An Illinois woman has filed suit against Starbucks for $5 million over the amount of ice the coffee giant used in its drinks. Stacy Pincus filed the class action lawsuit against Starbucks Corp. in Northern Illinois Federal Court Wednesday…. Pincus’ suit says because of the amount of ice Starbucks uses in their iced beverages, customers often end up with half of the amount of drink that is listed on Starbucks’ menus in fluid ounces. The suit alleges that Starbucks is purposefully tricking customers into paying for more product than what they are provided with…. “The word ‘beverage’ is defined as ‘a drinkable liquid.’ Ice is not a ‘beverage’ by definition. Accordingly, Starbucks actually gives the customer much less beverage in the cold drinks they order and pay for,” the lawsuit says…. “Starbucks’ Cold Drinks are underfilled to make more money and higher profits, to the detriment of consumers who are misled by Starbucks’ intentionally misleading advertising practices,” the lawsuit continues.
If there’s one thing America does exceedingly well, it’s enabling intellectually challenged people in their seemingly never-ending pursuit of fame and/or a payday. I almost don’t even know where to begin.
If a reasonable person orders an iced drink, they’d certainly expect the drink to come with ice sufficient to the task of keeping it cold while being consumed. Ms. Pincus evidently believes Starbucks possesses technology capable of keeping drinks cold without relying on ice and refuses to employ said magic in order that they may continue shortchanging their customers. Yes, Virginia…they’re Just. That. Cynical.
As laughable as Ms. Pincus’ laughable pursuit of legal redress may be, there’s no doubt but that it would set a disturbing precedent if her suit is successful. How long before every business in the food industry which serves iced drinks becomes a target? What other sorts of frivolous, pointless lawsuits would follow as a matter of course? Would people sue restaurants serving hamburgers because the fat lost during cooking means the weight of the burger as served is less than what’s advertised?
If she’s concerned that her barista is shortchanging her, why not just ask to have her drink served without ice? Why involve lawyers when there’s no actual or discernible harm being done? Or is it just that Starbucks is the one with the deep pockets…and Ms. Pincus is in need of a payday?
