Why can't I find a cup of coffee that isn't $0.60 anymore? Why can't I get an espresso drink that isn't $4.00? Why is it that people continue to go to Starbucks when the mom-and-pop coffee shop is just around the corner? Sorry I'm just ranting, but I find myself making my coffee at home more and more these days. What do you guys think? Will Starbucks have a monopoly on the coffee service market?
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Never been to Starbucks...
..visit my mom&pop store each morning for coffe on the way to work.
(yes, there ARE Starbucks' in Wichita)
so am I a dying breed?
Farmgirl
Posted by screechowl (Member # 2651) on :
What! Starbucks on the Buffalo Common?
Yes, they are taking over.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Wow, 4 posts and not one Austin Powers reference.
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
I go there as a last resort, like when my coffee machine breaks or I don't have time to brew due to hitting snooze too many times. Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :
Yes, they're taking over. There are two Starbucks in Anthem, Arizona. I don't know how many of you have been there, and I don't know the exact size, but I know that's totally misproportioned.
[ February 09, 2004, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: Da_Goat ]
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
I have six in Elk Grove, California, and there is only 80,000 people here. Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
What choice do we have? Starbucks has a near monopoly on the fine produce of the Seattle coffee plantations.
[ February 09, 2004, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: aspectre ]
Posted by CalvinMaker (Member # 2032) on :
In D.C. there are starbucks EVERYWHERE.
I occasionally go in to get my frappacino or peppermint hot chocolate fix, but I find myself going in less and less. They're extremely expensive, and, well, while their coffee is good, it's nothing spectacular.
There's place in Adams Morgan D.C. called Tryst. During the day it's a coffee shop that gives out free wireless internet (although there is one internet jack in the back), has couches and tables and such filling the place, and there are outlets all over the store for people to plug their laptops into. Basically, during the day, people come in and order a drink and maybe some food, and just chill and write and talk for hours. It's fantastic, and their Chai is the greatest drink I've ever had.
During the night, it's a bar. Which is how they probably make their money, cuz I can't see them making much money during the day.
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Did anyone else think of the Simpsons episode when Bart went to the mall, saw a couple of Starbucks, went into a store and got his ear pierced and when he came back out, every store in the mall was a Starbucks? Does anyone else write terribly run-on sentences that just won't end even if you have nothing left to say and are just rambling but this sentence, which was started to just point out that the previous sentence was run on has now become the longer of the two sentences in the post simply to make a sort of joke?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote: Is it Just Me, or is Starbucks Taking Over?
You're only noticing this now?
"The town I grew up in was so small, it only had one grocery, one library, one post office, and three Starbucks."
"Did you hear what the Mars rover found? A Starbucks cup . . ." (That joke went around when Pathfinder was there!)
[Edit: tags]
[ February 09, 2004, 07:46 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
Starbucks...mmm..I love their hot chocolate.
I live five miles from work. I pass seven starbucks on the way. I'm afraid it's taking over. I guess people know that they will always get the same overcooked coffee beans at any starbucks. Sometimes it's easier to go with the known than try something that may be better and cheaper.
I've discovered that five dollars a day for a ten-cent cup of cocoa isn't worth it. However, I found that the donut shop across the street sells it for 50 cents. I can afford that.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Starbuck....*drool*
I think it's time for my hourly cup of java
*twitch*
[ February 09, 2004, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: Valentine014 ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Poor Valentine. What a shame no one has figured out how to let you make coffee in the comfort of your own home . . .
Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :
I wouldn't mind the fact that Starbucks are popping up everywhere in my area -- except there are no Dunkin Donuts!
Posted by Maethoriell (Member # 3805) on :
I have only seen one Dunkin' Donuts in Baton Rouge. When I went to visit Mass. there were like 20. Here, it's either CC's or Starbucks but I'd rather go to Cafe du Monde and get some beignets while I'm at it.
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
Personally, I'd rather have Dunkin Donuts coffee - it's a lot cheaper and doesn't taste bitter, like Starbucks does (unless you have the super-sweetened varieties).
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
For me, Starbucks white chocolate mochas = breakfast.
It's terrible, I know, but I'm terribly addicted...plus they take my meal plan card, which means I'm spending my parents' money instead of my own.... Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
(yes, each word is a separate link)
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
There are twelve Dunkins in Manchester, where I live. I have...four within two miles of me.
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
There are 7 within 2 miles of me, 38 within 5 miles of me, and 75 within 10 miles of me.
*bows*
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
That's because Rhode Island is SMALL and dense. Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :
Hey, I've always liked New England... Dunkin' Donuts and plenty of hot Hatrack babes. What could be better?
::scurries off to pack his belongings::
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
I kinda appreciate dunkin donuts because at the airport in Norfolk, VA, the dunkin donuts doesn't up their prices at all. You can actually get something decent for uber-cheap at the terminal.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Now, if only I liked coffee...
Posted by coil (Member # 4571) on :
What a coincidence... I work at Starbucks.
...
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
So, you're a "Barista" eh? My girlfriend also used to work there.
Mack: You don't like coffee? You struck as the kind of person who would...
Me on the other hand, give it to me strong, without sweetener/creamer, and in a large cup. Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :
I'm gonna have to try some of the recipes here.
Posted by luthe (Member # 1601) on :
Why can't you find a cup of coffee for $0.60 anymore ? Well you can, you just have to try. coffee is a nickel (see the sidebar) at Pechins. But in general at starbucks you are not paying that much for the coffee, you are paying that much for an image, a mystic aura that permeates the place. Starbucks makes you cool. And it works, here in Oakland (where Pitt and CMU are) we have 2 starbucks, 2 panera breads within 3-4 blocks of each other.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Oh Rivka, why make my own coffee at home when I work at Barnes & Noble and can really and truely get frappachinos (tall mocha with a shot of raspberry, whipped cream, hold the chocolate syrup) EVERY SINGLE GLORIOUS HOUR ! Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :
You work 24/7? That's depressing.
