Dunkin Donuts Coffee Price is Outrageous

[gathermewool]

I left MA this morning, on my way back down to CT, and really needed something to wake me up. I haven't had DD coffee in a long time (I'm "boycotting them, because their coffee tastes terrible and is too expensive,) and, as usual, there was nothing else open at 0430, so I stopped at the local DD before getting on the highway. I get the same thing every single time, a medium black with 1 Equal, so I was surprised to see that the price had gone up from $1.65 to $1.98.

I really do remember DD coffee tasting better back in the 90s when I drank it occasionally in high school, but it's to the point now where I only drink it when I need an early morning fix and nothing else is open or nearby. Being nearly $2/14oz., I think I may be giving their coffee up altogether.

 

[wog]

mmcdonalds or cumberland farms any size $1 + tax (meals tax) only in ma. inflation has come back in a big way. dollar=peso

 

[The_Jeff]

They failed when they took the donut kitchens out of the individual franchises.

People still line up at the drive thrus, and it's not going to change until they stop. I know some people who try one drive thru on the way to work and cut out when the line is too long then try a different one until they're in town and waiting in a line of twenty cars. Why not just get a mr coffee with timer and show up to work on time?

 

[NHGUY]

Some DD over-dillute their coffee to lower costs.Heard a guy one time that bought a hot chocolate had to put a Hersey bar in it to add chocolate taste.
Its sad but seemingly a large part of DD clientel is older/elderly/unhealthy people.See a lot of near 300lb people and elderly that need walking assistance amble into the local DD.Guess they need that huge sugar fix to help get their blood levels up...and up...

 

[antiqueshell]

I call them Dirty Doughnuts because most of the franchises are owned by folks that have a culture lacking cleanliness, and typically when I have ever been to just about ANY DD it has been dirty.

I remember when "Mister Doughnut" was around years ago, now they were great doughnuts!

 

[dparm]

DD coffee is a "safe" choice for me when I can't find something better. Since I'm on the road 100% of the time for business I could care less what it costs, so I tend to seek out good local places.

Chicago & LA folks should go for Intelligentsia.

 

[oggb]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Being nearly $2/14oz., I think I may be giving their coffee up altogether.

Quote:
2008 WRX STI
Amsoil Euro 5w30 + Subaru OEM filter >> OCI (exp): 6500 miles
Next OC: Amsoil Euro 5w30 again


Pretty sure the STI costs you more in ten miles than that cup of coffee.

 

[gathermewool]

I used to drive to work with my dad every morning before school, and we'd stop at Mr. Doughnuts (sp.) I think it was the late 80s or early 90s when the first (that I remember) Dunkin Donuts opened up RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

When I'm home and have time, I use my bur grinder and french press. I'll stop at the (only) local coffee shop that roasts their own beans if I feel like sitting and reading some where.

Even Starbucks is a much better, albeit more expensive (not by much any more!) alternative, though their coffee usually tastes burnt to me. Their Frappadappaccinos are delicious, and great for an occasional treat!

Unfortunately, when I'm on the road and don't have a means of making my own coffee, I'm sometimes forced to stop at DD to get my fix. I'd gladly go out of my way for McDonald's, which is actually ok, or Cumbies, which seems to be hit or miss, but neither of these are even an option at times.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: JRed
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Being nearly $2/14oz., I think I may be giving their coffee up altogether.

Quote:
2008 WRX STI
Amsoil Euro 5w30 + Subaru OEM filter >> OCI (exp): 6500 miles
Next OC: Amsoil Euro 5w30 again


Pretty sure the STI costs you more in ten miles than that cup of coffee.



Haha! I'm actually averaging a little over 22 MPG overall and do all of my own maintenance like a good BITOGER should.


Besides, it's not the cost, but the quality. If I could get the same quality as I make at home for myself at a DD-type place, I'd be willing to pay triple for the same amount!

 

[Dave Hess]

Next time just buy Starbucks from a 7-11. It will give you a shot of energy and tastes great.

 

[oggb]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool

Haha! I'm actually averaging a little over 22 MPG overall and do all of my own maintenance like a good BITOGER should.


Besides, it's not the cost, but the quality. If I could get the same quality as I make at home for myself at a DD-type place, I'd be willing to pay triple for the same amount!


The STI may not consume $2 of gas in 10 miles (getting there) but when you account for depreciation, wear, maintenance, etc.... Frowny face =(.

I thought it was the cost though? Nearly $2/14oz? Amsoil Euro costs more than that.

 

[sciphi]

Agreed, DD is over-priced. I only go there when needing a quick pick-up, and there are no gas stations nearby. Gas station coffee is often the same to me, and cheaper!

Still doesn't beat brewing my own at home.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Next time just buy Starbucks from a 7-11. It will give you a shot of energy and tastes great.



They sell Starbucks coffee now, or do you mean the cold drinks? On my way to the highway, the only place to get coffee that isn't a 10+ minute detour is DD, unfortunately. Most time I can wait, but every so often (probably when I forget how much I dislike DD) I'll stop in and grab a medium black for the trip back to CT.

