About 142 Starbucks customers participate in "pay it backward" game? I'm suspicious

This story says that for more than three hours Tuesday, drive-through customers at a Starbucks in Bloomington, IL didn’t pay for the coffee they ordered. "Rather, as each customer reached the drive-through window, he or she was told the order had been paid by the driver who had just pulled away" the article says. "By the time it was over, about 142 people had spread the Christmas spirit." I'm skeptical; is there anyone from this store reading Starbucks Gossip who wants to confirm or deny? Has anyone out there had that many "pay it backward" customers? (Bloomington, IL Pantagraph)

Comments

[justadame]

I thought this happened last year? And it was just a few people, not three hours. I suppose it's approaching urban legend status at this point.

[Bariesta]

At the store i work at we get that sort of thing every once in a while. Usually until sometone offers to pay only to find out the car behind them ordered a ton of drinks then they back out. I'm skeptical that it went on for 3 hours until someone confirms it.

[Josh]

At one of my stores a guy purchased a fifty dollar gift card and told us to use for as many customers as it could... a few people refused to use it. On another occasion four customers paid for the next in line but it stopped at the fifth, 142 people? it would be nice but very unlikely!

[Borrowed Partner]

Exact same thing happened last week in Richmond Kentucky. 55 cars did this.

[ptownbux]

I can confirm this. I am helping open a new store in Bloomington and the manager at the above named store told me about it. This type of thing happens alot in the stores in this district, just not to this extent. I have even heard about some customers buying $50 and up gift cards and spreading the cheer.

[Becca]

Ok, I have to ask, since the store I work at doesn't have a drivethrough.... how does the person ahead pay for the person behind? Is the drivethough set up so that the 2nd person orders before the first person pays? Does the first person just hand over some money, hoping it will cover the next person's drink??

[Ryan Ebelhar]

I've seen this happen before. But only for about 10 cars.

[Anna Mousey]

Becca: We have all the orders Qued up in the computer system as they are ordered. So you would just pull up two orders for the car that starts and that would automatically put you ahead one order than the car that is pulling up.

We had this happen at my store last week. One of our regulars cut off the car behind him and then they both pulled into my DT. He felt so bad he bought the guy's drink. It only went on for about 20 minutes but it was really pleasant to see how much it made peoples' days.

Not to be a huge cynic, but the mildly annoying thing about stuff like this is that all of those people who "pay it backward" probably went along with their day feeling like they just did a Good Deed...when really, a circlejerk of yuppies buying each other's luxury food choices doesn't have that much muscle in terms of actually doing anything of value.

Flame away.

[Deusx]

Do not feed the trolls.

[DenverCindy]

Its a nice gesture, and it would definitely put a smile on my face!

[Mr.Dazzle]

Like most so far, I've seen this sort of thing happen as DTR, but never to the extent of 3 hours and 142 people...this sounds like a bit of an exaggeration to me. Inevitably you're going to get the Suburban with the mom and 17 kids in the back and a two-figure total that no one is going to want to cover...understandably so.

In a related note, about two years ago when I was still a customer in a region testing the Pumpkin Spice Latte, a store I visited gave me a free-drink card that read:

"One Good turn leads to another and another. Not long ago, at a Starbucks drive-thru in Riverside California, a wave of kindness took over. Upon receiving a complimentary White Chocolate Mocha due to a mix-up on our part, the recipient, driving a blue pickup truck, used the money he saved to buy drinks for the car behind him. Impressed by this gesture, the driver of the second car followed suit and paid for the next in line. The excitement and generosity continued through a total of seven cars, ending with one very delighted woman who graciously accepted her good fortune. Our customers inspire us daily. Pleas accept a complimentary tall Pumpkin Spice Latte. If you are inspired as we are, you can pass it along to a friend or the person in line behind you. And to the gentleman in the blue pickup truck, wherever you are, thanks."

I've kept it ever since.

And Anna - You're totally right. In fact, we should all forget our trivial lives, pack-up and fly on over to the Sudan where we can all join our yuppie forces, armed with nothing but our hope and love for humanity, and put a stop to the genocide taking place there.

Seriously? Do you have nothing better to COMPLAIN about than people's simple acts of benevolence? I, for one, will be grateful for the tiny, random acts of kindness that make my job worthwhile, and inspire me daily.

[averrycafinatedbarrista]

Mr Dazzle: yeah, i saw one of those cards as well. they were a nice touch. They also came out with them last year with a different story.

