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The $20 Starbucks Test

blog.snootymonkey.com

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Re: The $20 Starbucks Test

#11

Post by nollidge »

yock wrote: post #6

I think I'd be uncomfortable with this not because of approaching random strangers but rather approaching them with false pretenses. You're essentially fooling people into listening to your ill-formed business plan by lying to their face about non-existant siblings in non-existant danger. Whatever happened to being honest with people? "Hi. Can I buy you a cup of coffee in exchange for some feedback? Five minutes is a…

I think even complete strangers will be predisposed to give you positive feedback if they know it's your idea. If they think it's somebody else's idea, and you're priming them to think negatively about it, then you'll be more likely to get the negative opinions you were looking for.

Obviously I'm not addressing the morality of it, just the effectiveness.

Re: The $20 Starbucks Test

#12

Post by rhizome »

nollidge wrote: post #11
yock wrote: post #6

I think I'd be uncomfortable with this not because of approaching random strangers but rather approaching them with false pretenses. You're essentially fooling people into listening to your ill-formed business plan by lying to their face about non-existant siblings in non-existant danger. Whatever happened to being honest with people? "Hi. Can I buy you a cup of coffee in exchange for some feedback? Five minutes is a…

I think even complete strangers will be predisposed to give you positive feedback if they know it's your idea. If they think it's somebody else's idea, and you're priming them to think negatively about it, then you'll be more likely to get the negative opinions you were looking for. Obviously I'm not addressing the morality of it, just the effectiveness.

Especially at a coffee place where anybody not wearing earphones is likely there expressly for the idle chatter that happens there.

Re: The $20 Starbucks Test

#13

Post by SnootyMonkey »

nollidge wrote: post #11
yock wrote: post #6

I think I'd be uncomfortable with this not because of approaching random strangers but rather approaching them with false pretenses. You're essentially fooling people into listening to your ill-formed business plan by lying to their face about non-existant siblings in non-existant danger. Whatever happened to being honest with people? "Hi. Can I buy you a cup of coffee in exchange for some feedback? Five minutes is a…

I think even complete strangers will be predisposed to give you positive feedback if they know it's your idea. If they think it's somebody else's idea, and you're priming them to think negatively about it, then you'll be more likely to get the negative opinions you were looking for. Obviously I'm not addressing the morality of it, just the effectiveness.

I have ethical qualms about it too. I'm not sure I could get comfortable enough with them to do it. But you're totally spot on that the negative priming (he's making risky decisions, upsetting his family) and the distancing (it's my brother, not me) are very important to the effectiveness. If you say it's your own idea, and don't prime the pump of negativity, I'd expect significantly better feedback.

People can't help it. No one likes to say your baby is ugly, or those pants do indeed make your butt look fat.

Re: The $20 Starbucks Test

#14

Post by bhudman »

The beginning of the conversation sounds like an intro to a Nigerian 419 scam. I was waiting for "can you transfer some money from my brother" or something :). Not to mention the fact that I might be booted out if customers feel uncomfortable.

Enjoyed the article. I do like the point about the rejection therapy.

Re: The $20 Starbucks Test

#15

Post by dantheman »

I'm really disappointed with the frequency of posts advocating lying/deception appearing on HN. Everytime someone lies or takes advantage of someone, it hurts those who may really have a problem or issue.

If you want honest feedback then by all means ask people and they'll be likely to help. If for some reason they don't, maybe you'll have to compensate them more. They may give you a discount because you said it was an emergency, just as restaurant may give someone down on his luck free food. Or a motorist may give another free gasoline etc... In normal circumstances, this types of transactions are paid for - but in a time of distress people understanding your predicament will give you a discount - they'll help you for free, just as they would like help in a similar situation.

Anyway - being dishonest is wrong, and you shouldn't do it.

Re: The $20 Starbucks Test

#16

Post by ry0ohki »

I'm not sure I'd want the opinion of someone who is willing to waste their time talking to a complete stranger on pretenses that seem like an obvious scam just because they offered to buy them coffee.

Re: The $20 Starbucks Test

#19

Post by epoxyhockey »

Ahhh, the joys of working in silicon valley where it can be assumed that every individual in Starbucks is going to comprehend you "brother's" start-up idea.

Also, if I tried this method in my local Starbucks, I'd end up interviewing people just looking for a complimentary cup of coffee.

Kind of reminds me of the Encyclopedia Britannica "get a free thesaurus" promo where you'd sit through an hour long sales pitch just to be able to say "no thanks, can I get my free thesaurus?"

Re: The $20 Starbucks Test

#20

Post by thirdstation »

SnootyMonkey wrote: post #10
wwortiz wrote: post #8

It sounds like an okay idea other than the lying about worrying about your brother. I would much rather a person be honest than take up my time while keeping up a charade about a crazy brother, if someone did this I would probably just tell them to talk to their brother rather than me.

The point about using the "brother" is to provide the distance required to make the stranger feel like they can give truly honest feedback without hurting your feelings.

You don't have to tell them it's your idea. Or just say you're looking for negative feedback. People like telling you why something won't work too.

Even if you lie and say it's your brother's idea, how many strangers will believe you? It's such a cliché premise.

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