Starbucks vs Dunkin Donuts (or other cool coffee suppliers)

United States
December 31, 2006 3:59pm CST
I am a coffee lover. When I grew up, I didn't have a Starbucks near my house...not even close. The closest one was within a 40 mile radius. However, I had a Dunkin Donuts right down the street from my house. However, when I got to college and started working downtown, there was a Starbucks next to my job and two more in the next town over. Same with Dunkin Donuts. I opted for Starbucks because "everyone" went there. Kids from my dorm would walk into town just to get Starbucks and felt cool walking in with a red holiday cup or a plain white and green cup with that fancy face on it. By holding this cup, the proved that they could spare the $3.65 for a mocha frappachino, light to keep their figure. Naturally, as a college freshman who had never seen a Starbucks and had a new, better paying job, I fell into this coffee trap. After my first year, I found out about fair trade policies from a good friend of mine, and realized that though Starbucks treats its workers fairly (usually) and gives THEM a fair wage, the farmers who produce those coffee beans are paid barely enough to survive. Why is their coffee so expensive then? It doesn't make sense to me, so I began protesting Starbucks. I also learned on the Starbucks Fair Trade Campaign website (http://www.organicconsumers.org/starbucks/index.cfm) about the milk they use containing a hormone called rBGH. That was one more reason I used not to go to Starbucks, until I learned that almost all milk sold in stores, unless organic, has this hormone. So, my question to all mylot users is where do you get your coffee from and why? If you weren't aware of fair trade practices before, will that alone convince you to stop going to Starbucks? Since you can always request or ask if Starbucks will serve you fair trade coffee, will you do this from now on? I recommend Dunkin Donuts or Green Mountain brand coffee, personally :) Plus, it usually tastes better!
3 people like this
45 responses
@onlyme123 (124)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I'm not that picky about my coffee. Most of the time I just want the caffeine and that's it, so practically anything will do. I acutally like the instant stuff that comes in a small rectangular can that you can buy from a supermarket. I can't remember the brand, but it comes in many varieties, like mint mocha, french vanilla, chocolate capuccino, etc. I find Starbucks to be way too pricey for me. But I do have friends who can't get through a day without their Starbuck fix everyday. I don't understand that, but to each his own!
• United States
1 Jan 07
My roommate drinks the instant coffee, and it's easy to make and pretty good! I agree with that :) It's also very strong, which is good for coffee lovers, and it's kind of cheap - also good! Thanks for your response!
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
1 Jan 07
Interesting. I rarely drink Starbucks since i don't want to pay $4 for a coffee. Where does it end? $5, $6 or $7 for a cup of coffee? I usually drink Tim Horton's coffee for under $2. Sometimes, Dunkin Donuts too. But that is my limit. Don't really know about all the fair trade specifics since Tim Horton's is based in Canada. To me, Starbucks is way over priced.
1 person likes this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
1 Jan 07
Tim Horton's is available in Michigan and Ohio.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thanks!
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thanks for sharing your insight - I've never heard of Tim Horton's, but I've never been to Canada either :) I hope to go there soon though, and now I know where to go! I completely agree $4 - $5 for coffee is ridiculous. Even if you get a regular coffee without the works for cheaper, it is gross! Thank you for your comment :)
• Philippines
1 Jan 07
starbucks is very expensive for just a cup of coffee. i have read an article that dunkin donuts have the best coffee among all coffee shops.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 07
Yes, starbucks is very expensive unless you get their plain cup of coffee without the works. It's very bitter and nasty though, so it's not worth the money. Where did you find that article...I'd like to read that sometime! Thanks for the comment and have a great new year!!!
@rash219 (808)
• United States
1 Jan 07
mm i never knew tat b4 thanks from bringing it up well i like my coffe home made at times dunkins but not Starbucks they are jus too costly...for me atleast
1 person likes this
@Phatmat (104)
• Australia
1 Jan 07
lol, too costly! yeh i agree, sometimes something made at home is still good enough.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
I completely agree with both of you - I love making my coffee at home. I get the ground coffee in the bags - they seem fresher than the canned coffees. Thanks for responding!
