What would it take for you to give up Tim Hortons?
By now, we’ve all heard about Jimmy Craig, the New Brunswick man banned for life from Tim Hortons earlier this week.
For Canadians, such a sentence is severe to the highest degree. Like being forced to eat toe jam while listening to Lou Bega and watching reruns of The War at Home.
But look closely at Craig’s case and it’s as if he willingly coaxed his punishment.
According to the Star, the paramedic and volunteer fire fighter continually complained about “burnt coffee” for a full year.
While Craig maintained he did his protesting with respect, the local Tims store manager cited several times when the disgruntled customer was aggressive with store staff: “No matter what (we) did to make it right, he was unhappy.”
Still, Craig charged on (“All I did was point out a problem with the consistency of the product,” he told the Star) and filed verbal and written complaints before approaching the coffee shop’s corporate office.
And we know the rest. The manager met with Craig and banned him from the store under New Brunswick’s Trespass Act.
Now, even if you’re to give him all the latitude in the world, on some level you’d have to submit that Craig knowingly contributed to his own ban. Companies have been known to prohibit customers for far less offenses and – without commenting on whether it’s good business or not – it’s not uncommon for relentless complaints to come to such a resolution.
So it’s almost as if Craig chose his right to protest over his right to enjoy Tim Hortons, and that just gets the wheels spinning in my head. Is that worth it to you?
Tims, as we’ve said, is to Canadians as bad shirts are to Charlie Sheen. Someone’s really giving up the restaurant over a chance to whine about coffee?
I think it’s interesting to ask, then, what would it take for you to give up Tim Hortons? What would you need in return?
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: frank ames | Feb 12, 2022 9:12:35 AM
i already have given up Tim Hortons,not because of a person being banned for life,but because of the ridiculous statement Tim Hortons made a while back regarding idling while in the drive through,i believe something to the effect of idling being good for the environment.How insulting for a corporation to make such a statement. No more breathing obnoxious diesel fumes for me,just to get a cup of coffee. Let us not forget, the founder of Tim Hortons, the great Tim Horton, was killed while driving drunk,luckily he did not kill anybody else, i wonder how many people know that fact?
Posted by: Kush de la Cruz | Feb 12, 2022 9:40:36 AM
I'd have to disagree with your point of view there Jason. Reading your article it seems to me as if you think Tim Horton's is the 'be all and end all' of Canadian coffee retailers. They're coffee just isn't THAT good to warrant your praise and having been an employee of Tim Horton's I can tell you that a high percentage of workers fail to keep their coffee fresh except during peak rush hours, and this is sadly due to low general morale among Tim Horton's workers.
I'll give all you coffee drinkers a hint: If you want them to care that your coffee is fresh then YOU should be the one coming in with a smile and don't forget to tip because you all seem to forget those smiling men and women behind the local Timmie's counter are being paid as little as TDL can get away with paying minimum wage.
Posted by: Mel | Feb 12, 2022 9:42:38 AM
Cannot understand why if the coffee he got was that bad that many times, why wouldnt he just stop buying coffee from Tim Horton's. If my wife and I get a bad meal at a restaurant, we just don't go back. We don't buy coffee at Tim Horton's. Cheaper and better coffee at home.
Posted by: ron wilton | Feb 12, 2022 9:48:38 AM
Frank Ames, I think you are incorrect to say that Tim Horton was drunk when he died. My memory is that he was driving his Pantera at a high rate of speed and when pursued by O.P.P. on the QEW he sped up and lost control and crashed.
As for giving up Tim Horton's coffee-only after they put me in a box and send me to wherever Tim is.
Posted by: franklin mark | Feb 12, 2022 10:05:20 AM
you've got to be kidding me you mean to tell me that idilling your car does not burn gas WTF are you thinking if your engine is started you burn gas you ass
oh i get it you are in the line to get a cut of tim hortons awsome coffee and you stop your engine and sit there then when the line moves you start your engine and burn fuel whatever it may be oh and it takes more fuel to start your engine than to leave it running and there for more fummes are ejected from your exhaust pipe
so I would say stop your bitching about the enviroment if you wanted to do something about it you would get rid of your car buthead
Posted by: Tim Ton | Feb 12, 2022 10:31:04 AM
Kush de la Cruz
tip ya right, heres a tip for you get an education and then you wont be working for minimum wage. tim hortons is ment for highschool students to work. People arent going to tip you for a $1.45 cup of coffee " oh and heres a quarter for your troubles dear" that would be a slap in the face. Fast food, cheap and quick. Thats why you aren't getting paid the big bucks.