[iheartstarbuckslattes]

Mr Dazzle = Mr Hostile

while it does not take big gestures to make a big impact- buying a latte for another person isn't exactly a christmas miracle. there's nothing wrong with someone pointing out that a toy or food drive might inspire the same feelings while benefiting those that don't shell out $4 for a cup of coffee and milk. i am so tired of people patting themselves on the back for what a great person they are, but not making ANY impact what-so-ever on anything except encouraging other people to spread goodness through consumerism. yes- getting a free coffee would make my day better- but is it so amazing that we need to have an oprah show about it? (exaggeration for your benefit, since I guessed you love exaggeration based on the sudan reference)

[Rocket City Barista]

I can confirm this happening in Huntsville, AL.

[ErieShift]

WE have never tried anything like this in our area, but I am not so sure how it would work with people ordering so many different drinks. The store has to be loosing out somehow, and not only that how do they manage to convince the customer in line to pay for the drink of the person behind them?

On a side note are there any other stores out there being told not to brew decaf until it is ordered by a customer? Somehow that doesnt seem to fit in with Starbucks standards and yet our DM is telling us we are not to brew decaf unless it is ordered. Apparently he thinks that we will be saving coffee by doing this. However I have seen at least a dozen people walk out of the store when they found out they would have to wait for decaf to brew.

[Summer]

What a short sited DM. Seems like he is penny wise and pound foolish.

[MarkiePost]

I live in Bloomington and didn't see this thing actually occur, but it doesn't surprise me at all. This is a fairly new Starbucks in a town of 100K that never had a Starbucks until recently -- this particular location is right across the street from State Farm's corporate headquarters and has a steady flow of drive through business all day every day. I went there this morning, though, and had to pay for my own. And, I'm too much of a Scrooge to try and start the chain again... (HUMBUG!)

[BaristaSinceO4]

Not brew decaf? That I cannot believe. We brew all three until close (or ten minutes to close...he he...).

[Teal]

It really did happen in Bloomington, Il on Tuesday. I was car #79. In fact, customers at this store have been buying the next car's coffee a lot this fall. I have, and I've had others treat me.

[Prosumer partner]

The Starbucks standard is that the "medium" coffee doesn't have to be brewed after noon, unless requested by a customer. However, the bold and decaf must be brewed and ready. If the DM want to save on decaf, he could tell the stores to brew quarter batches. If the DM just doesn't get it, you could have grind decaf for a couple of French presses and have them ready to go.

[sbuxmanager]

Actually, you can shut off mild after your peak period, but must have it ready to brew if requested. However, if the mild is the featured coffee of the week, you must brew it all day.

[LinDy]

I saw this story on the 7a news today! Channel 5 KTLA to be exact... and i heard it on KOST 103.5 just awhile ago... i think its nice... i wish someone would pay for my gingerbread latte. Happy Holidays guys!

[Scorpio370]

I've only heard of these things happening and it surprises me that that many people would do this. As pleasant as it would be to have my own drink bought for me and I would do it for the next, I am just surrounded by to many penny pinching people for it to go to far. I have been in my store when my DM has bought for the customers, but it wasn't passed on after that.

On a side note, I thought that the coffee we brewed was figured into our costs right down to the coffee we throw out when it's expired? Maybe that is what we are told here because we believe in going that extra step and not have the customers wait for the coffee to have to be brewed. Not to mention we have way to many people ask for it, so it's best that we just do it all day.

[Becca]

people freak at us if we don't have mild at 10:30 pm (30 min before we close). If we stopped brewing it after peak, we'd lose a lot of customers.

that is an american policy (to go to just two coffees).
here in canada we brew all three, all day long...
(just an FYI)

Central FL, or at least parts of it, also brew all three all day.

[Jeremy in Seattle]

I've seen this happen at my old Elliot Ave Drive Thru store before... not this much mind you - but something big. Around 60 plus cars. I thought that was huge!

[Anna Mousey]

Mr. Dazzle. I'm sorry you seem to be a jerk...but I was in no way suggesting that a little good will over coffee was going to save the world. I was simply suggesting that it made an otherwise boring shift a little more fun.

Somehow I can't imagine your nasty attitude is exactly changing the world for the better. I just don't see how yet another loud mouth, no action, cynic is doing anyone any good.

[Mr.Dazzle]

Ms. Mousey. I'm sorry, but I do tend to get defensive over my customers who are such a substantial part of my life. You should see the smiles on peoples faces when I tell them that their drink was just paid for by the car in front of them - it's wonderful. Come on - that has got to be worth something...right??

i think the both of you have mis-read who posted what!

you're both saying the same thing, thinking the other said something different.

names are UNDER posts...

[cornfrost]

I have heard this occasionally happens at toll booths.

But if someone pays for your coffee, and you pay for someone else's, it seems that it all evens out. You are not really "getting" something (except interaction with your fellow customers, which when I'm in a chipper mood I could argue is more valuable than anything).

Doesn't this slow the line down?

[baristamcbaristason]

YES!!!! It happend at my store in Fresno CA. I went on for 2 hours. Try it the next time you drive thru.

