The $99 Coffee Mug
I stopped in our local Bruegger’s for lunch the other day and was amazed to see that they’re selling ‘Bottomless Mugs’ for $99. These mugs entitle you to free refills of coffee, tea or soft drinks at participating locations through December 31, 2006. Apparently these mugs go for $125 in some locations, with $25 going to a local charity. I find it hard to believe that anyone would go for this deal, but then again I’m not a coffee drinker. I guess this could turn out to be a pretty good deal if you stop off at Bruegger’s for coffee on a regular basis. After all, buying coffee three times per week at (say) $2.50 a pop works out to $390 over the course of a year. Just be sure not to lose your mug!
Published on December 9th, 2005 - 13 Comments
Filed under: Miscellany
email this article
- bookmark it
About the author: Nickel is the founder and editor-in-chief of this site. He's a thirty-something family man who has been writing about personal finance since 2005, and guess what? He's on Twitter!
Related articles...
» One Year Ago This Week (December 3rd – December 9th)» A Small Step
» Voter Freebies
» Saving for Retirement at the Last Minute
» Weekly Roundup – 03/24/06
» Weekly Roundup – Back to the Grind Edition
» Money Saving Ideas
» Money Saving Tip for the Recently (or Soon-to-Be) Unemployed
Was this article useful? Please sign up to receive our content via e-mail:
Great deals...
Readers’ choice...
Recent articles...
- Effect of Foreclosure, Short Sale, and Bankruptcy on Your Credit Score
- DIY Garage Kayak Racks: Fast, Frugal, and Effective
- Lending Club $25 Bonus Reminder
- Coupons are a Waste?
- How to Save Money on Pet Care
- Best HSA Custodian?
- Considering a High Deductible Health Plan
- Pay Back the Homebuyer Tax Credit?
- How to Find a Good Deal
- How Much Does Your Debt Cost?
Recent comments...
- Gwen: Being a real estate broker certified to handle distressed properties I can tell you...
- Bruce: We offer a free Paypal calculator that works in reverse with your margin or...
- Valerie V.: Good information. A short sale vs. foreclosure involves more than just the credit...
- Jennifer: Hi, I used ”Credit Solution” to settle my debt and avoid bankruptcy. They managed...
- Merry: I have two questions. I have been making an extra regular mortgage payment in...
- iris bobi: I went to contract 4-2009 and going to close on my house either December...
- Tim Rosen: Pros and Cons: Pros: a.) A systematic discipline to save/invest on a regular basis, for a...
- Matt Jabs: @Tim: Thanks, I hope this article helps get even one person on the...
Most talked about...
- Dave Ramsey is Bad at Math
- $8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit
- Dish Network Customer Service SUCKS
- How to Claim the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
- $15,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit
- Reduced Credit Limits? Share Your Experience
- Would the "Fair Tax" Gut the Economy?
- Tax Stimulus Rebate Payments to Start Early
- Pay Off Mortgage Early? Or Invest?
- The Best Online Savings Accounts (Updated!)
- Life's Too Short to Drink Cheap Beer
- $7500 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
Stumble It!
Digg It!
Tip It!
del.ico.us
Facebook
I certainly wouldn’t purchase one. Of course, I drink a gallon plus of water a day, and never drink anything with caffeine.
Comment by Blaine Moore — Dec 9th 2005 @ 8:16 amwow…looks like the annual subscription model has even hit coffee.
Comment by Caitlin — Dec 9th 2005 @ 11:46 amHmmmmm….that’s a really tough one. If it were really close to work or in the lobby of an office complex where I work, I might consider that. A little over $8/month is still more than I pay for my work’s coffee club, which is $2/month, with a couple of months free because there’s no need to buy more supplies.
They’d be smarter to offer it for $39.99 and make full markup on the bagels and other extras when people stop by. Even at 2 cups per workday they’d probably just about break even at that price. A single pot of coffee is easily paid for with the first 8-oz cup sold.
Comment by mbhunter — Dec 9th 2005 @ 9:37 pmAnd their sun-dried tomato bagels with garlic cream cheese is mighty fine, too…
Comment by muckdog — Dec 11th 2005 @ 8:53 pmThe bagel might be good, but I buy mine at a local outlet that gives me a half dozen for less than the cost of one at a bagel shop.
Comment by Blaine Moore — Dec 12th 2005 @ 9:46 amHoly cow! Is coffee really $2.50 at Bruggers? When I do indulge, I get a small drip coffee for $1.40 at Starbucks. I think Bruggers is taking advantage of those who want to contribute to charity. That’s a shame. I do like Bruggers bagels. Our local store closed down and now there are no decent bagels in Seattle.
Comment by Seattle Simplicity — Dec 12th 2005 @ 11:44 am$1.40 is still a rip-off. Says the non coffee (or anything caffeinated) drinker.
Comment by Blaine Moore — Dec 13th 2005 @ 8:22 amHow do we convince Starbucks to follow suit? I guess that would probably be the $999 cup of coffee.
Comment by Jeremy — Dec 23rd 2005 @ 11:13 amHeh, I doubt Starbucks would lower the price of their coffee that much, Jeremy…
Comment by Blaine Moore — Dec 23rd 2005 @ 12:04 pmI’ve been in retail before, so I’m sure they’re hoping for:
1. You buy the mug and then forget about/stop using it
2. It makes you come in to get coffee and since the coffee is “free”, you buy a muffin (or whatever) at $2.50 and think nothing of it.
Retailers are tricky that way.
Comment by FMF — Dec 23rd 2005 @ 2:02 pmI wouldn’t buy it for myself. I am happy with my own homemade coffee but then again I work at home.
If it was a place like Dunkin Donuts I might buy it for my husband since he loves that coffee and usually goes there alot for coffee out of his blow money-so for him a great deal.
Theresa
Comment by Frugal Momma — Dec 24th 2005 @ 5:07 amYep, and he’d likely get a donut or two (who can refuse the creme filled eclairs?) everytime he went. See, I told you they were tricky.
Comment by FMF — Dec 24th 2005 @ 4:05 pmSounds like a good deal, if you like coffee. A place you can go to all year and have a cup of coffee.
Comment by Frank — Aug 23rd 2009 @ 1:31 pm