Posted by: Gregg Chamberlain | Feb 12, 2022 10:41:03 AM
The first cup of coffee from a fresh pot always has a burnt taste in my experience...you live with the fact.
I find it hard to believe that every single cup he bought at his local Timmy's during an entire year tasted burnt.
NOBODY has luck that bad!
What would it take for me to give up my Tim's? Good question. Pretty much finances. If things got so tight that I could not afford to buy a Tim's mocha then I am in a sorry state of affairs indeed.
Posted by: Nancy | Feb 12, 2022 10:57:53 AM
Ever since Tim Horton's went public on the stock market, the quality has been drastically reduced. I asked the staff what was different about their Iced Capp back in 2006. They told me that instead of the original recipe, they now had a new one which was a powder they mixed with water. It tasted horrible, and I never had another one again. Much better for my hips though!
As for the coffee, it always tastes burnt to me, for years now, and that is because the quality is so poor. They have a new supplier for their coffee too... of course, a cheaper source. (I know a guy who used to truck their coffee from the suppliers)
Tims isn't what it used to be and that's a fact. I never drink their coffee, and only occasionally when desperate will get a sandwich from them.
As for complaining, I do it with my patronage... if it's not a good product, I don't patronize.
Posted by: Chris Hazelwood (retired Canadian soldier ) | Feb 12, 2022 11:00:58 AM
Tim's coffee is the back bone of the Canadian Armed Forces because it is the best coffee by far.
No matter what, I will never give up my Tims.
Posted by: JR in Toronto | Feb 12, 2022 11:08:54 AM
Tims Coffee isn't coffee, merly brown hot water. If you want a good cup of coffee in New Brunswick, go to one of several JAVA MOOSE coffee shops in the Saint John area.
Posted by: gary | Feb 12, 2022 11:24:10 AM
He seems like a moron to me if the coffee is not to his liking after apparently multiple attempts at not getting it right go to another coffee shop, my guess he just likes to whine and complain , i would ban his ass as well just for being an idiot send him to the competition and let let them see if they can handle his moaning and groaning or better yet he should open his own coffee shop and offer a better product . see if its as easy as he thinks it is dealing with the public.
Posted by: PirateKitty | Feb 12, 2022 11:31:10 AM
Nancy, you got it right!
I don't drink coffee, but there was a time when a box of Tim's doughnuts in the kitchen at work could get me drooling... back when they actually made them in house...
Now it's just stale crusty defrosted crap.
I already made my own tea for pennies a day, and now if I get a doughnut craving I make my own as well (thankfully, it doesn't happen too often!)
To be fair, it's not just Tim Horton's, everywhere is cutting quality for cost, even middle of the road restaurants (such as Milestones, Moxies, etc) have gone towards prepared products.
I actually can't say I mind too much though. I save ALOT of money this way, and I always know how fresh my food was. Even better, I trust the person that made it!
Posted by: esacnitsuj | Feb 12, 2022 11:40:41 AM
I do not like Tim's. I'va had very bad attitudes from the staff & I've only ever been nice to them. I live in the Atlantic Provinces & JR mentioned Java Moose. Their coffee is great! Much better than Tim's, but I make my own coffee at home as it's cheaper & much, much better. I've had family & friends tell me I make better coffee than most coffee shops, e.g. Tim Horton's, Second Cup, etc.
The only time I'll buy from Tim's is if I'm hospitalized & Tim's is the only coffee shop the Hospital has.
Posted by: Jeff | Feb 12, 2022 11:41:31 AM
Giving up Tim Hortons is no problem. There is probably somebody on this earth who makes worse coffee, but I've not yet met them. They have absolutely NOTHING that is worth standing in line for.
