I will tell you that the NY Metro leadership team has stated they are against covering the outlets because it is a passive aggressive way to deal with the issue. However, in extreme cases, they have approved this action because (and let's be real here) some people just cannot be reasoned with.
The person who posted the above adds:
If you are one of those people who uses Starbucks as their office, sits in a store for 8+ hours a day, putting all your files on a table, using a separate chair for your laptop case/ suitcase enjoying unlimited free refills with your Starbucks card, asking for cups of water and refuse to to move until you are good and ready all for the $1.85 you pay as "rent," then perhaps your actions will answer your questions [about covering the outlets].
I believe that Starbucks' "Just Say Yes" philosophy is responsible for people thinking they can park all day at Starbucks and use it as an office. Is it time to amend that to "Just Say Yes -- Within Reason"? | Jump to the second page of comments.
The "starbucks is my office" people actually make going to Starbucks really unpleasant in my area (DC). You know even before you walkmin that you won't get a table, so unless I am really dying for a specific drink (doesnt happen very often) I meet friends for coffee at au bon pain,panera or one of the museums. When i was in college (in western mass) there was a strong 'study in a coffee shop' culture, but we were there for an hour at the most. Anything longer than that should get shut down.
Posted by: Maggiejeaner | August 04, 2011 at 03:03 PM
This is somewhat of a problem clear on the other side of the country, here in California, specifically at the SB in Santa Maria Broadway and Stowell. It's one thing for folks like myself, who are homeless and therefore using SB as a kind of waiting room as we and try and get Craig's List day jobs, but there is a coterie of Yuppies and "independent contractors" who hold full-scale business meetings at SBs. I think the best way for SB to deal with it is to put a time limit sign in the lobby and eject people who are being abusive. I mean it's just obnoxious the way so many people use this place for the exact opposite purpose of what a cafe was intended to be.
Posted by: Rob Anderson | August 04, 2011 at 03:26 PM
@shawn
mostly i agree with you.
It surprises me how many people feel that they "deserve" a timely seat whenever they choose to enter the building. This doesn't happen at other restaurants. If you go in for a table and there isn't one available you have to wait until one is available. it might be 10 minutes, it might be an hour. you decide how important it is to you to have that seat. No one walks to a table of people who are dining and says sorry, but we require that you finish those cheese sticks in the next 8 minutes. this table is for quick meals only.
I'm sorry if you are not a regular and you don't get here early enough to get the seat you want without a wait, but that's life. whether customer 1 buys their drink and leaves or customer 2 buys their drink and leaves, there is still 2 customers and 1 seat. i'd rather that seat be the regular than the entitled passerby who is probably going to be a pain in the ass anyway.
Posted by: inkedmuse | August 04, 2011 at 04:44 PM
The culture of laptops in cafes is out of control. I take mine out less and less for that reason. I've never plugged my laptop in at a Starbucks or anywhere else, though I have recharged my iPhone a time or two.
I've often offered to change seats to people who needed to plug in their laptops could; Have also pointed to the outlets at my local SBUX when I see people looking for one.
After reading this thread, I'm reconsidering my enablement of them, lol. I now also realize that in part a rarely go to my local SBUX any more because of all the laptop users parked there.
Now, I may be a hypocrite here but maybe not. We have a very slow winter, few patrons. When it's slow and half empty like that I have taken my laptop over to study a few hours, and enjoyed a free refill usually only ONE but it sounds like many people are getting two--yes I know they are "free" but I don't want to ruin a good thing by abusing it.
When I lived in Tucson near U of A the laptop thing was hideous to ridiculous. People would even ask me to move from my tiny table where I was busy studying (but w/o laptop) and writing...so they could plug in. When I complied they'd then sit there and play noises, talk on cell, to each other loudly...it seems some of the selfish behaviour people have only expands when they have laptops, cell phones, and, while we're at it, children.
There are the polite exceptions like me ; ) I'll be curious to see if my local has covered any outlets during this busy tourist season...I have gone there much lately because the coffee was rancid most of the time and it's too busy in there to ask them to deal with it.
TTFN.
