Do you find this challenging ?

[Ray Scully]

When I was a youngster (shut up Stephen) we used to frequent the local coffee bar, essentially I must say to listen to the juke box, a cup of coffee cost just a few pence. Nowadays the Starbucks and Costas of this world can charge almost the same price for a coffee as a pint of beer in our local pub. I find this a latter day rip off and as such never frequent these establishments.

Ray

[Stephen]

Charming

Although I do tend to agree with you Ray. Two coffees and a couple of pastries and you can kiss the best part of £12 away. But on the other hand no one is dragging us in there screaming and shouting. We no longer use Costa either if we can help it.

[barney]

Two coffees and a couple of cakes is going to set you back best part of a tenner down here Ray

It is outrageous but you do have the choice

My choice is to usually hang back a bit, be distracted and by then, Mrs Barney has paid.

Funnily enough, I do begrudge that but quite happily spend a similar amout on a round of drinks

A couple of weeks ago we stopped for a coffee just of Leicester Square and it was nine quid.
Yep !!!! nine bloomin quid for two coffees
(the missus paid)

[Manoverboard]

We use Costa as a preference to Starbucks / Nero etc and generally have a toasted brioche-esque cake wotsit to go with my flat white plus a cappuccino for Mobietta.

Do I find this challenging ... ?

No more so than having to pay above the odds for a 4 pence pint of milk during your ' frothy coffee ' period

[Stephen]

Two coffees and a couple of cakes is going to set you back best part of a tenner down here Ray

It is outrageous but you do have the choice

My choice is to usually hang back a bit, be distracted and by then, Mrs Barney has paid.

Funnily enough, I do begrudge that but quite happily spend a similar amout on a round of drinks

A couple of weeks ago we stopped for a coffee just of Leicester Square and it was nine quid.
Yep !!!! nine bloomin quid for two coffees
(the missus paid)

Funnily enough I use that same trick too barney. I hang back making out I'm tying my shoe laces....with sandals on

[Onelife]

When I was a youngster (shut up Stephen) we used to frequent the local coffee bar, essentially I must say to listen to the juke box, a cup of coffee cost just a few pence. Nowadays the Starbucks and Costas of this world can charge almost the same price for a coffee as a pint of beer in our local pub. I find this a latter day rip off and as such never frequent these establishments.

Ray

Hi Ray...I know what you mean...I think it was about a year ago that my daughter first dragged me into one of these Costalot places and I came out about £10 lighter...Now if we ever go into such places I let my wife or daughter pay..simples!

Regards

Keith

[Dark Knight]

No
if you object to paying those prices, don't go in........simples

[titania2008]

wetherspoons do lavazza and cake lol but always dubious when u see someone with a pint and a brandy before nine imho, love lavazza tho!!!

[Onelife]

No
if you object to paying those prices, don't go in........simples

Hey batman.....read my post again.....l was dragged in!

[Dancing Queen]

I never give the cost a thought, if I'm out and about and fancy a coffee I have one, Mr DQ on the other hand moans like hell about how much it costs .. I think it's a 'man thing'

[Romig1]

I never, ever go into either Costa-Packet or Loadsabucks. I think I really would have a gripper if I had to pay their prices.

[Mervyn and Trish]

It's the language of coffee I struggle with. Why can't they sell small, medium and large? The sizes have different daft names in every shop. How can small be tall?

[Onelife]

I never give the cost a thought, if I'm out and about and fancy a coffee I have one, Mr DQ on the other hand moans like hell about how much it costs .. I think it's a 'man thing'

Hi Jo,

I don't think its so much that husbands mind spending £10 enjoying a nice cup of coffee with their wife its just that most of these coffee establishments tend to be located smack in the middle of other shops which in my experience can cost us men a fortune

Regards

keith

[qbman1]

I use Waitrose and get a freebie coffee every day !!

[Kenmo1]

We are too tight to pay the prices in the trendy coffee shops. Instead 4 of us visit a couple of hotels which are open to non-residents, one in Ventnor with wonderful gardens and one on Cowes sea front with a stunning view. This morning we visited the one at Cowes where we had a pot of coffee for 4, hot water, cream, a plate of biscuits and a chocolate mint each all for the princely sum of £7.30.