@venshida (4836)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I have never had Starbucks. I drank Dunkin Donuts awhile back. Most of my coffee, I buy at the supermarket. I buy it the supermarket because its cheap.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 07
I try to buy my coffee at the supermarket too...it's usually better and cheaper depending on what brand it is. You're not missing anything by not having starbucks - it's overrated and gross to me. Thanks for your comment and I hope you have a happy new year!
@Goranimal (315)
• United States
1 Jan 07
Some might find this dumb on my part, but i love the coffee at my local QT gas station! its always fresh and they have a good choice of flavors like the hazelnut just rocks! Ive been in starbucks but i was a little intimidated by the choices
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
You know, I think the same thing! There's a Coastal gas station right down the road, and it's cheap and the best! The flavored coffee there is the best...I'm a hazlenut fan myself, and french vanilla too. It's funny where you can find good coffee. Starbucks does have intiminating choices - like in that new commercial for Dunkin Donuts where they make fun of starbucks because their choices are in italian (I think) and it has this elitist quality about it when it's just coffee...thanks for your response!
• United States
1 Jan 07
I don't drink coffee but all of my friends love Starbucks to me it is stupid to spend that much on coffee if people buy their own and doctor it up it will last them a whole month and not one trip to Starbucks everyday.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thanks for your comment - good for you that you don't drink coffee. I wish I could quit the coffee addiction myself! It's like if I don't drink coffee every day, I get a headache :( I completely agree that it's pointless to waste money and gas going to a Starbucks every day and getting coffee that one could easily make at home. Enjoy 2007!
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I usually go to Dunkin Donuts for my coffee, coolattas or the donuts but lately their products have been terrible. The beverages are of poor quality and taste and seems like the donuts they give us have been there for weeks or days. Yuck! Me and my coworkers have banned Dunkin Donuts. We now usually go to this place called Brew Ha Ha for coffee, hot chocolate or food items. Everybody here loves Starbucks but I am sure they are not aware of the policies that you mentioned. I am glad that I do not go to Starbucks after reading this information that you posted. Thank you for sharing that with us.
• United States
1 Jan 07
I'm very glad that you found the information useful! Thank you for your comment, I love finding out about new coffee places. I agree that the quality can vary; though I like Dunkin Donuts, the shop near me varys greatly in quality. The one on the other side of town makes their coffee better and seems to care more about their customers. I guess it can just depend on location and the freshness of the suppliers product. Thanks for responding..have a great new year!
@jimotman (633)
• Indonesia
1 Jan 07
When I buy coffee, I don't really think much about the company, I buy coffee anywhere, as long as it's coffee..
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Haha, good way to think about it - when you need a coffee fix, coffee is coffee! Thanks for your response! Enjoy your new year!
• Australia
1 Jan 07
I try not to buy coffee out and about, not part of my budget. If I get a meal somewhere I sometimes buy a coffee with meal but I do no have a preferance.
• United States
1 Jan 07
Good call - I wish I didn't get coffee so often. I usually drink it every other day, but it can get expensive unless I make it at home, and even then...a bag of coffee usually costs $4 unless it's on sale, and some are even more expensive, especially starbucks. Have a great new year and thanks for your comment!
@UcoksBaBa (800)
• Indonesia
1 Jan 07
I thought starbuck better than dunkin donust to provide or make coffee because indeed starbukcs in set aside to provide coffee and the snack as the friend of coffee, and me the feeling of people will agree with me because of the number of counters starbucks available in Jakarta.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thank you for your comment. I think that the number of Starbucks can definitely influence the number of people that drink it from a certain country or region. Just because there are more Starbucks by me doesn't mean that I will like it better no matter what, but that's just my opinion. Enjoy your new year!
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I like coffee, too. I prefer Half & Half in my coffee. I have always enjoyed Dunkin Donuts coffee. I have never tried Green Mountain coffee. Where do you find it?
