Website or Claim Analysis

In 2021, a Tik-Tok user posted a video claiming that Starbucks, the go-to company for many of us who seek to refuel on their desired hot coffee, was duping their committed customers by charging them a different sales price for the same amount of coffee served in variable cup sizes. The Tik-Tok user then poured one cup of a tall 16oz coffee into a grande 20oz cup. Predictably, the exchange leaves the viewers in astonishment as with each cup poured, the lesser amount of coffee appears to expand to match the size of the larger cup. So, it must be true.

The Tik-Tok post leads with the heading "(You’re) getting the same size but paying more seems like robbery to me." (FusionForks) However, when I put on my detective hat and followed the four steps in the SIFT method: Stop, Investigate, Find, and Trace, I found the Tik-Tok post not only misleading but also spent some time trolling around the block a time or two. (Research Guides: SIFT, 2024) Stopping to verify before believing the claim is a great first step. Investigating the source shows multiple reputable outlets have debunked this Starbucks controversy. Finding other coverage confirms there's no credible backing for the claim from authoritative organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics. Tracing claims show this misinformation has resurfaced multiple times over the years.

The "Starbucks cup-size scam" has fooled many, but it’s nothing more than deceptive editing. In 2016, the YouTube channel "As Seen on Social Media" debunked a similar cup-size prank, though their video focused on McDonald's cups rather than Starbucks. This viral hoax falsely claims that tall, grande, and venti Starbucks cups hold the same amount of liquid, using camera tricks and misleading cuts to create an illusion. Internet pranks like this often gain traction, misleading viewers and fueling unnecessary controversy. Understanding how such hoaxes spread emphasizes the importance of fact-checking.

The Starbucks cup-size scam stirred up confusion among customers, leading to frustration and skepticism toward the brand. Some customers confronted baristas, questioning whether they were being misled about drink sizes, while others took to social media to express their concerns. Starbucks employees had to repeatedly clarify that the viral claims were false, explaining that the cup sizes were accurately measured and not deceptive. The controversy also highlighted the challenges customer support teams face when addressing misinformation, requiring them to debunk myths while maintaining positive customer experiences. (Scotti, 2022)

My final assessment of this controversy is that creating misleading information and distributing disinformation is easier than I initially thought. Initially, my understanding of the subject was nothing more than a doctored photograph reflecting an illusion of reality. However, since the 2016 election scandal, anyone with a smartphone can disseminate a false narrative. Today, AI technology makes spreading false narratives even easier than before. The new world media and the constant deception of truth are the reasons for everyone who is following news to Stop, Investigate, Find, and Trace the topic before believing and sharing on social media or with friends.

CITATION

Evon, D. (2022, May 31). The “Starbucks Cup-Size Scam” Video Is an Old Internet Prank. Snopes; Snopes.com. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/starbucks-cup-size-scam/

FusionForks on Instagram: “Do you still want your Large coffee?” (2021). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DITt4NUuz2E/?hl=en

Research Guides: Online Research: Lateral Reading and SIFT. (2024). Cmich.edu. https://libguides.cmich.edu/web_research/lateral

‌ Scotti, L. (2022, June 8). Starbucks baristas debunk viral TikTok claims cup sizes are a “scam.” Dexerto. https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/starbucks-baristas-debunk-viral-tiktok-claims-cup-sizes-are-a-scam-1843258/

Swann, S. (2024). No, Starbucks’ coffee cups aren’t all the same size. @Politifact. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/may/10/instagram-posts/do-all-starbucks-cups-hold-the-same-amount-of-liqu/