[vharuck]

>Would you be willing to patronise a shop that charges 50% more for coffee than the shop next to it because it pays its workers more? I'd bet not.

I'm not a business owner, but from a customer's point of view, I regularly settle on my favorite stores for reasons other than price. As long as it's not exorbitantly priced (e.g., $8 coffees in a small city), I prefer places that have good atmosphere, offer quality products and service, and become part of the community. A coffee shop that displays and sells works from local artists is better than a Dunkin Donuts.

My wife chooses where to shop and eat by price, and I hate it. We end up saving some money but often not enjoying it (cheap batteries that need frequent replacement, foul-tasting marinara, etc.). No matter how thrifty we were, I just see it as paying to be less happy.