Home :: Retail Experiments :: Transaction 01

Brooklyn, NY :: October 11-12, 2008

At our street side bazaar customers who wish to buy an item are turned away when they offer to pay in cash and instructed to register in a nearby trash can. The trashcan is noticeably new, clean and white. Flush mounted inside the can is a wireless, touchscreen computer where they create an online account with Subports. Once finished, the customer is handed an envelope with a transaction card and instructions on how to complete the order.

The experiment begins:

Walk to Brooklyn Ale House at the corner of N. 8th and Berry. Sitting at the bar will be a person eating a stack of pancakes. Walk up and--saying nothing--lift the top pancake off and place your transaction card inside. If you make zero eye contact with the person and you are quiet, she will present you with a complimentary drink ticket. This will complete your transaction and your purchase will be sent to your shipping address.