Ripped off in Starbucks?

[dagenhamjim]

Hi Guys wonder if you can help me? The Wife and I had to go to the local mall today (I hate Shopping malls) and after a bit we both wanted a break.  We came across a Starbucks and found a table etc. Being the UK Its defo self service, so i had to que along with the other customers and when I eventaully got served I orderd 1 x medium Latte, 1 X medium filter coffee and 2 chocolate muffins. The price for the coffees and the muffins was £7.50 which is about $13.50 owwch that to me was disgusting. so wanted to ask you Guys what you would have paid in a Starbucks in the US and would you get Waiter service or like me you had to serve your self?

[SLYinKC]

That sounds just about like what US prices are.  I'm not a big Starbucks fan because I do think that it is overpriced.  McDonalds carries alot of the same stuff now for alot less.  Plus I'm not a huge coffee drinker.

[IRONHORSE]

I'm a coffee hound, and thankful for there being no Starbucks in my general area, for the reason dagenhamjim spoke of. Starbucks makes a decent cup of coffee (although there is far better out there!) but they charge far too much for it, as well as the assorted pastries they sell (Which, IMHO, aren't very good anyhow.) My standard drink when I used to hit Starbucks regularly (before we moved) was  a Venti (large) mocha frappucino with 4-5 shots of espresso added. It would run me about $6.00 a pop for those
And  I don't think I've ever been a Starbucks with waiter service, and I've been in quite a few...

[slyinglide]

I am a coffee hound also....I have a cup in my hand almost all day.  I use to go to Starbucks, but after they charged my $7.50 for a cup (yes it had 6 shots in it), I stopped doing business with them.  I go to just regular coffee shops now, and have a good cup for $1.50 and can get 3 or 4 refills........but 13$ sounds about average I think.

[andrew]

I have coffee issues ...   I roast my own coffee (when in a house - not in the marriot), and do so once or twice each week.  Also, I have a commercial grinder, as coffee becomes stale 40 seconds after grinding and getting a grind with consistent granual size (no powder) results in minimal bitterness.

I do like Starbucks, but agree that their prices are a ripoff.  I'm sure we'd have paid about the same for the stuff you purchased.   While I like to roast my beans on the darker side, Charbucks almost burns theirs. 

[schro]

I hate Starbucks.

[buuckkweet]

Starbuck's is too dang high on their prices.  I take my own coffee to work in a travel mug.  Sometimes I'll stop at one of the local gas stations and get a large cappucino to get my ticker started.  And that's only $1.75!

[JohnMont]

my take on starbucks is negative.   aside from the high prices, the quality is just not what it was a few yrs. ago.  Noticed this when i was living in Penn.;  thought the weak coffee was just a dumb local's fault who didn't know how to make it.  But i've found this to be the case in lots of other locations.   

I know other people notice it too; and try to do something about it.  In the airport last week (where, yeah; i was at a starbucks)  this guy orderd a capucino and requested "no foam" -- this was funny; 'cause my cap.  was about HALF foam.

So; Starbucks is a rip off for more reasons than high prices.

[Brkeatr]

I think Starbucks is horrible....never liked their coffee at all....

[skinhead002]

I drink  a lot of coffee. Guess that comes from being a soldier and cop(and being stationed up at ft. lewis, WA for so many years). In m opinion, Starbucks delivers a coffee thats gets solid "C" grade and that is grossly overpriced for the amount in the cup.

The company is having some friction'  They are closing stores and they brought back the CEO that helped take the company public.  I make my coffee drinks at home now because of the price.  Four dollars for a coffee drink, PLUS sales tax, and then on top of that, Starbucks has a tip jar on the counter. Its hard for me to tip when I go the counter, pick up my drink and food, seat myself, get my refills, and then clear my table.  I think  that if the returning CEO doesnt get the company turned around, Starbucks may not be around in its present form in a couple of years.

[Dome of Steele]

Hear hear,
I got a 20 buck gift certificate so I stopped by afew times to get the coffee.  It's decent, but I make coffee at my house and bring it to work/school in a thermos for the best quality and price. 
I would not go there and spend my own money. 

The coffee maker is an old school cappuccino cooker. 

I think it's settled that this group isn't crazy about Starbucks. 

[IRONHORSE]

*Chuckles* I figured out my own recipe to make  (my take on) the "frappucino" that Starbucks sells. Not only does it taste a little better than theirs, but I can change the amount of Chocolate/Coffee I add to suit my taste on that particular day.
 

[Timmay]

I visited a starbucks only ONCE...and didnt care for it.   I will just have my cup of joe from either a gas station locally that sells good stuff or brew my own at home.

[wpruitt]

I like the coffee at Starbucks.  I hate the prices!

[marshd1000]

I am a former Starbucks "Partner".  I do like the coffee and other products.  But I think it would be wise to try to lower the prices.  But admittedly I have a soft spot in my heart for the company.  At least for the outlet at the local mall that I worked at.  After getting laid off at my former aerospace job after 9-11, I had to get a job that would help extend my unemployment until I got a better job.  My experience was a positive one and my co-workers made coming to work a joy in a hard time of my life.  So I kind of have to be soft on Starbucks.