Should Starbucks cover power outlets when "computer-parking" gets out of hand?

A reader complained in the latest Open Thread about some New York Starbucks stores covering their AC outlets -- a move that was confirmed by another reader. He/she wrote:

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.

Comments

[JJ]

I am one of these so-called "laptop loungers", however, I agree with what most everyone here is saying: people need to be considerate of others. When I go to Starbucks, I always take up the least amount of space as possible. If my laptop doesn't need to be charged, I don't plug it in. If I notice it's getting busy, there are no seats, and I've been there for a while, I leave. Yet, for some reason, I was asked to leave the Starbucks by a district manager after being there for less than 3 hours! They need to crack down on abusers, but not everybody with a laptop in Starbucks is one of those people: http://jjroid.com/2011/09/starbucks-what-happened-to-you/

[former one]

cheap people,cheap habits..they'll all die...

[Alex]

Okay well there are times I sit in Starbucks for 8 hours at a time, but at the very least. I tip the baristas, and I avoid being loud, or obnoxious in the store. I just type away quietly in the corner of a store. The store I camp is pretty empty most of the time.

However let's examine star buck's financial statement. Are the people sitting and camping in starbuck's losing, or making starbuck's more money?

In June of 2010, starbuck's offered free wifi access. In June of 2011 Starbucks earnings have grown by 135%. Meaning that those who "abuse bandwidth" are more likely to spend more money at a starbuck's cafe, and it is what's contributing to Starbuck's uptrend in share price.

Oh, and by the way I own shares in starbuck's, so if I want to squat I will thank you very much, and I do tip the baristas. So, for all of you who feel that you're entitled to a seat, get there before the people who camp on their laptop's.

Those people camping contribute more in tips, and revenue growth than you think, so they deserve just as much respect as the next person. IF you call star buck's a business than realize that free wi-fi is what's contributing to you're 135% annual earnings growth. To think otherwise is naive.

[Lauta]

There is a few doushebags in the chicago store on grand av ad ogden who are creepy, drive 15 milles to get there and sit there like a fixture. Total losers! Come on! I live a block away. I come in to consume and get the &$@ out! This creepo rapist child molester gets away with the pretext that he is " reading the paper" when you r in your 50's and sit around daily for hours and end is weird and loser like! It makes me not want to go there anymore.

[Laura roth]

I have an experience with a jerk off who ask me to move mind u, i had a cup of coffee and the ny times. He needed the table for himself because he was "expecting people" i told him, u got some nerve! U want a reservation? U want space? Get an office! Now fk off! He got so pist the poor loser, when ballistic and started calling the baristas; maan! Maan! I cant bealive this "broad"
i told the douschebag; you know how many times i wish i could say something to people, yet i dont! Because is not my private office!!!
If u dont like it get the &$@ out!
I do not care for the child molester, that pretends to be a "photographer" and sits there for hours and end! Weirdo 50 yr old, scooping up for young "fresh meat" what kind of creeps lurk around daily when they live 15 milles away! I hate how starbucks looks like the unemployement office when u walk in! All those $@@$ broke ass losers, can afford office space, electricity, nor a meal that is decent! Lol!

[Katakwi]

Have a designated laptop area with time limits per purchase.

[Bill]

Starbucks is a coffee shop, not a distributor of free electricity and office space. They should discourage people spending more than an hour and should cut off all electrical outlets. the freeloaders of the world are taking over.

[Chris Hall]

Same thing here in London UK too!!! soooo annoying

[Kay Lorraine]

I found this blog on Starbuck's policy of covering power outlets so fascinating that it inspired me to write an article about my Starbuck's experience. It's on my blog, "The Biz Bitch." In it, I ask the question, "Do You Use Starbucks As Your Business Office?" and I inserted a link to this blog within the copy. I hope that's OK. And thanks for this article!

Kay In Hawaii
http://bizbitchblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/do-you-use-starbucks-as-your-business.html

[Yagmur]

Agree. I am an avid Starbucks Xmas coffee einrkdr, but this year's blend is just not good. It tastes like weak regular coffee. Not inspiring as in the past years.

[Takashi]

i did notice.. :) and those are so yummy! rosie got a ttlile sample just like that one of the last times we went to starbucks. she's such a coffee girl :)

[Zafer]

Congratulations! It always makes me happy to hear that oomesnes marrige is standing the test of time (I've too many friends that have been married then divorced)Sucks about the ER though, it always annoys me when they do that, and when I claim to be able to taste the difference they never believe me, but I usually kick up enough of a fuss to get a fresh one made.Yey on the knucks too!

[Larry]

La Wii ha un'ottimo sistema di inulmilazione, ma sembra scarsa nella gestione del bump mapping sulle texture. Effettivamente raramente si vede questo effetto nei giochi, come del resto cosi' accadeva sul gamecube.A me sinceramente non dispiace che sia su binari, e l'ondata di giochi di questo tipo era prevedibile che sarebbe scoppiata, anche perch il sistema di puntamento e fatto a pennello per questi giochi.Sicuramente pi avanti uscir anche la versione in terza persona del titolo capcom, ma si vede che non' la loro priorit .

[John Russell]

I began leaving my office years ago to get at lot my work done in a Starbucks environment.

Why? Because of the creative energy - - and - the latitude be more mobile when going from one meeting to another.

Starbucks has earned my loyalty and through-out the day I get more then my tall coffee. Their is a need for Starbucks however to put a lid on those who sit all day making phone calls while on their laptops (dialing for dollars at our expense) as well the other fools who download loud videos - down load after download.

[Frank]

Yeah guess what dipsh*ts, the policy didn't last. Random morons on the internet are even less capable of operating a large corporation than the people who actually do and still screw it up. There is no such thing as a time limit on cafe customers, there's you get their business or you don't get their business if you decide to implement a time limit on customers. Starbucks relies on their money to stay in business, which is why they implemented free wifi and free refills. They were losing the business before they did. And that's why they didn't keep this nonsense up either.