Posted on Saturday, 26th June 2010 by Bill Bean
Have you heard? Starbucks is going to start offering free wi-fi on July 1. Glad to see it but sheesh!, they’re a bit late to the game. Better late than never?
I spent a couple of years working for Starbucks when they first came to town. 10 years ago or so. Before that I was a regular customer at the location in my neighborhood (Disclaimer: i might still be the Mayor http://foursquare.com/venue/564244).
I remember hearing all the arguments about why they weren’t going to offer free internet access. Because of that, I spent a lot more time at the Panera at the other end of the strip mail. At that point they didn’t even have wi-fi. I was plugging in. How quaint!
Not everyone likes the taste of Starbucks coffee. I realize that. Though I’m not a rabid fan, I do prefer it to Panera’s coffee. Had the ‘Bucks provided a free connection I would have spent a lot more money (emphasis on “more”) and time with them. They would have had a greater opportunity to sell me more music and pastries (the big money maker). They would have truly been my third place (blogged about this on Smaller Indiana.)
Two questions.
Do you think Starbucks would have been much better off going this direction years ago?
Why doesn’t Einstein’s have wi-fi? (just curious, as I do like their coffee)
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (2)
June 26th, 2010 at 11:06 am
Einsteins? Are they still in business? [Does this portend my answer re Starbucks?] I’m with you — I spend my money @Paradise @Panera and @UBcafe. [And buy Starbucks beans for home where I also have free wifi. *smile*]
June 27th, 2010 at 10:25 am
I would have forgotten about Einsteins by now, if they weren’t in my drive path almost every day.