Posted by: Coffee Drinker | August 04, 2011 at 08:34 PM
to say, have NOT gone there much lately due to rancid coffee...and the laptop parkers. My SBUX has only a few seats;
Additionally "using Starbucks as an office" yes I've noticed that escalating in the last year and it's also occurring at the indie cafe I now patronize, though I know some of those businesses ask permission of the mgmt. before setting up. And there is plenty of room to do this, it's a large place.
TTFN.
Posted by: Coffee Drinker | August 04, 2011 at 08:38 PM
I have on occasion abused Starbucks' hospitality and camped out at the store for 5-6 hours. I did this at locations that were not busy and not in Midtown Manhattan. Many other times I just buy a drink and go on my way. Perhaps allowing a customer to occasionally push the limits of Starbucks' welcoming nature builds brand loyalty and goodwill, intangible assets that are hard to measure but are very important. The college kid with a laptop who buys a $1.85 cup of coffee and hangs out for 3 hours is the same person who will in a couple of years be buying a $5 drink every morning on his way to work and maybe another $5 drink in the afternoon without even sitting down. People are creatures of habit, so that kid will probably be a Starbucks customer for the next 30 years. Whenever he travels and sees a Starbucks he will probably go in and get a drink. At the same time, I recognize that at some locations allowing people to occupy space for hours produces a revenue loss and inconveniences other customers.
There is a reason why Starbucks is so popular and profitable and it is not the coffee, it is because the company treats its workers well and goes to great length to accommodate customers, even ones who sometimes overstay their welcome. Nobody has ever shed a tear for a Dunkin Donuts closing or gone a out of their way to get a cup of coffee at McDonald's.
Posted by: Rob | August 04, 2011 at 08:58 PM
Anytime I see a Starbucks store with the outlets covered, I turn around, walk out the door and take my $1.91 with me.
I take up as little space as I can, am glad to share my table and/or other chair (the file cabinet's too heavy to get down the stairs into the subway, let alone into Sbux), and don't raise a stink or complain - ever.
While I would love to charge my laptop before coming in, I don't have the option, as it hasn't had a working battery in some time.
Not all of us "laptop hobos" are all that bad - just sayin'. Sure, some customers are assholes to the nth degree, but covering the outlets is a passive-aggressive way to punish the innocent right along with the guilty.
Posted by: Laptop Hobo | August 04, 2011 at 10:28 PM
I've a regular at my store in the UK who buys a cup of tea, then takes up two easy chairs and and an entire sofa with his crap, and Skype calls with his overseas girlfriend all day. If someone asks to share 'his' space, the fee is to look at pictures of his child bride and listen to his megalomaniacal ramblings. (Before you ask, of course we've broached that his behavious is selfish and annoying to other customers...two complaints through my RDO later, we've been instructed to just leave him be.)
Last week the police popped in to ask for some CCTV footage - apparently one of the seat sharers he 'befriended' offered to get him cheap airline tickets to see his child-bride, and Mr Regular handed over £900 in cash.
Karma.
Posted by: Dani B | August 05, 2011 at 04:55 AM
I can't wait for some type of change. I go to SB on Sunday afternoons to have a coffee and read the newspaper. That was before I was constantly without a place to sit because the chairs were filled with laptop wielding students who didn't even have a SB... anything. I can't believe SB will be in business much longer if they allow non consuming, rude kids to fill the chairs, use their electricity and prevent paying customers from being able to sit down. So long Starbucks.....
Posted by: bill | August 05, 2011 at 08:08 AM
It's about time! I've been complaining about this for years. I go into a coffee shop with potential clients to discuss business and find nowhere to sit because some inconsiderate SOB is taking up a whole four-top table with his or her homework or study materials and laptop and squatting there all day. Nursing a $3.50 latte for six hours. If I have three others with me, each buying a $3.50 latte, do the math and see which option is more profitable. Especially if I'm only there with them for 20-30 minutes. Kids, that's what college libraries are for and -- sorry -- they don't allow coffee in the libraries. You'll just have to suffer and do without. Go ahead and spill coffee or free water on your equipment and short it out and maybe you'll learn something, including the reason why libraries don't allow drinks to be brought in. Starbucks and all the others need to be charging by the hour or a flat usage fee if they allow this awful trend to continue. If they lose business they won't be losing much money. These freeloaders aren't the biggest spenders in the world. A multibillion dollar, multinational corporation like Starbucks will figure out a way to make up the difference. As for the smaller, independent coffee shops who might lose a little money, they need to get creative also; or observant. Watch and see what Starbucks does to make up the difference and try to follow their formula.
