This is a question for all you Starbucks lovers! I can't for the life of me understand the attraction of?

Question

coffee houses. They sell good coffee, but at a hugely inflated price. Why do you pay $3.50 for a 95 cent cup of coffee? And why do so many of you put all sorts of things IN you coffee? Don't you like the taste of real strong black coffee? I think coffee is best taken in its original form. In the upscale area of my city, there is almost a Starbucks on "every corner." There is a "trueism" that may be at play here. It is, "The higher the price, the more some people want the product." Is that the case here? If Starbucks sold their coffee for $1.00 per cup, would you still "love to go to Starbucks?"

Answer 1

Well, what I think many people are paying the extra $ for is the chance to sit down in a nice quiet place, listen to some good music (coffeehouses often showcase unusual or emerging artists either live or on CD and sometimes sell the CDs too), tap away at their laptops, chat with friends, read the paper, just be taken out of their own home or office for awhile.

Coffeehouses have a centuries-old tradition of being places where people gather, and for good reason. You can read for hours and no-one bothers you, or you can meet up and have conversations. And some nice waitperson comes and takes away your used cup and washes it (please tip them! they're working hard!)

All that is sure worth an extra $2 on top of $1's worth of coffee to me. Take-out, not so much.

Personally I love Cafe Nero (branches in the UK) which has comfy leather chairs and good strong plain black 'Americano' coffee, which is a double espresso topped up with steaming water, but as to add-ins, well, life would be dull if we all had the same taste, now wouldn't it?

Answer 2

starbucks is a cultural phenomenon. i used to work at a coffee shop before starbucks became huge, so i understand about people enjoying coffee made a variety of ways. in some areas, people have no other options for "decent" coffee unless they learn to make it themselves which isnt always an option. in most areas, though, you could support a local coffee house which usually have cheaper prices and better drinks. in my opinion, most people go to starbucks to buy into the elitism that starbucks personifies. starbucks charges more because they know people will be willing to pay the higher price.

Answer 3

Starbucks does cost a lot yes, but in comparison to the cup of coffee I could buy for 89p the taste is just much better, why buy a crap tasting coffee when you can buy a decent tasting coffee. It's not just Starbucks, I love Cafe Nero and also Costa Coffee, just the quality of it is better. I can't afford to pay out for one every day but it's good for a treat. It's nice to be served with a smile and as it is such a rare treat for me it always feels like I am spoiling myself.

Answer 4

I will admit, it's a lot of money for a cup of coffee, that's why they call it "Fourbucks"! Yes, I would be delighted if they lowered the price to $1.00, although that's not likely to happen. Coffee is my one vice so I guess it's worth it to me. I wouldn't waste my time or money on McDonald's "coffee" or anyone else's, either.

My usual drink at Starbuck's is a venti (24oz.) nonfat iced latte, it's a triple shot of good strong espresso with lots of caffeine, plus a fair amount of skim milk for the calcium. I don't have flavors or whipped cream because I do like the taste of strong coffee. I have a lot to do every day and usually not enough time or energy to do it, and it helps to have a Starbuck's. Plus they have drive-up windows and I spend much of my time in my van driving my kids around.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Answer 5

Star$$$$ is for people who "must have" a brand .
Once they get too old for McDonald's , they move on to Starbucks .
The mom and pop places or Peets coffee are better , but all espresso based coffees are high $$ due to the process . Even plain drip coffee is rarely under a dollar anywhere except super weak stuff at the fast food places .

Answer 6

The common thread of all the answers I have read is this, no one likes their terrible burnt tasting coffee, they just like the highly flavored sweet milk laden coffee-like drinks. It's most likely a sugar/caffeine addiction. BTW I drink my coffee black and have for 40 years. I'll have the occasional flavored drink if someone I'm with insists but haven't gone by myself to a Starbucks ever.

Answer 7

It's all a matter of opinion and preference. I go to Starbucks every morning, for several reasons. I don't want to have to dirty up my coffee pot every morning, when I only want one cup a day. They make it just the way I like it; I don't have to add anything to it. The people are friendly, and it's always nice to see a friendly face early in the morning, since my husband's not a morning person! :-) I guess the money thing is an issue for some, fortunately it's not for me.

Answer 8

To some peoples' tastes, black coffee might be too strong and bitter and therefore they like lighter, sweeter-tasting coffee. The reason they charge so much is also the basis of our economy: supply and demand. It isn't that they charge alot so people want it...it's that people want it, so they charge alot. Also, coffee houses have that particular atmosphere (dim lights, comfy couches, some have live music) that is conducive to people gathering. I agree with you though. I don't think the coffee is worth the price, but I enjoy the atmosphere and free music.

Answer 9

I'm with you, I can't figure it out either.

Starbucks seems to be for people that don't like coffee and so they put stuff in it to make it taste like something other than coffee. When I drink coffee, I want it to taste like coffee. I don't want a caramel vanilla frappacino half-fat latte with nutmeg on top. I want coffee.

To date the best coffee I have ever had was when I went to Italy. It was seriously the best espresso I have ever tasted in my life. It was so good, I drank it black and the only time I ever drink black coffee is when it's so weak that adding milk and sugar practically cancels out the coffee taste.

Answer 10

I completely agree with you, I think people going to starbucks paying for a overpriced cup of coffee think it's some sort of statice level. I can afford it but why.