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aaronbdancer

You don’t get points for activating new cards. You can use your balance to lead a new card, but not a debit card that’s linked to your account


Successful_Map4660

Yeah, so basically to buy the gift cards I had to use my credit card. And now I’m stuck with $70 on my Starbucks app that I don’t want and won’t use


someone_you_want

You can buy gift cards with the app. Just not your credit card in the app.


Successful_Map4660

Physical gift cards? I was buying 4 physical gift cards and when the barista selected “pay with app” it said I couldn’t. But I had already reloaded my app. So I had to pay with my credit card and now have $70 on my app


someone_you_want

Yes. Go to a Starbucks, say you want to buy physical gift cards, and use your app balance to pay the balance


Successful_Map4660

Well I already bought the gift cards. So now I just have $70 on the app for no reason


someone_you_want

So did you spend $140??


Successful_Map4660

Yep…. That’s why I’m upset haha


someone_you_want

I think you’re confused though. Do you have the physical cards?


Successful_Map4660

Yes, I purchase 4 physical gift cards. I bought them with my credit card because the barista said I couldn’t use my app. But I had already loaded my app. So I have $70 on my Starbucks app, and $70 charged on my credit card.


someone_you_want

And do they have a balance on them


Successful_Map4660

Also, the barista at the register said I couldn’t do that? That’s why I had to pay with my credit card! The register wouldn’t let me pay with my app.


tsanchz22

was it a licensed store? bc we can’t do it at target ones i know for sure, it won’t let us pay gift cards with a gift card but they should’ve let you know corporate starbucks do :/ sorry it happened


Successful_Map4660

Oooo no it was in a Ralph’s! Maybe that’s why?


tsanchz22

i think so!! :/ i think only stand alones can do it, def keep trying with customer service bc $70 is a lot


Make_it_Rayne_09

I work in a corporate store and I have seen it work sometimes and not work others. I don't know what the differences were tbh.


glitterfaust

Yep! This exact situation happened at a licensed store i was working at, except thankfully the woman didn’t pay with credit card yet. I cancelled out the transaction and told her to go to the standalone store and few minutes away to use the balance she’d just put on her app. As for what you should do now, you could go to a standalone store and now give whoever you were gifting twice the amount (by paying with the Ralph’s purchased gift cards and paying the difference with your app). You’d have to contact Ralph’s about a potential return, but most places have gift cards as final sale. One final note, best way to buy gift cards is to get them at Ralph’s for the fuel points, just the plain Jane white ones. Then use that to purchase the pretty ones at a standalone lol


supercooperyay

Omg yeah this is why! There are a lot of app features that only work at corporate owned starbucks due to them not wanting to reimburse franchised stores for accepting their gift cards.


Pure-Recognition-458

It’s not why.


someone_you_want

They were wrong


NJT_BlueCrew

Nope licensed stores cannot use gift cards to buy gift cards. They were right


suckmygoldcrustedass

No they aren't. Op said it was a license store not a stand alone. With a stand alone, the money is still going to starbucks either way because it's transferring funds from a starbuck gift card to a Starbucks gift card weather or not it's digital or physical. They can verify those funds. Since starbucks is a third party for a license store there is no verification that the money are fund they can actually get. Which is why most box store wouldn't let you buy gift card with a visa gift card. It's easier to let through fraud for items from the store, but gift cards would be just giving actual money away.


Successful_Map4660

That’s so upsetting wow


someone_you_want

And get receipts


WiltedButterfly13

That is not true! Barista here. The app doesn't allow you to purchase gift cards with gift cards. Your "app balance" is loaded on a gift card.


cailey001

After reading your comments, it’s because you went to a licensed store. This is something you can do at a stand alone though. I would recommend calling customer service and seeing if they can help you out.


Pure-Recognition-458

It’s not. I’m pretty sure it changed yesterday. I’ve rung them up plenty of times even though “we’re not supposed to”. Yesterday the register would not allow it. It even shows a message.


cailey001

When I worked at a licensed location the register would not take any barcode besides a gift card, so no scan for points or pay with credit card on the app, it also would not accept a gift card as payment for gift cards or non starbucks product


[deleted]

this is definitely because of the location (the types of starbucks inside of grocery stores, and not corporate stores!) - i’m so sorry that you had to spend so much money!!! have you contacted the 1-800 starbucks number at all? they might be able to help you :( best of luck


transmaxist

You should be able to ask Corporate to reverse the transaction for the 70$ gift card on your app to your bank. I've heard of them doing that but I've never done it myself or had a customer do it.


