Starbucks Drinks - Love 'Em or Leave 'Em?

One thing is for certain, Starbucks can claim millions of raving fans for customers!

At the same time, Starbucks brings out the passion in it's many detractors and adversaries.

So, when it comes to Starbucks drinks, in which category do you fall? Are you a fan or naysayer?

Be sure to share your opinion - don't forget to vote below.

For millions of happy customers, nothing compares to that daily Starbucks Latte or Caramel Machiatto.

I see the genuine passion that customers have for Starbucks every time I step foot in one of the stores.

In my book, Starbucks has successfully created legions of raving fans.

I recently came across the following example of a true Starbucks raving fan over at Yahoo answers. A young lady was looking for a sign with the Starbucks logo that she could give her brother for Christmas. This basically sums it up for me!

She asks ...

"If you've ever been in Starbucks, you've probably seen the circular green sign with the logo on it hanging on the wall. I'm wondering where I can buy one just like it. My brother really wants one for Christmas because he just recently painted his room to look like Starbucks and that would look so cool in there."

Hey, not only has her brother decorated his room to look like the inside of a Starbucks store (a true fan), she's willing to go to the extreme of locating a Starbucks sign with logo to put the finishing touch on her brother's decor!

This reminds me of a similar "raving fan" phenomena that Harley Davidson motorcycles has achieved with their customers. Harley Davidson fans take this a step further and are willing to tattoo the Harley logo on their body. Talk about wearing the company logo permanently tattooed on your skin. Now that's self-branding customer loyalty!

I haven't seen anyone with the Starbucks mermaid tattooed on their person yet, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Now help me understand. This kind of customer loyalty has gotta be more than the Starbucks drinks, right?

For me personally, Starbucks does not define the best. I'm just not a fan of all the milk and foam and syrup. I think a great coffee stands on it's own, and doesn't need all the other additives to mask or cover up the true coffee essence.

Just give me a strong robust brew. Or better yet, a double espresso please.

But I get the popularity of these coffee drinks. Starbucks has hit a sweet spot in capturing the demand of an enthusiastic and thirsty coffee drinking crowd.

BTW, if you're looking for a helpful Starbucks Drinks ordering guide, see How To Order Starbucks Drinks.

In the end, although I prefer coffee and espresso prepared with more finesse than Starbucks offers, I believe Starbucks is a positive force in the coffee industry.

They have introduced the concept of specialty coffee to millions. And this creates great opportunity for specialty coffee houses to fill the gap with a better product and continue to raise the bar.

In fact, this occurs in many markets and cities throughout the US. Contrary to the common complaint that Starbucks drives the independent local coffee houses and smaller specialized coffee house chains out of business, the evidence and numbers indicate otherwise.

According to a Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) research document, as of 2005, 60% of the coffee houses in operation were independents (1 to 3 stores) and micro chains (4 to 9 stores). Only 40% of the coffee houses were operated by large commercial chains such as Starbucks.

In many ways, Starbucks has helped create an expanding and growing market for specialty coffee. And competition is healthy.

So please speak up and tell us what you think. Are you a big fan of the Starbucks drinks?

Or do you seek your coffee pleasure elsewhere?

Take our "fan or naysayer" poll below and cast your vote!

A discount Starbucks gift card is a good way to save money on Starbucks drinks. Help trim down that Starbucks budget.

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