What Does Starbucks Do With Mobile Orders That Are Never Picked Up?

Starbucks mobile ordering is basically its own subculture at this point. There are hacks to know when ordering on the app and even etiquette tips to keep in mind when placing mobile orders. In order for Starbucks mobile ordering to work smoothly, everyone has to do their part. The store has to make drinks in a timely manner, and customers have to pick them up before they pile up. And strangely, sometimes, it's the second part of that equation that causes issues. Starbucks employees can't leave drinks on the counter all day. So what do they do with drinks that don't get picked up? If you get a flat tire on your way to pick up your iced horchata shaken espresso, how much runway do you have before you should just give up the idea of sipping on that sweet, cinnamon-y goodness?

Baristas say that typically, drinks get tossed if they've been sitting there for more than 30 minutes to one hour. One Starbucks employee wrote on Reddit, "After 30 minutes we throw them away at our store. The beverage quality decreases, and it actually becomes a food safety risk when the milk from their beverage just sits out like that and the food gets cold." Another employee on Reddit gives it a little more time, but not much. They wrote, "If it isn't picked up within the hour it is going in the trash."

That being said, Starbucks baristas are not heartless monsters. The same barista who will trash your drink after an hour said, "If they come by later in the shift with their receipt and a sob story, they'll typically get a remake." However, they wrote, "If it's the next day, I'm going to assume you're scamming me." Another barista is a bit more chill about the forgotten order. "I'll toss it after an hour, though I normally save the sticker for the rest of the shift. Sometimes they come in for it later in the day, and I'm happy to remake it," they wrote.

If the dog really did eat your calendar and you forgot you ordered a Starbucks drink, you'll probably still be able to get a freshly made one if you bring your proof of purchase into the store on the same day. But like, be nice about it. Another employee on Reddit offered some advice for those who know they're running late: "At my store we usually save the order stickers by the front register in case that customer comes in late or calls. If you're running late past 30 minutes, it's best to call ahead to see if they still have a record of your order so it'll be freshly remade around the time you do show up."

While you're at it, try not to get yourself in this situation to begin with. One of the most common mistakes people make when using the Starbucks mobile app is not selecting the correct location for your pickup — in-store or drive-thru — or the right store. Sure, it's a little confusing when there are three different Starbucks locations within five miles of each other, but do everyone (yourself included) a favor: Take an extra second to look at the address of the store where you place your order, and then go pick it up at that store. "99% of the time, it's that the customer just meant to place it at the store down the road," one barista lamented. Don't be that person. And if you happen to accidentally be that person on one very confusing day, be nice to your baristas if you ask for a fresh drink. They work hard.