Posted by: Dean Shapiro | August 05, 2011 at 08:22 AM
Outlets being covered provides SBUX with many winning points: 1) Extreme electricity usage by Mobile Office Campers is reduced making that store's light bill smaller, 2) This action is disguised as a good PR move where SBUX is looking out for its customers, and 3) More customers in the stores because of more free seating and/or good PR equals more money....."But how dare SBUX try to make more money? They're not a money-sucking business like McDonalds or Dunkin Donuts. SBUX takes care of me because they JUST SAY YES to my deman-...er, requests outside of what is listed on the menu, unlike the other fast food places."
Posted by: Siren's Bitch | August 05, 2011 at 10:17 AM
I've seen people come in with a chick fila and plug in without buying anything. I've seen people plug in and just get water. I've seen people buy nothing and read the New York Times and put it back on the rack. I've seen people plug in, leaving their laptop on the seat and go outside and smoke and be on the phone for half an hour while they charge up. I have know idea how these people get their underware on with such huge balls.
Posted by: F Schiller | August 05, 2011 at 10:24 AM
1. Starbucks was modeled after European coffee shops where people would go to not only purchase coffee, but also (very often) to socialize or conduct business in a casual, relaxing atmosphere. This is an integral part of what SBUX is all about. The proliferation of laptop users created both an opportunity and a challenge for SBUX, but covering up outlets completely undermines the SPIRIT of SBUX mission. Don't punish The Many because of the actions of The Few. Instead, assertively DEAL with The Few.
2. SBUX is a phenomenal retail success. This fact, unfortunately, upsets some people.
3. The problem is not SBUX. The problem is RUDE, INCONSIDERATE people who think that they are ENTITLED to use/take whatever they can suckle out of the SBUX teat.
4. SBUX needs to train their managers on how to politely handle these self-appointed ENTITLED individuals.
5. First, they need to post signs with reasonable "Rules of the House" that deal with this and other problems (such as table hogs).
6. Then, when an "entitled one" breaks the rules, the manager needs to explain (in a tactful manner) that the rules are there to provide an equal opportunity for everyone (not just them) to take advantage of the entire SBUX experience.
7. Some of the "entitled ones" will understand and comply; some will grumble but still comply; and some will leave (and bad-mouth SBUX). IMO, the departure of these intransigent entitled ones is no great loss, and easily made up for by the increased revenue from the increased access for other customers. It will also go a long way towards keeping SBUX employees happier, as no one likes dealing with these people. Just make sure the rules are applied equally and all is fair.
To the Entitled Ones:
SBUX is there for you to enjoy as much as for everyone else. I know, I know... you really don't give a snit about anyone but yourself and your own comfort, but even us "lesser folks" have the same right to enjoy the SBUX experience. That means SHARING, an "unpleasant" word of which you are probably only vaguely aware. If this concept doesn't appeal to you, by all means feel free to go to the library: it's free, it's heated/air conditioned, it has bathroom facilities available, and it's not reliant on selling anything for profit in order to survive. Believe it or not, SBUX' success does not entitle you to "free- everything-you-can-get" or squatters' rights. Get a life. Please.