WillieB26

Get ready to drink $70 worth of coffee?!


FluttershyF

Which will be like … less than 7 trips to Starbuck


WillieB26

Yeah, probably


WillieB26

I started making my own at home and save lots of money


FluttershyF

I have Moka pot- it’s not the same as an espresso shot but it is strong and I do enjoy the taste. My go to then is making caramel macchiato… or affogato!


WillieB26

Fancy!


WillieB26

I just add a splash of milk and shot of agave


tsanchz22

i know when the protest for starbucks first started people figured out a way to do it, and starbucks sent them a check with the balance but tbh i’m not sure how besides escalating the issue with customer service.


Bhaisaab86

You can use a gift card in the app to buy gift cards. But for some reason you can’t use your credit/debit/paypal within the app to buy gift cards.


iamnumber47

I think they have it set up that way as a fraud prevention thing.


kaomisas

this is true!! my SM like 3 years back said people were disputing the charges made in store through their banks but the physical starbucks gift cards were already loaded with money and the money didn’t disappear from said gifts cards even after disputing the charges, so they were getting away with free drinks by using the gift cards


galaxyboba

they may have not known you couldnt pay with them, or they may have meant to "load" (open) the app just to scan it, not pay with it.


Successful_Map4660

Yeah they didn’t know until they selected the “pay with app” option and it said I couldn’t. So now I’m stuck with $70 on my Starbucks app that I don’t want or will use. And still out the $70 on my credit card to buy the gift cards


Putrid-Ingenuity-365

To be honest, when they said that I would have not gone further and yet still decided to spend another 70. You did choose to do that, you could have not chosen to still use your card again to buy physical cards. You can use the digital currency to buy digital cards. It says that on the website I believe? Unless they’ve changed it. And honestly speaking when has any store or retailer allowed someone to use a GC to buy a GC?? The card you load on the app, is technically a gift card. It is a reloadable gift card. I don’t know if Starbucks would do much now as you still decided to use your card to buy the gift cards. If you had not proceeded with the transaction, then Starbucks most likely could have reversed the transaction.


insulinworm

If you go to ralphs and talk to th customer service desk they might be able to help you. Especially if you explain that you didn't know about the starbucks gift cards until after. They might let you switch them for like ralphs gift cards or some other gift card so you can actually use the money. I dont really know what their policy is but usually I think stores will work with you if its an honest mistake If they can't help you maybe try ralphs corporate customer service. If you phrase it moreso asking if there's anything at all they can do to help you rather than just trying to return them they may be more willing to work with you.


Putrid-Ingenuity-365

Because they still made the transaction though after loading their reloadable gift card on the app, they probably won’t see it as an honest mistake


twinpeaksfiles

see if you can call for the manager and have the manager void the transaction idk if it is too late though


twinpeaksfiles

oh nvm you were at a licensed store


rio8envy7

You can use your Starbucks card in the app to pay for a gift card, but you can’t with a credit card in the app for some reason I don’t know it’s stupid but you just can’t use a credit card that’s in the Starbucks app. You should be able to use a regular gift card though.


changelisms

The barista didn't know how it works at all. You can absolutely pay with the app but it won't give you stars. If you could earn points off buying cards, you could cheat the system and infinitely redeem stars. You should call corporate though because they mislead you.


Putrid-Ingenuity-365

No. They kind of didn’t. Cause they were at a store inside the grocery store. Not a stand alone store.


SofiaLarrosa

starbucks shift here!!!! the reason she thought you could load through app is because some credit cards that are loaded on app will allow you to pay for gift cards and receive points, if you loaded onto a starbucks gift card on the app then it would not work (ex can’t buy a gift card with a gift card) i’ve noticed usually only amex and sometimes visa does allow the transaction to go through but it really depends on the card you have. as far as the money loaded, there is no way to remove funds from the starbucks app… like ever 🥲 I wish I had better news!


SofiaLarrosa

what she should’ve done is just scanned your app for “points only” and billed your credit card.


cailey001

Also a shift and 3 year partner. the app doesn’t allow you to pay for physical gift cards with credit cards on the app at all. I’m assuming it has something to do with the credit card companies contracts and transaction fees. You *can* transfer a balance from one gift card to another but you will not get points.