I think I'd even prefer picking something up the day before and nuking it before I hit the road. I might just do that from now on. Heck, even instant coffee is better!

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: JRed
Originally Posted By: gathermewool

Haha! I'm actually averaging a little over 22 MPG overall and do all of my own maintenance like a good BITOGER should.


Besides, it's not the cost, but the quality. If I could get the same quality as I make at home for myself at a DD-type place, I'd be willing to pay triple for the same amount!


The STI may not consume $2 of gas in 10 miles (getting there) but when you account for depreciation, wear, maintenance, etc.... Frowny face =(.

I thought it was the cost though? Nearly $2/14oz? Amsoil Euro costs more than that.


I guess the title is a bit misleading. Like a good meal, entertainment, or even a car that serves more than just a point-A-to-B purpose in your life, some things are just worth paying more for. For how poor DD quality is, I guess approaching the $2/coffee price point struck a nerve. I'm just as upset when I go somewhere nice for dinner and expect to be satisfied, but end up leaving hungry or feeling that I'd have enjoyed a Five Guys burger more. Value is subjective, and DD, at nearly $2 for a medium, just doesn't offer any real value.

Also, believe it or not, there is a way to splurge on the I-gotta-haves smartly. I spend money on mods, gadgets and other fun things, but save in other areas. I purchased all of the dealer options I wanted off of other forum members, used and at or less than half the cost. I buy refurb'd gadgets and wait for game prices to drop to half or less before I buy. I even bought the Amsoil Euro off another Bitoger, at a savings of ~$3/qt, not including shipping.

Oh, and I got the STI for right around 30K with 0% financing, brand new. It's just an econobox on roids, not some fancy Shmancy S4 or something, sheesh! Haha

 

[oggb]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
I'm just as upset when I go somewhere nice for dinner and expect to be satisfied, but end up leaving hungry or feeling that I'd have enjoyed a Five Guys burger more.


That drives me crazy, too. So many times I've been to restaurants that supposedly have great food and leave feeling like the joke was on me because I'd rather have had cheap pizza or, exactly as you said, a burger from Five Guys.

 

[Spazdog]

Dunkin Donuts is too far away. They closed the one near TCU with a sign that stated, "THIS LOCATION WILL NEVER RE-OPEN AS A DUNKIN DONUTS." To be fair, the Krispy Kreme south of the TCU campus closed too. Apparently, Horned Frogs hate donuts.

Don't remember the coffee being "all that" anyway. Racetrac or QuikTrip grade coffee. Better than Denny's or IHOP to be certain but not spectacular. I actually prefer the Racetrac coffee to QT. If I'm working out of town, I'll get a big cup of Racetrac Molten Java for the road. It's not great coffee but it does pretty well to kickstart the day and it's not terrible tasting.

They sell Dunkin Donuts ground coffee at WalMart for about $9.00 a bag. About $3.00 more than Seattle's Best or Starbucks. Stupid expensive.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog


They sell Dunkin Donuts ground coffee at WalMart for about $9.00 a bag. About $3.00 more than Seattle's Best or Starbucks. Stupid expensive.


That makes the 2.2 lb tins of Tim Horton's for $17 seem like a good deal by comparison...

 

[CivicFan]

$2 per cup is not too bad. But for the best results, you should have added a shot of turbo (espresso).

The bath water mcDonalds sells as a coffee costs $1.00 + tax. I would much rather pay $4.00 for a normal coffee than $1.00 for garbage.

 

[HerrStig]

Mickey D's up this way sell Green Mountain which is pretty good stuff, of course the droids working there could whatever a one car funeral. Starbucks has just introduced a new mild roast, to please New England, "Blond Roast" which is very good. Standard Starbucks blend doesn't go over well in New England. I also remember when DD coffee was a standard to which others were judged. NO more. It might be good if they wouldn't use half the beans or twice the water. Most franchise operations are very careful about that, it is one of the selling points.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
$2 per cup is not too bad. But for the best results, you should have added a shot of turbo (espresso).

The bath water mcDonalds sells as a coffee costs $1.00 + tax. I would much rather pay $4.00 for a normal coffee than $1.00 for garbage.


When was the last time you had it? I thought the same thing until a couple of years ago when I noticed they'd upped their game. One gripe I still have with McD's is their lids. They've copied Coor's wide-mout design, which means it's really tough to sip the coffee until it's cool down for a while. By that time, you've got maybe 20 minutes in the cold before it's too cool. I always take my own mug if I need a quick fix and the nearest, most convenient place is McD's.

My preference, in order based on what's available:

1. My own brew
2. Local coffee shop with a good selection of roasts
3. Starbucks
4. Cumbies
5. Any other quick mart with Green Mountain or equivalent
6. McDonalds
7. Dunkin

Sometimes, like when I need to be on the road for a decently long trip early in the morning, Dunkin is all that's available, and usally the only option that'd be open so early. I try to resist, but my body isn't always as discerning when it comes to caffeine intake, and sadly, DD still satisfies that craving for the wake-p juice!