Starbucks closes 3/4s of it's stores in Aus

[Husar]

Paying more than 1USD for a cup of coffee is something I will never do, out of principle.

And that's with a free refill, of course...

I hope you know that this sort of behaviour is responsible for the slave-like working conditions of farmers in third-world countries, I thought you had more sympathy for them.

[HoreTore]

I hope you know that this sort of behaviour is responsible for the slave-like working conditions of farmers in third-world countries, I thought you had more sympathy for them.

BAH!

The fair trade brands are not more expensive than others. Also, the cost of a cup of coffee for the seller is like a cent or two. And they charge you 3 dollars for it. Whether they charge me 5 bucks or just one doesn't affect the coffee farmer.

Anyway, I like the coffee price of Statoil, a gas station chain here. You don't buy a cup of coffee, you buy a cup for like 20 USD, and then you get as much coffee as you'd like for a year, in any of their gas stations. Me likey.

[Husar]

BAH!

The fair trade brands are not more expensive than others. Also, the cost of a cup of coffee for the seller is like a cent or two. And they charge you 3 dollars for it. Whether they charge me 5 bucks or just one doesn't affect the coffee farmer.

We charge 1.50EUR for a cup of coffee where I work, consider that you get free sugar, milk etc. vand the coffee machine we have has to be paid for as well, that thing wasn't cheap, and then add that I want to get paid for working there, the taxes etc., the gas/fuel itself doesn't cover a lot anymore nowadays and shops like starbucks have to pay almost everything from selling coffee.

[HoreTore]

We charge 1.50EUR for a cup of coffee where I work, consider that you get free sugar, milk etc. vand the coffee machine we have has to be paid for as well, that thing wasn't cheap, and then add that I want to get paid for working there, the taxes etc., the gas/fuel itself doesn't cover a lot anymore nowadays and shops like starbucks have to pay almost everything from selling coffee.

Right.... So how come other places are able to give me coffee for free?

[Husar]

Right.... So how come other places are able to give me coffee for free?

What other places? I know here you get free coffee in some electronics stores but they can afford that because they have inflated prices on almost all of their products.
But then you also live in that superrich northern country that could buy tons of coffee with it's oil money so maybe the situation is not comparable.

[Incongruous]

I feel for the dudes working there, that sucks hard man. Like, no money to go and buy CD's, ciggies and levis jeans, suck.

I used to be into Starbucks when it first pened up near my old school like three or
so years ago when I didn't actually know what a good cup of the bean was. Now days I can't stand the stuff they serve, even the normal coffee, it just tastes sooo awful.
Thus, I'm pretty sure that over here most people go to the local cool coffee shops and cafes, Starbucks is suffering.

Over here in Wellington there are hundreds (well maybe) of independent coffee shops to choose from so there dosn't seem to be a need to constantly go to Starbucks. I assume its the same over in Aus, but what about the U.S.A? Do you guys lack for cool indie coffee shops? Or do you like the taste of those Mocha Latte Frappes in Grande? Perhaps with some cream on top?

[Xiahou]

I used to be into Starbucks when it first pened up near my old school like three or so years ago when I didn't actually know what a good cup of the bean was. Now days I can't stand the stuff they serve, even the normal coffee, it just tastes sooo awful.
Thus, I'm pretty sure that over here most people go to the local cool coffee shops and cafes, Starbucks is suffering.

Their regular coffee is the worst- it almost always tastes burned. But yeah, I think Starbucks is a victim of their own success in several ways. They expanded too quickly and quality deteriorated as a result. But, also, their growth increased overall interest in "good" coffee and as consumers became more discerning, they found Starbucks lacking.

[Xiahou]

I hope you know that this sort of behaviour is responsible for the slave-like working conditions of farmers in third-world countries, I thought you had more sympathy for them.

Yeah, I never had a big problem with Starbucks' prices- they seem like a pretty socially responsible company. Their workers are well compensated (for an unskilled job) and they apparently treated their growers well. I'm used to the fact that large cup of good quality coffee will cost around $2.

No, my problem with Starbucks is that their coffee sucks.

[Craterus]

I'm pretty sure Starbucks uses FairTrade sources.

[CountArach]

I'm pretty sure Starbucks uses FairTrade sources.

So it does. That was clearly a misconception of mine:
Starbucks. I would only take it at face value though. i have read several sites that claim something about them only serving Fair Trade if it is specifically asked for.

[BigTex]

I've rarely get a drink from starbucks, but then I live next door to a french cafe which serves awsome latte's for a little less then starbucks. That's a rarity though, for the most part there are very few coffee houses in the DFW area, starbucks being it's own competition for the most part. Their regular coffee makes even mcdonalds taste good, so I don't see why anyone would pay 2$'s for that sludge.

Aside from their coffee in store, some of their whole bean varieties are actually great, at home, in a press (put that vile and demonic drip machine in the dumpster.). Really though, havent found much better then millstones rainforest reserve blend, when brewed correctly it's amazing. So until starbucks start's selling reasonably priced 100% kona whole bean I'll stick to my sacks of millstone.

But for a really nice concotion, some coffee, ice, whey and casiene, honey and just a bit of cocoa powder.

[Xiahou]

Their regular coffee makes even mcdonalds taste good, so I don't see why anyone would pay 2$'s for that sludge.

IIRC, McDonalds coffee beat Starbucks handily in the Consumer Reports taste test.

Aside from their coffee in store, some of their whole bean varieties are actually great, at home, in a press (put that vile and demonic drip machine in the dumpster.). Really though, havent found much better then millstones rainforest reserve blend, when brewed correctly it's amazing. So until starbucks start's selling reasonably priced 100% kona whole bean I'll stick to my sacks of millstone.

Anyone that servers Kona at a "reasonable" price is likely duping you via deceptive marketing. Real Kona coffee is outrageously expensive- I've seen green prices at over $30/lb, and roasted would cost even more. Most "Kona" coffee you see in stores is really, upon close inspection, "Kona style" or "Kona blend" or some such nonsense.

I've never wanted to shell out for Kona for my home roasting, so I can't definitively say it's overpriced- but to justify the premium, it would have to be life-altering. A good, bright Kenya coffee is usually all I need and it costs a fraction of the price.

[BigTex]

Anyone that servers Kona at a "reasonable" price is likely duping you via deceptive marketing. Real Kona coffee is outrageously expensive- I've seen green prices at over $30/lb, and roasted would cost even more. Most "Kona" coffee you see in stores is really, upon close inspection, "Kona style" or "Kona blend" or some such nonsense.

I've never wanted to shell out for Kona for my home roasting, so I can't definitively say it's overpriced- but to justify the premium, it would have to be life-altering. A good, bright Kenya coffee is usually all I need and it costs a fraction of the price.

Cheapest I've seen 100% kona is 24$'s (green/27 roasted, your preference) lb + shipping. I've gotten a lb for a birthday, it's definately worth shelling out the 30$'s once in your life to try it.

IIRC, McDonalds coffee beat Starbucks handily in the Consumer Reports taste test.

Wouldnt supprise me at all really. McDonalds has been making a large deal out of improving their coffee recently. Honestly it isnt half bad, better, faster and for the most part more convient then starbucks.