Starbucks vs Tim Hortons, Version 2.0

I have mentioned in previous posts that I would be doing another post on Starbucks versus Tim Horton's. Well as I was getting my second coffee of the morning before I got to work I found out that not only has Tim Horton's raised their price of coffee but also Starbucks as well. Last time the price of a cup of coffee went up, it did not bother me at all. However this time it did; it was a little different this time.

This time I found out about a 5 cent increase to the price of coffee at Starbucks, no real big deal there, earlier this week Tim Horton's raised their prices by 7 cents to keep up with competition. This is what was different; not only was my morning coffee higher than yesterday, but also my coffee at lunch was an additional 4 cents higher than my morning coffee from the same coffee shop! That just really bothered me, last time I checked it was coffee and not the stock market.

The part that bothers me the most is that at least if you go to Timmie's and get a large double double they will put the cream and sugar in the coffee for you. Tim Horton's has far superior service compared to the treatment you get at Starbucks. Not only is Starbucks over priced but you also have to put the cream and sugar in your coffee yourself. Some people like that but to me it just shows a lack of service and for the new price of Grande Bold, you shouldn't have to carry a lidless cup of hot coffee over to a cluttered counter top to make your coffee.

I know that Starbucks mostly gives black coffee to different patrons, the whole atmosphere is different including the retro music playing throughout the shop. Whereas Tim Horton's offers you much better value for your money, except maybe in the choice of coffee blends they offer. On most days going through a busy drive through at Tim Horton's will take 15 minutes at most, over at Starbucks you have to wait about 15 minutes in the drive through when there is only one car in front of you. Makes me ask the question: "What are they growing the coffee first?" Maybe I'm just a little impatient but come on, it does not take 15 minutes to pour three or four coffees and put cream and sugar in them.

In any case I am just blowing off some steam because seeing two price increases in one day really got me angry. We get gouged everywhere else, why not at the coffee shop too, right? Anyway I am sure every one has their own opinions on these two coffee franchises, this is just my opinion anyway. How about sharing your opinion?

Image: 2 coffee cups photographed with a Samsung m300 cell phone.

Disclaimer: Logos shown in picture are trademarks of their respective companies.

Tim Hortons Vs Starbucks

Where to start when comparing Tim Horton's and Starbucks. Logically, the most common item in both chains is coffee! But which coffee offers the better value for your dollar? Most people I have talked to swear by a coffee from 'Timmie's' first thing in the morning, although I have a few friends that don't care for Tim Horton's coffee.

Obvious to anyone who has been a patron at both coffee chains, Tim Horton's coffee is offered at a lower price than Starbucks. For example, a large coffee at Tim Horton's will drain your pocket by $1.39 with applicable taxes in my area, whereas a "grande" coffee at Starbucks will delightfully remove $2.01 from your pocket. Now with the price of a similar size cup of coffee out in the open, which is the better value for your dollar?

The better value for your dollar is some what a matter of opinion and taste when choosing between Tim Horton's and Starbucks. Tim Horton's has sold an impressive amount of coffee throughout the years, and so has Starbucks respectfully. Starbucks has variety of different coffees from around the world, and Tim Horton's has their own blend of coffee. If you prefer a more exotic coffee, than Starbucks would give you the better value for your dollar. If you just love coffee then either coffee shop will give you the better value for your dollar, its a matter of taste and opinion.

I enjoy coffee from both coffee shops and will continue to go to either one of them. Every now and then an exotic coffee hits the spot, but when you just have to have a coffee, especially late at night, you can find a Tim Horton's in most Canadian cities. In fact, here in my city, you really won't have a hard time finding a Tim Horton's, considering there are four Tim Horton's with in walking distance of my front door!

In conclusion, its really up to you to decide which is better. I enjoy both and sometimes have trouble deciding which coffee shop to get my morning cup of coffee from!