[baristamcbaristason]

YES!!!! It happend at my store in Fresno CA. I went on for 2 hours. Try it the next time you drive thru.

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

Out of the nothingess I came into the world and into the nothingess I shall return.

[Kathy]

I've had it happen to me in Hillsboro, OR, and I've done it for other people at the same store in Hillsboro, and another in Woodburn, OR.

I've even bought tea for someone who couldn't get her debit card to work in Portland.

The person who paid for me that first day made my day, and I've tried to carry on the good feeling.

[SuperLibby]

wow the australian market is living in the dark ages...

we have no drive thrus AND we only have one brewed coffee, no decaf unless someone requests it which i've never incountered. In my store we only brew on demand which used to be the standard until a couple of months ago. Now we're supposed to brew every hr, thing is, no one aside from visiting american tourists orders filters...

[barista1124]

I worked at a major drive-thru in CA and I tried to start this a dozen times. I would discount5 a customer and tell them the customer in front of them bought there drink and to have a great day. Never once did anyone offer to pay for anybody else and about 4 of the people asked why and then just grunted 'oh well, whatever, yeah great'. It was fascinating for me to try it. I really wanted to spark something like this. Alas, the store I was at was not a true third place and I guess you can't force it. Enjoy it when you have it and be happy for the random acts of kindness. The whole arguement about third world anguish is apples and oranges. This is not the same as charity. It's another thing entirely.

[Adina]

I did it at my local Starbuck's drive-thru this morning in San Jose. The manager said 2 weeks ago, 104 people payed it forward! I think its a great idea, and it makes people happy.

[cutemgr]

I manage a drive-thru and this happened today. Only 9 cars, but it seemed to make everyone happy!

I've seen this happen at my small town drive thru store! We have a ton of regulars. One lady calls it her "random act of coffee" she has skin disease and is undergoing chemotherapy and wears a scarf over her head, but she always starts it, it never lasts more than about 10 cars though. We also had a regular come in on christmas eve and hand a $20 bill to everyone who was working (I think there were 6 or 7 of us) to say thanks!

[AR]

Gee... you dont wanna be the JERK who would break that chain!

[coffeemaster]

I absolutely love it when people do this. I couldn't imagine seeing that happen for over 3 hours, but even when a little burst of 2 or 3 people pay it back, it makes the greatest difference in the world to this person behind them.

It's fun to be the one to give the good news too!

[Rawrrr Barista]

I can confrim this also in Ashburn VA on Christmas Day last year, I work Chirstmas this year too, I wonder if it will happen now with prices up and budgets tight..

[wondering]

does anyone else realize only the one who breaks the chain really gets a free drink? If yours is free so you pay for the one behind you, essentially you're still paying for your coffee, right?

[sydney]

I paid for the person in front of me but not behind me

[Amy]

My parents live by Marysville, WA and were witness to the 350 people or so in a row paying it forward at the starbucks there. I did it today in Lexington, KY and the girl at the counter said people had been doing it for others all day. I think it makes those who give just as happy as those who recieve. :)

[Amanda]

i dont understand why people are cynical about this. Who cares if it changes the world or not? Its about making someone smile, and hopefully occasionally inspiring them to do something kind. In a world where its hard for people to feel like they're making a difference, it provides some much needed warm-fuzzies. :)

[SBUXFAN]

For all you naysayers above, just ask us here in Washington state. We had 812 Pay It Forwards in a couple days.
So doubt all you want, but don't be surprised when you too get a nice gift from the guy in front of you. ..be it a drink or a burger or a friendly wave. Welcome to the world.

[eve]

This was copied from Our Daily Bread...someone read the passage and then did this...I'd love to see this publication get the credit for it because they are non profit! This was their passage on December 13th:
http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-12-13-07.shtml
Would you pay the bill for the people in the car behind you at a fast-food drive-thru—even if you didn’t know them?

That was the challenge given by a local Christian radio station to change their community. It was called “The Drive-Thru Difference.” The goal was to do a Christlike act of kindness for people who didn’t expect it and to leave a note saying you did it because of your love for Christ.

Why do this? Why spend money for someone else’s food—especially someone we don’t know and who may be hostile to the faith? Why give without any hope of return? It sounds countercultural, but the idea has strong biblical basis.

Notice what Jesus said as He addressed a large crowd: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?” (Luke 6:32-33). Clearly, Jesus wants us to do good to people who can in no way pay us back.

Whether we’re paying someone’s bill at Taco Bell or dropping change into the Salvation Army kettle, our concern should be selfless giving—whether we get credit for it or not. In Jesus’ name, who can you bless today? —Dave Branon

Be a servant of the Lord
And do not look for a reward;
Not for glory or for fame,
Just give freely in His name.  —Roworth