[drcode]

As someone who works out of coffee shops a lot, there is pretty much ZERO appeal for me to use this kind of service, since I view my coffee costs as "rent" and prefer to pay full price plus a tip to be viewed as a good customer.

Bringing in an app saying "I'm a cheapskate that doesn't want to pay full price" is not the message I want to give to coffee shop staff.

[josefresco]

But working from their coffee shop is? I would think a "good customer" to them is someone you walks in, buys coffee, and then leaves. Sure it helps that you probably meet people there (expanding their reach) but a half dozen people setting up camp in your coffee shop all day can't be ideal.

[Theodores]

Actually, no... It is the 'empty restaurant syndrome', you have probably done it yourself, in some strange town, not knowing where to eat, you go past a few places and choose one that other diners have also chosen, walking past the empty place as if it has the plague.

Hence a few customers that hang around for a while are good for drawing in other customers.

[josefresco]

Dude was setting up shop ... if I walk by a coffee shop and see 12 mobile offices I don't think "this must be a good coffee shop" I think "they must have good wifi and not give a shit if you work there". It would appeal to my business-owner side, but not my consumer side.

[drcode]

> I would think a "good customer" to them is someone you walks in, buys coffee, and then leaves.

No, that would be a "great" customer in their eyes. I am merely trying to not be a jerk of a customer, while still spending some time working in their shop.

[devindotcom]

Yeah, I do this too, though I try not to stay for more than two or three hours, and make sure I always have something in my cup. Fear of getting overcaffeinated drives me to other places.

I do think a shared promotional community between the coffee shops around here (Seattle) would be good, but most are doing pretty well so no one feels any pressure.