Posted by: Gubke | August 05, 2011 at 10:44 AM
I live in the "City of Coffee"--New Orleans. We have the world's largest coffee bulk handling plant, with the second being in Trieste, Italy. As such, we have a plethora of coffeehouses from PJ's to CC's to Rue de la Course to Z'OTZ. Although I normally like to keep my money "local," Starbucks is the only company where I get consistently friendly, accurate, and expeditious service. I'm afraid many other places give me surly, arrogant, elitist service from hygiene-challenged hipsters who ensure you understand that they're not happy being there to serve you, having much more important things to do. PLUS, Starbucks is the only place I can get a green tea latte or frap and I like the free drink after every 15 (okay, some give it after every 10), so they get my business. Additionally, I don't like having to leave after discovering that every student in town is camped out using the free wi-fi (it only recently became free) and using multiple tables and chairs and all the outlets. GO TO THE LIBRARY, or just "study" in the dorm or apt. But everyone knows that coffeehouses are "third places," that you work there because you're a social creature, which is obvious when those "working" look up every time someone walks in the front door. But I digress--the point is that we should all practice civility, politeness, and social conscientiousness. Personally, I've spread the wealth by visiting as many as half a dozen coffeehouses in a day just so I'm not camped out in any one place for too long. Remember, I live in New Orleans and the choices are practically limitless. Back in the old days (late 1980s) I actually was kicked out of coffeehouses for using my boat anchor of a laptop because of the energy consumption. That was their excuse anyway. I think power is a non-issue today but taking up space is a very real issue. So plug up the outlets if you see fit. Or how about this: Plug up the outlets during peak times but make them accessible during slow times. As I once saw in a cartoon, “If the line’s too long at this coffeehouse, go to the one next door.”
Posted by: Civil Coffee Man | August 05, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Clearly Starbucks as a private business can do what they wish. For many customers, the Starbucks commodity is more than coffee--it is the ability to do things like using the internet and drinking free refills. These things are subject to abuse, and it seems corrections may be due. On a side, the restrooms at Starbucks locations in Madrid have a code-punch entry (code good for single use is on the receipt). This was a problem when two drinks were purchased for two people at the same time and only one got to pee.
Posted by: Jack | August 05, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Excellent post, Coffee Drinker | August 04, 2011 at 06:38 PM. And it got me thinking about the book "How Starbucks Saved My Life." Campy title but a really interesting read, and it personifies the "human culture" of Starbucks. Plus, Gus Van Zant bought the option to make it into a film staring Tom Hanks. Project currently is listed as In Development on IMDB but in an interview with Letterman, Hanks does mention that it's about a guy who loses his job [and finds salvation through Starbucks]. Easy read--check it out, especially if you've ever been unemployed.
Posted by: Civil Coffee Man | August 05, 2011 at 12:21 PM
About this "City of Coffee" statement I made earlier. I'm sure Seattle, et al. may take issue with it. Actually, we're not the largest coffee producer in the country; we're always third to New York and the West Coast. But we still are the world's largest bulk handler, just to clarify.
Posted by: Civil Coffee Man | August 05, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Interesting story: I have a friend who once owned a coffeehouse in Austin, TX. There was a guy who would come in and order a regular coffee. Problem was, he would never pay. He was pleasant enough, just would not pay for his cup of coffee. The owner had to ensure that all employees understood this, and not to worry about him because, well, he wasn't a freeloader after all. Once a month during one of his morning stops to this coffeehouse he would drop a $100 in the tip jar. The owner didn't care about giving him a cup of coffee a day, and it was great for whomever happened to be working that shift.
Posted by: Civil Coffee Man | August 05, 2011 at 01:57 PM
re "How Starbucks Saved" have read interviews and parts of the book (I'm a bibliophile with eyestrain, read parts of many books and all of others) Glad to hear about the movie; with Gus VS (ala "Good Will Hunting") and Tom H. sounds a good flick. I'll look for it on Red Box after it comes out. I sure won't be watching on Netflix, the Starbucks-similar debacle of raising prices...lol.
I like Texans. Was in NOLA winter 2010, wonderful place! I'd weigh a ton if lived there tho, those po boys with fries whew.
Posted by: Coffee Drinker | August 05, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Lately I have been having the frustrating experience of entering my local Starbucks and not being able to sit at a table or even a stool. The stores are cluttered with oblivious individuals that are not only using the shop as an office, but are indignant when you want to sit down and enjoy your coffee. I was waiting and hoping that Starbucks would try and curtail these abusers and I am glad that they are fully aware of the problem. Covering the plugs is just wishful thinking, but a realistic time limit for using a computer(the library has one)would go far for those of us looking for a respite from our screens.
Posted by: Helaine | August 05, 2011 at 04:54 PM
What gets me is that these computer freeloaders are too damn dumb to bring a $3.00 15 foot extension cord with them, so they can sit anywhere.
