Image Source: houston.suntimes.com
A class action lawsuit against Starbucks is seeking $5 million in damages over ice. Here is a copy of the Complaint (PDF), which was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. According to the complaint, “This is a class action lawsuit against Starbucks for misrepresenting its Cold Drinks as having more fluid ounces of the ordered Cold Drink than it actually delivers—and charges— the customer for.”
The lawsuit points out that, “On its menu, Starbucks advertises all of its drinks, including its Cold Drinks, by fluid ounce.” However, “Starbucks includes these 3 black lines on its Cold Drink cups to ensure that its employees fill these cups with less fluid ounces than are advertised on Starbucks’ menu for a given Cold Drink. In fact, Starbucks instructs its employees to provide its customers with fewer fluid ounces than advertised.”
The result is that when you order a 24-ounce “venti” iced coffee, you’re getting only 14 fluid ounces of coffee, plus a whole bunch of ice. 14 ounces is just over half the advertised amount, and just over half the amount for which customers are paying.
Image Source: U.S. District Court
Consumers who are wary of the lawsuit say that it is well known that you can customize drinks, and that cold drinks can be ordered with “no ice,” “half ice,” etc. Starbucks spokeswoman Jaime Riley said, “Our customers understand and expect that ice is an essential component of any ‘iced’ beverage. If a customer is not satisfied with their beverage preparation, we will gladly remake it.”
Supporters of this lawsuit say that when they order a cold or iced drink from Starbucks, they expect to receive both the advertised amount of actual coffee drink and a decent amount of ice so that the drink tastes good. Starbucks also charges more for its Cold Drinks than it does for hot drinks.
Americans have had a long love affair with ice, and most love to have their cold drinks filled to the brim with ice, but there are no free refills at Starbucks! Should customers have to pay $5 or more for a drink that is half drink and half ice without free refills?
Oh, and this isn’t the only lawsuit accusing Starbucks of false advertising. A lawsuit filed in federal court (PDF) in California alleges that Starbucks also underfills its hot latte drinks.
Will the lawyers make the most money from this class action lawsuit? Undoubtedly. While the lead Plaintiff may receive a substantial sum in damages, most class members usually receive vouchers for free drinks or small refunds for past purchases. But Plaintiffs’ lawyers will likely receive millions in attorney’s fees. On the other hand, if the lawsuit results in venti iced drinks that actually have 24 ounces of drink and still lots of delicious ice, I’ll raise an iced latte to the lawyers.
What do you think? Is this lawsuit ridiculous or do you think customers should get a venti with 24 fluid ounces of coffee plus ice instead of 14 fluid ounces with ice? Will Starbucks have to serve its cold drinks in buckets if the Plaintiff wins?
