The war on America's Starbucks

Thanks Paschen, Tea here was King in America until the Boston Tea party HAHA

$tarbucks has of course become a target for those supporting renewed calls for the boycott of corporations supporting Israel

I happen to really like starbucks coffee and can't stand the long lines at Tim Hortons, but that's just me.

" They only sell coffee with unpronounceable names from regions most never heard of"Now that's funny, I was thinking the same thing the first time I ordered from a Starbucks! 
Actually, I think Starbucks coffee sucks.  Give me a good cup of joe from almost anywhere else.

The dollar amount thing always cracks me up. Starbucks still sells drip coffee for nearly the same price as Dunkin' Donuts. I worked for Starbucks in Boston and still got Dunkin' Donuts because I liked the flavour more, even though it cost me MORE because I wasn't getting my employee discount.

Seriously though, people. No one pays $7.00 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks (with the exception of that weird Clover thing that is only in some stores and was done by some indie coffeehouse in New York first)

While I prefer Ethiopian coffee above all others (I'm just an East-African Coffee Purist, apparently), I'm not a fan of Starbucks overall. I make an exception for Frappuccinos, though. 

I must concede that gas-station coffee is vindicated... sometimes, Road Trip Coffee is just what the doctor ordered.

The first time I encountered Starbucks was inside a Barnes and Noble bookstore maybe 15 years ago. This was before they had a Starbucks on every other block here in Manhattan. I didn't even realize it was a 'chain' at first, just very good coffee that you could have served in a heavy mug. Say what you want about it, but Starbucks is what got me into coffee, in a much different way than anything before it. NYC isn't Italy, where serious coffee (espresso) has been a big part of the culture for a long time and where apparently they have thousands of espresso shops. American coffee makers basically jumped the Arabica ship a long time ago when they realized they could use cheaper Robusto beans. Starbucks changed that. Their initial expansion involved the conversion of an Italian/American chain, so Starbucks basically combined the best of a Seattle roaster with the Italian component. As far as the type of person who goes to Starbucks, I have to say it's never been an issue. The stores are visually appealing and have a nice atmosphere, and the prices for regular coffee are @ $1.80- $2.50 US which I'd consider reasonable. The whole coffee war is kind of silly imo, I personally love their coffee, and combined with a relaxing atmosphere it's hard to top. I would definitely try a Tim Hortons if it opened here.

The atmosphere in Tims is very high volume and not encouraging to intelligent conversation. Starbucks has been attacked ceaselessly by the anti-globalization crowd, but they actually are a highly civilised place to hang out in many cities and towns where there is nowhere else to go. They are places that are safe and comfortable for women, have wifi. I would love to see other high quality coffee shops, but the sad truth is many cities just don't have other options.

In any case Starbucks is not a little angel:

Haven't you heard about their cleaning standards such as that one about water?

Surf the web!

Hey everyone, thanks for your comments, I truly appreciate them, though I rip on Starbucks satirically, you really need to know what Nutjob accounting type told the owner of Starbucks he could make a profit by selling international coffee, while fitting the store with such trendy accouterments such as a "Rachel and Friends Lounge Style couch, chairs and furniture), some with fireplaces, internet, music CDS, overpriced Biscotti's, Starbucks mugs and junk and a variety of newspapers and other nonsensical items.

You see in Business 101, the first rule is get em in with their money and get em the hell out Fast for the next customer.

Certainly this economics lesson is lost on Starbucks CEO.  Many a time I see the place crowded with students, aging unemployed Artistic and Philosopher types and people watchers (Most likely all escapees from their elderly parents basement) with nothing better to do than surf the net all day or write that Really, Really Big Hollywood Blockbuster Novel.

You see these people I see in the morning are the same people in the late afternoon, and it looks like they are still nursing that one cup of overpriced Latte. 

So basically it boils down to this, they (Starbucks) think or were told they could make a profit by having a crowd of lets say a daily crowd of 20-30 people lounging with that same $7.00 Grande, Frappuccino all day, chosen for its select High Quality coffee beans, most which is gathered from a Monkeys Ass! (Jordan can verify this fact) or a Cats Crotch leaving all littering the ground.   

Ever wonder why Restaurants have small tables so small that it does not even afford elbow room? Bingo is their Nameo!  They want you to be comfortable, just not too comfortable! After all square footage is money, and the best use of your store or Starbucks means money on the bottom line. 

Businesses in the food and beverage trade feel Loungers are not spending money, after all they can go to FREE parks, libraries or back to their parents basements for Free.   Businesses are in it for making money!

Customer Turnaround is Profit, Loungers nursing a single coffee for hours is not their "Cuppa Joe" for Business owners Period.

At least Tim Horton's serves food, so you have an excuse to be there!

Imagine if any Restaurant offered these Starbucks luxury trappings which are most likely devoid in your own parents basement, and the restaurant said stay as long as you want after your meal! The Restaurant would soon go bankrupt!

So that my friends is an observation that even a mental deficient Tim Horton's Customer like me can see!

I expect Starbucks falls short on many levels, but I have to admit: I like the coffee, I consistently receive friendly attentive service (at least at my local franchise) and, as others have said, it's a highly civilized and safe environment to hang out. As for Tim Hortons, it's been in my neighbourhood for years. I see the long lines, but it has no appeal to me.

I see your points Barry, but it is ironic Starbucks is going down for not following the high churn model of business. You could even say Starbucks is a 'slow business' (like the slow food movement, much loved by Naomi Klein and the anti-globalisation movement). The biggest monument to Naomi right now is all the unemployed, the death of Starbucks and the return of high-churn businesses like McDonalds, and the Big Brother society that went into hyperdrive after the anti-globalisation riots of 1999/ early 2000s scared the beejeebers of the powers-that-be. 

I love my Starbucks but Dunkins is more convenient and also good. I get a kick out the new McDonalds ads. Though, I do not often order a coffee there., I have tried it in the new Cafe and it is pretty good. They are all big companies trying to take a bite out of the other one's share of the profits.