Posted by: Ricardo McJiggis | August 05, 2011 at 10:06 PM
...Actually, I think it's sad to see the ones so desperate and hungry for attention that they have to sit RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE TABLE of a coffeeshop and bring their "job" with them just to feel important and then seemed
annoyed at the other customers when they bump the table to pass by, or stir up loud laughter and talk in the shop....there comes a time when a person must separate personal time from the "job"...if not, that's a sure sign of poor managing skills......I would not hire you.
Posted by: DS | August 05, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Starbucks' jihad against laptop users has been going on for years and years. At least ten years in my experience.
They always make a ton of noise to drive away anyone trying to sit for more than 5 minutes.
The only reason why Starbucks has come to dominate despite bad behavior is that most former competitors, which were independent coffee houses, were equally badly run, and people hoped Starbucks would be better. They are not. They're worse.
Posted by: Rufus | August 06, 2011 at 03:17 AM
Things that Starbucks has done for years to drive away laptop users:
1. Play music too loudly that features lots of yelling and horns, causing visitors to bring ear plugs.
2. Throw things into the sink behind the counter, and slam things.
3. Turn down the temperature to 55 F, causing visitors to bring coats.
4. The baristas at some Starfucks yell and carry on like loud, drunk monkeys, for the cruel joy of harassing customers.
Starbucks is an awful company. Find a *good* indie coffee house and go there instead.
Posted by: Rufus | August 06, 2011 at 03:22 AM
I saw a guy who was so shocked by a loud noise in a Starbucks that a barista made to annoy customers (throwing a heavy metal item into the sink) that he dropped a tray of coffee that spilled everywhere.
The manager, who apparently required baristas to engage in the noise-making behavior, refused to compensate the customer, who left very angry indeed.
It took the baristas 15 minutes to clean up the mess that they had indirectly caused.
Posted by: Fred | August 06, 2011 at 03:25 AM
Starfucks is a parasite onto any community that it operates in. It just takes, takes, takes and never gives ANYTHING back.
Posted by: Rufus | August 06, 2011 at 03:32 AM
what a ridiculous bunch of *whiners*. I've worked out of starbucks on average 6-8 hours a day for close to 5 years. I spend let's say on *average* $10 a day meaning I've put close to $15k here. Starbucks entire business model is as a local office, any city you go to you see students, interviews, people working on websites, books, etc. It is what makes starbucks starbucks and they encourage it for the most part.
If there isn't a seat when you come in then just deal with it. I always share my table, never hog my second seat, make sure people who stand or think they can't sit with me know they can, get up for period if families come in and need to sit, etc. I tip the partners and I write letters to the regional managers complimenting the staff.
In my local SB I have a lady who constantly complains about my being there for hours on end. Why? Because she comes in for two hours at time with 3-4 girlfriends in the am and then in the afternoon. So guess what? Two hours is the max anyone should be here since that is the time she spends. And if she comes back in to spend another 2 hours with another 4 friends and I am here she fumes and complains to the managers.
SB isn't your parent and you can't always get what you want. If you want a limit on time then it should be 15 minutes, plenty of time to stop, drink your coffee, have a chat and leave. Recommending a 2 hour time limit in a coffee-shop since that is what YOU spend there and then complaining about people who spend 4 hours is just being a spoiled brat.
The people who are complaining might also just try acting like reasonable adults/men/ladies; the same person I referred to once came in at lunch and while I was deeply in my work called across the Starbucks 'Do you EVER get up for anyone!?', which in fact as I pointed out I do, and her friend started snarling about how 'rude' it is to the manager who said he was fine with it.
Funny thing is this; if they had just come over and said 'hey how's the work going today? Listen we just wanted to catch up over lunch do you mind giving us the table for 1/2 hour and we'll let you know when we are done?' I'd have said like a well-raised human being 'Of course' (as I have done for other people who don't walk around acting like spoiled brats)
Bottom line is this; if STARBUCKS is ok with and in fact encourages regulars to use the place as a study-hall/office then I'd say STFU or open your own cafe. I guarantee you if SB kicks out the regulars who are here every day, the seats will not be filled and even IF the people sitting all day aren't spending (they are) then SB will be and look empty.
