Starbucks cracks down on freeloading laptop lurkers who won't leave

[Retro]

It's rare that I side with a big corporation over the little guy, but this is one of those exceptions. It's not right that people sit there with laptops for hours on end without buying anything, or just the very cheapest drink and nothing more. Now Starbucks are cracking down on the practice and I agree with them.

Starbucks (SBUX) is to install panic buttons for staff as it cracks down on customers who sit in its shops or try to use its lavatories without buying anything.

US workers have been given new guidelines on how to eject customers who stay in the stores for a “prolonged” amount of time, attempt to use lavatories or fill up water bottles without making a purchase, as first reported by Business Insider.

The company is also training workers in conflict de-escalation. According to reports, panic buttons have even been installed in a handful of stores in a trial of how best to keep them secure.

As well as preventing shops from making money by turning tables, so-called laptop lurkers have also been criticised for dampening the environment of bars and coffee shops and turning them into less social spaces.

Starbucks staff given ‘panic button’ for laptop lurkers who won’t leave

Starbucks is to install panic buttons for staff as it cracks down on customers who sit in its shops or try to use its lavatories without buying anything.

uk.finance.yahoo.com

 

[Tiffany]

When I've met friends at Starbucks, it's always busy and lacks good seating. If you're a lurker for hours and sitting in the corner consumed by your computer work (sure you are), I'll add that I find that potentially "odd" behavior. Go work at home. I usually don't feel very comfortable when I perceive my conversations might be listened too, also.

 

[live627]

Simply the next step in Starbux trying to shake their roots of trying to be a French-style café

 

[Mars]

Starbucks stance in this instance is justified.
The Lurkers waste space, limit the choice for bonafide customers, and are a general pain in the butt.

Starbucks is a business, and it is there to make a profit, not to provide its amenities for free.
Who likes freeloaders anyway? Good luck to Starbucks!