Coin for Coffee
Finance and crypto
bitcoin gift card service
SHOW HN2014
How HN took it
6 positive, 33 neutral or asking, 2 mixed, 12 critical, out of 53 comments about the project. Thread score -0.17.
Idea: 2 for, 2 againstExecution: 3 for, 1 againstPricing: 0 for, 4 againstPerformance: 0 for, 2 againstDocs: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Useful service that works, card generation succeeded for some users
From 1 comment
You need to send an email with the barcode and 25 minutes after that sweep the funds back...I've tried to use this twice and not seen my code. Update: refreshing the page seems…
mmmmax on HN
Objections
10% discount is small versus bitcoin price volatility
From 2 comments
The volatility of Bitcoin's exchange rate far out ways the ten percent discount.
stevewilhelm on HNAt this point with btc volatility being what it is today, you could save or lose 10% just by standing in line.
beedogs on HN
Legal risk as a money transmitter under FinCEN
From 1 comment
Also about the service: is the website compliant with AML and KYC regulation? You might be acting as a money transmitter under FinCEN rules. Might want to consult a lawyer.
Xdes on HN
Starbucks card reward program gives similar discount
From 2 comments
If I use the Starbucks app, I get credit towards a free item (it works out to an 8.3% discount if you always buy the same thing). A 1.7% savings really isn't enough to interest…
JshWright on HNThere's a Starbucks Gold Card (earned from 30 drinks in 12 months). https://www.starbucks.com/card/rewards This gives you every 13th drink free (1 per 12 = 8.3% discount). I…
PhrosTT on HN
Requests
Support for other coffee chains and indie shops
From 2 comments
Could we please bring this to a coffee chain that makes good coffee? Peets or Philz?
myrandomcomment on HNAny plans for branching this out on the retailer side? I can imagine any business that already has a gift card program in place and wants to impliment bitcoin payments would be…
bcohen5055 on HN
Clearer FAQ and docs
From 2 comments
What exchange rate do you get for your bitcoin? Does a user even see the potential exchange rate before the transfer? What margin (if any) are you taking on the currency…
joosters on HNThe linked page says it takes 25 minutes to get your money back, but the FAQ says it takes only 15 minutes.
amwelles on HN
Questions
How the barcode works and whether Starbucks accepts it
From 2 comments
How does this work? Where/how are you generating the barcode? Is there some hidden Starbucks API?
robbiet480 on HNThe big question... is this actually useable at Starbucks? If I show a barista a 3rd-party, non-Starbucks affiliated app, and ask them to scan it, will they do it? Or just look…
nicolethenerd on HN
Whether it works outside the US
From 2 comments
Can you use this service in Mexico or Canada? It doesn't seem to be covered anywhere, or maybe I haven't looked hard enough.
josu on HNUS only I assume?
facepalm on HN
Alternatives named
Starbucks Gold Card rewards program
From 1 comment
There's a Starbucks Gold Card (earned from 30 drinks in 12 months). https://www.starbucks.com/card/rewards This gives you every 13th drink free (1 per 12 = 8.3% discount). I…
PhrosTT on HN