Posted by: Marcus | August 06, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Well, I do not usually comment on blogs. However, after reading the comments I'm amazed at how many people assume so much. As if they know every situation & judge people. I am in my early 40s, a single parent who happens to be unemployed & a student. My son & I are very blessed in living with a bff & her family. We do not have the option of having a better place to study at length at home w/o interruptions. This economy doesn't allow me to afford to have a place of our own. My school is 20 miles away from home. I will take the train to school & we can have food & drink in our library. However, I do not always want to spend 2 hrs on the train to get there & back.
I live in a decent size suburb town in the Pacific NW where all SB near me close around 7pm. Our local libraries close either at 6p or 8p. I have been a regular of SB since 2006 (when I started to drink coffee) as a student &/or regular patron to just hang out with friends, look for work, study, read books, &/or escape from whatever. I have spent a small fortune there & still do. I have 5 regular SB I patron all the time. I got to all of them at least once a week. Lately, I have spent many hours at SB studying. I do buy drinks & food. I do not drink regular coffee & get the free refills.
The SB I mostly study at is 8+mi from home & maybe 3-4 mo ago they extended their open & close hours b/c they are very busy. Just this past month, they remodeled the store & amazingly they took into account all the regulars they have b/c they added strips along the windows w/ many outlets to cover each table. They have encouraged us regulars to stay. They have great customer service & I am thankful I have another option to get through school easier.
They have a great business model & marketing plan & recognize that without us regulars they may not be as successful. BTW Rufus, they do a lot of philanthropy, whether locally or worldwide. This I know from experiencing SB all over the US, having lived in a major city & where I live now.
So to all the negative people it shouldn’t matter how long I stay. What you may assume about the patrons is not always right. People needed to quit worrying about judging others & worry about themselves.
Posted by: Sbux regular | August 06, 2011 at 07:38 PM
What I really love are the people who pretend to care about starbucks' revenues. Starbucks is quite obviously doing just fine and having a crowded place filled with people is good business 101. Again it just comes down to people who want to sit down for two hours over a cup of coffee angry when they can't because other people are sitting down for 6 hours over (one) cup of coffee.
I guarantee you if I couldn't sit at Starbucks I'd never go inside and spend money. Multiply my $20k times 1000s of people and that is quite a hit.
Just go inside, if you can't get a seat deal with it or go back to your shrink and deal with the fact you haven't grown up yet.
Posted by: Marcus | August 07, 2011 at 01:55 PM
"Starfucks is a parasite onto any community that it operates in. It just takes, takes, takes and never gives ANYTHING back."
What is is supposed to 'give back'? It gives people what they want quite obviously since it does so well wherever it opens. That is all it has to do. I wonder what YOU give back to your community. I'd wager you don't even provide coffee they like.
Posted by: Marcus | August 07, 2011 at 01:56 PM
shift.misto: Yup, sure would like to make such a list. In fact, it's not exactly hard to do with very rudimentary router software that's included in almost all modern hardware. Many smaller cafes manage to balance customer usage and maintain quality of service with it.
Posted by: DanB | August 07, 2011 at 10:23 PM
@danB. you were supposed to respond to the request, not verify that i requested something. i have two dogs, i don't need a third pet.
@marcus. exactly. well said.
@Dean
thankyou for being such a perfect example of the pompous ass i am glad to see without a chair. (get it? an ass without a chair?) You are upset that you cannot find room to sprawl amidst the laptops, which you, and many others assume purchase nothing at all during their stay-why is this? most people DO purchase things, all day/night, there are a few exceptions, but not as many as you need to back up your claims. however, the most interested thing i find here, is that you are so annoyed with the inconvenience it has caused you, that you are now unable to carry out your intentions of inconveniencing everyone else in the store. I know you want so desperately to exercise your starbucks rights to loud important mr. businessman conversations, to talk with your arms, scoot your chairs around for dramatic conversational accents, have cell phone wars, each of you darting in and out as if you are keeping score at who is the most popular. but oh no! what cruel disappointment that we do not hold little VIP tent cards to place on your reserved table. If you want special treatment, go somewhere that provides it, and quit taking your business associates to starbucks as a cheap way out.
Posted by: inkedmuse | August 08, 2011 at 12:51 AM
This is really a non-issue in 95% of all Starbucks, and should stay that way.
