It's a Ranty Sort of Week, Apparently
Waaaay back in the Stone Ages, otherwise known as when I was in high school, I briefly worked in a fast food restaurant. I. HATED. IT. It took exactly two weeks for me to figure out that I would have preferred a career as a professional medical experiment subject. Seriously, I would enjoy experimental lobotomies, pupil transplants, and having someone test how many punches to the gut it takes until you puke WAY more than working that drive-thru window. Not. My. Thing. It lasted the full summer because I'm a committed sort of girl, but WOW did I hate it.
So, I have total and complete sympathy for anyone who does that job, and nothing but admiration for anyone who seemingly enjoys it. When I encounter someone that seems to actually LIKE working a drive-thru, I turn into the aliens from Toy Story, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah." Mesmerized.
And yet, here I sit, with a complaint letter drafted because of a little streak of events at a drive-thru. I can't seem to send the letter because I'm a wee bit worried I'm being a nut case. So, I ask y'all . . . what would you do?
OK, so I said I was quitting Starbucks to help cover Alexis' gymnastics lessons. That lasted all of three days, I do believe. I'm sure you're shocked. Starbucks was calling my name WAY too loudly, so I'm back to doing my part to keep the economy stable. A few times a week I slide out of the office for a quick liquid lunch in the form of a Cinnamon Dolce Latte (my new obsession thanks to the discount for using a registered gift card). Since I positively HATE waiting in line when I'm trying to do a quick trip, I don't leave the office until 1:30 or 2:00. Works every time. There is seldom so much as one other soul at my Starbucks (yes, I own it).
So, earlier this week I ventured over to Starbucks and oddly enough, there was actually another vehicle in front of me. As I patiently sat waiting for my yummy drink, I was fidgeting with the coin holder. I was battling a penny, trying to convince it that it would fit in there with all the other change, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a Spaniel puppy traveling from the barista's arms into the car in front of me. Yes, a Spaniel puppy was in the Starbucks and then was handed out of the drive-thru window to the vehicle. I didn't see any signs saying that they are running a "Buy a Chai, Get a Spaniel" deal, so I assume the pup started out in the vehicle, got handed in, petted a few times, and headed back out. Whatever.
I got over my confusion on that one.
But! Apparently it is Take Your Pup to Starbucks Week here in the Burgh! Today as I sat waiting behind an SUV, I realized they had a Black Lab pup. Immediately I groaned to myself, but then I realized that Peppy Chick wasn't the one working the window that day (she's a super happy kind of lady who very obviously loves her job--she was the one that handed the Spaniel out the window).
No worries.
I stopped thinking about it a few moments later when a little classic Depeche Mode came on the radio. At precisely 1:41pm I reached down and turned up the volume so I could jam for a second. As I glanced up, I saw the barista handing a grande cup out the window. Except, there was no lid on the cup. And there was a heck of a lot of whip cream in the cup. And she wasn't handing it to the driver. Nope! The whip cream-filled cup was tilted towards the Lab pup and he or she promptly started slurping up a whole lotta calories. And slurping. And slurping.
It took the Pup six minutes to finish the whip cream. Annoyance had started to set in. Hello! Drive-thru! In hurry!
Whatever.
I prepared to pull forward, assuming that annnnnny second now things would get going.
NOPE!
It was time for more dog-petting, another cup of whip cream, and ANOTHER SEVEN MINUTES OF WAITING.
When the Black Lab toting SUV finally pulled away with some human-intended beverages, it was 1:59pm. 1:59pm! One car in front of me, and I waited 18 minutes to get to the window. Then! Then! My drink still wasn't made because apparently the entire store was taking part in the whip cream adventures. That part I pieced together from the conversations that were going on inside the little window. Anyway, I finally pulled away with my drink at least 22 minutes after I pulled up (this I know for Depeche Mode and the car clock told me so). In the middle of the afternoon with only one other customer in sight.
So, would you be mad? Or just load up the dogs and go get you some of that Starbucks lovin'?
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We're donating all September ad revenue to the Flight 93 Memorial Fund, and could use a little help in reaching our goal. Every little click gets us closer, so why not take a second and find out why I won't drink my true Starbucks love, the Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Reader Comments (60)
I could never quit Starbucks...it would be impossible...
Kimmy
send the letter, or call.
22 min in the drive thru line for ANYTHING other that a nice med rare filet is too long.
And isn't coffee and dairy bad, maybe dangerous for dogs anyways? Or an I thinking of chocolate...im always thinking of chocolate.
That is insane. If you want to take your time, go inside! I'd be writing them a letter too. How inconsiderate.
I am not a patient person. My horn and I would have had fun with that nonsense. I cannot handle bad service. Last night, I took Dylan to Wendy's by myself. I was holding him in one arm, the diaper bag, purse, and highchair cover in the other. Dylan was squirming and whining, my arm was about to fall off, and the service was beyond slow. I commented loudly, "I know, Dylan, it IS supposed to be FAST food, but it's not". The people behind me all chuckled and then the people behind the counter spit in my food(probably).
Travis and I have went through the Starbuck's drive thru at The Pittburgh Mills and he has enjoyed MANY puppy lattes. BUT, they give it to me to give to him in the car and then I get my coffee and we are on our way. No more time spent than if he wasn't with me.
I think the problem is that the youth of today do not realize what customer service is. She probably didn't think that making you wait was a big deal. It's sad, but if you think about it, it happens everywhere.
I'd still demand a bully with my latte. But that's just me.
I'd still demand a bully with my latte. But that's just me.
I worked at a starbucks in this neck of the woods--
ask the store manager for the district manager's number and make sure you get through---you'll get free drinks for a month--no lie!
Oh, and the wait time? supposed to be out the door or driving away in 3 minutes--any longer and the drink is free--seriously--in today's economy they WILL take care of the loyal customer. trust me.
was my fave job btw-and my own dog came to visit on my last night.
puppy lattes are pretty fun!
First of all, kudos for surviving a whole summer at a drive through, much less any restaurant. I worked for a year at an Izzy's (pizza buffet) and quickly discovered, that as a whole, people suck. Because of this, I tend to be very sympathetic to asshats picking on poor waitresses, cashiers etc.
That being said, this situation was over the top. I get self-conscious if it takes me too long to put away my change before pulling away from a window if there is someone behind me, so the dog people, were clueless and rude- but coffee girl's boss needs to hear about this... bad customner service and... eeew!
oh i would be soooooo pissssssseddd