I'm a longtime Starbucks customer. I converted when I started working near the Starbucks on Foster at Sawyer near North Park University six years ago. The staff there is funny, friendly, and gets my order ready every morning when they see me.
During that time, I rarely visited the Broadway and Roscoe location because it is so small and so busy all the time. Then came the mobile app! I could order ahead of time, I thought, and breeze in, avoid the line and the chatter, and be on my way. It works at the Foster/Sawyer location like a charm. They have their own counter for mobile orders and a receipt under each. They also still say hi to me and call me by name as I grab and go. It also works well at Clark and Belmont. I am in and out of a store that can sometimes be a little, um, crazy.
So I thought the Broadway and Roscoe location would work the same. WRONG. I've tried using the mobile app multiple times. Whether there's a long line or no line when I approach the corner by the cash register, no one looks up at me. So I wait politely. No eye contact no matter how many people are behind the counter. Without fail, I have to interrupt a customer at the cash register to say I have a mobile order before I can get it.
Last week when I ordered two regular coffees -- both with cream and one with sugar too -- I was told -- after having to ask about my order -- that they could only do coffee. They don't do special additives because 1) they're really busy, and 2) they don't have cream or sugar behind the counter. I'm not kidding. So I got to wait for my order, have to ask for my mobile order, then be told I had to go fight the crowd to finish my mobile order on my own. When I suggested they create a pick up spot for orders, I was told that it wouldn't work because customers might take the wrong order.
Today, I tried again. Grande dark roast with cream. I waited at the counter by a barista and someone at the register. No one looked at me. I walked to the other end and said I had a mobile order. "Got it. It just came in," I was told. Then I watched 3 customers go through the line, order, pay, and get their orders while I stood waiting -- for my mobile order. So I said again, "I have a mobile order." The barista told me as if it was perfectly obvious that the dark roast was brewing and it would be a minute. I said, "That's fine. Can you just tell me that while I'm waiting here so I'll know?"
I've increased my Starbucks business because of the app. I'm not ready to give up on the entire company because I really like the one by my work, but I am DONE with the Broadway and Roscoe location. I thought the app would change things, but clearly that store feels this new service is not for them. I'd rather get a message saying, "Sorry, our mobile app doesn't work at this location," or something to that effect. At least I wouldn't feel offended and frustrated by simply using a service that seems to work beautifully at other locations but not at this store.
If I'm going to wait, I'm heading to Coffee & Tea on Broadway and Aldine. At least there, I know I'm supporting a local business that I and lots of other people love. read more