Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Starbucks UK - Anti Apple?
- Thread starter nomad01
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Just sent them a mail pointing out how Starbucks stores cluster in exactly the same places where Mac users are concentrated so there will be more Mac users amongst their customers than most companies, and how considering only 0.85% of UK web users use Netscape compared to around 10% for Firefox they really should be striving for Firefox compatability if they're going to support a second browser.
The annoying thing is that every web developer that I've introduced Firefox to has been raving about it a couple of months later as it's much easier to code for than IE. The British IT Microsoft mentality at work again. When are people in this country going to realise that just because the computers in the office are all Windows with IE6, it doesn't mean that's what people are using at home?
The annoying thing is that every web developer that I've introduced Firefox to has been raving about it a couple of months later as it's much easier to code for than IE. The British IT Microsoft mentality at work again. When are people in this country going to realise that just because the computers in the office are all Windows with IE6, it doesn't mean that's what people are using at home?
Starbucks email said:
I'd go back and say that since you've effectively told me that you're not interested in my business and I have to now pay to register it or use the functionality, then I won't be bothering to use it - and you might just wander to another coffee shop. A national rate call number than they make more cash on... no thanks.
I think it's particularly annoying since it does work if you spoof the browser - it's just a case of them being lazy. Given that they're trying to 'protect' your balance, it is ironic that they're only supporting the least secure browser. Wonder if dropping a mail to the Register or the Inquirer might get some attention?
Anyone tried it with Netscape for OSX? That's the only browser I could find to support my old HSBC business banking on the Mac.
Safari now works with HSBC online banking
I had the 'server' error but it was fixed a while ago with 10.4.something
Excellent points and yes I find it more annoying that you can get round it by spoofing the browser.
Is this the sort of thing they may cover?
To the people bitching about Starbucks coffee, please try and see that this isn't the issue. It's bad news for any big company to block Mac users in this way. I don't bank with HSBC but I was still annoyed that they don't support Macs. Glad to see that's been rectified.
Got the standard reply back, and based on Applespider's post fired back another e-mail saying that paying for an 0845 call wasn't an acceptable solution. Cheekily enough, I also pointed out that the US site seems to work perfectly with other browsers, so perhaps they should contact their colleagues in Seattle for tips in how to develop compliant websites
Cheekily enough, I also pointed out that the US site seems to work perfectly with other browsers, so perhaps they should contact their colleagues in Seattle for tips in how to develop compliant websites
Oh well done! lol Wonder if they'll reply to that eh?
just emailed, (gotta help out of this lazy coding going on in the world)
anyway, didnt have long to think what to write so:
Hi, it would appear that the registration pages for a starbucks internet card have not been fully browser tested, this is leaving certain other browser and mac users such as muself unable to pay and use your services. It would appear the coding has not been fully tested to modern standards and a rapidly changing internet environment, i hope that starbucks view on this changes in the near future or they employ more competent coders.
anyway, didnt have long to think what to write so:
Hi, it would appear that the registration pages for a starbucks internet card have not been fully browser tested, this is leaving certain other browser and mac users such as muself unable to pay and use your services. It would appear the coding has not been fully tested to modern standards and a rapidly changing internet environment, i hope that starbucks view on this changes in the near future or they employ more competent coders.
my response:
We appreciate our customers taking the time to share their experiences using their Starbucks card.
I am sorry for any disappointment, though at present, we have no immediate plans to provide access for Mac users and those on less popular internet browsers. We are reviewing this and will continue to review customer feedback about how we can improve access for customers. Your comments were passed on to our Starbucks Card team to make them aware of your concerns and to help underline customer sentiment on this issue.
We appreciate our customers taking the time to share their experiences using their Starbucks card.
I am sorry for any disappointment, though at present, we have no immediate plans to provide access for Mac users and those on less popular internet browsers. We are reviewing this and will continue to review customer feedback about how we can improve access for customers. Your comments were passed on to our Starbucks Card team to make them aware of your concerns and to help underline customer sentiment on this issue.
That is too bad... I'll just echo that here too (also in the US) Macs are very common at Starbucks. However, T-Mobile (I think) runs their hotspots and I have never really tried to use one....
I'll just echo that here too (also in the US) Macs are very common at Starbucks. However, T-Mobile (I think) runs their hotspots and I have never really tried to use one....
maybe someone should email them the modern ratio of firefox and safari users, plus the amount of portables being sold dominated by apple with 12% if i recall right, that should open there eyes to about 20% (mac and firefox users combined on portables) business they are missing out on
I sort of mentioned that in my first e-mail, by asking why they would go for Netscape compatibility when it's used by less than 1% of UK computer users and Firefox, which they ignore, is used by more than 10% and growing.
