Making Coffee for Work Mates

[cc2 Member Find all posts View Profile Close cc2]

I work with 3 guys, plus next door have 4 employees who are in and out and if im in the middle of making coffee I offer them too. So I probably make anywhere from 4 to 8 coffees twice a day.

I have my own grinder and aeropress at work and dont mind at all making coffee for everyone but its starting to add up for a single girl with a mortgage.

Do you think it would be rude to get a money box and asking them for like $1 a coffee? Obviously I wouldnt want to make money - just want to cover costs.

[Dennis Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dennis]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

Do you think it would be rude to get a money box and asking them for like $1 a coffee?

Actually, I think its rude that they havent offered to help out in some way. Perhaps explain that youre happy to make it, point out the costs involved, and ask them to suggest a solution.

So, where do you work and can I drop in for coffee? ;D

[cc2 Member Find all posts View Profile Close cc2]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

Thanks Dennis, I will bring it up tomorrow and see what they say. I hate having to talk to people about money - always makes me uncomfortable.

You can drop in for a coffee anytime - might be quite a drive for you to Brissy Planning on moving back to Sydney at the end of the year though so might be me dropping in on you!

[Dennis Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dennis]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

Planning on moving back to Sydney at the end of the year though so might be me dropping in on you!

Youre welcome - coffee will cost you $1.00.

[melicious Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close melicious]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

Thanks Dennis, I will bring it up tomorrow and see what they say. I hate having to talk to people about money - always makes me uncomfortable.

Hey Im the same - maybe face them with the inevitable to kick off the conversation: next time youre running low on the beans, let it run out and explain youd not bought more yet because of the cost...
Might be a softer way to start talking about the issue than trying to just come right out and say it when theres still lots of beans to be seen.

Or maybe rotate the coffee purchase? Make it a matter of pride - everyone gets to show off a nice coffee theyve found by bringing some in when its their turn.

[maheel Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maheel]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

.

Or maybe rotate the coffee purchase? Make it a matter of pride - everyone gets to show off a nice coffee theyve found by bringing some in when its their turn.

lol till the "supermarket" preground brick shows up..........

just tell them YOU (not work) are buying the coffee etc, ask em for a few bucks to buy some MORE each week

keep it simple and honest,

people like that and most will ask "how much" and give it to you.

[bolb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bolb]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

To me the answer is simple, YES.
How much you charge depends on what its costing you, are you also personally paying for milk etc. as the creamy white stuff isnt getting any cheaper these days.

Just flat out tell them that you cant keep funding their free coffee and tell them they need to pay "x" costs to cover each coffee.

If you also outline what the costs are then they should have a problem and will certainly know that you are not trying to make a quick buck out of them. I have found that people are more than happy to spend $3 on a coffee from a cafee but balk at that from other sources if they feel the other source is just trying to make money.

Personally i think you should factor a tiny % in to cover maintenance costs of your aeropress. What if it dies one day, it would be premature when comparing your own personal consumption to the over all number of coffees you are making.

My 2 cents.
Mal

[cc2 Member Find all posts View Profile Close cc2]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. I decided to mention it to the boss to start with and he said they were talking about it last week so he pulled everyone into the office and we all had a chat - decided on $1 a coffee which I think will more than cover costs (I roast at work so I only pay for the green beans and the milk) they were happy to pay more but I said $1 is fine and in a month we will revise if needed.

I am slowly turning them into coffee snobs too - they even started discussing everyone throwing in and buying a better grinder for work!

[Magic_Matt Should Know Better by Now Find all posts View Profile Close Magic_Matt]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

Id go one better and ask the boss to pay for the lot - just think of the improved productivity youre providing by saving everyone from walking to a cafe and back twice a day!

[flic3352 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flic3352]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

At least your boss has acknowledged the problem without you having to raise it with anyone else and has facilitated the conversation for you. Great that your boss lets you roast at work too - nothing beats that smell wafting through the office! Hopefully now your team is aware, they should also let the neighbouring office know that they will need to chip in as well. You could also look at a slight increase in cost per cup to start saving for the maintenance and upkeep of the machine in the future.... But, sounds like a good outcome!

[Rocky Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rocky]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

I can relate to your situation. In my last two workplaces I have made a concerted effort to get a coffee-club going. (whats life without a convivial coffee at morning tea time?) This involved me buying the coffee and brewing it up a few times a week. It was amazing how long it took for someone to bring in a bag of coffee, but they eventually got it. It didnt really bother me that I was bearing all the cost & effort, but I DID think it would be good manners for people to acknowledge this and have an occasional shout. I am a bit of a student of human nature and it always amuses me to see how people react to different kinds of stimulii. Its rewarding when people do the right thing.

[scoota_gal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scoota_gal]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

Excellent outcome by the sounds of it, cc2! You did the right thing by approaching your boss first, IMO.

[melicious Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close melicious]

Re: Making Coffee for Work Mates

Nicely done indeed! What a great boss - and it sounds like your workmates are good people too!