What D’ya think of this?
Now that I’m back on evenings I’ve got a little more time on my hands to surf the net. One of the things I’ve come across is a facebook group called “Tim Horton’s Rules of Ordering and More” (there’s roughly 4,000 people in this group)
Apparently this group was created by some folks who work at Tim Hortons and in my estimation have been there too long. The list has about 100 “do’s and don’ts” of ordering. I’ve gone ahead and copied a few of the “best” from their list.
When you want a coffee with NO sugar, DO NOT say no sugar it sounds like your saying “one sugar
We only carry one kind of milk so don’t ask for something dumb like homogenised milk we don’t have any
Regular is not a size it’s Medium
Stop telling us to “stir it well” there is no button on the cash register for that
when you drive up to the speaker box have your order ready, we don’t carry “Give me a seconds” or “Hold ons”
ordering drinks so that you need more then one tray. Get off you butt and come in the store! If you are truly that lazy maybe you should make your own coffee at home
Don’t ask “What kind of donuts do you have?” come in and look for yourself…
Now how does that grab you? I know that some jobs are worse than others and can relate to some of their gripes…but I think when you hit the point that you’re bitching about someone calling a medium coffee a regular it’s time you find another job. After all there are a ton of other crappy minimum wage jobs that you can work and then start another facebook group! What do you think?
January 11th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I think it is funny! Everyone who works in retail has these little things to bitch about!
January 11th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I think these guys should get a grip on their manners and chill! what’s the big deal? it’s their job.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
We all have out pet peeves about our jobs…but maybe it’s not the best plan to post them on facebook. It don’t think it helps them get a good reputation. Though it’s kinda funny to see the wierd things that people say to them.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Ok, I work at Tim Hortons, and to tell you the truth, I agree with these rules. You have no idea how many people walk into the store and look at the shelves and ask…what kind of doughnuts to do have?? Do your eyes not work or something, can you not see whats out there? All the doughnuts we have out there are all labelled. What I’m trying to say is .. look BEFORE you ask.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I would asume this is a joke! Right?
Some of the comments make sence, “what kind of Donut’s do you have” is hilarious.
But if you people knew how to stir the coffie, maybe we wouldn’t ask; seriously, if I ask for a Tripple-Tripple, what does that sound like? Must be “Oh, and please leave all the surgar in the bottom of the cup. I don’t have any at home and want to use it on my cerial”(?)… like come on, a tripple-tripple should NOT taste like black coffie LOL This is the single reason why I don’t buy Tim Hortons coffie anymore. But this list just added another.
And these people think we’re lazy for useing the drive-thru, hmmm, but are lipping about needing a second tray? I doubt the person who posted that, actually THAUGHT about it. As the servers at any Timmies I’ve been too, are actually quite lazy unless you count talking to thier friends, and this causes those massive line-ups out the doors, that these people with large orders are trying to avoid… think about it people.
And welcome to the “service” industry KIDS, you don’t like it; try a job where you actually have to work. I have nothing against the service industry itself (as I also work in it), just the people that don’t know what “service” means.
Seroiusly, this must be a joke(?)
January 11th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Sure……..everyone’s got their gripes about their jobs!!! Honestly……..I’m not interested in what your problem is with your job………it’s YOUR PROBLEM, not mine. Sure that comes across pompous……but it’s a fact. The reason it’s a minimum wage job is because UNFORTUNATELY (sigh) you have to deal with things like people asking for a “regular” coffee instead of a medium. If you don’t like your two-bit job…….QUIT!!! There are plenty others out there that I’m sure you’de still complain about………but maybe not AS much. :).
