To stop McDonald's and other rivals from siphoning away even more customers, the company begins testing $1 cups of coffee.
Comment: how much is two much . I remember when a gallon of milk cost 1.00 now its 3.50 and in some places its 4.00 . when are you people going to wake up ? if you keep paying these inflated prices they are going to keep inflating them . my father used to work and my mother used to stay home try that now and you will live out in the streets . they are driving you like cattle . learn to say mooo .
Comment: At select Starbucks stores in Seattle, you can buy a cup of joe for a buck.
Ssssshhhh.
It's a new initive by ex-CEO-just-recently-unretired-because-of-falling-stock-prices Howard Schultz. Starbucks is hurting, and something needs to be done.
But who goes to Starbucks because of it's "cheap" prices??
A year ago, Schultz wrote a bitter memo to his executives about what he calls "the watering down of the Starbucks experience." He complained that the soul of Starbucks was gone, and urged the higher ups to bring back customer service.
So he's back in action, determined to change the coffee giant's luck.
There's no question Starbucks is in trouble. In the past year and a half, stock prices have fallen nearly 50%, from a high of $39.63 in May 2006, to closing at $19.66 today. Schultz blames the company's out of control growth. Also ailing are skyrocketing milk prices, the troubling economy, and pressure from McDonald's.
But why dollar coffee?
Isn't that the turf of McDonald's?
But the answer is...not really.
Mickey D's recently announced plans to open "McCafe's." In other words, coffee bars featuring cappuccinos, lattes, and mochas whipped up by baristas, a la Starbucks.
This, after Starbucks added drive-thru windows and hot breakfast sandwiches.
It seems the two mega chains are going after each other... by coping each other.
McDonald's is upgrading, while Starbucks seems to be.. well, downgrading.
The dollar cupajoe seems to be an effort to get crowds in the door, but in the move Starbucks is moving away from it's brand.
Starbucks is the king of $6 cups of coffee. They survived the economic downturn of 2001, when analysts feared the worst for a company who prides itself on hoity-hoity coffee. Starbucks customers LIKE that they shelled out bug bucks for their latte. The well known siren laden white cup is almost a status symbol, recognized in all corners of the world.
Starbucks needs to go back to the "third place." Howard, get rid of the drive-thrus, the expensive merchandise, and the cookie cutter stores. You don't need to sell your coffee for a dollar.
More on Starbucks:
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http://eacarlson3.bravejournal.com/
Comment: I never thought that upscale Starbucks would ever sell coffee for such a "cheap" price. ...Maybe the question now is: WHICH product that we've been enjoying all of our adult lives for a reasonable price, will be the NEXT to be made "upscale"? (Will some new business try to sell us an order of fries for $5?)
Comment: For several years, I've been a Starbucks "fan" - always using my Starbucks card, which is considered by Starbucks as a sign of loyal customers. However, for the past several months, I've discovered my favorite Starbucks latte is not as "good" as it used to be, possibly because of my tastebud but probably because I have been getting my latte fixes from other San Francisco coffee houses recommended by my friends. As a result, I've been passing Starbucks stores although I still have some cash left on my Starbucks card. My point: Starbucks coffee isn't as good as it used to be for the price charged!
Coffee Drinker in San Francisco.
Comment: I was one of the original few hand-selected to test and then roll out the in-store Starbucks coffee bars. Once the initual phase was over and the contracts signed, these chains cut corners; you would not believe what went on behind the scenes! Canned whipped cream was substituted for genuine hand-whipped cream, low quality store-brand milk was substituted for high-quality name-brand milk, etc. A few times when Starbucks drip coffees ran out or shipments did not come in on time, grocer coffee was pulled off the shelf and used instead without the customers knowledge, all the while charging premium Starbucks prices. Contrary to popular belief the Baristas in these grocery chains work for the grocer and not for Starbucks, even though they wear the Starbucks uniform. The Baristas keep quiet because they work for the grocer and their jobs depend on their complicant silence. In the short years since Starbucks instituted these faux Starbucks coffee bars, the quality and customer service Starbucks was loved for consistantly dropped. Is it any wonder that a fast food icon may now become one of it's fiercest competitors?
