Notifications
Clear all
The Lounge
6
Posts
4
Users
3
Reactions
1,251
Views
Topic starter
21/01/2023 3:20 pm
THE PRICE OF EGGS! Â
Â
Lately the talk is all about the price of eggs. Well, hold on a minute. I'm more concerned about the price of my morning coffee! I've shared often that I love starting my day with a warm cup of coffee, while giving thanks for the day to come.Â
Â
In the calm warm summer mornings, I enjoy walking to McDonalds, a mile from my house, getting my Java boost, and then heading back home, but taking the long way to get in my 4.1 mile jaunt in for the day. It can't get any better than that!
Â
Now I realize eggs are getting a little pricey at the checkout counter, but suddenly it's become even worse at McDonalds for coffee. Last April, as spring was dawning, I began that morning ritual to McDonald's to get my "large black coffee" for $1.07. It's easy to do the math quickly...$1.07 X 30 days (in a month) is $32.10. But hey, it's a simple pleasure!Â
Â
Suddenly though, May 1st came along and the price was raised to $1.49. Almost a 50% increase! Now my monthly investment for this satisfying morning enjoyment will be $44.70. After excepting the fact that it still wasn't that bad if I'm spending only a $1.49 a day, I go with the flow.Â
Â
As a side note, let me add that since it was now $1.49 a day, I would just give the cashier a dollar bill and two quarters, and not bother with getting the penny back. I've long felt that pennies have outlasted their usefulness, and should no longer be produced...but that's a story for another time. However, I've kiddingly said that, I'm giving McDonalds a penny day, and there should be some sort of reward in that. Like maybe, after I've went there 149 mornings, giving them a penny every day, I should get "Free" cup of coffee. Would it be a good idea to hold my breath for that happen?  Â
Â
So back to my morning visit to McDonalds. All summer and in to the fall, I was there. By mid November, me not being a chilly weather guy, that mile walk to McDonalds is suddenly not so inviting. But of course I still need (read that want) my coffee, so I start making it at home. Certainly a lot cheaper, just not as much fun.Â
Â
November and December pass by, and then January too. While out one morning the other day, I decided I'll just swing in to McDonalds and grab my coffee. HELLO! My same "large black coffee" is $1.59!!! A 52 cent increase since last April! And doing that quick math again, $1.59 X 30 days (if I were to continue making this morning adventure happen) it's now $47.70. Â
Â
Here's my take on this. The price of a cup of coffee at McDonalds for $1.59 just once in awhile is no big deal. Sadly though, it appears McDonalds would rather have a "once in a while customer" than have an "every day customer". In the long run, the "every day customer" is going to provide McDonalds with MORE revenue.Â
Â
My logic says that by losing the "every day customer", the management powers that be, didn't think this thing through. Oh and hey McDonalds, if you should just by chance wonder where that extra penny a day went, I'm tossing it in to a big empty pickle jar, that when full, I'll tale to the bank for some more fun. They'll want to me spend the rest of my life wrapping the pennies before they'll accept them. Â
Â
With coffee providing so much entertainment and conversation, how can I possibly be concerned with the price of eggs? It's chicken feed compared to coffee!Â
Â
Â
Â
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
David Green and john barry reacted
21/01/2023 4:00 pm
George, you lay the blame on McDonalds for raising the price, but don't you think all of their costs have risen? The coffee itself, creamers, sweeteners, cups, lids, napkins, labor, taxes, rent, utilities, equipment repairs, etc. etc. etc.?
In fact I'd venture to say they don't make any money on that cup of coffee, but use it as a "loss leader" to get you in to the restaurant to buy a breakfast sandwich. From a business point of view, if all you buy there is the cup of coffee, they won't miss you as a customer at all.
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
Topic starter
21/01/2023 4:49 pm
George, you lay the blame on McDonalds for raising the price, but don't you think all of their costs have risen? The coffee itself, creamers, sweeteners, cups, lids, napkins, labor, taxes, rent, utilities, equipment repairs, etc. etc. etc.?
In fact I'd venture to say they don't make any money on that cup of coffee, but use it as a "loss leader" to get you in to the restaurant to buy a breakfast sandwich. From a business point of view, if all you buy there is the cup of coffee, they won't miss you as a customer at all.
I understand all you said, and not saying I don't agree. But from my point of view, it's $47.70 a month they will NOT get from me. And what if many of the other "only coffee order" people decide the same thing? They'll have to sell quite a few Egg McMuffin's to make that up. You are right though, it does all come down to economics.Â
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
22/01/2023 12:22 am
A cup of coffee AND your daily walk, a good way to start the day! Sorry to hear McDonalds raised the price that much.
David Vandermeer
Corinth, Texas
22/01/2023 8:05 am
I know prices are going up. But, it's not just at Mcdonald's. It's everywhere. Are there places you can get a cup of coffee cheaper and just as conveniently? If so, that may be an alternative. I was in Panera last week. Their coffee is $2.49. For some places, this is a matter of survival. With the minimum wage at a stratospheric height and many places paying even more, just because the job market has become so competitive, most fast-food restaurants can't afford to forego price increases.Â
Have you asked for a senior discount? Some Mcdonald's provide them. The one in our town gives free coffee to seniors. Chick Fil A will give seniors a free cup of coffee with purchase. So, they're trying, at least.
I've taken to enrolling in everyone's loyalty programs. McDonald's gives points with every purchase. The free food or drink you can get by accumulating points helps to keep the average price down. I learned this lesson with Starbucks a long time ago. Their rewards program is liberal with their stars. Using them brings the average price of a cup of coffee there all the way down to merely outrageous! 😜Â
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
22/01/2023 2:18 pm
I know prices are going up. But, it's not just at Mcdonald's. It's everywhere. Are there places you can get a cup of coffee cheaper and just as conveniently? If so, that may be an alternative. I was in Panera last week. Their coffee is $2.49. For some places, this is a matter of survival. With the minimum wage at a stratospheric height and many places paying even more, just because the job market has become so competitive, most fast-food restaurants can't afford to forego price increases.Â
Have you asked for a senior discount? Some Mcdonald's provide them. The one in our town gives free coffee to seniors. Chick Fil A will give seniors a free cup of coffee with purchase. So, they're trying, at least.
I've taken to enrolling in everyone's loyalty programs. McDonald's gives points with every purchase. The free food or drink you can get by accumulating points helps to keep the average price down. I learned this lesson with Starbucks a long time ago. Their rewards program is liberal with their stars. Using them brings the average price of a cup of coffee there all the way down to merely outrageous! 😜Â
Hi John...I'm totally on board with everything you said. What it really comes down to is this, spending the $1.59 EVERY day. Here and there, once in awhile, I've no issue with it. But when it becomes what it would be every day, then I put some thought in to it. Over the cold snowy months, I make my coffee at home, and that setup works great. Regarding the senior coffee at McDonalds, yes they offer it here, I think it's a dollar or so. But of course it's a smaller size, amounting to 1 cup of coffee, where as the "Large" coffee I purchase amounts to about 2 and half cups. And my little coffee maker at home makes exactly 2 1/2 cups. Thanks John, your input and this entire thread has been a fun discussion. Â
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
John Kuvakas reacted