Outsourcing at the drive-thru

[Betty]

They f you at the drive thru. That is all.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by lashbear

I don't know why you have to order through a tinny speaker and then pay the woman (whom you just spoke to) sitting 10 feet in front of you.

So she can be taking money and making change while taking the next order, presumably.

OR, are they going to shut down all the First Windows and now require that the Second Window Operator not only put together your order and hand it to you, but also make change? In that scenario, the company has just fired one person (First Window Operator) who performed two functions and replaced them with a one-function person while increasing the work for the Second Window Operator.

This is what has me scratching my head. Someone still needs to take money and hand you your food. So yeah, either they'll still have that one person who used to take your order, take your money, and hand you the food, in which case all they've done is hired MORE people. Or they'll cut staff by one and make someone else do 2/3 of the job. Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

Aw man, a bummer when the line is so long at In & Out that they have someone in the parking lot taking orders!!!

I actually like it. While I believe it may help the lead time during crunch periods, I like talking face-to-face with someone who I know is 100% focused on taking my order.

And I should add: In N Out is the one place I can count on to consistently put enough ice in my drinks, not forcing me to go inside.

[MouseWife]

That is a good point, KB. I just hate the long line. But, it seems anytime we go there is one that long.

About the money issue, I wonder if it will come to a point where they will have a 'self serve' check out and that you use your debit card to pay, say, at the first window {like an atm} and then {if you're cleared} at the second window they hand you your food.

And/or that they require you to come inside if you want to use cash. A lot of fast food places already take debit/credit.

The outsourcing. Well, we've seen what it can do to the economy. Right? It isn't just me and my tin foil hat, is it?

[JWBear]

Now, I want In-n-Out for lunch....

[katiesue]

This does seem like a lame idea. Certain places I do just go in to order, KFC for one as they don't put the whole menu on display at the drive through and it takes me a minute to figure out what I want since I only go there like once a year. In and out has it down pat.

Or you can be the moron ahead of me last night at KFC drive thru who spent like 10 minutes aruging with the guy about something he got last time he was there that wasn't what he thought he ordered.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

That is a good point, KB. I just hate the long line. But, it seems anytime we go there [In N Out] is one that long.

I have noticed that with In N Out, the older style stores with the small cooking area between the two lanes are much slower than the newer, larger stores with a single drive through. While I don't know it for a fact, I am pretty sure they can put people through faster with the larger cook areas because they have much more grill space (cooking more burgers at a time).

Besides, In N Out is just simply better than the other fast food joints, so it will of course, be more popular (and therefor, busier).

Originally Posted by JWBear

Now, I want In-n-Out for lunch....

Is that a complaint?!?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

I understand the self-checkout technology, and I also use it. I guess I should have said I feel insulted when my lead talks about replacing the cashiers. As a threat.

What a dick!

Originally Posted by MouseWife

I also have had the guests who say they would not like the self-check out as they want to see people like me there, have a nice word and a smile. With the cut back of staff, people have come up to me quite upset saying they had no one to help them find something and they wouldn't be back. I guess I like old fashioned customer service myself. I love visiting the small towns and enjoy the rapport.

I love being behind the counter to help people, and I'm nearly always cheery on desk, ready to help with anything I can. It's a rare day that I'm not able to hold it together, mostly because I love interacting with everyone that comes in. In that way I'm very much an old-fashioned, customer service-oriented person.

The funny part is that when I am a customer somewhere, I would rather not deal with anyone. I want the stuff that I came for, I want it fast, and I want to get out without learning anyone's life story. When I do interact with checkers or staff I'm always friendly, but if every store had a self-checkout, I'd use it as often as possible. This may be because my standards for service are high, and if they seem annoyed at their job it makes me annoyed at them for forcing me to interact with their annoyance.

[madmonkeygirl]

My local McDonald's usually has 2 windows after you order. First window to pay for the food and someone there actually taking the orders. Second window to pick up your food. I only had 1 mishap with an order placed and given the wrong order. It's been rare when window #1 has been closed and you just pull around to window #2. So we'll see what happens.

I'm a cashier in retail and i know we have alot of returning customers who love to chat and who love to see the same face all the time. I doubt in petsales there will be self checkouts. One main thing that is always concentrated on daily is customer satisfaction especially with items wanted and needing help. If there weren't anyone at the register who would the customer ask since they usually go to the first cashier they see.

[MouseWife]

KB~ that makes sense about the bigger grills. And, I want In & Out, too.

CP~ Those above me are mostly women. You know, I get the same when we go places, too. I know what cashiers are and aren't able to do so when I see them slacking, I don't appreciate it. When I go shopping with the Hubster, I usually just let him do the transaction. That way he can chat with them if they want to. While I'm working, it is 50/50 who is the one who says something. What throws me is people reading my name tag and addressing me as if they know me. But they usually do it in a nice way, not like they are going to report me or anything. We are actually told to address the guest and ask them a few certain questions. I don't always.

MMG~Good point! I think you are safe, then. And,yep, people always ask me questions, first one they see walking in. And, I don't know how many people ask me for directions to other stores.....