Texpat

By The Wall Street Journal
23 Jan 08

Starbucks, the company that popularized the $4 cup of coffee, is testing a $1 cup and free refills of some of its offerings.

The Seattle coffee giant is experimenting with selling the $1 "short" brew in its hometown area, spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil confirmed.

The 8-ounce short size isn't on Starbucks' menu but has long been ordered by in-the-know patrons. Typically, a short brewed coffee would sell for about $1.50, although that can vary by several cents depending on the store.
Starbucks is also testing the offer of free refills for traditional brewed coffee in the Seattle area.

O'Neil wouldn't elaborate on the specifics of the tests or say how many stores are offering it. She said the tests aren't indicative of any new business strategy.
The $1 test undercuts even low-cost coffee purveyors, including McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts, whose coffees generally start in the low $1-plus range.
Although most sit-down restaurants top off customers' coffee free, specialty cafes have largely stayed away from the practice.

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Now we're talkin. If they could just get rid of the greesy creeps with skanky beards and dopey face piercings.