double shot or strong coffee

GrindOnDemand

chefrob, you've hit the proverbial on the proverbial ... premium-price paid by the customer depends not only on the quality of the goods, but the whole 'feel' of your op. My reckoning, know your demographic's psyche, pitch the music & 'feel', then give them a bloody good coffee that gives 'em a yearn to return! Tony

donnas650

In Adelaide, if I could consistently get a double shot flat white $3-3.50, I would be happy. Also, assuming it tastes good. However, $4 would be where most places start, with the exception of a few places. Some places charge $4.50-$5 for a large and that isn't even a double shot. A new drive through coffee place called Muzz Buzz charge about $6 for a large double shot. And what is worst, their coffee is really bad. I only tried it once. Very American(I know, as the person with me at the time said so, and she is American). I have no issue with that, just bad coffee. I have also noticed recently(with yesterday being the most recent experience) that a lot of baristas(if you can call half of these people that) don't wipe or rinse the group head before making another coffee. Surely this is coffee making 101. Anyway, back to the topic, some places in Adelaide do charge for a double shot, some don't. It seems like no rules apply here and even bad coffee shops do well. Go Figure.

donnas650

I went to Greek on Halifax(Adelaide) yesterday and got two large(not huge) takeaway coffees. Based on size, I thought it had better be double shots. It cost $5 each. After I got the coffees, I asked what it would have been for a single shot(which would have meant a weak coffee) and I was told it would have been $4. This is the problem with coffee shops. Who is regulating this? I would gladly pay $5 for a great coffee. This wasn't one. Coffee shops can charge what they want for poor quality coffee and people will still buy from them. They can charge extra for an extra shot, soy, decaf or it just being a Friday. I just want a coffee thats strength is consistent with the size of the serving and I shouldn't have to pay extra for that.

sketchy

[quote]I went to Greek on Halifax(Adelaide) yesterday and got two large(not huge) takeaway coffees.

DoubleRistretto

$5 for a double or $4.00 for a single shot is outrageous in anyone's language - and for Adelaide that's a joke. Even is Sydney you never get much above $3.00 and $3.50 [dble] Spread the word to all your friends and colleagues to avoid this palce, or better still, organise a boycott! dR 8-)

espressopronto

We price all coffee in house for $4 - it is an upmarket boutique cafe in the CBD and customers have said they are more than happy to pay this price for good coffee and service. but i agree with the coffee guy and say that that price should include options for the customers. soy, skim, or full cream, decaf or caf. they are just options and inclusive in the base price. things that should be charged extra for are syrups (if you do them) double shots (hey potentially thats a shot that could be used for another coffee - if you don't charge 30 or 50 cents, it's kind of like wasting $4 every time you give that away for free!) HOWEVER when a customer asks for strong that is not the same as a double shot. if they are a first time customer i will asume they don't know what they are talking about because our coffee is fairly strong anyway and will just make it less creamy or milky and pour it to maintain the crema at all costs so they get the max impact. you'd be surprised how not doing latte art does make a huge taste difference to certain customers. if, however they have already tried the coffee and want it stronger, i will suggest they go for an extra shot and let them know it's an extra 50 cents. they are uaually fine with that, and you've just upsold to a repeat customer who will probably order it again. however having said that, why is it that some places charge more for a ristretto than an espresso?? shouldn't they be the same price as you're using the same amount of coffee??? -jj

donnas650

The problem isn't paying for an extra shot. The problem is paying for a second shot. See, if I get a normal size coffee I am happy with one shot. If I am getting a large coffee, I expect a double shot, as I am paying for a larger size anyway. Why should I pay for that extra shot on top of the larger size coffee. The consistency is gone if I get a large coffee with a single shot. I am paying for a large coffee, but it is weak due to one shot. It would be like if I paid for premium petrol, and it was watered down, but for me to get the right consistency, I am paying extra on top of the premium price. That extra shot doesn't cost the seller $4, so you aren't losing $4. If you were to charge an extra $1 per shot, you are losing that potential dollar. You could also lose customers through this. That is the trade off. If I go into a coffee shop, I don't know what to order as there is no standard or consistency. It isn't that I don't know what I am talking about, it is just that I am unfamiliar with this shop. I normally ask what will be a decent strength, but not be overly strong and go from there. I can appreciate paying extra if someone wants an extra shot that wouldn't be needed to maintain consistency and for less used items such as decaf, soy, etc., but if I had to pay extra for full cream or an extra shot needed for a consistent strength and I am already paying extra for the next size up, you will lose me as a customer and many more people.

espressopronto

the extra shot i was referring to was for the standard size. for larger coffees of course we put in two shots as part of the price. if the cup size changes, you adjust amount of coffee so that the proportions of espresso to milk are right. obviously you misread my last post, donnas650 whatever size cup you choose, you get the apporpriate proportion of espresso to milk. that standard also applies to a larger size. if you asked for a large milk based coffee in my cafe with an extra shot, i would inform you that the price already includes two shots as the cup is larger, and then discuss with you if you would like a triple shot or not and explain to you the difference. although i may mock silly customers here, in the air of sarcasm and indifference, it is a practice of mine to educate every single customer on coffee. even the regulars and coffee afficianados love discussing coffee, it's origin, everything. that's part of customer service, keeping the customer happy while they are waiting, and making the potential customers feel welcome and included. people who knew nothing about coffee other than their experiences with starbucks and granny's nescafe moments become informed and excited about coffee after stepping into my cafe. by the way, our take away prices are obviously cheaper. if you have good quality coffee, professional baristas, friendly staff and celebrity clientele, trust me, your customers would be more than happy to pay $4 for a little piece of heaven too.

donnas650

The post wasn't misread Espressopronto. You didn't refer to size. However, I was posting my response in relation to a number of posts, not just yours, so please don't think it was aimed directly at you. That wasn't my intention. I agree with what you say, and I think it is great that you endeavour to inform all your patrons of the finer points of coffee. I love it when an informed and talented barista takes the time to discuss coffee. $4 for a standard dine in coffee is probably a little steep for a coffee in Adelaide, however, if it was a large takeaway coffee with proportionate strength I would gladly pay up to and more. My issue is paying extra for a shot when that shot should be there. 50c for an extra shot would not concern me at all. $1.00(as I have been charged before) for an extra shot when it should have been included anyway to keep appropriate proportion was my issue. As for latte art, I actually made a comment about that today. I went to a place in North Adelaide that has been opened for 3 months. The latte art on my flat white and my Mum's latte was decent. The coffees were a little cold for my liking and I said to my Mum that I would prefer a decent coffee with poor latte art over latte art on a bad coffee.

GrindOnDemand

With the price of milk on the constant rise, maybe those customers who order 'weak' coffees should be paying extra - for the milk & the annoyance factor! :🙂

donnas650

Haha. I would go with that. ;D

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