How much would you pay for a cup of coffee?

BigV • Feb 7, 2007 2:46 pm
If you answered $3, and 99 of your like minded friends visited Terra Bite each day, it could be a going concern, and going contrary to conventional economic wisdom. I think I'll have lunch there today.

With its blood-red walls and black leather sofas, Kirkland's Terra Bite Lounge looks like any other coffee shop — until you get to the menu. There are no prices listed. Terra Bite doesn't have them.

You read that right: No prices. Customers pay what and when they like, or not at all — it makes no difference to the cafe employees, who are instructed not to peek when people put money in the metal lock box.

"Does it really matter to any of our patrons ... whether they pay a dollar or three dollars or five dollars?" said Terra Bite founder Ervin Peretz, a 37-year-old Google programmer.

He doesn't think so, at least not in the comfortable lakeside enclave that is downtown Kirkland.

Through his "voluntary payment" cafe, Peretz is poised to become the Robin Hood of the Starbucks set. Using an efficient, low-overhead business model and narrow profit margin, he figures he can finesse the largesse of well-off latte lovers to cover the tabs of the less fortunate.


You may think this guy's off his rocker, but his "business" model does have precedent.
xoxoxoBruce • Feb 7, 2007 2:57 pm
Kirkland may be one of the few places he can pull it off. :confused:
Cloud • Feb 7, 2007 3:04 pm
that's . . . very strange
rkzenrage • Feb 7, 2007 3:05 pm
I would pay $4 for a large coffee, if it was a really good coffee.
More for a good white chocolate soy mocha.
Flint • Feb 7, 2007 4:15 pm
[COLOR="Blue"]Homer takes Lisa to the museum and sees the sign: "Suggested donation: $4.50"

Homer: Eh, what do you mean by "suggested donation"?
Clerk: Pay any amount you wish, sir.
Homer: And uh, what if I wish to pay ... zero?
Clerk: That is up to you.
Homer: Ooh, so it's up to me, is it?
Clerk: Yes.
Homer: I see. And you think that people are going to pay you $4.50 even though they don't have to? Just out of the goodness of their... [laughs] Well, anything you say! Good luck, lady, you're gonna need it![/COLOR]

__________________

Actually the funniest part is right after that, when Lisa's substitute, Mr. Bergstrom, shows up and Homer tries to tell him that he doesn't have to pay. But the all the Simpsons quotes pages I looked at cut off just before that point.

This is from the episode "Lisa's Substitute" and I always thought Mr. Bergstrom was Dustin Hoffman, well apparently it was:

[COLOR="Blue"]Who was Sam Etic? (29 Apr 91 USA TODAY)

If you saw Fox's `The Simpsons' Thursday, you may have noticed a new voice in the credits---Sam Enid [sic]. Enid's voice sure sounded familiar, almost like Dustin Hoffman. And gee, there sure were a lot of references in `The Simpsons' to Hoffman's first hit, `The Graduate', thrown into a story about Lisa falling into love with her substitute teacher. Shazam! It turns out Enid is none other than Hoffman, whose contract with `The Simpsons' stated that his real name could not be used on the credits or in publicity.[/COLOR]

All this was from here, btw. Somewhere in there, something, I think, had something to do with this thread.
Shawnee123 • Feb 7, 2007 4:19 pm
Wimpy wrote:
I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today
LabRat • Feb 7, 2007 4:21 pm
I'm curious where the start-up funds came from for this business. Though I have no knowledge of business loans, I can't imageing very mant banks that would lend to start a "pay what you can" business.

That being said, I think it's quite interesting, and would pay what I think the food/drink was worth, on any given day. Let's hope I'm in a good mood most days ;).

Doubt a place like this would make it in a college town.
Happy Monkey • Feb 7, 2007 4:47 pm
Just think of all the people who just have 10s and 20s, and don't want to ask for change.
BigV • Feb 7, 2007 7:42 pm
As far as I know, "change" is not an option, since in an effort to eliminate the social pressure of "I better pay something since all these people are looking" effect, he provides a locked metal box for you to slip your envelope into at the end of your stay. Also, he mentions enjoying the food drink and convenience all week and then dropping a $20 in the box. And there's a paypal link on the restaurant's homepage. I could pay from my desk, then drive over and eat and drink.

But today was McD's. :( High grub factor. taste*convenience/$
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 7, 2007 7:56 pm
rkzenrage;313643 wrote:
I would pay $4 for a large coffee, if it was a really good coffee.
More for a good white chocolate soy mocha.



What is it with this new coffee fad?....I won`t pay more than a dollar fifty for any cup. You go into these these new age beatnik coffee houses and get a luke warm bad tasting cup served by some pimple faced birkenstocked wearing college student without even hearing a live band or even a poem (But they still got the beatnik chess dudes).

