Is coffee-shop coffee too expensive?

[Cort Haus]

I've never had a Starbucks coffee. People say it tastes great, but I'm voting with my feet and saying "no way at that price".

In the UK alcohol is heavily taxed. Coffee is untaxed and is incredibly cheap compared to say, 15 years ago - to the detriment of poor people in coffee-producing nations. However, it costs roughly as much to have a coffee in one of these places as it does to have a beer in a pub. With the vast profits that Starbucks make, they can buy out every other reasonably-priced coffee shop around and continue to expand their empire, making a fairly-priced coffee even harder to find.

Of course, consumers are generally prepared to pay the price, so it's down to them to a great extent, and I have to accept that this is market-driven, but personally I'm not involved in that trend.

Thoughts?

[Footie Mad]

As a person who enojys black coffee both as a stimulant and enjoyable beverage in it's flavour, I would say yes. Starbucks aren't established here yet but there are a few similar market chains on the national market, I'm prepared to pay more for a freshly brewed coffee made from decent arabica beans but that's as far as I'll go.

I'm in no way a conoiusseur and I want my coffee regularly and in high quantites. So to pay the kind of prices that are offered at Starbucks and such stores is about double the limit for me. Also I hate the kind of places that are pretentious about food and drink, as well as the people who consides themselves "in the know" for frequenting them.

[reds4ever]

When I see someone in Starbucks window drinking coffee and reading I automatically think 'w@nker'.

[Jon Miller]

I like the fancy drinks there. For coffee, I go elsehwere.

JM

[Arrian]

I have no idea, as I don't drink the stuff. Vile. But it does smell good.

-Arrian

[Barnabas]

I dont drink coffee, but I know people who drink it and think starbucks is totally classless, I guess they are coffee snobs.

I countries with long coffee snob traditions starbuscks either failed, or did not even bother entering the market.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Footie Mad
As a person who enojys black coffee both as a stimulant and enjoyable beverage in it's flavour, I would say yes.

Just a quick question for you, btw. What would you define "black coffee" to be?

[Provost Harrison]

I do like a latte now and again, but you are right, it is way overpriced...

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
I do like a latte now and again

HA HA!! I KNEW I was right....

[Patroklos]

I make my coffee, and I buy it tax free from the NEX. My ship, however, did have a contract for Starbucks coffee and the crew loved it. So much that when we ran out during cruise and went back to the standard Navy swill the CO made me ship more from the states to Dubai while we were there.

An army/navy marches/sails on its stomach

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by reds4ever


HA HA!! I KNEW I was right....

I like my coffee milky, that is all it means in plain English

[Arrian]

Starbucks coffee on a navy ship? What is the world coming to?

-Arrian

[Provost Harrison]

They also have a branch of the YMCA on every ship. It's a good place for them to get clean, have a good meal, and be who they want to be

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison


I like my coffee milky, that is all it means in plain English

EEK!!

[Jon Miller]

I like espresso

I like coffee (black)

I like mochas (espresso, mohca(chocolate?), steamed milk)

I like lattes (espresso, steamed milk)

JM