One said, "I know a lot of times it's filled up with foam instead of the drink."
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Lest we leave you with the impression of an indignant Starbucks' customer base, it's important to acknowledge that some customers took a position of its "much ado about nothing," while others feel, "I get a good cup of coffee for my money and I'm good with that."
The court in California that is considering the case must decide whether to approve a class action on behalf of all Starbucks customers across the country, which would put Pittsburgh customers in the class.
If that happens and Starbucks loses, your credit or debit card records from Starbucks could become valuable. Starbucks says the suit has no merit.