If you sit in the parking lot and place your mobile order before walking into Starbucks, one Alabama shift supervisor says you’re doing it wrong. He shares mobile ordering etiquette to make the experience smoother for customers and Starbucks workers.
In a video with over 238,000 views, TikToker and Starbucks shift supervisor Sky Guthrie (@skyguthrie) issues a “slight PSA” to customers who prefer mobile ordering over talking to a barista.
What’s The Right Way To Use Starbucks Mobile Ordering?
First, he shares that mobile orders are deprioritized by Starbuck’s system, so they may take longer during peak times.
“The system isn’t going to prioritize it over the people already at the store,” he explains. “If you mobile order it in the store and expect it to be ready, it will not be ready.”
Guthrie also tells customers to double-check their pickup method, drive-thru or in-store, before arriving for their mobile order. This prevents Starbucks workers from needing to run around to locate your drink in the separate drive-thru and in-store pick-up shelves.
“It’s more of a courtesy thing. If you don’t, it’s fine. We’re not going to be upset,” he says. “It does help if you’re in a rush.”
However, there’s one mobile order faux pas that frustrates him like no other: customers who place their mobile orders in the drive-thru.
“Place it at the drive-thru speaker box. Because like I said, it’s prioritizing people that are already at the store,” he continues.
Guthrie also notes that the internal expectation for mobile order turnaround time is from four to 12 minutes. So, don’t expect your order to be ready at the window if you just placed it in line.
He suggests that the best timing for a mobile order is around 10 minutes ahead of when you want to pick up your coffee.
In a follow-up video, Guthrie clarifies that these tips are most helpful during peak hours, usually between 6am to 10am, depending on the location.
Starbucks Workers Share Mobile Order Pet Peeves
On the r/Starbucks subreddit, other Starbucks workers have ranted about the worst mobile order behavior they’ve witnessed from customers. Many agree with Guthrie’s tips for better mobile order etiquette.
“People who show up two seconds after placing a mobile are like the people who act like they’re in a rush, but then spend an hour in a Walmart looking for only three things,” one remarked.
Another wrote, “Customers who pick up every single mobile drink and ask “is this mine?” Without looking at the drink tickets.”
“People who place their mobile orders in the drive thru line when there is no long wait time. Wtf is wrong with you?” a third asked.
Others shared their experience with pushy mobile customers, noting that basic manners should still apply even if you wanted to forgo a conversation with the barista.
“When people immediately pull to the order screen and yell ‘hello?’ or ‘mobile order for ___’ like damn let me greet you first and then you can talk,” a Starbucks worker said.
Why Do Customers Prefer Mobile Ordering?
In the comments of Guthrie’s viral TikTok, Starbucks customers shared their side of the mobile ordering debate. Many offered context to why they only place mobile orders.
“I place it when I’m sitting in the parking lot, it’s fine I’ll wait I just don’t wanna have to say all my modifications to your guys face,” one explained.
Another said, “I’m a sucker for mobile ordering anywhere (bc I want rewards) and it baffles me how many people…don’t do it or don’t understand it???”
“Nope. Ordering in the parking lot – before I pull up to the speaker. Wanna make sure it’s not sitting there – Ice melting. Cold foam not foaming,” a third wrote.
However, some viewers suggested that it’s not their fault they arrive too early for their mobile orders.
“The app tells me it’s ready and they still get mad at me when I arrive and they haven’t made it yet,” a commenter shared.
A second said, “I placed a mobile order the other day, said 8min and selected drive thru then when i get to the window the girl said ‘it’ll be a sec, you must have just placed it’ meanwhile its been 10min.”
@skyguthrie Mobile ordering 😁 #starbucks #starbucksbarista
BroBible reached out to Guthrie via TikTok direct message and comment and to Starbucks via email for further comment. We will update the story when they reply.