Whoever came up with the business idea of trying to attract freeloaders?
Seriously.
Probably got a bonus for that great idea.
Probably the guys that figured you could execute the tightest imaginable target marketing to a generation that lives online when you can read their every keystroke.
And sell 'em a 5 dollar cup of coffee once in a while.
Starbucks used to require you to buy something once in a while and for some reason stopped. Pity, 'cause I can't stand their coffee.
The other place down the road, before they burned to the ground when one of their roasting machines went haywire -- I always bought something anytime I came in to check my email.
Yesterday I spent 20 bucks at another place on a tiny lunch for the privilege 'cause Starbucks was full of...well..."freeloaders", I suppose.
The proper model for WiFi is:
1. No free refills.
2. expensive drinks.
3. no power outlet.
Within 3 years, deployment of 4G wireless broadband will have anyone who wants to be online at a resuraunt able to do so anywhere.
The key is to keep them spending money.
I’m gonna start up a string of Wi-Fi shops where you pay to get the wireless access, and you get the coffee for free.
Maybe call it ‘Wireless Coffee’.
If lefty eggheads are willing to pay $10.99 for a fair-trade, non-fat, skinny latte topped with organic cinnamon served in an unbleached, 100% recyclable, non-carbon-footprint cup along with a transfat-free granola muffin, I guess they've earned the right to DUeep (or whatever the DU equivalent to FReeping is) for as long as they want to.
The same person who suggested removing reading chairs from Borders bookstore... Now customers looking at a book sit in the coffee area - for what seems like hours - stopping customers from getting a quick coffee and croissant...