Haaaaaa....Haaaaaa..
Aliantha • Feb 7, 2007 8:18 pm
Recently over here an immigrant with a very similar business plan was awarded the 'Local Hero' award. Here are the details.

I think it's a fantastic idea, and if some people don't pay what they can afford or should pay, then karma will bite them on the arse in the end anyway.
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 7, 2007 8:28 pm
Aliantha;313735 wrote:
Recently over here an immigrant with a very similar business plan was awarded the 'Local Hero' award. Here are the details.

I think it's a fantastic idea, and if some people don't pay what they can afford or should pay, then karma will bite them on the arse in the end anyway.



What no bongos or a Peter Paul And Mary lookalike?
Aliantha • Feb 7, 2007 8:30 pm
Ronald, are you trying to be rude on purpose or was it an accident?
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 7, 2007 8:36 pm
Aliantha;313746 wrote:
Ronald, are you trying to be rude on purpose or was it an accident?




Humorous!
monster • Feb 7, 2007 8:50 pm
Our elementary school does yearbooks and t-shirts etc on a "suggested donation" basis. If people wnat to pay less or nothing, they can. We ask people to donate more than the suggested amount if they can, to cover the cost for those who want one but cannot afford ithe suggested donation. We never make a loss.

The (co-operative, non-profit) preschool switched from a set purchase price, no freebies to a pay-what-you-can policy and they sold more items and took more money in.

If you give people the freedom to choose not to pay, they rarely do -you take all they joy of "cheating" out of it and add an element of pride in honesty. imo.
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 7, 2007 9:12 pm
monster;313756 wrote:
Our elementary school does yearbooks and t-shirts etc on a "suggested donation" basis. If people wnat to pay less or nothing, they can. We ask people to donate more than the suggested amount if they can, to cover the cost for those who want one but cannot afford ithe suggested donation. We never make a loss.

The (co-operative, non-profit) preschool switched from a set purchase price, no freebies to a pay-what-you-can policy and they sold more items and took more money in.

If you give people the freedom to choose not to pay, they rarely do -you take all they joy of "cheating" out of it and add an element of pride in honesty. imo.



Hmmm...sounds similar to this.......






From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (or needs) is a slogan popularized by Karl Marx in his 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program. The phrase summarizes the idea that, under a communist system, every person shall produce to the best of their ability in accordance with their talent, and each person shall receive the fruits of this production in accordance with their need, irrespective of what they have produced. In the Marxist view, such an arrangement will be made possible by the abundance of goods and services that a developed communist society will produce; the idea is that there will be enough to satisfy everyone's needs
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 7, 2007 9:16 pm
Some horses need to be beat..even dead ones!
DucksNuts • Feb 7, 2007 9:58 pm
Wasnt meant for this thread Ronald, I blonded out :)
monster • Feb 7, 2007 10:10 pm
Ronald Cherrycoke;313766 wrote:
Hmmm...sounds similar to this.......






From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (or needs) is a slogan popularized by Karl Marx in his 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program. The phrase summarizes the idea that, under a communist system, every person shall produce to the best of their ability in accordance with their talent, and each person shall receive the fruits of this production in accordance with their need, irrespective of what they have produced. In the Marxist view, such an arrangement will be made possible by the abundance of goods and services that a developed communist society will produce; the idea is that there will be enough to satisfy everyone's needs


So.....???

Similarity is not the same as being the same. And even if it was, do you have a problem with it? Nobody is being forced to do anything they don't want to......
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 7, 2007 10:18 pm
Nobody is being forced to do anything they don't want to...


With liberal fascist that would be the next step...right?...shame them...then outlaw dissent.
Ibby • Feb 7, 2007 10:25 pm
Ronald... seriously dude, are you fuckin' high?
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 7, 2007 10:28 pm
Ibram;313801 wrote:
Ronald... seriously dude, are you fuckin' high?




No...but if you want I can score for you.
monster • Feb 7, 2007 10:35 pm
Ronald Cherrycoke;313797 wrote:
Nobody is being forced to do anything they don't want to...


With liberal fascist that would be the next step...right?...shame them...then outlaw dissent.


???

are you calling us liberal fascists? and if so why? and what do you actually mean by that? or are you just a troll?
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 7, 2007 10:43 pm
monster;313804 wrote:
???

are you calling us liberal fascists? and if so why? and what do you actually mean by that? or are you just a troll?