Comment: The reduction in price by Starbuck's is a simple business practice. Economics 101-supply and demand and the threat of competition. For people to debate over which coffee tastes the best is beyond belief. That's a matter of personal preference and everyone has different tastes. Personally, I hate both Starbuck's and McDonald's coffees.
Comment: I don't buy Starbucks coffee at their coffee shops, or in the grocery store...because it is just too expensive. But anybody who says that Starbucks coffee is nor good, or tastes lousy - well, they are absolutely whacko. Starbucks really knows how to roast some beans, and I think their coffee is ***FANTASTICALLY DELICIOUS***
Comment: Starbucks offering a bottomless cup for a dollar is a great idea. But they also need to do something about the taste. Of course their coffee is better than McDonalds, but that's not saying much. I've always gotten the impression that starbucks market is the high priced frappucinos and that's why the regular coffee is not all that good. But if they got a regular coffee to compete with Dunkin Donuts, the price war will be nice for us consumers.
Comment: Starbucks offering a bottomless cup for a dollar is a great idea. But they also need to do something about the taste. Of course their coffee is better than McDonalds, but that's not saying much. I've always gotten the impression that starbucks market is the high priced frappucinos and that's why the regular coffee is not all that good. But if they got a regular coffee to compete with Dunkin Donuts, the price war will be nice for us consumers.
Comment: Starbucks offering a bottomless cup for a dollar is a great idea. But they also need to do something about the taste. Of course their coffee is better than McDonalds, but that's not saying much. I've always gotten the impression that starbucks market is the high priced frappucinos and that's why the regular coffee is not all that good. But if they got a regular coffee to compete with Dunkin Donuts, the price war will be nice for us consumers.
Comment: Starbucks offering a bottomless cup for a dollar is a great idea. But they also need to do something about the taste. Of course their coffee is better than McDonalds, but that's not saying much. I've always gotten the impression that starbucks market is the high priced frappucinos and that's why the regular coffee is not all that good. But if they got a regular coffee to compete with Dunkin Donuts, the price war will be nice for us consumers.
Comment: Starbucks is a fine example of American greed. Selling awful coffee at inflated prices to very few they represent the worst in American business. For $4 they don't even give you a real cup. You would have to be a classless, unsophisticated buffoon to even think about it.
They sell water for $1.75 and give $.15 to charity. The water and be bought for $.89 at any corner store. And we should think of them as a 'thoughtful' company? They pay their employees very well and provide great benefits and then insult their customers with a tip jar. They are disgusting.
Comment: I refuse to buy Starbucks at over inflated prices.. At Costco I can purchase other beans at half the cost of the Starbucks brand they also sell and they are just as good.I can get a 3 pound bag of beans for the cost of 3 coffees from Starbucks If I grind my own and take it to go rather than wait in long lines to buy a cup of their over priced, too hot brew in a paper cup.
Comment: Myself, and the people I see daily, use Starbucks/Peets/local brand shop as a reading room/office/meeting room. I now pay $1.75 for a cup of the coffee of the day with a free refill. If they want to drop it to a buck for 8 ozs at a time, that's fine with me. It's not about the coffee, it's the price we pay for the use of the room. The walk-up take-up and drive through are like two other business operations. I'm sure they'll do fine as they keep selling the uopgrades.
Comment: I, and many others I see daily, use Starbucks/Peets/local brand as an office/meeting room. Coffee/juice/??? is the price we pay to use the "room". The walk-up and drive-through is like two other business operations. I pay a buck seventy-five for a cup of the brew of the day with a free refil now. If they want to drop it to a buck, thats fine with me. I'm sure their other two "lines" will keep selling the upgrades.
Comment: We go to Starbuck's for lattes and cappuccino's. We go to McDonalds for hambuger, fries and a shake.
We don't and will not buy coffee from McDonalds. What is the matter with people? Must they have a latte with their burger? What a joke! Go to Starbuck's for coffee and McDonalds for a burger.
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