It is and always will be about choice. If you want the product and are willing to pay and you like it, then go. If not, then dont. The market decides what is good and what isnt, and it is no accident that Starbucks has been succesful.

Not a coffee drinker myself, only go for Chai tea. Probably pay more than I need to, but I like it and I choose to. Almost every store is very clean, and the staff is always freindly, with little exception. As with all things, there are those that aren’t, and by sheer numbers alone, we will run into them. But does that make it a bad brand when it occurs once in awhile? Hardly.

Kevin-
Have you tried Celestial Seasoning’s India Chai which you can buy at the grocery store? It’s the best. And cheaper than Starbucks. Have you, for that matter, tried a local coffee shop in your area? I bet their chai is even better, and again, cheaper. You, like most people, support Starbucks because it’s what everyone else does. Cell phones, Ipods, those ugly black velcro sandals people wore with socks, we all want to do what everyone else is doing because it’s “hip” or “cool.” Customers have the overall say where they spend their dollar, not the market. Be an individual for once. Support a local individual’s chai. If it’s not better, then go back to Starbucks, go wear capri pants, go vote for Obama, and go do whatever else everyone else is doing so they won’t look at you funny. -SY