January 11th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Some of the comments are quite funny but most are just sad. To let small things (like saying regular instead of medium) bother you so much makes me think that you are very unhappy with the job. Unfortunately, I feel pride in your work, regardless of how mundane the task may be, has taken a back seat to the lure of money. It seems easier to complain than to try to find something enjoyable about the job.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I think that some of these do’s and don’ts could be useful, since anyone who has worked in retail knows that a lot of people (customers) are idiots. A good portion of them are probably just people venting, but I agree with Katherine. Maybe not such a good idea to post your thoughts. I seem to recall this behaviour getting people fired from Walmart before.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
WTF ?
Maybe If Tim Would Hired SMART People to Work and Serve the CLIENTELE PROPERLY
There Would be No Missunderstanding ! lol
Talk about Lazy !!!
THEY SHOULD FIRE THEM STUPID IDIOTS THAT WROTE THOSE STUPID RULES !!!
THERE !! hehe
Say this Comment ON AIR Robin !!!
((Tkx For my 75 Points !!))
ON My Way To Win Me a Key and What Comes With That Key ! Yeah Baby !
January 11th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
WTF ??
January 11th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I think the rules are really funny…
January 11th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
As a former Tim Hortons employee (I worked there for over a year) I understand these comments and frusterations. For example, the ‘When you want a coffee with NO sugar, DO NOT say no sugar it sounds like your saying “one sugar’ one. The headsets suck, so when you say no sugar and a sugar is put in it. Don’t come back and yell at us as we have so complelty inconvenienced your day. We did what we heard.
I don’t have time to read the whole list, but I am sure I could add some comments to. For example, do not go through drive thru and order 5 bagels with various types of cream cheese and 2 sandwiches, especially during rush hour (I had the pleasure of taking and doing that order).
in terms of regular vs medium- people will talk back to you when you pass them a medium instead of a regular cofee, then you get to take the next 10 minutes in drive thru explaining that it is the same thing.
Another favourite experience of mine was just after the tax was lowered, so the prices were skewed and awkward in terms of pennies. Like 1.38 or somthing. Our managers never got enough pennies for the store, so the cashes ran out of pennies frequently. One evening we has a gentleman come in and order a coffee. We didn’t have the one penny for his change. So the cashier politely said “I am sorry sir but we don’t have anymore pennies for your change. Is that ok”. He then proceeded to yell, not raise his voice, but yell at the cashier for ripping him off… Groups like this facebook group allow for people to bond and laugh about these kind of stories, even if they seem stupid to other people. You just gotta work there to get it i suppose.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
You know, I really have to bite my tongue over this. Sure, public service industry jobs would test the patience of a saint…..but get real for a change! Rules for ordering a stupid coffee? Some I can see, but for the most part all it comes across as is disgruntled employees. As a faithful patron of Tims I can honestly say that some shops should be reviewed for the poor or lack of quality service. Face facts poeple, your service, like it or not, has a direct impact on the kind of day we have as it is usually the first one we have in the morning.
Here are a few rules we as customers would love to see implemented, but you will never see posted beyond this blog page.
1. Keep the line moving. Somehow I (not working for a coffee joint ever) can manage to pour 3 coffee in less than 4 minutes. Also, rekindling old friendships with “Johnny I forget his name” thru the window makes the customers waiting in line want to ram the car in front of them past so they can get their order.
2. One moment please. Yes, your registers log each order on a computer monitor…..see where this is going?
3. Open microphones. For some strange reason, We just do not want to hear you moan and bitch about the last customer, nor do we want to know about who screwed who at the party last night.
4. Spoons. The often forgotten stirring utensil.
5. Manners. Your first impressions at the drive thru have a direct impact on if you are getting a tip or not.
6. Get the order right. Come on now, it’s not like you are splitting the atom here!
7. Facial attachments. (piercings) I would have gone to Hollywood if I wanted to be waited on by the dude from the movie “Hellraiser”. Most public service industry jobs do not allow this, nor should Tom Hortons.
8. Handing bills back before the change. This rots my a**. ok, our hands are NOT the size of baseball gloves.
I could go on for days here, but let’s have some other people add on to this one.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
What do you expect from minimum wage employees that have to deal with a lot of idiots every day?
