A couple were forced to cancel their vacation after a $4,000 Starbucks tip went wrong

from: Alix Martichoux, K. Querry-Thompson/KFOR

Published: February 13, 2023 / 1:11 PM PST

Updated: February 13, 2023 / 1:11 PM PST

TULSA, Okla. (KFOR) – An Oklahoma couple found themselves in a battle with Starbucks after a mistake cost them thousands.

According to NBC News, Jesse O’Dell went to a Tulsa Starbucks and ordered two coffees for $11.83. Later in the day, his wife’s credit card was declined during a purchase.

That’s when he says he found out they were charged $4,444.44 in tips for their coffee order.

The couple called their credit card company but were told they couldn’t dispute the charge because it was “legitimate.”

O’Dell said Starbucks sent him checks to reimburse him, but the checks bounced. As a result of the fiasco, he said he had to cancel a family vacation.

Tulsa police investigated the case, but determined that the tip was either added accidentally or by machine error.

A Starbucks spokesperson told Nexstar that the reason the original checks bounced was because there was a typing error. The issue has since been resolved, the spokesperson said. They issued new checks, which were cashed last Monday.

“This is an unfortunate situation that has now been resolved,” the spokesman said.