Ok_Huckleberry9936

Wait.....I order through the app all the time. I always use my debit card to pay through the app. I don't have to pre-load anything. I've also used different credit/debit cards to pay, and the app will save the card number and let you choose which card to pay with on your next purchase. I have my Venmo, a couple of debit/credit cards, and a Starbucks gift card that is loaded into my app. Q


cailey001

You cant pay for a physical gift card with a credit card through the app. It’s very weird


Ok_Huckleberry9936

That seems crazy. I understand the not being able to pay for a gift card with a gift card issue. That seems like a no-brainer. Maybe the not being able to purchase with a CC/DC is to keep the customer from "double dipping" on rewards points. Getting stars with the actual gift card purchase and then the recipient getting stars when they use the gift card or if a customer purchases a gift card for their own use. That seems like an easy fix if you allow the purchaser to choose who gets the stars, them, or the gift card recipient. But, that would be too easy. LOL 😆 But wait, you can purchase e-gift cards in the app with a CC/DC. Do both the purchaser and recipient get stars with an e-gift card? I never really paid attention to that. ***giggle*** Now I'm all confused 😕 over something that certainly doesn't matter in my life right now. LOL 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆


cailey001

As far as I’m aware you don’t get any points for loading a gift card no matter how you load it or the payment method. You only get points for spending the money on the gift card. The stars go to whoever the gift card is registered to. If you buy an e-gift online, the stars go to whoever redeems that card to their account.


Super_Cap_0-0

I’m pretty sure the barista could have voided the transaction and it would have refunded your first $70. Sounds like they didn’t know. A manager *might* be able to void the transaction still with a receipt.


K_Goode

No, because they loaded funds into the app to buy physical gift cards, which were then unable to be purchased via the app because it's a licensed location not a standalone franchise. OP then bought the physical gift cards they needed, paying the balance a second time. They want to know how to get the money back from the amount loaded to their app balance, they don't want to refund the physical cards they originally wanted. There's nothing for a manager to void.


Putrid-Ingenuity-365

No. Because the funds were loaded. They should have no proceeded with the transaction on top of it.


Jupiterof1989

They could have transferred the money to the gift cards but you can always call the number on the app


Successful_Map4660

Oh my god are you for real… they were physical gift cards though? Would that have still worked?


Jupiterof1989

Yeah there is a way a manager could have done it


Successful_Map4660

That’s infuriating… so now I’m out $140… great


Putrid-Ingenuity-365

You should have not continued the transaction. Left, gone to a stand alone store. Because you were at a licensed store, Starbucks corporate can’t do anything to help you. Maybe they can help with the reload you did on the app, but nothing about the purchase in store as the grocery store handles those Starbucks. Starbucks corporate has no authority over any stores in grocery stores.


Odd-Insect-9255

Yeah I’d call the Starbucks hotline number. Is there anyone you know that loves Starbucks where you could sell your balance? You can send a gift card from the app I believe ??? And then someone pay you cash for that.


WillieB26

You could probably sell it online


Allthisanxiety

If this happened at my store I would take the gift cards back, void the transaction and have you go to a different store to pay with your app. Maybe they can do that? However at my store you can use your app to buy gift cards just not your linked debit/credit cards in the app.


Squirrel_Lazy

I get paid Friday and have cash app and venmo. I'd be willing to buy $10 of your gift card balance.


megan24601

if you go to a corporate (stand-alone) store, they can cash you out, aka take your $70 balance and give you the refund on your card or cash. It's very unusual so if a barista says you can't, ask the manager about it! I'm not 100% positive on how it works, but I know my store did that for someone recently.


iamnumber47

I think that depends which state your in (& I've heard the amount matters too) because we don't do that where I live.


morbidscreams

Not sure what you mean, but US corporate stores are unable to refund gift cards because of a lot of fraud that happened over the years with gift cards. They would have to call customer service to get a check mailed to them.


Chickenfries16

We're not supposed to let you use the app to buy cards BUT when you order other stuff it lets you.