For the super-high-traffic locations, it probably makes sense to migrate the WiFi users to one part of the seating area, however that can be achieved architecturally.
This would not have happened, if Starbucks had retained the login/authentification procedure tied to the Starbucks card.
Posted by: mol | August 08, 2011 at 04:22 PM
@mol
problem is, every other cafe/BK/mcds has easy access wifi, not "purchase a card and keep a balance on it" wifi. a new method could be developed, but the old method didnt work either. Not to mention it would log you out on a regular basis so you spent half of your usage signing back on.
Posted by: inkedmuse | August 08, 2011 at 06:52 PM
I've definitely been guilty of smooching off Starbucks WiFi before. 8 hours? Definitely not.
Nowadays, I use my own mobile broadband connection.
Posted by: Marc | August 10, 2011 at 07:00 AM
How does everyone feel about tipping at coffeehouses? Personally, I think if you're getting some fancy schmancy espresso drink like a latte or cappuccino that requires work like frothing, you should follow general rules of tipping: 20% if drinks are brought to your table as they were for Niles and Frasier at Nervosa (not likely). But if you're standing there, waiting, 1/2 (10%) is appropriate as with an establishment like Piccadilly where, basically, they're doing half the normal serving work but they are filling your ice tea, water, etc. On the other hand, it's my opinion only that you don't need to tip if they're simply pouring you a cup of coffee any more than you would at a McDonald's or Burger King. Also, I think others feel that it's okay to dump your remaining change instead of putting an appropriately calculated tip. Please weigh in on this topic.
Posted by: Civil Coffee Man | August 11, 2011 at 03:24 PM
I was once quietly reading (with a huge Frapp.) in a Starbucks that had a downstairs which was divided up into sort-of little rooms. The room I was in had a long table with chairs around it and was very quiet. A woman came in and started unpacking what seemed like glazing equipment with little pots of paint and started using these items. It was noisy and had a strong smell. I was appalled that someone would think this was appropriate and annoyed at the disturbance. I went upstairs to ask the manager to do something and I was the one told to find another place to sit! If all managers act like this one did and allow inappropriate behavior, no wonder customers feel they are entitled to do whatever they want. Me? I was shocked at how the situation was handled and never went back. They lost me as a customer.
Posted by: luisa | August 11, 2011 at 10:07 PM
1. Play music too loudly that features lots of yelling and horns, causing visitors to bring ear plugs.
Is this why so many Starbucks got speakers with that awful loud bass? The result of that is that I cannot sit and enjoy reading a book while I enjoyed my large frapp. Now, instead of visiting several times a week, I only go now once every few months. If I cannot sit and enjoy my frapp. while reading, there is no point in going there.
Posted by: luisa | August 11, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Kick the bums out. I can't help it..I do like a tall Pike here and there, but Starbucks in Manhattan and Brooklyn is very annoying. Sometimes you want nothing more than to sit down for all of five minutes but you can't 1/2 of the time. That's because these losers are parked there for four to eight hours in every single one. Freelance my ass, you're surfing Facebook. Starbucks doesn't owe you anything, you owe me a place to sit down once in a while. Get out.
Posted by: Peter | August 12, 2011 at 08:49 AM
In the UK we don't have this concept of free refills (seriously?! free refills - that's like a recipe for disaster), unless I completely missed it in which case, my bad. Also, there are very few electricity outlets, if any, available in the coffee shops, but there are quite a few people with laptops and paperwork sitting around.
However, I never viewed this as something bad or even inconvenient. It makes for quite a relaxing atmosphere where you can get a bit away from the office or home if you want to go out a bit to 'socialize'.
I never noticed abuses the way you explain as usually the free internet is proportional to the amount you spend - you get a little code printed on the receipt which gives you so many minutes of Internet, and the bathroom have number locks and the number is printed again on your receipt. Otherwise, how would you prevent the person living in the flat above your coffee shop from having free internet for life?
There isn't a problem if people want to do their work or conduct interviews or other meetings, but there is no way that the the shop will change the music or fiddle with the air con if they request.
