topic Re: Starbucks Lingerers in Community Chat

Starbucks Lingerers

Pearlee — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 01:40:17 GMT

I go to Starbucks regularly. Naturally I don't mind people sitting for long periods of time doing work on computers, reading, holding apparent meetings, etc. when there is plenty of seating available. However, when Starbucks is crowded, esp. on weekends (like today!) I do mind not being able to find a seat when I see a lot of people with no visible Starbucks cup or plate or anything indicating a purchase just sitting there apparently (though I suspect not) oblivious to the fact that people are carrying hot drinks and/or food looking desperately for a place to sit down. Come on, folks, show some consideration for others! Starbucks, whose business I realize it is, doesn't seem to mind people sitting for long periods of time doing their own business or work or reading leisurly, or even conducting meetings at Starbucks (which I see fairly often) while other customers look for seats that aren't available.

I find myself going to Starbucks less and less on the weekends for this very reason. It happened to me again this morning. I finally squeezed in, forcing a space between others (who were on their computers with no obvious drink or food from SB) by finding a chair and bringing it over. At least they did have the courtesy to move their chairs a couple of inches to let me in.

I think, though, if I were SB management, I'd keep an eye on the situation and in some gentle way try to hasten people along who are just loitering there If I were in a restaurant that was very busy and I saw a line of people waiting for seating, I wouldn't linger at my table after I finished my meal - I'd leave to make room for others who wish to dine there.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Lucky Charm — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 01:53:11 GMT

I don't think I've ever been in a Starbucks that had seating (only ones in airports, etc, maybe I didn't notice seating). But I used to go to Panera and it was like that there. Senior 'regulars' would sit on couches for hours. Mommy groups, and other groups. Could you say something to management, like "hey, I'd love to sit down and enjoy my Frappaccino, can you help me find a seat?"

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Melania — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 01:59:57 GMT

Perhaps they had already consumed their purchase and still need to complete work or facetime with a long lost family member or just have a safe place to go to use the Wifi. See you have no idea what went on before you got there.

Not only that considering the cost of a drink etc. using the Wifi is one way to recoup some of the cost. Really it's NOYB why they are there as they have every right to be there.

Not everyone is trying to do you wrong.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

HB glamma — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 01:57:18 GMT

Kind of off-topic, but kind of a similar pet-peeve for me....people in Barnes & Noble sitting in the chairs like it was their house, literally reading magazines & books. They arent spending a nickel or dime there, but occupying the chairs and making magazines and books look used. I see people who obviously come often and read novels this way. I think management should monitor this activity also. These folks should be directed to the nearest library! And I agree about Starbucks!

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Q4u — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 01:59:23 GMT

I used to live in a very big city and the Starbucks by us was always busy, people in line and out the door waiting their turn. The seats were always taken, meetings, loners with computers, moms back from dropping off their kids and meeting "the girls". I can count on one hand the times I found a seat to sit and enjoy my coffee (and people watch, which I love to do).... they also had seating outside (southern CA) and those were always taken AND they brought their dogs with them on leashes and bowls so the dogs would have water. This astounded me because it was fore thought as to how long they thought they would stay!

I usually took my coffee to my car, turned on the radio and watched people from there while I finished off my coffee.....

Good luck but I think it's a continuing problem everywhere.....

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

DoneTryin — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:03:42 GMT

Starbucks stockholders laugh all the way to the bank.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

MyGirlsMom — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:03:50 GMT

Buy a Keurig, QVC has several.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

pattypeep — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:19:16 GMT

I just go through the drive-thru and drink on the run in the comfort of my car.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

foundinlv — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:22:34 GMT

@Melania wrote:
Perhaps they had already consumed their purchase and still need to complete work or facetime with a long lost family member or just have a safe place to go to use the Wifi. See you have no idea what went on before you got there.
Not only that considering the cost of a drink etc. using the Wifi is one way to recoup some of the cost. Really it's NOYB why they are there as they have every right to be there.
Not everyone is trying to do you wrong.

How long would you consider is a suitable length of time to sit and monopolize the seating after you've finished your drink? Perhaps that is the type of guideline that Starbucks needs to spell out.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Zenyoga — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:27:12 GMT

The Starbucks I go to is around the corner from me and is large with a lot of table including a big community one. I rarely sit there unless I'm meeting a friend for coffee it's always full no matter what day it is a lot of neighborhood regulars, now there's a notice to sell wine I guess they will never leave I can only imagine how it's going to be get you coffee,tea and wine here folks lol 🍷☕️

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

biancardi — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:36:07 GMT

these types of places cater to people lingering. They aren't going to spell out rules because they want people to hang around - they will refill their coffee and purchase more. It is part of a community as well.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Pearlee — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:37:16 GMT

@MyGirlsMom wrote:
Buy a Keurig, QVC has several.

Had one, returned it, didn't like it. So much for that.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

MyGirlsMom — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:38:45 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
@MyGirlsMom wrote:
Buy a Keurig, QVC has several.
Had one, returned it, didn't like it. So much for that.

***

Nespresso

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Kalli — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:40:40 GMT

Well, I guess management could say something but they might be afraid of sounding unfriendly to their customers.

I live in a somewhat rural place. We don't have a Starbucks, only Dunkin and a locally owned coffee place. I stopped going to Dunkin because their drive-thru window was a LONG wait with lots of folks wandering behind and in front of moving cars. It became a nightmare. Ugh.

Out of desperation, I started going to the Sunoco gas station/convenience store near me and that's easy in and out. And I've found I really like their coffee. It's actually quite tasty.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Pearlee — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:40:47 GMT

@biancardi wrote:
these types of places cater to people lingering. They aren't going to spell out rules because they want people to hang around - they will refill their coffee and purchase more. It is part of a community as well.

@biancardiI'm not so sure. First of all, if people have to pay for refills (I don't - I have a gold card and the level below me, green card holders, get free refills) the refills are only 50 cents - much cheaper than the initial cup. And if people have to get coffee to go because they can't find a seat, they don't get a refill, even for fifty cents. On a day like today when it was so crowded, I can't believe that it wouldn't be more profitable for SB to have more turnover than lingerers. I could stay there all day and get free refills; of course I don't.

I don't know why SB doesn't encourage more turnover when it's busy.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Pearlee — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:42:13 GMT

No thanks, I don't want one a machine of any kind; I don't like them.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

MyGirlsMom — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:44:08 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
No thanks, I don't want one a machine of any kind; I don't like them.

***

French press

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Pearlee — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:48:51 GMT

@foundinlv I'll be very surprised if she responds to you. She posts to needle me.

Take a look at her recent posts some time, you'll see.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Pearlee — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:46:32 GMT

@HB glamma wrote:
Kind of off-topic, but kind of a similar pet-peeve for me....people in Barnes & Noble sitting in the chairs like it was their house, literally reading magazines & books. They arent spending a nickel or dime there, but occupying the chairs and making magazines and books look used. I see people who obviously come often and read novels this way. I think management should monitor this activity also. These folks should be directed to the nearest library! And I agree about Starbucks!

Those people should definitely go to a library. You are right about them making raggedy items that are for sale.

Re: Starbucks Lingerers

Pearlee — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 02:47:58 GMT

@VCamp2748 wrote:
Starbucks stockholders laugh all the way to the bank.

I don't know about that....see my post to biancardi. I can see the lingerers being profitable to SB at off-times, but not on busy days.