Show HN: Mojofiend giving away free coffee to San Francisco residents

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2822341

by OmarIsmail • 15 years ago

65 8 15 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Looking for feedback on our new service www.mojofiend.com. We're developing a new kind of loyalty program that works kind of like a coffee club. You buy 4 coffees anywhere in San Francisco and we'll give you a free coffee at a premiere cafe.

alooPotato• 15 years ago

clickable: http://www.mojofiend.com

matdwyer2• 15 years ago

Interesting concept... I'd go with a different name though.

I'm assuming it is just "selling" loyal customers of a product/service to businesses in exchange for them giving a sample of their product for free. Could work well in other industries, as long as you can ensure it isn't abused (i.e. I buy $1.30 coffee 4 times at Tim Hortons/Dunkin Donuts, then get a free organic latte ($5) at the place down the street... )

msencenb• 15 years ago

I don't think they need to worry too much about abuse.

I think part of the value prop here from mojofiends perspective is that they are providing coffeeshops potential new customers. The coffeeshops that are offering them a $5 coffee don't care if the incoming customer has spent only $1.40 on coffee before today much the same as they don't care whether they bought a new tv yesterday. They just want access to potential new customers.

Groupon has proved how much businesses want potential new customers, I think this is an interesting twist and will perhaps generate better leads for coffeeshops than a groupon would.

matdwyer2• 15 years ago

While I agree in theory, you have to think about the conditioning of a customer. The guy spending $1.40 is not likely to become a recurring customer of a $5 coffee, but rather look at it like a treat or "reward" that they get for free.

If you're getting new customers in the door that aren't looking to buy a product in your range, is it worth it? Here is an extreme example: If you buy a Kia you get a free BMW test drive... the Kia buyers are likely not going to ultimately buy a BMW unless their socioeconomic status changes, and conversely, the BMW market has no interest in a Kia etc.

Of course there may be caps on it, etc, but perhaps a better option would be buy 4 coffees, get a free donut/bagel (or complimentary product, etc.) This would encourage spending of a normalized product (i.e the coffee), along with bringing the customer through the door with incentives & the intention of buying.

ltamake• 15 years ago

Looks really neat! Any plans to expand to the UK? :)

glimcat2• 15 years ago

I like free coffee.

I don't use Facebook for log-in to services. You don't say why Step #1 is "give you lots of my financial info."

Site design needs some polish. There are a few unfinished edges. Color palette is too muted and visually homogeneous.

glimcat2• 15 years ago

Downvote trolls on a critique thread are sort of pathetic. If you don't agree, provide dissenting feedback. It will be much more useful.

prayag• 15 years ago

Facebook login button doesn't work on Ubuntu 64bit chrome.

Show HN: Mojofiend giving away free coffee to San Francisco residents

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