Why is Starbucks the model for the American Coffeehouse, when I can get better-tasting coffee, cheaper, served to me by a friendlier barista, at any.... Why is Starbucks the model for the American Coffeehouse, when I can get better-tasting coffee, cheaper, served to me by a friendlier barista, at any of the independent coffeehouses I go to in the course of my week?

Why is Home Depot so big when I can find a greater variety of the parts and tools I occasionally need (though not as many of each item) at my neighborhood hardware stores, and place a special order if I have to? (Special orders are taboo at bigboxes.)

If efficiencies of scale really do work, how come I can get better produce cheaper, and in greater variety, at my local greengrocer at the Farmers Market than at Ralphs or even Whole Foods?

Could it be that the efficiencies of corporate entities function not to provide the customer with product, but to redistribute money from neighborhood to headquarters with the least return of quality to customer?

Think globally; shop locally. Buy from neighbors, so they can buy from you. Get real coffee, even if it does cost less than at Starbucks. Enjoy life. And remember: they're lying to you on TV.