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Original poster

Take-away coffee

203 replies

OnTheRoll · 31/08/2023 08:48

Had a late night working util 1am, then was up at 7am to drop off DD to the train station and looking at a very busy day ahead. There is a Costa at our train station, I hadn't had any breakfast and for a few seconds I contemplated getting myself a coffee - to pick me up and to spare the effort of making one at home. I love take-away coffee, it always feels like a treat. Then I remembered that this coffee would now be in the region of £4.50. And decided that for this money, I can wait until I get home and make one there.
If this take-away coffee had been £3.00-ish like before I would not think twice. I can still afford it technically but just can't justify this cost for a cup of hot drink.
I wonder if coffee chains will feel the impact or if there are still enough customers paying these prices?

OP posts:
FlorenceTheFerocious · 31/08/2023 08:50

I think people still pay it! I would on a rare occasion. I don't go work in a town centre so there aren't coffee shops near me, so it's only when I'm passing or if I go for a walk and coffee with a friend

MrsSkylerWhite · 31/08/2023 08:50

Maccies coffee is consistently nice. £1.19 I think?

pecanpie101 · 31/08/2023 08:51

I agree, the increase price of take away coffee is really noticeable to me now. I only have 1 a week as a treat now

Loverofoxbowlakes · 31/08/2023 08:52

I paid just short of eight quid last week for a medium hot chocolate and some 'fancy' cold coffee for dd that was basically mostly ice cubes, milk and a small measure of coffee.

I just can't even see this as a treat any more, and I'm fortunate enough to only have a few years left of a small mortgage. Surely Costa and the like must be seeing footfall declining?

Skinnermarink · 31/08/2023 08:53

MrsSkylerWhite · 31/08/2023 08:50

Maccies coffee is consistently nice. £1.19 I think?

£1.29 now! Was 99p at the start of the year. It’s usually pretty decent, though.

Costa coffee is horrible.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 31/08/2023 08:54

I guess people must be paying it but I’m certainly not!

pizzaHeart · 31/08/2023 08:54

Skinnermarink · 31/08/2023 08:53

£1.29 now! Was 99p at the start of the year. It’s usually pretty decent, though.

Costa coffee is horrible.

Edited
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What coffee is this?

Skinnermarink · 31/08/2023 08:55

pizzaHeart · 31/08/2023 08:54

What coffee is this?

Show quote history

McDonalds.

MrsMous · 31/08/2023 08:55

Made the mistake of taking my dd to lunch at costa. She had some ice mango thing, a toaster and a cake. I had a coffee - came to nearly £30. I actually said “sorry , how much?” As I thought I misheard . Madness.

youveturnedupwelldone · 31/08/2023 09:00

It has gone up a lot, I notice it whenever I buy coffee. I don't very often but it feels less of a treat at the higher price now. I can afford it but I just don't want to pay those prices!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 31/08/2023 09:00

McDonalds coffee is nice!

Term time I have a little routine on a Friday after drop off, of walking to Greggs and buying myself a coffee (and a sandwich for later) and walking slowly home with a podcast on drinking the coffee. Cheap and cheerful. No way could I justify nearly a fiver on a coffee.

40andlovelife · 31/08/2023 09:05

My fella gets around 3 costas a day. Our blue bin is always full of those cups. I only bother with takeaway coffee when I'm with him as he pays. No way am I paying that!

Desperatetime · 31/08/2023 09:07

Totally over rated these places

wellandtruly · 31/08/2023 09:07

I wouldn’t ever buy takeaway coffee.

cushioncovers · 31/08/2023 09:08

I rarely bother with coffee and cake now as it's often the same price as having something off of a lunch menu. Might as well have a macdonalds meal or a jacket potato etc

Chickenmumsticks · 31/08/2023 09:11

I get the greggs free one each week either o2 phone contact.

The other thing is going to Waitrose and buying something I needed (today was butter and eggs) on my way to work for their free coffee.

We had a lovely independent van that used to park on school run but was just too much money. The company moved on Sad

grievinggirlneedsadvice · 31/08/2023 09:12

Me, husband and DD used to have a weekend Costa treat together because we were in town for activities etc- but no more as just can't justify it, even two Americanos and a babicinno is getting silly price!!
Now pack flask hot choc alfresco for three weeks of the month then have Costa on the fourth

pizzaHeart · 31/08/2023 09:14

Skinnermarink · 31/08/2023 08:55

McDonalds.

Show quote history

thank you, my brain is not working yet.
Is it Americano? I bought latte from them last week and it was definitely more expensive more towards £2. It’s ok but didn’t taste as a treat for me, however I just went along with DD so no big expectations.
We definitely reduce our takeaway coffee consumption for financial reasons. We can afford in principle but it means we won’t afford something else and take away coffee is not a priority.

Skinnermarink · 31/08/2023 09:15

pizzaHeart · 31/08/2023 09:14

thank you, my brain is not working yet.
Is it Americano? I bought latte from them last week and it was definitely more expensive more towards £2. It’s ok but didn’t taste as a treat for me, however I just went along with DD so no big expectations.
We definitely reduce our takeaway coffee consumption for financial reasons. We can afford in principle but it means we won’t afford something else and take away coffee is not a priority.

Show quote history

Oh, yeah that probably is more but I just get a black filter. If you have the app you can get a free coffee quite regularly.

Caspianberg · 31/08/2023 09:16

I invested in a really nice coffee flask from Stanley. It’s white and Matt so feels nice, and can drink with one hand at touch button whilst walking with pram.

Seemed pricey at £25 but the amount I have saved in the last year! I now always make a tea or hot chocolate in winter to take with me to park or walking with toddler, rather than buying.

It’s around €5 a takeaway locally, and often the are closed a few weekdays now due to lack staff ( small rural area, family run places rather than chains)

I would rather use the €30-50 a month saving on going out for an actual meal or for Ds having ice creams out in summer

jellycat · 31/08/2023 09:17

Where I work, we have a cafe and we are struggling a bit. Sales down, and costs massively up. Costs not just of food and ingredients but also staffing costs (National Minimum Wage went up by about 10% in April and many of our staff were only just above the old rate so they all had pay rises). The cost of things like takeaway cups, servicing of the coffee machine, electricity and gas are also soaring. So that’s why the cost to the customer has risen so much. (I’m the accountant so I see all the bills).

I think some of these businesses will not survive (probably the smaller independents 😢). I certainly baulk at the cost of a takeaway coffee (always did tbh, but certainly would not pay £4.50!).

Netcam · 31/08/2023 09:20

That's ridiculous. Not bought a take away coffee for a long time, but don't think it's worth it and never rated Costa. We have an electric moka pot and an induction milk heater/frother at home. Both are really quick and easy to use and clean. With these we manage to make something that resembles a cappuccino from a decent coffee shop. It's our treat, DH brings it to me in bed on weekend mornings. During the week we just do Americano style with the moka pot. A bag of the ground coffee we like is £4 and lasts us nearly 2 weeks.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 31/08/2023 09:22

I always bought one a couple of times a week- but now it’s near on a fiver no way - I think profits will dip.

Pinotwoman82 · 31/08/2023 09:26

I used to love a costa and would have a few a week, especially on way to DC sports, now I just can’t justify the cost and have brought a takeaway mug instead.

OldTinHat · 31/08/2023 09:26

I go to my local Wetherspoons with a book or headphones and a downloaded film if I fancy a hot drink out. Unlimited refills for £1.50 on tea, coffee and hot chocolate.