Does anyone use Square? (Why would they since the Starbucks app is just fine?)

Nearly three months after its launch at Starbucks, the experience of using the Square app to pay for your coffee "is anything but polished," according to Fast Company magazine staffers who tested it out at many SBUX locations.

They write:

"At worst, the service simply did not work. On average, however, the user experience was buggy and awkward, with Starbucks employees seemingly more confused about how Square works than their own customers."

I used Square once or twice when it debuted, then went back to the Starbucks iPhone app -- and stuck with it.

Do you use Square, customers? Baristas: how many customers use it and have you been properly trained to handle Square transactions? Let us know!

* Shoddy Square rollout baffles baristas and confuses customers

Comments

[Bart_smith]

Not being able to link Square with my Starbucks Gold Card to earn rewards has kept me from using it.

I have however used the Square Wallet app at other businesses and prefer it to using the Starbucks app. As soon as I arrive, I can "check in" and open up a tab. After that, the person at the register gets a notification that I'm there along with my picture, and I don't have to fumble with my phone when it's time to pay for my order.

[Slake]

I've never had a problem using Square at Starbucks and I use it all them time at different locations.

[buxy]

At starbucks the square app just generates a QR code with your credit card information, just like the starbucks card app does with your starbucks card info.
If you have no problems with the starbucks card app I don't know why you'd have problems with the square app ... the barista doesn't even need to be told what app you're paying with just whip out your phone and they can hit 1 of two mobile payment buttons (one for square, one for starbucks card) that function exactly the same.
This is a more of a win for customers who were already using square but don't use store cards because they don't want to hand cash over to some company to hold for them on a store card.

[Barista Ben]

Why would you use it? Perhaps you just want to use your credit / debit card to pay instead of a Starbucks card. There really isn't any other reason, I can think of.

[KDH]

The barista does need to be told with which app you are paying. There are different buttons on the POS for Square and Starbucks Card.

[Jacqueline G]

Like buxy said, the two buttons function the same (I can tell who reads their action items!) You do not have to inform your barista of which app you're using. But for the love don't scan your phone while I'm still pressing buttons!