4 ms·
How Hard Could It Be?: Good System, Bad System
- cperciva 18y agoWhatever Joel (and the Starbucks employees mentioned) might think, the "expediters" do actually speed things up. Asking people what they want BEFORE they get to the head of the line means that by the time they arrive they've figured out what they want -- rather than weighing their options at the one point when they are in the critical path.
- dats 18y agoYup. It's prevalent in Tokyo and seems to be very effective.
- william42 18y agoThis is the sort of intersting thing I come to HN to read. (Although "We can't give it to you here" still seems kinda dickish)
- joshwa 18y agoProcess trolls can infect any organization...
- scott_s 18y agoIs this your reasoning, or your observation?
- cperciva 18y agoI haven't observed this in starbucks, but I've observed it in other places -- and I reason that starbucks is probably no different from other coffee shops.
- dylan 18y agoThis has been a tough adjustment for those of us who need the entire wait in line to decide on a drink.
- deleted 18y ago[deleted]
- rrf 18y agoI wonder if it wouldn’t be better to simply have a pre-ordering system, especially during peak times. (That is, before you enter the store)
- Tichy 18y agoDidn't Apple announce something like that for the iPhone?
- snprbob86 18y agoI really like the system at Wawa: there are many touch screens. You enter your order and then take a printed receipt to the register, pay, get stamped, and get a copy. Then you trade your "PAID" stamped receipt for your sandwich when they call your number. Super fast and easy, never a line for the screens, and you can browse the rest of the store while you wait.
- Hexstream 18y ago"Personally, I was so offended by that expediter that I'm now getting my coffee at the Starbucks on 60th Street. The 58th Street branch can take a flying leap for all I care." Hum... "Fuck you Starbucks, I'm so offended I'll go at ANOTHER of your branches! That will teach you."
- mcescher 18y agoJoel On Starbucks