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thank you for your response! I go to college in Jersey and they have Green Mountain coffee on campus everywhere in addition to Dunkin Donuts, but I've also seen it in Kings supermarkets. I also like creamer, but I'd prefer those cold flavored creamers, like french vanilla and hazelnut, but it has to be low-fat. I can't do heavy creams haha. Happy New Year!
@dmanuel (411)
1 Jan 07
im not really a coffee drinker so if im gonna choose between dunkin and starbucks on an occasional basis, i'd choose dunkin. not only because of the coffee, but beacuse of the sandwiches. and true, starbucks is really expensive.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thanks for your comment - I think I'd rather go to Dunkin Donuts in the morning too because of the bagels and sandwiches. I'm surprised that so many people go to Starbucks considering they don't have that much of a food variety, not to mention their prices. Have a great new year!
• United States
1 Jan 07
seen a thing on cnn, they tested cofees on the streets of new york city and most of the folks choose mcdonalds cofee, i love mcdonalds cofee, but in the service industry things seem to be diffrent from place to place....
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thank you for your comment! I like the coffee from McDonalds too, especially when they had that free trial period. But I still think I'd choose Dunkin Donuts over any other kind, except maybe Green Mountain or Seattle's Best when I try it at airports. Have a great new year!
@DRLoucks (16)
• United States
1 Jan 07
You know what? I was watching this health channel and they did a study and found that Wal Mart coffee taste the same if not better than star bucks with the price that most people can afford. So... we get generic coffee from Wal Mart and it seems to go good for our family, no complaints here.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thanks for your response - I never saw that program, but that doesn't surprise me that Wal-Mart would offer everything including coffee. I'm not a big Wal-Mart fan either because of how they treat their employees from what I've seen and read in papers, but I've definitely shopped there before when I don't have much cash. Enjoy your new year!
• United States
1 Jan 07
Definately Dunkin Donuts because I dont like coffee that much so Starcbucks doesnt appeal to me at all!
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thanks for your comment - I like that Dunkin Donuts has more to offer usually food-wise. Starbucks food is very rich and way over-priced, just like their coffee. Enjoy 2007!
@linda345 (2661)
• Canada
1 Jan 07
I don't drink coffee anymore but when I did I was a Tim Hortons girl. I know it is mostly available in Canada and a few of the States. I find Starbucks too expensive and it taste way to strong for me.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thank you for your comment! You know, I agree that Starbucks is much to strong, even when it is a milder flavor. I used to only be able to afford to "americana" coffee order of Starbucks, and every time I would order it, people in line would look at me strangely thinking, "That's so plain." Well, not only was it cheaper and plain, but so disgusting. This is only the 2nd time I'm hearing about Tim Hortons, and I hear good things. I hope to try it someday! Enjoy your new year!
• United States
1 Jan 07
This is a very educational article here. Thanks for the info, I never knew any of this. I do love Starbucks, but can not afford them. I usually make my coffee and espressos at home though. Much cheaper and I can have it just the way that I like it.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thank you for your comment - I'm glad you got something out of it! I like making my coffee at home too...usually it's not as good as a latte or a coffee from Dunkin Donuts, but it does the trick for a coffee lover like myself. Have a great new year!
@Kelly16 (252)
• Philippines
1 Jan 07
Starbucks and Dunkin Donut makes good coffee. In my place Starbucks is too expensive so I went there once in a while. I regularly have my coffee at dunkin donut and love the donuts too.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jan 07
I completely agree...thanks for your comment. Starbucks is too expensive, and even if I could afford it, I think I would still like Dunkin Donuts better, and their food is better and they have more healthy options than Starbucks offers. Enjoy your 2007!
• Philippines
1 Jan 07
i prefer dunkin donuts, i bet their donuts is sweeter..coffees are tastier..aside from its more affordable than starbucks.. it wont be practical spending much over a cup of coffee :-)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I completely agree, especially when you can make your own at home. Thanks for comment and friend-add. I love Dunkin Donuts and they have a much wider variety of food - and it's all much cheaper! Enjoy your new years!!