If they just get the site working with Firefox, everyone has a workable option. Requirng a proprietary piece of software to launch a modern website is simply not on. Companies can do this on their Intranets to their hearts content, but you can't insist on the software your customers are going to use and expect them to stay customers.
It's like their ideas about what to code on are stuck in 1998.
Mmm, wait... I just read this page again. I'm sorry. I thought you were talking about their hotspot.... But anyway, since others have already pointed out that the US card pages work fine on Macs... I wonder why they built the UK pages from the ground up all over again?
I thought you were talking about their hotspot.... But anyway, since others have already pointed out that the US card pages work fine on Macs... I wonder why they built the UK pages from the ground up all over again?
My local Starbucks in London is next to an italian pub/restaurant/deli, which has given space to a local community free wireless internet project.
Hence the Starbucks is full of people not drinking coffee but tapping away on their laptops; and management is happy thinking they are paying to use Starbuck's wireless.
They're not. They're all hooked up to the community wireless yaay.
I'm sure the Starbucks still sells extra coffee and bites to them tho, so it works out.
The usual fee to use Starbucks UK wireless is outrageous, can't remember what it is, (maybe someone could post it) so I have no problems with people avoiding it.
---------
Extraneous irrelevant factoid: I sign Starbucks in BSL using a different word that rhymes with 'bucks' and a very similar lip pattern and handshape/sign movement
Hence the Starbucks is full of people not drinking coffee but tapping away on their laptops; and management is happy thinking they are paying to use Starbuck's wireless.
They're not. They're all hooked up to the community wireless yaay.
I'm sure the Starbucks still sells extra coffee and bites to them tho, so it works out.
The usual fee to use Starbucks UK wireless is outrageous, can't remember what it is, (maybe someone could post it) so I have no problems with people avoiding it.
---------
Extraneous irrelevant factoid: I sign Starbucks in BSL using a different word that rhymes with 'bucks' and a very similar lip pattern and handshape/sign movement
My local Starbucks in London is next to an italian pub/restaurant/deli, which has given space to a local community free wireless internet project.
Hence the Starbucks is full of people not drinking coffee but tapping away on their laptops; and management is happy thinking they are paying to use Starbuck's wireless.
They're not. They're all hooked up to the community wireless yaay.
I'm sure the Starbucks still sells extra coffee and bites to them tho, so it works out.
The usual fee to use Starbucks UK wireless is outrageous, can't remember what it is, (maybe someone could post it) so I have no problems with people avoiding it.
Absolutely right, it is outrageously priced. Didn't it used to be free to use the wireless internet at Starbucks and all of the other places? I'd never pay the amount they expect to be able to charge you per hour. Only someone who's going to charge it to a business would even consider paying those prices.
It seems many folks are regular patrons of StarBucks. I have not been Starbucks stores (only a few times, excluding the kiosk type of stores at the Thruway or Airport plaza). It never caught up with me to use computer at Starbucks stores.
The only possibility I might be doing that at Starbucks is if I were doing a sales job in New York City. Between appointments, I think I need to get some shelter as it is not practical to use a car in the city.
The only possibility I might be doing that at Starbucks is if I were doing a sales job in New York City. Between appointments, I think I need to get some shelter as it is not practical to use a car in the city.
Regular isn't the word. I walk past four Starbucks branches between home and the office, and use two completely different branches at weekends. Although I've now mostly cut down to one soy latté a day, I buy mochas, lattés etc. for others all the time. I spend quite a bit of money with them, which is one of the main reasons I'm so aggrieved about them pulling the Windows/IE only crap on me. It's bad enough that ITV, Sky, PremiumTV et al. are doing it with DRM on their video streams without my choice of coffee shop trying to lock me out of offers too.
It's the 'less popular' thing that really sticks in my throat. How about universal access? There's an EU human rights case here for anyone who wants to pursue it.
That would never hold.
And besides, while FF has 10% of the market, Safari has a nice share of users as well. IE only has around 84% or 86% of the market or something like that. They're missing a lot of people.
I don't know how much they charge you for a latté; but, I guess it would be more than $3 at least. So, 30 days X $3 = $90; $90 X 12 months = $1080. So, the expense could be roughly at least $1080 per year.
Yeah, I know; I am a cheapskate (I always think about cutting back on non-essential things) and I brew my own coffee so that I don't spend money on someone to brew for me. But, for technology things, I am typically a free spender (as I want to do more things in a shorter time).