How to lose a devoted local business supporter to Starbucks: So, here's my story. I go to Luci's first thing in the morning, just before 7am. I'm the only person in line. It's broad daylight but they have these lights on overhead, and they need replacement, so two of them are blinking. Constantly. The thing about strobing lights is, if you have a disability, like I do, blinking lights can cause serious problems. Like seizures and ocular migraines. That's why theatres and concert venues have to put signs out warning people when they use them. So, I tell the barista that the lights are blinking and that they can cause seizures and that I need him to turn them off. He says, "okay!" And then proceeds to do... nothing. I wait. He didn't call a manager. Didn't take my order or ask how he could make me more comfortable or express concern. He *did* fix three more drinks while I stood there in obvious discomfort and he didn't do anything to serve me. And then I left. And went to the Starbucks across the street.
Then I emailed Luci's and told them what happened. And just like that effing barista, they did... nothing. Didn't respond. No "I'm so sorry, we fixed the lights and spoke with the barista." No "Here's a coupon for your next drink, please come back, sorry we completely disregarded your disability." Just... ignored me.
Then I emailed them again and expressed dismay that they absolutely ignored me. And they ignored *that.*
And that, my friends, is how you lose a devoted local-business-only shopper... to Starbucks. Never going to Luci's again, because they suck.