Some Coffee Shops Actually Pulled the Plug on Laptop Users in 2009.

Started by Sigma, August 07, 2009, 12:05:59 PM

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Sigma

#15
August 07, 2009, 02:22:46 PM Last Edit: August 07, 2009, 05:21:52 PM by Sigma
QuoteCool sigma.  Which restaurant do you own?
I don't, which is why I used the term "If" in front of the sentance.  As a writer, I'm surprised you didn't know that.

I have, however, worked as a waiter, a bartender, and a manager years ago.  I'm assuming the basics of restaurant management still apply. And obviously, cheapskates still abound.

QuoteHaving owned a few, I'm actually friends with most of the restaurantuers in town.  These are very hard times.
Key word: Having
Perhaps all the freebies did not work out for you?

QuoteLike many of the articles you post, this one is interesting, but it doesnt really have much to do with the majority of the world.
Have you seen some of the crap you post? :D
"The learned Fool writes his Nonsense in better Language than the unlearned; but still 'tis Nonsense."  --Ben Franklin 1754

Lunican

#16
August 07, 2009, 02:23:21 PM
This is a pretty simple problem to solve. Simply set the router to automatically bump a mac address off after an hour. When they complain, just shrug and say you have no idea what's going on.

BridgeTroll

#17
August 07, 2009, 02:26:45 PM
QuoteI thought you didnt like this attitude over at The London Bridge, bt?

Or was it something else?

The Bridge has never had free WiFi as far as I know... but then I dont go to a bar to surf... I go to socialize.  If I owned the Bridge I would have free wiFi for my customers and advertse the fact.  But at some point if I had paying customers waiting for tables I would have to ask the non paying WiFi users to leave and come back later when it is not so busy.  I might also contemplate an per hour charge for use... seems fair dont you think?
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

BridgeTroll

#18
August 07, 2009, 02:28:25 PM
QuoteThis is a pretty simple problem to solve. Simply set the router to automatically bump a mac address off after an hour. When they complain, just shrug and say you have no idea what's going on.

Exactly... or password protect the router and let the user pay by the hour for the password...
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

BridgeTroll

#19
August 07, 2009, 02:33:39 PM
Well that is what the article was about wasnt it?  It says it was a growing trend mostly in New York and San Fran... I would be surprised if anybody in Jax has the same problems the owners of those coffee shops cited.
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Lucasjj

#20
August 07, 2009, 02:35:18 PM
I am not giving anyone advice, I am just showing the reasoning behind my acceptance of places banning laptop use. Much like I said before, it is the businesse's choice to do what they want and I am fine with that.

As far as you going out with your friends and spending plenty of money in the process, you would be what I was saying about alienating a customer group and suffering from it. If a place chooses to not allow laptops in hopes of making more money from turnover, the other side to that is losing customers like you and your friends.

Whoever is making the call for that business realy has to weigh each outcome to decide what they believe is best.

In my choice for coffee, using a laptop is not normally a consideration, but I am sure for many others it is.

BridgeTroll

#21
August 07, 2009, 02:36:44 PM
QuoteWhoever is making the call for that business realy has to weigh each outcome to decide what they believe is best.

Well said... :)
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Sigma

#22
August 07, 2009, 02:41:07 PM
QuoteIn any case, owning a restaurant is kind of crucial to having an opinion on this matter.

So now, Stephen Dare is setting the rules for this thread.  His rule: You must have owned a restaurant to have an opinion!

Based on this logic, we should expand this RULE across the entire board.  And therefore, Stephen, unless you have military experience, police experience, health insurance managment experience, and experience in medical patient care, then you should not be allowed to post on any of the other threads that discuss these matters.

Fair enough?

"The learned Fool writes his Nonsense in better Language than the unlearned; but still 'tis Nonsense."  --Ben Franklin 1754

Sigma

#23
August 07, 2009, 02:47:37 PM
QuoteSigma.  ahh.  you used to be a waiter.