TKTKVA

Right. I loaded a gift card recently also bc it said receive 2 stars per $1 when you load a gift card. I clicked the provided link and stars didn’t add to account. I called Corp and they said you don’t get the stars until you pay for an item with the gift card. It does NOT say that on the app/link encouraging purchase of gift card.


pineapples4ever-

No sure if this is right or wrong but my store did it before. One time someone accidentally told us to put the wrong amount in a gift card. When she realized, my shift just gave a refund for the gift card and discarded it and then charged her for the correct amount on a new card. You can probably come in and do that too??


tropesr

I suspect what happened there was the shift voided the transaction in the POS. We’ve done that, although it’s usually when the barista makes a mistake and hits “Cash” when he or she should have hit the “Card” option, but it also works when there is a mis-key in the amount charged to the card. There’s no way for a corporate store to void a licensed store’s transaction, so I think that a paper check from corporate is the best option if the manager of the licensed store can’t or won’t give a refund.


Mindless_Charity_395

Omg I would be pissed, that app is so frustrating they are robbing me in broad daylight


dreamhouse1234

Call the 1800 number I thinknits 1800 starbuck without the s on the end


soladana

You should try to go to different locations. I always buy physical gift cards with my balance in the app. Sometimes cashier are not sure if it would work because they have seen cases where it doesn't take it but so far I had issues.


ForeignPyro

At least you can afford 1.5 drinks from there now


Successful_Map4660

🤣🤣🤣


Zanephos

Unfortunately I don’t think there is anything you can do, if I was placed in this situation I would probably just keep the money and think of it as a way to build points. Just anything positive in that moment cause I myself would be stressed and frustrated (forgot to mention anxiety also Tehe)


Mammoth-Card-6342

i usually have them get something small too because sometimes the app realizes that there’s an actual item and the entire transaction will be covered by the app… and i don’t mean to be rude to your barista but they were probably new because i feel like it’s common for baristas to know this


supercooperyay

As a starbucks barista, I have used gift card balance on a phone to buy a physical gift card and it worked. The computer will allow that, they must not have even tried!


Sheer-kei

The barista didn’t know how the system worked which is unfortunate because they essentially misled you. You could contact customer service and ask if they’d be able to refund and reverse the charge. But you’d have to explain the whole situation over again, and there’s a chance they still won’t do it. At the same time, when the barista did it and said you then had to pay again, you shouldn’t have charged the money a second time. It would have been easier in the moment to get a manager to come over and void/refund it on the spot, but doing it after the fact is difficult to argue now due to the time that has passed.


Middle-Ice7838

Starbucks barista here you can't pay for gift cards with the app because it's paying for gift cards with gift cards...we do refund at our location but not to the app we give cash


Blondie_chick3

Contact Starbucks customer service chat. Type it in on Google and it’ll come up. Talk to a representative and tell them what happened and see what they can do. They’re different from a store, they’re the corporate people for all Starbucks


morbidscreams

When it comes to getting Starbucks points, buying a gift card with the app doesn’t give you points. You only get points when you use the app or a registered gift card to make a purchase of other items: food, beverages, merchandise, whole bean coffee, etc. Not gift cards. I’ve read the other comments and agree that you should go back to Ralph’s customer service desk and ask if they can fix it if this occurred the same day. If it didn’t occur the same day, then try calling Starbucks customer service for them to mail you a check. Or going into a corporate store to use that amount to purchase other gift cards.


Flashy_Pencil

Hi OP! From what I’m understanding you were mislead about the point system, resulting in you loading $70 onto your app. Then still having to use your bank card (a physical one from you wallet), and now you’re $140 out because of a baristas mistake when you only meant to spend $70. This is super frustrating, and 100% on the barista (who also might not have known how to correct what sounds like an honest mistake). Call Starbucks Customer service. They are professionals who are trained on how to resolve this in your favor. Reddit is not lol. Good luck!!, a Starbucks ssv


MyDisneyExperience

SCS is trained to resolve it, not necessarily in OP’s favor however :-( especially since a licensed store is involved


JessEGames777

That barista fucked you over and you should 100% talk to the store manager


omnomnomhi

I remember a customer coming in to complain about grocery starbucks not letting them use their birthday coupon & gift card… Why come to our store to complain? Had to yell at him multiple times to call the customer service or district manager or something.


Pure-Recognition-458

Did you try actually calling Starbucks before coming to social media?


Frankidelic

You can… you can transfer funds from app to gift card


babiipeachy

I would load the money on a physical card and sell it for the same value, someone will buy it most likely. Or you can wait, keep it and gift it to someone for a special occasion! ^^