I don`t know...tell me.... most liberals seem to me to be a sort of fascist...as are socialists and commies.
monster • Feb 7, 2007 10:54 pm
mmmkay. seems to me you have stereotype blinkers on. Obviously you need the explicit questions directly before you, one by one. Let's start with:

(a) what makes you think that we (the people who make pay-as-you-feel-able work) are liberals? (a.2) Are non-liberals unable to be honest?
(b) why is being a liberal bad?
(c) why do liberals seems fascist to you?
(d) why is fascist bad?
(e) why is socialist bad?
(f) what is a socialist?
(g) what is a commie?
(h) how cold is it under that bridge?
lumberjim • Feb 7, 2007 11:22 pm
patronage is optional, communism is not. bad analogy.

it is obvious, however by the reaction to it that we hunger for a troll.

could you just play along and make some really offensive and provocative statements?
incommunicadocat • Feb 7, 2007 11:41 pm
LJ, I've fallen in love with the lovely who is modelling the blue hoodie with such pizzaz on zazzle.
I may never click on a link again, too dangerous.
I'm still having palpitations.
piercehawkeye45 • Feb 8, 2007 1:43 am
Ronald Cherrycoke;313797 wrote:
Nobody is being forced to do anything they don't want to...


With liberal fascist that would be the next step...right?...shame them...then outlaw dissent.

Ummm....fascists are right winged buddy.
Aliantha • Feb 8, 2007 3:40 am
Don't be so hard on Ronald. He can't help it if he's directionally challenged.
Griff • Feb 8, 2007 5:30 pm
The pay what you think its worth model is pretty common in farm stands and is generally assumed to provide more jingle.
Cloud • Feb 8, 2007 6:32 pm
I have to admit there have been times when I would be willing to pay --- quite a LOT for a cup of coffee.

But on an ordinary day at an ordinary coffee shop--no.
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 8, 2007 6:56 pm
monster;313811 wrote:
mmmkay. seems to me you have stereotype blinkers on. Obviously you need the explicit questions directly before you, one by one. Let's start with:

(a) what makes you think that we (the people who make pay-as-you-feel-able work) are liberals? (a.2) Are non-liberals unable to be honest?
(b) why is being a liberal bad?
(c) why do liberals seems fascist to you?
(d) why is fascist bad?
(e) why is socialist bad?
(f) what is a socialist?
(g) what is a commie?
(h) how cold is it under that bridge?


In my youth I was a hippie,a soldier,an anarchist ,a democrat and then I saw the light (during an acid trip) and became a conservative. I know how liberal weenie minds work. Liberals=Commie-lite.


HAAAAAAAA....HAAAAAAAA.....
Perry Winkle • Feb 8, 2007 7:05 pm
I hold no political or ideological position.

I want to look into seeing what it takes to start one of these...
piercehawkeye45 • Feb 8, 2007 8:01 pm
Ronald Cherrycoke;314108 wrote:
In my youth I was a hippie,a soldier,an anarchist ,a democrat and then I saw the light (during an acid trip) and became a conservative. I know how liberal weenie minds work. Liberals=Commie-lite.


HAAAAAAAA....HAAAAAAAA.....

I used to be more conservative...it doesn't mean one is right and one is wrong.
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 8, 2007 8:13 pm
piercehawkeye45;314127 wrote:
I used to be more conservative...it doesn't mean one is right and one is wrong.



luke warm middle of the fence comment...but something ultimately has to be right or wrong.....Right?
Aliantha • Feb 8, 2007 8:34 pm
wrong
footfootfoot • Feb 8, 2007 8:47 pm
Unless I had a religious experience directly related to the coffee I was drinking, I'd pay 95 cents to 1.50 for a cup of coffee. I drink it black, so they'll save on the milk and sugar aspect of my bevvy.

The best coffee I've ever had was in seattle. I doubt you could get shitty coffee in seattle any sooner than you could get shitty beer in germany. So that just raises the bar for them, vis a vis blowing my coffee socks off.

Hell, even the Wharf (if it's still there) had great joe.

So yeah, keep your google job, I have high flavor standards. Maybe if it was fair trade, organic, politically correct, no coca fields were razed to grow this coffee, I might go to 2.00

I'm a cheap guy.
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 8, 2007 8:59 pm
For Christmas I got 2 pounds of Mexican coffee from a dude that lives down there. It was really good and strong...the way I like it..but since I only drink about 3 cups a day I won`t spend any extra money for coffee..unless poetry and beatniks are included!
monster • Feb 8, 2007 9:36 pm
footfootfoot;314147 wrote:
I drink it black,
Coffee of color?
footfootfoot • Feb 8, 2007 10:45 pm
Hot and black, like my






driveway in August
piercehawkeye45 • Feb 8, 2007 11:10 pm
Ronald Cherrycoke;314132 wrote:
luke warm middle of the fence comment...but something ultimately has to be right or wrong.....Right?

Just like how we see in black and white.....

Or maybe that is just me...
Ronald Cherrycoke • Feb 8, 2007 11:35 pm
piercehawkeye45;314196 wrote:
Just like how we see in black and white.....

Or maybe that is just me...


Wooow...that`s really deep dude.....
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