January 11th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I work in the service industry as a courier. Like everyone else, I have difficult customers occasionally who have no clue what is what. Some think they are the only customer i have or that i am invulnerable to weather and/or traffic conditions or i have access to a jet powered helicopter like AirWolf or a time machine so their package can be delivered “yesterday”. These people are idiots, but they are my customers and must be politely placated, not ridiculed in public, because without customers i have no job……
January 11th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I work with the public too and I hear a lot stupid things too, but you know what, it’s my job, I get paid for it and it pays my bills. So WTF, I just smile and help people the best that I can!
January 11th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
If everybody left them a tip they would all be happier. You try working for what they get paid. After all you got us posting for 75 points. Imagine if you paid us.
January 12th, 2008 at 6:45 am
After dishing out how many coffees I’d probably get pissed too. I think there she be drive through rules. Nothing that has to be cooked, toasted etc. Lets keep the line moving. The guy ordering 8 breakfast sandwiches 14 bagles ( some toated only on one side) with various topics should be shot.
January 12th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I can sypathize with these guys. Customers can be bigger a**holes than anyone who works at Timmy’s - unfortunately these are the dickheads I end up standing behind. Here’s a few more rules they can add to the list: take out your money before you place your order; and think of what you want to drink/eat while you are standing in line for five minutes, not after you get to the cashier.
January 12th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I kinda agree to a point. My usual coffee is a medium black with 1 sugar. Now I used to say medium coffee no cream 1 sugar. And about 1 in 10 I would end up getting cream. I would not call them The Rules Of Ordering, but there is a need to learn what and how to say your order so that there are as few mistakes as possible. And less stress for you and employee.
January 12th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Someone besides Robin has way to much time on their hands to come up with some of those Rules of Ordering
January 12th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I thought a regular was 1 cream 1 sugar so I can see how that is confusing. On the other hand, if that is confusing I can see why they aren’t working at Starbucks with their half decaf soya latte….
January 12th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Maybe the public should stop spending their money at Tim Hortons then they would have a reason to bitch
January 12th, 2008 at 10:56 am
NOw thats asking for a little to much, its a service that Timmies provides, if there was no drive through then what have a zillion customers waitin in line…..if ya dont like the job, get another……thats what it is all about customer service….give what they want, and if your still not happy, complain to the ceo’s of Timmies…
January 12th, 2008 at 11:39 am
There’s been a lot of great comments made already. And I can understand why the employees would want to vent their frustrations, maybe Facebook isn’t the best place for that though. I usually avoid the drive thru if I can as a lot of people are either in too much of a hurry, or too lazy, to get out of their cars. 8 times out of 10 it’s quicker to stand in line at the counter. Of course we all have a pet peeve, and Robin hit on it in his comment. How many times has the following happened to any of us? You’re in line for 5 minutes or so getting closer to the cash when the person ahead of you is asked what they would like and they don’t have a clue! It’s like they’ve been sleeping in line for the last 5 minutes. Sometimes you just feel like telling the employee “while they’re deciding what they want and holding up the line even more, I’ll have a…” I could see a riot starting at some of the Timmies around town if anyone tried that, but it sure is tempting.
After re-reading Chris’ comments (5 comments up from this one) that would help accomplish his first point “keep the line moving”.
OK, enough ranting, now I need a coffee! LOL
January 12th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Do We get 75 points per Posts ??
January 12th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Chez’s WildChild, that would be nice, I could use all the points I can get
January 12th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I think the employees should suck it up and be polite to all their customers regardless of their requests. Without the customers their job would not be required. If they don’t like their position than they should find a different job and make way for someone who wants to work there. The funny and unusual requests make for some hilarious stories to be told later during down time anyway. Enjoy!
In regard to the gentleman wanting his penny. The Tim Horton employee should have rounded his change up if the denomination was unavailable. It wasn’t his fault. The amount is not the point here.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
No woder it takes forever to order something or go through the drive-thru .