Also no such thing as refills or cups of water etc. That's not to say that they wouldn't give you a glass of a tap water if you come into the shop and ask for one, but most likely you won't get a second one if you've been sitting in the shop for the past hour with the first glass of water, and they will definitely ask you to purchase something or leave if you just sit down and don't get anything in the first minutes. Water bottles are £2 and sandwiches are £4.95
Posted by: Ethan | August 12, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Interesting. The UK seems to have solved many of the problems with codes on receipts and combination locks of doors. I guess the Brits don't have quite the same sense of entitlement as Americans. There could be a lesson there.
Posted by: Civil Coffee Man | August 12, 2011 at 02:41 PM
It's just common courtesy. You're a guest there, don't make a mess and demand service if you're not willing to pull your weight.
Posted by: Cass | August 13, 2011 at 04:58 PM
Covering outlets seems entirely reasonable to me. I like hanging at my local SBux as much as the next laptopper, but if I've been there long enough to have my battery run out of juice I know I've been there too long.
I'd also like to see the numbered receipts for free water and bathroom visits. Very reasonable, UK!
SBux is a business. If offering free items is affecting their business model of serving the most people and keeping the most customers happy then of course they should change. If, as some people want to believe, it will drive customers away then let the bottom line decide if those changes stay or not.
You're only "etitled" to what you pay for.
Posted by: Janice | August 15, 2011 at 02:45 PM
i work at a B&N cafe, we don't have any outlets. No one is allowed to use the outlets anywhere in the store. period.
if people can plug their laptops in they will camp our for hours.
yes, some of them spend all day there and constantly buy food to keep their seats, but most buy the cheapest thing on the menu and refuse to leave.
this isn't your home, go there if you want an outlet and a quiet place to study.
Posted by: bunnyrut | August 16, 2011 at 10:41 AM
@shift.misto Would you like some Tucks pads with your butthurt, shopgirl?
Posted by: DanB | August 19, 2011 at 02:26 PM
What could I said as a Canadian SB Barista? I honestly don't give a shit if people use the outlets or don't.
Before all we give a first-come-first-served based service.
That somebody says that we should give more importance to serious business meetings against homeworkers or students. Is almost as say that if we had just a grande cup, we should refuse to give it to a customer asking for a grande pike and give it instead to the next customer asking for a "cuad, decaf, grande, 2 pumps of raspberry, 2 pumps of mocha, soy, no foam, 180 degrees, whiped cream, extra caramel, Caramel Macchiato". No way. First come first served, as simple as that.
Posted by: Atl | August 19, 2011 at 09:55 PM
"cuad, decaf, grande, 2 pumps of raspberry, 2 pumps of mocha, soy, no foam, 180 degrees, whiped cream, extra caramel, Caramel Macchiato". There is no way I could be a barista! Bless you.
Posted by: Civil Coffee Man | August 22, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Oh and I am sorry it should be asked to the bar as "decaf, cuad, grande, 2 pumps of raspberry, 2 pumps of mocha, soy, no foam, 180 degrees, whiped cream, extra caramel, Caramel Macchiato" actually. Because decaf is before the amount of shots.
Posted by: Atl | August 25, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Like it or not, Starbucks is a business that relies on it's ability to serve it's product to the largest amount of people it can on any given day. If people who use the cafe as an office and do not buy Starbucks products start to outnumber the people that do, then there will be no more Starbucks to argue about. Try spending 8 hours at a table in a local diner or resturant. I don't think the proprietors would allow that to happen. Why is it not the same in SB? Business owners pay rent and utilities to allow themselves to provide a space that generates income for them. When the space stops doing that, then the business muct make changes.
Posted by: Fred | August 31, 2011 at 04:36 PM
True, Starbucks is a business, but it's a totally different business model than a cafe or restaurant. Throughout history--for a couple hundred years, even since 1555 with the first coffeehouse in Constantinople to the later ones in Turkey, London, and the US--coffeehouses were meccas for meetings and storytelling and generally hanging out. I suppose some things never change (except economies, of course). I'm sure I would feel different were I a coffeehouse owner, but I'm guessing proprietors know what they're getting into when they open such a business. It's not a grocery store or restaurant; folks always are going to just hang out for hours on end.
Posted by: Civil Coffee Man | September 02, 2011 at 01:54 PM