Update 11am CT, April 7: When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Gravity Coffee told the Daily Dot in a statement that it does not currently “charge for ‘no ice’ at any of our stores.”
“Some of our stands tested a $1.00 charge for ‘no ice’ on our menus in late January to account for some customers ordering our energy drinks without ice—getting more beverage at no additional cost,” the statement read. “However, charging for ‘no ice’ has never been our company policy nor has it been enforced by our employees.”
“The TikTok video made us aware that the additional charge for ‘no ice’ had not been taken off of some of our menus after the initial test run,” it continued. “If we receive a complaint, we offer a refund with proof of purchase and a coupon for a free drink. We have received zero complaints to date.”
Original story: A TikToker’s video putting a coffee shop on blast for charging $1 to make beverages without ice has garnered 313,000 views on TikTok, and commenters are discussing the possible reasons why.
“Saw this yesterday… am I being punked?” the video’s caption questions.
In the video, @breakfastat_tiffanys__ zooms in on a menu board showing the price for a beverage to be made excluding ice. The TikToker appears to be in the drive-thru at a Gravity Coffee Seattle location.
“So you’re going to charge me $1 for no ice… what?” the woman says in the video.
Some commenters posited that it was due to the increased amount of liquid needed to fill an iceless cup.
“Makes sense because you’re getting more product,” one commenter wrote.
“No ice means they use more ingredients to make more of the drink to replace the space the ice normally takes up,” another commenter wrote.
“It’s because you’re getting more product,” a third said. “So. Yeah. $1 seems pretty understandable.”
Others found the price increase to be unnecessary.
“All the people in these comments giving excuses,” a commenter wrote. “This is called ripping people off plain and simple.”
“For everyone saying more product, is scammed on a regular,” another wrote. “Next time you get a 20 oz drink with ice- go home and measure it.”
“I think everyone is missing the point,” a commenter wrote. “She’s not asking for the drink to be filled up to make up for the space. Just leave the gap. Why is that $1?”
The Daily Dot has reached out to @breakfastat_tiffanys__ via Instagram direct message and Gravity Coffee via email.
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