Let’s talk about how NOT to treat your customers Dunkin’ Donuts. I went into the Dunkin Donuts on Court Street and 1st Place in Brooklyn. I attempted to reload my DD Perks card. Yeah, that’s right, I am a frequent donut flier. I love DD coffee and my kids love the pastries. My debit card was declined. The manager rolled her eyes at me.
“Now I have to void the order.” She said.
“I’m sorry.” I said.
Keep in mind that I have been to this Dunkin Donuts hundreds of times and spent more money than I can count on their products. I know this because I have accumulated enough points to get free beverages.
Anyway, I say:
“Let me give you another card.”
Grumpy manager says:
“I don’t want to run this card if it isn’t going to work.”
So (in other words) she was shaming me for not having money.
“It will work.” I said.
The card worked.
She proceeded to role her eyes and said “you do this all the time.”
Even though my card had money on it, I chose not to purchase anything at this Dunkin Donuts.
“I’m sorry, what do I do all the time?” I asked
“My card has been declined once or twice in the hundreds of times I’ve been here.”
Manager rolls her eyes again.
“You know what, I am not going to buy anything. I am leaving. I’m going to the Dunkin Donuts on Smith Street where they are actually nice to their customers.” I said.
“Good. We don’t need you. You don’t have to come here.” Said the manager.
Please keep in mind that this took place in front of the five people who were waiting in line behind me.
So, here’s the thing.
Everyone’s debit card gets declined once in a while. Why is this something to shame someone for?
It’s not like I was up at the counter trying 10 or 20 different cards seeing which one was going to work. Additionally, even if I did try 300 debit cards, there is no excuse for rolling your eyes and yelling at a customer. This is a retail establishment and customers should be treated with respect. We are all humans here and we deserve to be treated with kindness.
Customers (like myself) deserve to be treated with respect.
Lastly, you need to make this right.
What are you going to do about it Dunkin Donuts?
I would contact corporate because the manager was so far out of line he is beyond Saturn.
Usually when cards are declined it is because of a glitch between the store and the bank. The only time it happened to me that it wasn’t a glitch – it was because I changed my address and a week later went to buy a computer. The address change + an abnormally large purchase (for me) triggered a security notice on my account. Once I proved I was me, it was cleared up.
Another time there was a half dozen of us with suspended orders trying to contact our banks. Once we and the manager figured out we were all with the same bank, it was obvious it was a glitch. The manager put our carts, with bagged groceries in the cooler and people found other ways to pay. The manager was falling over himself apologizing and working with people. Turned out the bank was under some type of hacking attack.