Normally we manage to get a table by the window but no luck today because bloomin' holiday makers staying there had the nerve to sit at the best tables and had the best view of the Cowes Classic yacht race which was taking place - how dare they !!!

Maureen

[Not so ancient mariner]

My way of looking at the cost of things that I don't absolutely need, is to consider what else could I get for the same money - and which would I prefer, or can I get something as good, or very nearly so, for a lot less elsewhere.

A decent pint in Wetherspoons is (certainly by volume) cheaper than coffee at the aformentioned establishments - and I am not aware that there is any excise duty on coffee either.
Thinking about it, their coffee is also a lot cheaper too!

[Not so ancient mariner]

It's the language of coffee I struggle with. Why can't they sell small, medium and large? The sizes have different daft names in every shop. How can small be tall?

.....and I prefer to order my beverages in English, not pseudo-Italian!

[Dark Knight]

I am partial to a full fat, Vanilla latte

[Stephen]

Do you think it's unreasonable to ask for a pot of hot water for our own coffee and two mugs, and a plate and some butter for our own scones at these establishments. After all, we are giving them our valued custom

[oldbluefox]

Are you moving upmarket from the the Sally Army, Stephen?

I'm not keen on Costa or Starbucks. Fine if you like weak milky coffee with froth on top but I like to taste mine. Espresso is fine but you only get a thimble full. Therefore I tend to avoid these places and go to somewhere which serves better coffee and at half the price.
Sorry to see Costa on the ships. They used to make decent coffees but now we are consigned to Costa onboard.

[Delboy]

We never,ever go into either Costa-Packet or Loadsabucks, not because of the prices they charge but because we don't like their coffee. Mind you it's very rarely we pop into a shop for a coffee when in town

We have a number of garden centres in this area which are privately owned, all of which have their own restaurants, When out we will often pop into one of these for an afternoon cuppa and a piece of cake which is normally home made. Not much cheaper than Costa or Loadsabucks. They also seem very popular at weekends for lunch, especially on Sunday's when you have a job to get a table

[Stephen]

Are you moving upmarket from the the Sally Army, Stephen?

I'm not keen on Costa or Starbucks. Fine if you like weak milky coffee with froth on top but I like to taste mine. Espresso is fine but you only get a thimble full. Therefore I tend to avoid these places and go to somewhere which serves better coffee and at half the price.
Sorry to see Costa on the ships. They used to make decent coffees but now we are consigned to Costa onboard.

Foxy, I'm moving up from the ditch to cardboard city

[Delboy]

We never,ever go into either Costa-Packet or Loadsabucks, not because of the prices they charge but because we don't like their coffee. Mind you it's very rarely we pop into a shop for a coffee when in town

We have a number of garden centres in this area which are privately owned, all of which have their own restaurants, When out we will often pop into one of these for an afternoon cuppa and a piece of cake which is normally home made, not much cheaper than Costa or Loadsabucks. They also seem very popular at weekends for lunch, especially on Sunday's when you have a job to get a table.

Garden centre restaurants seem to be big business these days, well they are in this part of Essex.

[Onelife]

[quote="oldbluefox"]Are you moving upmarket from the the Sally Army, Stephen?

I'm not keen on Costa or Starbucks. Fine if you like weak milky coffee with froth on top but I like to taste mine. Espresso is fine but you only get a thimble full. Therefore I tend to avoid these places and go to somewhere which serves better coffee and at half the price.
Sorry to see Costa on the ships. They used to make decent coffees but now we are consigned to Costa onboard.[/quote



...........

Hi Foxy.....l have to agree with you about seeing costa on ships....next we'll be seeing M&S

[GillD46]

I never give the cost a thought, if I'm out and about and fancy a coffee I have one, Mr DQ on the other hand moans like hell about how much it costs .. I think it's a 'man thing'

Tony is EXACTLY the same and also with shoes. He still expects to buy a pair for £10 and nearly fainted when I bought a pair recently