Posted by: Amin | Feb 12, 2022 11:46:16 AM
I fail to understand this love-affair Canadians seem to have with Tim Horton's. We have put the company on a pedestal. Personally, I do not like their coffee and their donuts are previous frozen.
It was bought out by Wendy's who then went public with it because it realized that Canaians were suckers for Tim's and would buy shares in that company without having to sell the company to potential investors. Wendy's, too, failed to understand why canadians were so attached to a formerly Canadian owned company.
Then Canadians sent Tim's into orbit when there was so much brain washing done by the forces in Afghanistan. Tim's got, and contibues to get, a free ride onto the world stage. Tim's has been smart by funding ice hockey like no other company has done. Good for them!
Posted by: John Wikinson | Feb 12, 2022 11:46:46 AM
Tim's coffee is what it is, reliable consistent and always nearby. I have on occasion had better and boy have I had worse. Not into idling car crap and won't comment on Tim's driving but I am tired of whiners who complain about everything down to a buck and a half coffee . Have a nice day!
Posted by: Permod | Feb 12, 2022 11:50:17 AM
It is my experience that lots of time coffee is burnt or cold. I have seen brewing when the store is not busy.
I think the Tim Horton owes an apology to the customer Jim Craig to bring to their attention.
Posted by: Petey | Feb 12, 2022 11:52:07 AM
I think that Tim Hortons is amazing at being a business..........thats the positive. I also believe that places like Tim's, Starbucks, Second Cup etc....are a horrible place to spend your money at. I am not contradicting myself. I know many people that cut out their "daily coffee runs" and have saved up $2000 per year. LOOK AT HOW MUCH YOU ARE SPENDING PEOPLE!!! whether or not the coffee tastes good, is it really that hard to make a cup of coffee at home? or in the office? You can go to any dollar store and buy paper cups with lids, and still bring coffee with you in the car, and not worry if you got 2 cream,1 sugar.....or a timmy's order....3 sugar, no cream.
Petey
Posted by: Tims Lover | Feb 12, 2022 12:03:59 PM
The Staff that are working at Tims are hard working and dedicated! The vast amount of time they deal with GREAT customers!!!! However there are some A..holes that they must deal with and they are treated very badly by these customers. Show some respect!!!!!!! Calling them names or swearing at them is not acceptable! In a bar you would be kicked out or barred why should Tims staff deal with this?
Hey Nancy get your facts correct! Ice Capp is not from a powder! and staff at Tims do make more than minimum wage!
RESPECT
Posted by: Derek | Feb 12, 2022 12:10:37 PM
Personally, I used to be a big fan of Tim Horton's but it has been many years since I stopped.
They do not have the best coffee it's just that they have an outlet everywhere and like a bright light in the dark, attracts all the flies.
To the military poster.....please don't do a disservice to all the good men and women in uniform and tar them all with the dummy brush that hit you....they deserve better. Just because you have no willpower and act like a little gerbil running in a wheel as long as you can keep your "fix" going doesn't mean everyone else is the same.
They will only accept cash, Tim's card or paypass....no debit. The sign inside says this is to speed up transactions...big lie folks. Each time a retailer swipes your debit card it costs them up to .15 cents per transaction and they would rather not take that off the profit for the sake of your convenience but yet the coffee prices keep going up...go figure!
They would charge you a membership fee like Costco if they thought they could get away with it....know what? There are hundreds of thousands who would no doubt actually pay a membership fee just for the privilege of giving Tim's some of their money.
Between the cups littering the country from coast to coast and the massive idling at their locations from coast to coast, I for the life of me cannot understand how people do not revolt on these guys to force them to clean up their act. I think we have more than the tarsands to worry about here.
Any adult who sits in a long Tim's line up each day just to get a cup of their inferior coffee really needs to give their head a shake. If you say you care about the environment but still supoort this behaviour then you are a hypocrite.
I know that it is an addiction to many but there are alternatives that aren't as bad as this corporate neanderthal and, in closing, people please stop calling it a "Canadian Institution" because to call a coffee shop such a thing is moronic at best and demeaning to Canada at worst.