User post: The 15 Dos and Don'ts of Fast-Food Drive-Thru

We all like to eat fast food once and awhile, and it's defiantly not a bad idea to stop to get a quick something, but there are just some things you don't do when you are at your place of choice. Then again there are some things you want to do, to ensure not only great product but maybe even something free too! All the following are if your coming through a fast food Drive-thru.

Never...EVER: Toss back the food through the window. I've had people do this to me, and let me tell you, not only do i not care if you food is fresh, i might even make sure they use the old stuff to get it out of the shelves.
Do...: If you do have the wrong order and the line is long, pull out and go in. Say you think you have the wrong order (making sure to not be mad...smile) You'd be surprised by how many free coupons for things you'll get doing this.
Never...EVER: Say "this happens all the time when i come through." Our thought on the inside "if it happens all the time...why do you keep coming back?" So we know your lying already trying to get something for free. Too bad you just lost that.
Do...: If you do happen to have it happen a bit more to you then you'd like. Come inside...there is a 97% chance you will always get the right food. That's not to say you won't fall in the 3%.
Never...EVER: Tell the order taker that the others cars were served faster. (if the place has a double drive-thru or not) They are not just taking orders, they have to take the money, sometimes even get the food ready and hand it out. So they are not trying to forget you, it's just not that easy doing 5 to 6 jobs all at once. They are trying to get you taken care of.
Do...: If it is taking a long time...come inside. I once had a customer tell me there was 4 car in line, and he came in and left by the time the 3 car was just pulling up to order. Or if you fell like waiting make sure you know exactly what you want when they do help you, more often then not people will wait like 2 to 3 minutes and when the order taker is ready they haven't even looked at the menu yet...so they have to wait even longer to get everything.
Never...EVER: Not pull forward if they ask you to so they can help the people behind you. If they are waiting on your food, but the person behind you has there order ready...just pull forward. When you don't not only do you hold up the line, but at my place we will just run the orders around you. Then all the other people in line usually honk at you when the get out of line. Plus it's a rule at my store that you get your food last now. So just pull forward.
Do...: Pull forward with a smile. Even if it takes 5 minutes for them to get you your food. Think they know how long you've been waiting..and if you smile and say "oh it's ok you guy's are busy" Boom...there's free coupons. I usually give out 3 to 4 coupons if they smile and treat me good when i run the food out. The person running you out your food already thinks your going to yell so surprise them, and they will make it worth your while.
Never...EVER: Tell us how long you've been waiting. Chances are your lying and we know it. We have timers on the inside that tell use so don't try making something up to get free food. There is no DO on this one...just Don't do this.
Do...: If you come through a lot, try to get to know them. We always treat the regulars 10x better then everyone else. Plus they get the freshest and best quality. Plus you never know, you might just make a new friend.
Do...: Call the hotline and tell them how good a store is doing if you have good service. The hotline contacts the store and lets them know. The manager lets his crew know, and they get bonuses, so they are more likely to treat every customer good, to try to get more. More calls, better service.
Never...EVER: Tell them you are missing an item when you are not. We will ask for the bag back..and if you think your clever by taking it out of the bag first, we know what we put in the bag, and we will get your plate number. And if you try it again...you'll be getting a call. Plus at my store we may even come out to your car to "double check the bag". Odds are the customer says forget it, and then we know you were lying. No one drives off if they are not lying.
Never...EVER: Ask for a only water. Most stores will tell you "sorry we don't just give out waters, you must order something too." If you want water that bad come inside, it's 10 cents, some places it's free.
Do...: Have your money ready, try not to go digging through you car to find a penny if your short. We don't care about a penny, just give us what you got as long as it is within 5 or so cents. That's not to say every place will be nice like that. Some places will penny you if your short.
Lastly...Pick a place that is not busy, or try not to come during peak periods. Your food will be fast, but the quality is through the gutter. And sometimes it's just smarter to come in.