Stephen, ahh. you are trying to discredit my experience again. 

Waiter+bartender+manager.  Can you remember that?

What that means is practical experience in the industry, the good, bad, and ugly.  In fact, I worked my way through all of these roles while I was in college.  Some very long days.  The restaurant business is tough.

It's tougher when moochers are in the way of customers who are willing to pay. 

It seems that LucasJ, Lunican, BT, DTP, and Overstreet understand this and know that the manager or owner must adjust to make a profit at their location.  I'm surprised you just can't get that.

"The learned Fool writes his Nonsense in better Language than the unlearned; but still 'tis Nonsense."  --Ben Franklin 1754

downtownparks

#24
August 07, 2009, 02:50:45 PM
I think its great that businesses offer these services, be it internet or chips and peanuts, I just think that if people are going to take advantage of it they should be paying customers. Otherwise, they are just freeloaders.

So in short, Yaaaaah! for the business, Booooo! on the freeloaders.

Sigma

#25
August 07, 2009, 02:55:34 PM
Well Stephen, I was not aware that I needed to post under my name.  Especially after you sent the nasty PM about knowing "exactly who I am!".  Why does it matter.

Now, since you've tried to hijack yet another thread by making it personal, would you care to get back on track and share with us some of your vast restaurant wisdom?

"The learned Fool writes his Nonsense in better Language than the unlearned; but still 'tis Nonsense."  --Ben Franklin 1754

Sigma

#26
August 07, 2009, 02:57:20 PM
 :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

"The learned Fool writes his Nonsense in better Language than the unlearned; but still 'tis Nonsense."  --Ben Franklin 1754

sheclown

#27
August 07, 2009, 03:00:36 PM
okay you two... do I have to go and get mom?

Sigma

#28
August 07, 2009, 03:05:16 PM
Quote from: sheclown on August 07, 2009, 03:00:36 PM
okay you two... do I have to go and get mom?

Only if she has free wi-fi and tostitos! 
"The learned Fool writes his Nonsense in better Language than the unlearned; but still 'tis Nonsense."  --Ben Franklin 1754

BridgeTroll

#29
August 07, 2009, 03:05:41 PM
Panera Bread has rules too...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1278278/panera_bread_restaurants_the_unspoken.html?cat=22

QuotePanera Bread Restaurants: The Unspoken Rules of Using Panera Bread Free WiFi
December 15, 2008 by Jamie Brown  

 Wifi Panera Bread Restaurants first came on the scene in 1981. Today they've grown to over 1200 locations in the USA and Canada. Here are some unspoken rules and guidelines to follow when you are using the Internet at Panera Bread Restaurants.

Buy Something!

When you come to Panera Bread restaurants, laptop strapped to your shoulder, your first stop should be to the counter to order something. Whether it be something as small as a coffee or as large as a delicious Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich platter, you've got to buy something before you settle in for a long stay while using their Internet service.

Respect Panera Breads Lunch Rush

If you're gonna be there pretty much all day, you have to take a lunch break between the hours of 11:00am-2pm.... elsewhere! Those are Panera's busiest hours. Many Panera Bread Restaurant locations do not even allow you to access the Internet for more than a half hour in that time period. So give Panera Bread Company some respect and appreciation for allowing you to use their facilities as a pseudo office for an entire day. Pack up your laptop and go elsewhere for lunch, then return after 2pm.

Find an Outlet

Don't just sit anywhere when you come to Panera Bread restaurants. Sit near an outlet so that you won't end up running out of battery power on your laptop. If you only plan to stay for an hour or so, there is no need to take up an outlet. Leave it for someone else who may need it.

Find a Small Table

Panera Bread restaurants literature asks that you find a small table if you're by yourself using the Internet, so that you won't deprive a large party of dining patrons access to a large table. So just grab a two seater table instead of a 6 to 8 person table.
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."
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