Will Starbucks's New Deals Save You Money?

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Personally I LOVE Dunkin Donuts and am really annoyed there are not more of them in DC. I would definitely go. I love that they add your cream for you plus I think the coffee tastes so good (especially their hazelnut.)

Kimberly Palmer of 11:43AM August 06, 2008

Why do people go to Starbucks, instead of Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds for coffee, when the latter have been considered just as good, if not better, in taste tests? Is it the cachet or the chance to get more than just milk and cream added?

jimmy of AL 11:03AM August 06, 2008

After 2:00 (watching the clock)
need the card (more stuff to hang onto)
save the receipt (more stuff)
Why not just charge a good price to begin with and not make the customer work so hard to drink a cup of coffee?

Dave of FL 8:36AM August 06, 2008

The only reason alot of people go to Starbucks to purchase a drink is because of the trendy aspect. I usually go purchase iced coffees from mcdonalds at way cheaper prices. When you really think about it - you can actually brew your own FRESH coffee at home for a few pennies compared to purchasing any product from Starbucks for at LEAST 2 dollars. The times are tough - the businesses that lower their prices at times like these will prevail. Take Subway for example - they made a bunch of their footlong subs for 5 dollars even... very nice. I'd love to get Mocha Frappacinos from starbucks but I don't like to pay 5 dollars for one. I just wished that there was alot more coffee business competition around so that people can realize how much Starbucks is all propaganda. Starbucks should lower their prices on all of their drinks to stay in good shape, regardless of what time and day it is. Just as the person stated above, the profit is what the greedy share owners of Starbucks are looking for; I hope they feel the pinch in their pocket in these tough money times because of their greed. Businesses should rethink how much money people make and what their expenses are nowadays (GASOLINE, house bills, credit card payments, ect, ect...) It seems that we here in California are feeling the pinch the most because of the budget crisis, nation's highest gas prices, and rising food/living costs. I'd honestly rather go purchase an energy drink from Big Lots for about 60 cents a pop. Thank you.

Markis of CA 5:19AM August 06, 2008

This promotion, and that's all it is, is great for the repeat customer at Starbucks. They save money and get a decent drink. Lots of calories though. The company on the other hand wants people to get into the habit of buying two drinks a day, and make money that way. They will break even on the two buck drinks (cost of goods, rent, payroll, etc), but will gain some double customers in the long run. Unfortunately, this is not going to save the bottom line. Starbucks merely needs to trim the fat from the company, get back to what it does best, and keep its vision focused. Jackson Coffee Co., 201 S. Mechanic St., Jackson, MI 49201.

JACKSON COFFEE CO. of MI 11:04PM August 05, 2008

There are a LOT of people who go to Starbucks 2-3 times a day, and to them this is a huge discount. Especially the kind who get frappuccinos with added shots of espresso in them (easily totaling over $5 each) But, on the other hand, of course Starbucks is definately making money, the other reason they are offering it. Having a registered card is also huge if you like to work online, with the card it is free. Sure they are making money while they are offering the rewards, but I would rather go to a place that offered rewards with a purchase, rather than just going and spending money without any rewards. Personally, I do not drink a lot of coffee, but if I did I still go for the quality products Starbucks offer rather than a less expensive substitute, that in reality does not compare. Honestly, how hard is it to keep a receipt with you for a couple hours? Just be greatful that they care enough to offer something to their customers at all.

Lindsay Jo of OH 6:05PM August 05, 2008

The more you buy, the more you save... LOL

Betty of CA 5:25PM August 05, 2008

"Here's a quick way to tell if they're worth your time (and money): Will the rewards card or $2 coffee program tempt you to buy more coffee than you otherwise would? If the answer is yes, you should probably ignore them. For example, if you are the kind of person who buys only one drink a day, then the $2 afternoon coffee won't save you anything."
Really? This is what passes for insight at US News today? Was it just a super slow news day and come deadline, there was nothing else fill in the blog posting with, so you decided to try and explain the "mysterious" economics of a discount program? Wow.
I'll keep tuned-in for next week's column that seeks to explain how McDonald's value meals are really a value unless you were going to buy the drink and big mac seperately anyway. Can't wait

Jamie of MA 3:41PM August 05, 2008

The Starbuck promotion works well for me. I am in there for iced tea every morning usually, and often get a second iced tea in the afternoon. Sometimes I buy one of those health drinks at the same time! (The 'Vivanno' made out of orange, mango, banana, and added protein. So now I can get my iced tea anytime before 2 pm and then get a Vivanno in the afternoon for $2 instead of $4.
In this promotion, the question is merely -when- I am going to go for a Vivanno, and less "if". Plus, as there is a Starbucks at my train station and one in the office building I work in, it isn't costing me extra to go there. But to drive miles to get the deal would not be something I would do.

Kim of MA 3:34PM August 05, 2008

I think its a great idea; often times after a long day at work I am in need of an afternoon pick me up. The Starbucks offer is only encouraging me to do what I already want to do; which is go back to Starbucks. 2 dollars for a grande drink is a deal anyway you think about it - your getting something at a premium price at a discount. There are arguments above that state the contrary; but its only 2 dollars - which will not even buy you a half gallon of gas, milk, or even a bag of Doritos; its good to treat yourself sometimes; and because of this "Treat Receipt" I may treat myself everyday now.

Marques of WA 3:16PM August 05, 2008