I'm one of those guys (although at least go to at least three different Starbucks every day to do my computer work). In Boston, Diesel Cafe's co-owner says her worst offenders are the people who buy coffee at the Starbucks across the street, then head for the comfortable red booths at Diesel with their Starbucks cup -- and computers -- in hand. "My approach tends to be friendly, like 'Can I get you anything?'" she says. "Usually, the answer is 'no.' Sometimes people understand where I'm going and say they're going to come up [and buy something] once their friend gets here. Then there are some people who get offended and leave." (Read the story at Boston.com)
July 11, 2006
Nope, I'm not offended in the slightest bit. They pay money to use our Wi-fi. I would be offended if we had free wi-fi and they didn't buy anything. Its 30-something a month to use starbuck's wi-fi (although, you can use it where there is a 'hot spot' or another starbucks) so if they want to be on their computer for hours. More power to you, just don't disturb others with selling things or loud music.
Posted by: James The Barista | July 11, 2006 at 06:03 PM
We have free wifi (the only Bucks in the city that does!) and we have a couple of people who use it all day, but they all buy drinks. One guy is the funniest, he just doesn't know it. He spends all day working on his blog (how he makes a living, I have NO idea), anyways, his blog is a complete lie! He makes these posts like "I'm travelling through Spain today, and did this..." then he goes and finds pics and posts them. We always try to spend as much time as possible bussing the tables near him so that we can read his lies of the day.
Posted by: Becca | July 11, 2006 at 06:10 PM
I find this practice VERY rude. I think that if these people want to use the space at this other cafe, they should buy their coffee or at least a pastry there. Buy SOMETHING there. I don't mind when people bring outside food or drink in to my store as long as they buy something, anything, to justify sitting in our store. Hell, I find it LESS rude to come in and buy nothing than to bring in a competitors product.
Posted by: JustABarista | July 11, 2006 at 08:42 PM
Yeah, it's ok if you bring something from outside in to the store if you buy something from us. I've had people sit on our patio with a cup from another coffee shop. I always just offer them a for-here mug for their drink.
We have free wi-fi at our store and have people sit all day and use it. It doesn't bother me at all, I just wonder what these people do for a living??
Posted by: 416barista | July 11, 2006 at 11:47 PM
I find it slightly amusing that the Diesel's co-owner is "offended," but "friendly." I have been in Diesel many times - never to use the wi-fi or even to occupy precious seating, just to order coffee - and at least half the time I'm treated like an alien life-form. I'm not sure if it's obvious that I'm not a coffee-shop hipster, or (even more obvious) that I'm not a lesbian, but I honestly feel more welcome at Starbucks. And as far as I'm concerned, a tattooed cab driver should *not* feel more welcome at "corporate" Starbucks than "indie" Diesel. But guess which one I get my fix at now?
Posted by: Banky Edwards | July 12, 2006 at 02:12 AM
I could see if he gave away his wifi, but he charges for it, so I guess they figure since they pay for it, they can sit there all day and use it. I know when I travel I look for a place with free wifi so I can check my emails while I have my coffee, then I finish and leave. I would even be happy to pay like $5 for an hour or something.
Posted by: Tom | July 12, 2006 at 08:18 AM
Hey hey....im from Starbucks malaysia, part time barista...i know how you feel..but we tend to get use to it...
Posted by: Zack | July 12, 2006 at 09:02 AM
This seems like one of those issues where only a few people actually take advantage of it, but, perhaps not. Using a cafe's free wifi without purchasing something is akin to taking an unmarked item from a shared refrigerator. You know perfectly well it isn't yours, in the case of the item, or, that the cafe is in business to make money. The company I used to manage for (a starbucks competitor ;) ). Charges for access. The independent cafe I worked for had it free, however, the owner was very concerned about people simply taking up limited table space for hours at a time. I'd agree with him I think. A cafe isn't your home office and isn't a study hall.. ... or are they?
Posted by: xbaristaguy | July 12, 2006 at 10:25 AM
From a customer standpoint: I’ve been a T-Mobile Hotspot subscriber for 2 years. I pay $40 a month (that’s $1000 total for those following along) for Internet access at Starbucks, and I use it nearly every day — for hours at a time. I know I’m paying T-Mobile, but I also know that Starbucks gets a large percentage of that back for providing the space and putting up with the loiterers like me.
Yep, I take up a whole table myself, and I even take a big one so I can spread out all my stuff. I even “steal” electricity from Sbux for my laptop so I don’t have to run on battery power. I pay three times more for WiFi at Sbux than I do for DSL at home!
