Taste and color. It’s harder to tell if they got the milk right, but extra syrup changes the color and definitely changes the taste. |
It’s not just flavored syrup. You can reduce sugar in any of their drinks that contain sugar. If you’re not selecting a fake sugar, they use liquid cane sugar - hence the pump reference. |
That’s probably why there’s a surcharge for customized drinks, even if they require less of the ingredients than the standard drink. It’s for the extra time it takes them to customize it instead of making it by rote. |
It’s not a surcharge for customization. It just seems to be related to reducing (or adding) sugar. I just tried adjusting the ingredients on a Honey Flatwhite, a Frappacino, and a tea/lemonade. Only the tea/lemonade got a surcharge when I reduced the sugar. |
Starbucks has always been super customizable, they are used to this. |
| For a $3+ cup of coffee, I should be able to specify how many pumps of sugar I want. Charge me more if I want a lot of extras, but not for less sugar. |
| OP here. App just updated and now the default is no sweetener. And adding sweetener does not incur a charge. |
People still believe fat is the devil, eh? |
| Can you tell us exactly what your order is to see if I can replicate it? I wonder if it’s a store by store charge? |
The app update said “we’ve made some changes to make things run smoothly” aka to stop overcharging you for asking for less sugar. |
|
That's like getting charged more for saying "no bacon" on a sandwich or salad in a restaurant if it typically comes with it. They might charge me the same for no bacon, but never more! |
And the baristas will hate you for it. |
|
I went through the drive-thru today with starbucks. Ordered half the normal pumps of vanilla and notice " + .80 2.5 pumps". Figuring he misunderstood me, i said "No...i want LESS pumps, not more".
His reply was because it's a non-standard order, they add the charge. I have never paid attention to this because usually I go inside. It will be my last trip to starbucks. |
|
Fewer.
I am sure they will miss your business, toots. |