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Comment by mattdotc | Hacker News Reader

>If it isn't why are people spending over $3/cup when McDonald's and others has $1/cup coffee?

I can't speak for every Starbucks customer out there, but I always assumed the reason is that it's a status symbol.

To some degree, they want to be seen with the cup. They haven't tried the competitors, so they assume Starbucks must be very good to justify the price. If they really enjoyed coffee for coffee's sake, they'd probably be going to an independent shop for their drink.

I think Starbucks' coffee isn't terrible, but I definitely prefer to brew it myself or spend the same amount at a smaller cafe, preferably if they roast their own beans.

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That doesn't really make sense, it's like saying people want to be seen eating Big Macs. Starbucks isn't really a status symbol in the states, it is simply a guilty pleasure/luxury/drug to those who are addicted. They don't go to indies simply because it is not convenient (sbux is everywhere) and they know what they are getting. Believe me, would love to try an indie, but in my neighborhood, the only alternative is Costa and Pacific Coffee, which are just as bad UK and HK brands.

It makes perfect sense, if being seen eating Big Macs were to become trendy then you would see more people eating Big Macs. It happens for all kinds of things in popular culture. Why do people buy the expensive famous name brand stuff when the no-name clothing would be just as good for their needs?

You would be embarrassed if you were seen eating a Big Mac, the same is almost true with Starbucks. It is anti-status right now: better to be seen with a hipster indie coffee than the McDonalds-like Starbucks cup!

People buy the expensive branded clothes because...they know what they are getting. No one really wants to walk around with a swoosh on their chest! Going for no-name clothing, there is no reputation to go by, how can you tell if that shirt is going to feel good or wear well? Muji does no-name well, you can trust their quality even if they don't put their name everywhere, but even that is a "brand."

> if being seen eating Big Macs were to become trendy then you would see more people eating Big Macs

I grew up in a poor country. One Christmas Season, I took a part-time job at a bank's back office. The full-time employees would go to the McD across the street from the office building, and get a take-away. The journey cut their 60-minute lunch break by half. I remarked how expensive it was, but my colleague told me: "Remember how much they're making, they can probably afford it!"

:-)

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