Tim Hortons Employees Rant About Work
Friday, January 11, 2008
When I saw this article I had to include it since it was so "Canadian"!!
Frustrated employees have banded together on the popular social networking site Facebook to give cranky customers the basic rules on how to order their daily fix if they want to get good service.
A trip to Tim Hortons is part of the daily routine for many Canadians, but it doesn't necessarily seem to be the warm and fuzzy experience the commercials make them out to be for people on both sides of the counter.
Facebook hosts more than 500 groups about Tim Hortons, some appreciative, some definitely not.
"This is for everyone who gets fed up with people who don't know what they want, and for workers who have to put up with this everyday. If people would just listen to these rules when ordering the world will be a better place," writes Janice Morgan, who identifies herself as the administrator of one group called Tim Hortons Rules of Ordering and More that has some 3,400 members.
The 80 rules or so spell out how to make your visit to Tims more efficient: "When you want a coffee with no sugar, do not say no sugar it sounds like your saying 'one sugar', " or "If you don't say you want anything in your coffee don't expect to get anything in it, we can't read your mind" and "Stop telling us to 'stir it well' there is no button on the cash register for that."
Although somewhat amusing, the rules are from people who identify themselves as Tim Hortons employees and who clearly wish customers would spend a day in their shoes.
"Almost everyday someone is rude to me and my coworkers," writes someone who identifies herself as Meghan Watts. "We try hard to get everyone's order right, but we do make mistakes from time to time. That's no reason to jump down our throats, yelling at us and trying to get free coffee."
In other Facebook groups such as Poor Souls Who've Worked at Tim Hortons, I Survived Making Ice Caps (iced cappuccinos) in the Summer (Tim Hortons employees) and I worked @(at) Tim Hortons and SURVIVED!, cranky workers share horror stories about testy clients.
A worked identified as Nick Bolarinho wrote that one customer threw his iced cappuccino in his face and yelled "this is shit!" Another says that he still has nightmares about his former Tim Hortons job.
But the coffee slingers are not the only ones airing their beefs on Facebook. Frustrated clients also have their support groups such as Tim Hortons Screws up my Order Every Time and Tim Hortons Service Sucks.
"Once I ordered a medium coffee, muffin and a bottle of water and I actually got two apple juices (in a bag), a large hot chocolate, a bagel and a muffin (not the one I asked for). They even charged me for what I did order...," complains a Kristine Julian from Halifax.
Someone identified as Rachelle Richards sums it up this way: "unhappy employees makes for shitty customer service, and therefore unhappy customers."
But there is a silver lining for Tim Hortons employees. Many Facebook groups, like Addicted to Tim Hortons, are very positive and they seem to always have time for Tim Hortons.
The public affairs director for Tim Hortons didn't return calls Thursday.
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How funny is that? I don't think I will look at another Tim Horton's the same again!!
January 13, 2008 at 1:31 p.m.
Tim Horton's isn't just in Canada! One just opened up down the street from me in Lansing, Michigan, there's another one in Pontiac, and one in Mount Pleasant, too. I hate to break it to them, but our local coffee chain called "Beaners" has better coffee, and our local bakery Quality Dairy has better donuts!
January 13, 2008 at 1:38 p.m.
I didn't know they opened them in the US too...that is cool...but I don't drink the coffee...so I'll agree with you on that one!
January 14, 2008 at 5:30 a.m.
I didn't Know about Tim Horton's until I read your post Tay. The only Canadian brand Bridget knows (and likes!) is Carribou Coffee - it is Canadian right? Love their Mint Condition!
Not tempted to try Tim's ha!
January 14, 2008 at 9:34 a.m.
It must be Canadian if you say so Bridget...you are really smart!! :)
Tim Horton's is cool...I love their hotchocolate...and they are so much cheaper than Starbucks!!
June 30, 2008 at 2:31 p.m.
Bad customers come with almost any food based job. I worked at McDonald's for almost 2 years and saw at least 3 customers a day who threatened me or yelled at me, and I was one of the better employees! We had everything from teenagers letting mice loose in the restaurant to adults yelling at cashiers in front of their children. Way to set a great example. To some people, it's better to have a perfect hamburger than leaving an employee feeling valued.