But I can also bet you I’m the best customer in the district. I am treated well by every barista and shift in all the various stores that I go to (and I rotate so that I don’t overstay at one location too many days at a time). They all know me and love me. Heck, they’re my MySpace friends.
Each time I’m at Sbux (and I’ve been known to spend a full 8–10 hours), I have at least 1 Venti per 2–3 hours. In a “full day” I’d have two drinks, a sandwich, and maybe even a pastry.
But — here’s the thing — I never feel obligated to buy anything at Starbucks just because I’m using the WiFi. I pay for WiFi there, and I pay a lot for WiFi there. I buy the drinks because I’m a coffee junkie, and I buy the food because I stay so long I get hungry.
When I used to go to an independent 24-hour place with free WiFi, yes, I DID feel obligated. Evidently, no one else did because it’s only free for 2.5 hours per day (based on computer MAC address) now. After that, it's pay by-the-hour. I think that’s an appropriate response to WiFi bandits: individual time limits before being WiFired.
I’ve come to feel so at home at the three Sbux I go to that I don’t even bother stopping in at the independent place (with free WiFi) downstairs from my apartment. The baristas are my friends, and because they don’t care if I stay for eight hours, they’ve gotten to know me and love me. :)
But for the short answer: Paid WiFi = no obligation to buy. Free WiFi = Definite obligation unless otherwise stated.
Posted by: Billifer von Raptor | July 13, 2006 at 03:31 AM
I'm a Starbucks regular (up to 18 times a month) and have been a T-mobile Hotspot subscriber for over 18 months now. I usually stay at one Starbucks + hotspot for 1/2 a day, and then I have to go stretch my legs and roam to a different Starbucks, for those occasions when I have to work all day remote. I like the (few) Starbucks that have small tables and outlets, very laptop-friendly.
Posted by: djchuang | July 13, 2006 at 04:56 PM
i don't think most baristas mind that people stay all day and chill with their computers...
it's what makes us the whole '3rd place' thingy.
i have limited seating, and it's hillarious when we have 6 or 7 people all typing away at our 4 tables... (they have to share).
the only thing that i've done, is ask the regular kid who stays all day to use the smaller table, and not take up the 4 seater; only due to the unfairness that 4 of the 10 seats should be used by just one person...
but stay away... one of my customers wrote a whole book in my bux, and he even dedicated a part to us!
:)
Posted by: | July 13, 2006 at 07:05 PM
i meant: stay as long as you want.
not stay away
Posted by: | July 13, 2006 at 07:56 PM
To the previous poster: Yep, I’m also working on writing a book, sitting — you guessed it — in my “home” Starbucks at this very moment. My Starbucks peeps will definitely be in the Acknowledgements.
My “home Sbux” as I call it is actually a very large one with many tables and outlets, so I find it acceptable to take a big table. When I’m in a smaller location, I do try to conserve space when others are present.
Posted by: Billifer von Raptor | July 13, 2006 at 09:56 PM
What do you think about manners with sharing? I think its weird when you sit down in the comfy chairs and someone you don't know just sits next to you with their laptop.
Posted by: James The Barista | July 14, 2006 at 02:28 AM
Share space? I used to share tables with strangers all the time in college at my favorite hang out, the Cafe Allegro in Seattle. The cafe was filled with University of Washington students doing homework while drinking coffee, because you couldn't buy coffee in the library. At that time. I have no idea about now. For all I know, they replaced the microfiche section with a coffee cart.
Posted by: this space for rent | July 14, 2006 at 05:05 AM
At the starbucks I frequent, there is a small patio with three very large tables and about 16 chairs. There was a lady sitting at a table alone on a very hot day, and my friend and I asked if we could sit down. The woman adimently refused. A lot of the customers are pretty stuck up... I can't imagine any one buying someone else' drink there.
Posted by: Drinker | July 14, 2006 at 07:04 AM
At the newer Starbucks near one of the local universities, there is a long bar-like study table with enhanced lighting, etc., that seats approximately six per side. Perfect for WiFi’ers to share along with the students.
Posted by: Billifer von Raptor | July 14, 2006 at 11:35 PM
well reading those comments.. i work at a starbucks inside borders and i completely do not mind people coming in to read books, do homework, use the wi-fi.... it's none of my business i don't really care since our lobby is pretty huge... funny thing is people come in with coffee from different places.. such as the 7 11 ones... and is delighted about samples in our starbucks... it's better not to have anything rather than drinking SEVEN ELEVEN in starbucks....
Posted by: | December 08, 2006 at 04:36 PM