Comments on: Can Starbucks Really Offer ‘Value’ With a Straight Face?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:39:42 +0000

This thread has been incredibly insiteful to me. In preparation of writing a paper on how the economy has affected “guilty pleasures” such as Starbucks, your comments have been a wonderful source of information.

As a non-coffee drinker (when I do embibe, it has to have so many shots of sweetener in it you might as well consider the coffee flavor an afterthought) I never understood the whole Starbucks mistique, but know that coffee lovers know a good cup of joe when they taste one and that every taste bud is different. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this subject.

By: HT

HT — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:16:33 +0000

Here is a news article about their “retro” use of the original logo:

http://blog.marketingdoctor.tv/2008/05/29/tantillos-branding-bite.aspx

Wikipedia also has a discussion of the woodblock outside their original store. I guess I misspoke, though. She is a siren, rather than a mermaid. Sirens apparently have two leg/tails.

By: BradG

BradG — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:21:06 +0000

Let’s face it: Starbucks is an image that if fun to make fun of, and to some extent maybe even deservedly so. I am aware of their Greenie philosophy, but I don’t pay any attention to it; it certainly isn’t something that has any impact on me when I get a coffee, sometimes twice daily — a $4 coffee, mind you. The employees there are quite personal and friendly — and for the $4.00, I recieve a drink that I enjoy, as well as an environment that is comfortable. It would be difficult to compare this to any trip I’ve ever had to a McDonalds or a D&D. If you drive a truck for a living, most likely the Starbucks concept doesn’t appeal to you, and is really something to make fun of. I doubt you’ll ever have to worry about Starbucks popping up in any of the highway truckstops.
I regard my own little trips to Starbucks as mini vacations from what might otherwise be a tedious day. I consider the extra stimulation I derive from them more than adequate to energize me enuf to produce more than the coffees have actually cost me. I work for myself, and enjoy these breaks. Sure, like anyplace you go, there are some twirps who go to Starbucks. I don’t go there to commune with them. I don’t like Stabucks regular brewed coffee either, and prefer McDonalds.

By: juliet

juliet — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:47:33 +0000

I personally think Starbucks coffee is bitter & weak. I will take a cup of cafe au lait at any Cafe du momds or Morning call in New Orleans for a1.50. Because of it being alot of milk I get a big wallop of calcium with my caffinne fix. Thank God for good old cafe au lait. If I really cheep I drip my own french markeat blend & I am in heaven

By: Donna B.

Donna B. — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:07:51 +0000

I knew Starbucks was on its way down when they put one in a small strip mall next to Cici’s Pizza and a dollar store.

It really was a hoot watching people browse the dollar store carrying a $4 cup of coffee.

When I visit Barnes & Noble, I will buy a caramel macchiato because it actually saves me money — I can’t carry as many books to the register. If book stores had buggies, I’d have gone broke years ago.

Starbucks black coffee is just simply horrible. I prefer to brew my own for my daily caffeine fix.

By: Brandyjane

Brandyjane — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:15:42 +0000

Really, HT? If she has legs, then how is she a mermaid?

One thing that always irritates me is when I click on an internet link with a title like “Easy Ways to Save Money,” and it’s full of tips such as, “Cut back on your Starbucks lattes.” Well, duh! Can you imagine someone reading one of those “self-help” columns and thinking, “Oh, wow, I never thought of that”?

By: Joe Ferguson

Joe Ferguson — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:33:24 +0000

An interesting factoid. According to Consumer Reports’ taste testers, Eight O’clock Colombian at $6 – something/lb in a bag in the supermarket is better than a one-lb bag of Starbucks Colombian at $11- something.

I gotta try that.

Anyway, I agree with comments above: brew your own. Less time, less money, fuss and bother.

Here in Austin we have Anderson’s Coffee, a small shop locally-owned with outstanding coffees of all kinds from maybe $7 or $8 / lb and up. Perfecto!

By: dancingnancie3

dancingnancie3 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Starbucks is convenient and tasty, but not that much better than a coffee you can buy elsewhere. I’ve started to brew my own coffee because i’d rather dish out for a nice lunch than buy an overpriced coffee from Starbucks. No wonder why they are having so much trouble… people are realizing it’s not worth it.

By: HT

HT — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:29:15 +0000

Do you know what the mermaid is holding?

Her legs. The original Starbucks in Seattle has a wooden emblem of the famous mermaid spreading her legs. The corporate logo is just a zoom-in.

So you were expecting conservative views from this company?

By: Kay

Kay — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:34:07 +0000

Chiming in with the rest of the ‘burnt mud’ crowd. Nothing impressive about Starbuck’s coffees.