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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that Starbucks are completely taking the piss?

32 replies

Higglepig · 31/03/2009 10:26

Unfortunately there's a proliferation of them on our local highstreet. I work from home and went there this morning for a change of scene. They charge 6 quid for the first hour of internet access. Is that insane or am I just completely out of touch?

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 31/03/2009 10:42

they know idiots will pay for it.
i don't use internet cafes much but i know my local independent one charges 4 euro for the first hour

foxytocin · 31/03/2009 10:48

dh likes these cafe places - for coffee. i think they all take the piss.

nickytwotimes · 31/03/2009 10:50

Six quid?!

I hate Starbucks. The coffee is tasteless and lukewarm.

pavlovthepregnantcat · 31/03/2009 10:52

Starbucks do great coffee. If you are in USA. In UK, they are pants.

And £6 is a rip.

ingles2 · 31/03/2009 10:54

£6!!!!!! that's ridiculous....
Get your coffee and go to the library, it's free.

Original poster
Higglepig · 31/03/2009 10:56

I don't even think of it as an 'internet cafe' as such, just thought they had introduced it as an added perk. Anyway, took my overpriced coffee and ran and have since found a free council-funded broadband network that you can access from there.

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 31/03/2009 10:57

£6?! Good grief.

I've been put off Starbucks. We went in literally as they opened their doors on Sunday morning and tables, floor and the table for getting spoons/napkins/putting cinnamon on coffees were all still filthy from the day before.

We go in Costa now.

Original poster
Higglepig · 31/03/2009 11:00

Ingles - cross-posted but yes, quite.

OP posts:
Marthasmama · 31/03/2009 11:01

DH won't let us go into Starbucks because they are total shitbags to the coffee farmers. He's read somewhere that they pay farmers less per week than one tall latte costs us. So it doesn't surprise me that are also trying to shaft people over internet use.

MmeLindt · 31/03/2009 11:03

Here in Geneva you get your first half hour free.

But then the parks in Geneva have free WiFi access so noone would pay that kind of money.

And a lot of other cafes have free WiFi. Don't you have any other cafes nearby that do that?

Just goes to show that they only charge so much when they think that they can get away with it.

Original poster
Higglepig · 31/03/2009 11:10

Not sure how many people go for it - didn't see any laptops there (other than mine, which stayed firmly shut). They've almost completely nobbled the highstreet, one or two other coffee shops but none offers internet access. But as I say I now know about a free network that I'll be using from now on. Might start surreptitiously publicising it in or around Starbucks.

OP posts:
Sassybeast · 31/03/2009 11:15

Oh don't tell me bad things about Starbucks I am a caramel hot chocolate with etra cream and chocolate powder ADDICT!!!!!!

Triggles · 31/03/2009 11:16

We used to pop into Starbucks occasionally, but have since switched to decaf. I have DH convinced that Starbucks doesn't have any decaf, so we don't go there anymore. Hey, whatever works!

But yes, that is a ridiculous price for internet access - but people obviously use it.

Our local McDonalds has free WiFi access, which surprised me as well. Certainly cheaper! Although I don't use it.

Original poster
Higglepig · 31/03/2009 11:18

Sassy - that does actually sound very good. Almost worth momentarily overlooking the dubious trade policies...

OP posts:
SoupDreggon · 31/03/2009 11:21

wrt them stitching up coffee farmers: "100% of the espresso coffee sold both whole bean and espresso-based beverages in Starbucks stores in the UK and Ireland will become both Starbucks? Shared Planet? and Fairtrade Certified by the end of 2009."

bluebump · 31/03/2009 11:28

I think Wetherspoons do free wifi or they certainly used to, and their coffee is less than a pound!

Pruners · 31/03/2009 11:29

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Higglepig · 31/03/2009 11:38

Pruners - that's interesting, can well believe that people abuse the FairTrade label. The main problem I have with SB is just the way they dominate (and thereby help to homogenise) so many town centres. But anyway, I've just bought a coffee from them so I'm hardly living my principles.

OP posts:
MorrisZapp · 31/03/2009 11:42

Starbucks are fine by me. They are the only place I trust to give me decaf. Everywhere else they just go 'yeah, decaf, there you go' and you realise at 4am when you're staring at the ceiling that you've been gipped.

Their prices are indeed a shocker but I don't go every day. And I hate lukewarm coffee, so I always specify 'extra hot'. If it isn't hot enough I take it straight back and get a hotter one.

Pruners · 31/03/2009 11:43

Message withdrawn

TotalChaos · 31/03/2009 11:47

yanbu, I always assumed their wifi access was free.

Original poster
Higglepig · 31/03/2009 11:49

That's even more interesting, Pruners! Not sure I believe it works like that in the long run though, can imagine there's an initial rush of sentimental affection for the local cafe followed by a gradual defection to SB as people get hooked on having a caramel syrup shot in their coffee (to pluck a random example from thin air ).

But that's just my supposition, I have no economic expertise whatsoever to back that up and expect your friend knows a good deal more about the whole issue.

OP posts:
iwontbite · 31/03/2009 11:55

yanbu
i hate starbucks/costa
we have FOUR costa's in our town. it's ridiculous., I long for a nice little indepoendent coffee placce

Marthasmama · 31/03/2009 12:04

Good to know Soupie! Yay, I must confess I do enjoy a good coffee!

Pruners · 31/03/2009 12:07

Message withdrawn

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