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MC Slim JB
Apr 2, 2007 10:26 AM
Vending machine coffee is terrible, obviously, but there are plenty of places I've been where it's the only option (hospitals after hours, for example). I'm for this if Starbucks can offer even a marginal improvement over the usual instant-and-hot-water-and-Coffeemate dispensers currently out there.
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jfood
Mar 26, 2007 06:10 AM
Why is trying to get better coffee in the workplace the end of the world, i think it's the beginning of something good. And if i ever see one of the pizza vending machines i will try it BEFORE passing judgment.
As I said above I am very lucky with the coffee in my office and if we can uptick this to others more power to all of them. No it will not be a good as home ground, french press "my favorite" bean coffee, but guess what neither is most items you have in the office. That's why the stuff at home is so special.
BTW - In the space mentioned above about CD out of a machine, there is a new vending machine in one of my supermarkets called redbox.com. It delivers first run DVD's for $1 per night. It's unbelievable. and you can order on-line and pick up at the store with the milk and cookies.
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re: jfood
Husky
Mar 26, 2007 09:59 AM
OP here...the point of this and the other thread about the pizza vending machine is that it is a further indication that we're losing touch with our quality of life. Sad that we're so busy that we can't stop into a pizzeria for a pizza or a coffee shop for a coffee. Slow down people and enjoy life. I can just picture this: a really busy fellow American on their lunch break with a pizza and coffee they picked up in the office vending machine lounge on the way out the door, stopping at the drive through ATM and sending their nine year-old text message saying "I love you and I'll see you later tonight with a bag of your favorite dinner, McDonald's."
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re: Husky
jfood
Mar 26, 2007 10:26 AM
I hear you H, but if I look back 20 years there are things in my quality of life that are better :-)) and those that are worse :-((.
In my wildest dream growing up I never thought I would have what I have now, not just materially, but professionally and most important with the Jfoods. I changed assignments in my company because I spent 100 nights in hotels and did around the world a few times last year. So far 2 hotel stays in 2007, dinner with all the Jfoods every night and my dog is in better spirits. That's a quality of life change.
If you can get a decent cup of coffee out of a machine versus having to shlep to a coffee house (in the burbs that could take 30-45 minutes round trip) that's great, heck of a lot better than the swill that came out of the machines 20 years ago. Do I think the pizza machine will be a regular dinner feature for many families, like KFC and McD's, I'd probably turn done that company if it hit my desk for approval.
I would agree that we are all so rushed meeting deadlines, rushing kids here and there, trying to finish an assignment to get home to be with the family that if I can trade the coffee in the machine for the 30 minutes to the shoppe or eat a pizza from a machine and get home earlier, man that's a good trade for me.
I understand your point and if i started to see lines at the pizza machine i would have to same OMG reaction as when i see lines at the take out at McD. Personally i have a hard time watching those KFC big bucket commericals and how you can feed a family of four crap for $10.
BTW - My friends have HUGE arguments about pizzerias in the 'hood. We are all very passionate, have our favorites and although I would try the machine I doubt if it can match Joe and Lorenzo.
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re: jfood
TonyO
Apr 2, 2007 06:38 AM
"Mr. Vending" here. There is a time and palce for everything. I for one, do not eat fastfood and avoid processed food whenever possible (I grocery shop 7 days a week if that serves as a visual). However, as the owner of a vending company, I would love to know what areas you fellow CH'ers live in as we would be a welcome addition to your workplaces ! Our vending and office coffee gets rave reviews ! Additionally we offer healthy alternatives like Bear Naked Granola, Deep River Pita Chips, Honest Tea Organic beverages, frozen fruit bars, and many more choices (along with the ever popular Snickers and Doritos).
Stand Up and demand more from your vending company ! (or call us...............)
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oolah
Mar 25, 2007 08:20 PM
I don't know about the end of the world, but it sounds like it's the beginning of the end for Starbucks. Just like Krispy Kreme ruined their brand by allowing old stale donuts to be sold in every nasty deli and convenience store, Starbucks will kill their brand by serving substandard stale coffee in an already oversaturated market.
What a bad business move.
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re: oolah
We can only hope.
Actually, I went to a meeting in an office the other day where they had a machine for making coffee and tea. What you do is place your cup in the designated space, and then insert a coffee or tea "cartridge" into the slot above. It took about 20 seconds to make the cup of coffee. And it wasn't the worst coffee I've ever had. Don't know what the tea would be like. Apparently this is not a new thing; the guy in the office told me they'd had it for years. I'd just never seen it before!
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re: Kagey
We have that on each floor in my office building. It's called Flavia. It's okay...better than Starbucks.
There is, however, Starbucks coffee in the building cafeteria downstairs.
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Oh, come on. The OP is just rehashing the title of the earlier thread about the pizza vending machine. Nobody there seemed to harp on the end of the world thread title.
That said, I'm in the camp that it would be interesting to see if they can make a machine that puts out better quality stuff than the usual coffee vending machine.
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re: CrazyOne
QueenB
Mar 25, 2007 07:50 PM
The difference is, I don't currently know of any pizza vending machines.
Coffee vending machines? Yep, there are a ton of them. Been around for a long long time. I have a feeling this is more of a "Starbucks" issue than a coffee vending issue, but that's my opinion.
I think that's the difference between this thread and the earlier one.
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jnstarla
Mar 25, 2007 07:12 PM
I would love one of those where I go to school - the cafeteria closes early, and the vending machine coffee there is putrid. Its only saving grace is that it is dirt cheap - $0.35 for a 5 oz cup. Perhaps because they make it out of dirt...
I fail to see how this is contributing to the demise of the world in any serious fashion. Would you care to explain your link?
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Neely_Ohara
Mar 25, 2007 12:13 PM
At the great risk of stirring up the anti-Starbucks hysteria, I'll say this: Starbucks machines would be an improvement over the crummy vending machine coffee in so many offices...(and yes, I saw that the original article was talking about universities and train stations, not necessarily offices)
There's another thread going now about office coffee -- in my office, they buy cheap, horrible stuff for the office-sponsored coffee makers, but in the company lunchroom, theres a vending machine with horrible coffee. But as bad as the vendo coffee is, it's actually marginally better than the brew-it-yourself stuff. In this scenario, I would *love* a Starbucks machine in the lunchroom, and so would most of my co-workers...
Not saying I'm the world's biggest SBUX fan, but in many cases, it's an improvement over outright swill...
And I know the very thought of this raises the ire of coffee purists and anti-chain zealots....
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re: Neely_Ohara
A bit dramatic no? We already have crappy coffee vending machines, here's to hoping Starbucks makes a vending maching with drinkable coffee! A coffee vending machine from the biggest coffee seller and the end of the world is upon us? Turn on your favorite news channel if you really want to find an issue to worry about!
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hotoynoodle
Mar 25, 2007 11:55 AM
not a starbuck's fan myself, but i don't see how this is any worse than a soda vending machine. in japan you can buy sake and beer from vending machines.
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QueenB
Mar 25, 2007 11:38 AM
How is this the "end of the world"?
There have been hot coffee vending machines around for years. It's certainly nothing new. Is it because a large company is promoting their product even more?
Pepsi and Coke machines are in just about every workplace/gas station/facility around. Are the the "end of the world" as well?
People want convenience. I can't leave work every day to go to the Starbucks and get a cup of coffee. There are some days I'm unable to leave work at all due to it being very busy. If I wanted a Starbucks, this would be a good way to get one.
Seems like you're overreacting a bit, but that's your opinion. I don't see much wrong with it.
