Starbucks sued for $5m over icy drinks

The customer alleges Starbucks is cheating their customers by underfilling drinks. Photo / Getty

A disgruntled customer is suing Starbucks for $US5 million for putting too much ice in its cold drinks.

Stacy Pincus, from Illinois in the US, alleges the chain is cheating customers by underfilling drinks.

"A Starbucks customer who orders a Venti cold drink receives only 14 fluid ounces (414mL) of that drink - just over half the advertised amount, and just over half the amount for which they are paying," the 29-page complaint says, according to The Telegraph.

"In the iced coffee example, a Starbucks customer who orders and pays for a Venti iced coffee, expecting to receive 24 fluid ounces (709mL) of iced coffee based on Starbucks' advertisement and marketing, will instead receive only about 14 fluid ounces of iced coffee."

The suit also claims Starbucks is making more money off its customers than it should.
"In essence, Starbucks is advertising the size of its cold drink cups on its menu, rather than the amount of fluid a customer will receive when they purchase a cold drink - and deceiving its customers in the process," the complaint states.

Ms Pincus is seeking $US5 million in damages. The case is a class action, representing anyone who bought a cold drink from Starbucks in the US in the last decade.
Starbucks has dismissed the lawsuit, saying staff would happily remake a drink for any unsatisfied customer.

"Our customers understand and expect that ice is an essential component of any 'iced' beverage," Starbucks said in a response, according to TMZ.

The news come after a Starbucks outlet in Saudi Arabia was slammed for taping a sign to the door warning female customers not to enter.