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
Frappachinos a bit on the unhealthy side though.
luthe, you live in Oakland? I'm 2 hours east of you! I live 20 minutes south of Sacramento. If you ever are in Sacramento, we could, I don't know... go to... Starbucks? jk
Posted by luthe (Member # 1601) on :
I was referring to the Oakland section of Pittsburgh PA, (although in rereading thats not very clear). So we are about 2500 miles apart...
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
Oh. Oakland in CA is southwest of San Francisco. My mistake. Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
hm..maybe I do spend too much time there at work. All of us employed at B&N spend even our days off there. Yes, we need lives, I know. But, during a regular work day there are all these stoopid customers that get in the way of combing the shelfs. Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Hey! I used to live in Oakland! Nice place. Good coffee.
Posted by coil (Member # 4571) on :
quote: But in general at starbucks you are not paying that much for the coffee, you are paying that much for an image, a mystic aura that permeates the place.
Perhaps, but as an employee of said Evil Overlord Corporation, I think I have another hypothesis: you're paying for the service. A few tidbits:
Starbucks spends a ridiculous amount of money on training. Have you ever seen a Dunkin Donuts TV ad? Sure, tons. How about a Starbucks TV ad? Nope... because they spend that money on training instead.
My friend used to work at Godiva, a subsidiary of Campbell Foods. According to him, ideal turnover rate was 100% new employees every 6 months. Why? No need for raises! Starbucks managers get bonuses for *low* turnover rates, and partners are eligible for a raise every 6 months. Why? Because if I've worked at Starbucks for two years, I know what I'm doing... and if I love my job, that enjoyment is reflected in how I treat my customers.
The company's winter promotion is called "Make it Your Drink." It aims at teaching customers just how customizable a Starbucks drink is. Is it profitable? Sure - soy milk or flavored syrup = +$0.30, extra shot = +$0.55, etc. But it's also good for the customer. Look at my drink of choice: a double tall half-vanilla half-almond nonfat latte. It's not on the menu, but after 3 years of experimentation I've learned it's *exactly* what I like drinking. And if we can help our customers find their perfect drink, *they're* that much happier, too.
My region (Northeast) has a new initiative that's just started... when a customer orders a bar drink, we ask their name. When I call the drink, I say "double tall cappucino for Beth" and the barista writes "Beth" along with "2 C" on the cup. There are easily 20 or 30 customers who come in whose drinks I know by heart and call by name (Beth, Jimmy, Jay, Nancy, Tammy, Steve, Art, Kelly, etc)... by the end of the month, I bet that number will have tripled or more.
Frankly, I challenge you to find Starbucks-quality service at Dunkin Donuts or any of our competitors... or *anywhere*, for that matter. One of the things I remember from my first training class was my instructor saying "There's one downside to working at Starbucks... go almost anywhere else, and you'll wish the service were as good as at your store." It sounds stuck up, but it's just plain true. Starbucks service is absolute top-notch. They work hard to make it that way, and it's certainly within their rights to charge more for it.
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
Okay, let me put it to you this way: I would rather have a grumpy person behind the counter that would do the bare minimum to complete the transaction for a good, cheap cup of coffee.
I'm not putting Starbucks down, I'm just wondering what other's feel about it, and how many are in each area. They serve a purpose. Just last night they got 7 dollars out of me for three drinks while I stayed there to do my homework at one of their tables. It's a good study spot. But, if I just want a run-of-the-mill 16 ounce coffee, I don't want to pay 1.55 for it.
Posted by coil (Member # 4571) on :
For the long-term customer:
Get any drink to stay, and unlimited refills of regular coffee are only $0.53 each... (;
Buy a box of tea (20 bags, I think) for $4.95. We'll never charge for a cup of hot water (as compared to $1.22 for one teabag or $1.75 for two).
An 8-cup french press of coffee (best way to drink it, hands down) is only $2.54 -- that's the same price as a large Americano for more than twice as much coffee, takes only 4 minutes to brew. _____
Yeah, Starbucks costs more, and I know you can go to a gas station and get 66 oz. of coffee for $2. Who knows... maybe there's a market for a "just plain coffee" (not meant to be disparaging) coffee house. But there's also a market for the "coffee shop," and Starbucks charges more because it's damn good at what it does. (:
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
Well, I don't know. Starbucks coffee does taste a little on the burnt side. Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
No one has duplicated mocha frappucinos to my satisfaction. That and the dark-chocolate covered graham crackers that I can't find anywhere else.
Dagonee
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
You could make them yourself...
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I can't get them right. And I've tried. I really have. Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
hey Coil -- do you work in the Starbucks on Nassau St in Princeton? (If yep I'll try to stop by sometime to say hi when I'm back in NJ... actually don't drink coffee myself, but I've gone into Starbucks a few times when I've been with a friend and everything else in Princeton is closed...)
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
There are two Starbucks in my home town (pop: 130,000). I can probably count fiftenn or so Tim Horton's off the top of my head. When I worked there, and extra-large was $1.44. It might be up to $1.60 now, I'm not sure since I don't drink coffee. I don't think that Starbucks is going to overtake Timmy's anytime soon, just like Krispy Kreme is failing up here. Tim's is just too much a part of our national identity. (Yes, it's sad: coffee, dougnuts, hockey, and beer. Not quite the same ring to it as "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.")
Posted by coil (Member # 4571) on :
plaid: I used to, but since I've gradumacated I'm back up in Connecticut, working in West Hartford.
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I live 20 minutes south of Sacramento. If you ever are in Sacramento, we could, I don't know... go to... Starbucks? ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)