Twelve employees = 2 cashiers + 1 employee doing all the work + 9 workers making up silly rules .
People , I give you our future city employees .
January 13th, 2008 at 11:49 am
ThankYOu to Tim’s Employees That Does Know How to Serve Properly !
((300 xtra pts Now ???))
January 13th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
i dont think they are meant to be hardfast rules. they just want to help speed up the process at the drive thru, which is the reason we go there, for fast service
January 13th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
more rules to get a coffe, is standing in line for 10 minutes not enough
January 13th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
What do you mean you don’t have any steeped tea!!!
January 13th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Like most people these days, all they do is whine. Lighten up and enjoy what you do.
January 13th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Wow… just wow.
January 13th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Where’s my points???
January 13th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I agree with these rules except for the one that the ask not to ask to ’stir well’. Most of the time my coffee isn’t ’stirred well’
As far as people that they go to the drive through and they do not know what they want or know that they have a big order maybe they should consider going inside, order, pay and wait for there order instead of making other people waiting in line in the drive through
January 14th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Hey some of their points are valid.I work in the food industry and you get some pretty stupid people ordering food.Another thing that burns me up,(I deliver pizza as well) is that (especially in Hunt Club) you’ll come to a 500K house , 2 Beemers in the laneway, a 100$ order and all you’ll get is a $2.00 tip.What’s up with that?People have no respect for the people who serve them.I suggest that people especially,the ones who are described above get with the program,the servers live off their tips,especially drivers who only make minimum wage.The own their cars, have to repair them,pay their gas,insurance etc..It would be nice for once to have every customer be considerate.I think that some customers to be educated should watch “caught on video” to see what could happen for the lack of respect you give your server or driver.Heaven forbid you do it on a regular basis because as you can see we’ll have the last laugh.
Iwas brought up that tipping was a expected and extended courtesy.I tip the Tim’s people Itip everyone @ least 20%.When I deliver I don’t think 15% is alot to ask especially to those in the 500K house.RESPECT THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE YOU IN FACT RESPECT ALL THE PEOPLE YOU MEET AND DEAL WITH, it’s a two way street.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Thanks for all of your comments! I’ll be e mailing the code when I get in for this evenings show!
January 14th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Every job has problems, difficult people, and things that happen day to day that make you ask yourself ” Is the entire human race retarded?” But this is life. If everyone ordered everything perfectly from Tim’s and there was never any confussion or rushes, alot of the people working there would have no need of their job.
Suck it up like the rest of the world does and deal with it. You get to go home at the end of the day, leave work at work. Maybe tell a freind about some retard that came in that day and did something stupid.
When Tim Hortons hires, they ask ” how are you with problem solving? ” Why would you need that? Think about it.
Or if you want a job with no thinking, go work in a factory. The robots don’t miss pronounce or show emotion!
January 14th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I know I’m too late for the points, and that’s cool, but I just wanted to get my 2 cents in anyway(in case next time timmies doesn’t have correct change since the newest tax drop!) It’s a Facebook group. These rules aren’t being nailed to the doors of your local coffee shop. I didn’t read through all of them, but I thought they were pretty funny, and I’m pretty sure they were meant as a joke. I think people are just getting a little too much up in arms over the whole thing.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to order 4 bagels, 3 regular no sugar coffees, and a donut or two. I’ll have to see what kinds they have when I get to the drive up window!
January 14th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Hey all,
Why do so many people always have to focus on the negative parts of work? “Smile and world will smile with you.” It’s a philosophy more of us should adopt. As for Tim Horton’s, I just don’t get what the fuss is all about. I make far better coffee at home!
Cheers!
January 14th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Sounds like Tim Horton employees have drunk too much coffee. I agree if they want to complain that much go to another low-paying job somewhere else.
