This is a similar strategy I used the other night when I asked my strangers to help fill out a survey. Here's one in a google doc form if anyone wants to help figure out a good reason to choose one domain over the other.
The $20 Starbucks Test
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Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#22Imagine if the Odeo guys had done this with their new Twitter idea.
Yeah, some stranger might have thought for a few minutes and then asked "But how are they going to make money from it?"
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#23I'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…
How is this taking advantage of someone?
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#24I wholeheartedly disagree. You can't ask most consumers what they think of an undeveloped business idea. They don't know what they want.
At a minimum you have to put something visual in front of them, even better if its a prototype. Check out Rocket Surgery Made Easy (http://www.sensible.com/rocketsurgery/index.html).
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#25[deleted]
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#26I 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.
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Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#27I 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…
As nollidge says: they will be predisposed to give positive advice (also because you've just given them something and because these people are already interested in chatting, which usually doesn't last long when they are negative about you(r idea)).
However, aren't there intermediate paths that are acceptable, even though they contain white lies? You can tell them it's the idea of a friend who's asked you to invest. You're thinking about it, but want feedback from others, because you have all kinds of worries. That way, you're not getting into the conversation under false pretenses and you're just setting up the story to neutralize their predisposition towards the idea.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#28I 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 thought the same thing - half the setup is educating us on the backstory of the brother - then says "focus on the idea and not the backstory"
I am inclined to think that the brother backstory will skew the results. You have lured the person in with an emotional backstory that would make them be more inclined to act a certain way, in that their inclination will be to give the best advice they can based on their perspective of the brothers about to lose money/make money on this idea.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#29Save yourself some money and embarrassment and just do the same thing on Mechanical Turk..
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#30While well intentioned, I sorta think this idea sucks. Maybe it's just me, but random strangers with business ideas approaching me in public would immediately lead me to think "Amway scam" or "clueless businessperson". I wonder what sorts of people would self-select themselves into accepting this offer? Also, most people who have tried to launch a product know that random input from people who are NOT your target use…
It seems to me that the point is to avoid missing a glaringly obvious problem with a project that, while you may be blind to, a random stranger may not.
I got the point of it, I just think it's horrible execution.
If you have a business idea, and you cannot find a way to solicit honest feedback from an ad-hoc consumer panel, then you should probably check yourself.
I don't understand why you need the whole deceptive angle. Go to Starbucks and approach someone and say "hey... I've got this interesting idea for [a way to do X better/faster/cheaper]. I'll give you a $5 gift card if you don't mind spending 15 minutes giving me your honest feedback."
The other fail of the idea was the whole trying to maximize $20 at Starbucks concept. Many people are going there to get a drink that will likely average $3 or more. Offering to buy someone a $1.50 black coffee when they came in wanting a $4.50 latte isn't going to get you off to the right start. Even spending $100 for 20 $5 gift cards would be cheap feedback, and (IMO) a more realistic approach.