Author Topic: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy  (Read 6167 times)

Erica/NWEdible

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Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« on: October 30, 2012, 05:07:39 PM »
Only open Starbucks in Manhattan mobbed by people unable to provide for their own caffeine needs for 48 hours.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/java_junkies_in_star_trek_u6PkWIfGhCa5XevWjCnJBP

Highlight:

"And Starbucks “gold card” holder Alex Mwangi, 25, walked more than 20 blocks looking for an open [Starbucks].

“It took half an hour,” he said. “But I’m a Starbucks fanatic. I go four or five times a day. I like the way they make their coffee and the way they present it to you. Elsewhere is standard, regular coffee.”

FOUR OR FIVE TIMES A DAY! I'm pretty sure I could buy a soaking tub and bathe in drip coffee for what this guy forks over to Starbucks annually. Does caffeine transfer through the skin?

Possibly this is part of the NYC thing where people live in very small apartments and look at coffeeshops and restaurants as "living space extenders." In that sense I get going out and paying "rent" on a living room surrogate by buying a coffee.

It also might be part of getting back out into the world after such a huge disaster to be assured that there are other people out there, starting to get back into the routines of their life. I saw that on a smaller scale when a restaurant I worked for had its busiest night EVER the day of a local earthquake. People just wanted to be with other people.

But I still think it's ok to poke fun of the 5-a-day guy.

Self-employed-swami

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Re: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2012, 05:31:37 PM »
Oh yes, 5 starbucks coffees a day is 4.75 to many!

NWstubble

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Re: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2012, 01:12:19 AM »
The owner of this store proved his/her business savvy with that move.

Also, why do all the people they interviewed have to be 20-somethings....my generation has a bad enough rap as it is, but they have to go and give quotes like "it was scary not having Starbucks".

Daley

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Re: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2012, 07:44:00 AM »
That's kinda sadly horrifying, like the gamer junkies in Korea. Makes you wonder what would happen if you put these folks out in a log cabin in the woods for a week.

Does caffeine transfer through the skin?

Yes.

TomTX

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Re: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2012, 05:47:19 AM »
I do go to Starbucks from time to time, typically when I am on the road and my employer is reimbursing. I will purchase a large brewed coffee - because hotel coffee is usually horrible. Once or twice I've had a non-caf tea in the evening, usually I just bring teabags with me.

I even use a Starbucks gift card. From Discover. I rack up 5% back on their quarterly bonus items (online and department stores this quarter) - and $45 in "cash back" becomes a $50 Starbucks card.

I slowly deplete the card, and my employer reimburses me.

RadicalPersonalFinance

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Re: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2012, 07:43:55 PM »
In my opinion, if you aren't brewing coffee at home, Starbucks is the best deal for coffee on the road.

If you're a gold card member, you get free flavor shots and free refills.  Plus, each drink qualifies towards a free beverage in the future.

If you compare prices for brewed coffee, it's the cheapest I can find.

So, order a tall brewed coffee with a shot of your favorite flavor, add your own adjustments and enjoy a fancy frugal coffee in the restaurant. Then, get a free refill for the road!

15 (?) of those later you get a coupon in the mail for a free drink. You also get one on your birthday.  That's when you order your $6 Venti Fancy-Drink-Special!

No, it's not as good as brewed coffee in a Thermos from home, but it's a good deal for when you need a place to meet a friend and the friend likes coffee shops.

Rich M

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Re: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2012, 02:14:22 PM »
Even more wall of shame....The obsession continues...

People are paying $7 for their special coffee and $1000 on ebay for those metal $450 gift cards.

http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/10/news/companies/starbucks-card-ebay/index.html?iid=HP_LN


« Last Edit: December 10, 2012, 02:25:03 PM by Rich M »

Emerald

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Re: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2012, 04:46:03 PM »
I'm trying to get a job there.  Extra money and free coffee.  Win.  Win.

BlueMR2

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Re: Starbucks Obsession Greater Than Hurricane Sandy
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2013, 11:17:33 AM »
I used to spend $2000 a year on Starbucks.  Oddly, while I was working at a low paying job.  Wised up when my income increased.  :-)  I've now kicked the coffee habit completely and can't believe what a fool I was!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!