January 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Hey Robin,
I won’t be earning any points with this post I know but I just had to comment that the Timmies staff that posted their dos & donts need to read the employee handbook. AlthoughTimmies strives for a better customer experience staff let them down at every turn. Every Timmies I’ve ever gone into [not many] has been nothing but an exercise in aggravation. The staff are slow, stupid & inept in my experience, and the facebook group’s list reflects the poor attitude & work ethic.
January 14th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I want to respond to Jenny’s comment not to order 5 bagels with different cream cheese and sandwiches, etc. at the drive thru during ‘rush’ hour. The reason we do that is because the counter staff is certainly in no ‘rush’ to serve you when you do go inside to place your order. Everyone knows that most fast food joints cater to the drive thru customers as their top priority. When you start to make people who actually get out of their cars to go in a place an order feel like they are the priority and quit screwing around behind the counter, then maybe you will get more people out of the drive thru line. The main point is quit your bitching on facebook, take the money that Tim’s pays you, get an education and get better job. Quit whining and start contributing!
January 14th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I think they should find a new job… Maybe a job that requires customer service is NOT for them. There actually ARE some people who don’t go to Tim Hortons everyday, and therefore don’t know what the employees like and do not like to hear over the intercom.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Friggin coffee isn’t that good anyway, and the service obviously sucks in most cases.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Some of it makes sense & would probably speed up the drive through. There are also some locations that suck so bad enough that it wouldn’t make a difference.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Tom, in reply to what you said, I have no problem tipping for good service. I make a modest living and was brought up to realize the value of a dollar. Privledge breeds indifference, plain and simple. How do you think they got all that stuff in the first place.
Public service industry sucks at the best of times, I know my sister has worked for a major chicken chain (name not required) in Nova Scotia for the last 22 years and I hear about it every week. I believe in the fact the quality of service sets the tip. I’ve had everything from wait staff treating me like a long lost friend, to the most surly person in an apron. I talked to managers stating the fact of both great or poor service. It all boils down to the fact if you hate your job, it reflects to the public and these people should find a new career.
To those who take pride in what they do, THANK YOU FOR A GREAT JOB.
January 17th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I still think this has to be a joke LOL
But from reading the posts here, I have one question?
I thaught minimum wage was $8/hr? (Not to mention real “servers” jobs have a lower minimum wage) Isn’t there signs up all over the Timmies stateing they ’start’ at $9/hr with additional benefits? I’ve NEVER heard of a minimum wage job that has benefits(?)
Read one of these “Tims is Hireing” signs next time you see one in there. It’s sounds ALOT better then “minimum” wage. A medical plan, and educational support, at a “minimum wage” job, sounds good.
Considering that “unskilled labourers” STILL start at $10 (same as like 10 years ago, WTF?), I would think if you don’t like service, then it’s a plus for yourself to get into labour. You don’t deal with customers, talking with your co-workers is actually part of your job, and you’ll realize how much better you feel about yourelf once you get into “healthier” shape.
And again, as I did mention in my first post;
I have nothing against the service industry itself (as I also work in it), just the people that don’t know what “service” means.
And for the servers, who do thier JOB, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Hello Robin:
I agree with Jason. If you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen. Get more education & get a better job. Quit your bellyaching. Tims is not holding you hostage. You can quit at any time. When I go to Tims I am a paying customer, paying the servers salary, so be nice to me & I will be nice to you. Tip at a coffee shop. Sorry, no tip! unlessssss you fill my cup to the top, every time. Most days I am paying for a full cup & getting 3/4 on a good day & please, don’t let out the big sigh & overfill when I give it back & ask you to fill the cup up. Here’s how it works for me. Poor service = no tip. Good service is expected. Excellent service deserves a tip.
Thanks for listening.
B
January 31st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Thanks for sharing
January 31st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Eric…
and readers, Lets DIGG this Blog post so we can get more blog posts FAST!! Good stuff….