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If I use McDonalds wifi (via the parking lot) does that cost them any money?
No. They pay internet per month not per use.
If I use McDonalds wifi (via the parking lot) does that cost them any money?
Does that make it right? Do you know what McDonald’s policy is regarding Wifi?
There are some places (and McD, for all I know, may be one of them) that allow anyone (actual customers or not) to use their Wifi. Others restrict it to customers.
You really should find out what it is before you use their Wifi. The very fact that you asked the question shows that you care about the possibility of theft from them — which is good. That being the case, you should make sure that you have permission to use it even if you aren’t an actual paying customer.
The Wolf
However, you are using their bandwidth which will make their service work slower. So mybe you shld check with them if they don’t mind? Usually people lock it so others can’t use it.
omg dont tell me ur one of those ppl who sit outside coffee shops and resturants to use their wifi lol its hysterical seeing some ppl try to find wifi!!
The McDonalds website says “For Technical Support, please call 1-877-MCD-WIFI (1-877-623-9434)”.
That’s an AT&T number.
The person who answered said “sure, no problem – you can sit in the parking lot and use it” when asked if a non-customer could use the signal.
Calling 1-800-244-6227 (the McDonalds toll-free “contact us” number) produced this answer: “yes, people outside the restaurant pick up and use the signal”. When asked explicitly if that was OK, the response was “uhhh – maybe ask that specific franchise”.
Here are factors I can see playing a role:
1) Does it cost McD extra money?
2) Does it degrade service for other customers?
3) Are they happy to have you use it anyway, for goodwill (and the fact that when you logon they advertise via the splash screen)?
4) If you occasionally pop in and buy a soda or coffee it may be worth it for them.
5) If you potentially may pop in and buy a soda or coffee it may be worth it for them.
Wouldn’t 4 & 5 potentially run into the problem of Maris Ayin?
In fact even with sitting in their parking lot logging on, you have that same question.
Wouldn’t 4 & 5 potentially run into the problem of Maris Ayin?
Depends where. A McD located in a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, for example, may not be a problem as many people just sit at the tables to take a rest from driving even without buying anything (and it’s well known that this is the case).
The Wolf
volvie-
Walking into McD’s is the stereotypical “maris ayin” situation we discuss in yeshiva.
Personally, if I saw an obviously frum person going into one, I’d assume it was for a coke, the restroom, etc.
It would probably be a good idea not to eat a KD hamburger in their lot while using their wifi.
Just imagine mod 80 sitting near mcdonalds and moderating our posts!!
Walking into McDonalds is not maris ayin. Everyone knows you could be going in there to get a coke, go to the bathroom, etc.
If they don’t lock their wifi there is nothing illegal about using it. They could lock it if they didn’t want you to use it. Therefore there is no reason it should be assur with regard to dinei mamonos.
If the general perception of people is that what you are doing is wrong, even though it is not, then if you are noticeably Jewish/religious you should not do so because it would be a chillul Hashem.
If I use McDonalds wifi (via the parking lot) does that cost them any money?
Does that make it right? Do you know what McDonald’s policy is regarding Wifi?
Isn’t this a case of “Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser”?
You are using Wifi and they are not paying extra.
Unless
you are using their bandwidth which will make their service work slower
Then by using their Wifi, there paying customers are losing out on the services McDonald’s is offering them.
But, lets say at night, when the store is closed, I don’t see why you could not use there Wifi even without permission
Please let me know what you think about this.
yitayningwu
What did you say?
I think you are right that it is a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser.
But I think you are wrong that it would be ok to use it at night, because it is still a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser. (Poskining this issue is apparently quite complex)
I think you contradicted yourself. “I think you are right that it is a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser” And then you said, “I think you are wrong…a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser”
Explain.
They could lock it if they want to
This would obviously be bad business for them. This isn’t a private house, it’s a public place where they offer Wifi for their customers. If they locked it, it would defeat the whole purpose. They would have to give the password to all their customers which would just be a pain, and you could get it too anyway so what would they gain other than someone having to come in in order to use it the first time. I think that their business model is that they assume that if they offer Wifi, many people will come into the store to use it and might buy from them. People in the parking lot might also buy from them. The fact that you don’t plan on buying is the issue. If there is a chance that in all the times that you use it, one time you might come in and buy a coke, then it is worth it for them. It might even be worth it for them if you refer them a customer by telling a freind that you use their parking lot. Even though your friend might be Jewish, he still might buy a coke. Or he might refer a friend…
In terms of using their bandwidth, it is a public place where anyone can, and is encouraged, to log on so I assume they have somewhat good service to handle all this bandwidth. If not, then their customers would be experiencing slow connection even without you. I doubt that one extra person on the network makes that big of a difference. Feel free to argue this last point.
42, I agree with you 100%. And even if the bandwidth is a problem, as I said, when the store is closed, there should for sure be no problem.
Why is it “Zeh LO nehne…”? Isn’t it “Zeh nehne…”?
tomim tihye, your right. Its Zeh Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser
Yes mod. In fact many public libraries have free internet access on their compputers. But you gotta have a membership there to use it.
you could still use their free wifi from outside or even in the library with your ipod for example
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