(Um, like a $10 Mr. Coffee maker will give you hot coffee for pennies a cup. Damn, $200,000 Harvard education and you can't even figure that out?)
You’re right, of course, about DIY coffee for pennies a cup. But I once asked a “barista” at my local Starbucks what percentage of customers order plain ol’ coffee. Her answer? Ten percent! The other 90% are getting those ridiculous sugar- and syrup- and whipped-cream-filled concoctions! Can’t really make those at home.
I’ve had 3 Cuisinart’s with keep hot burners, this last one is refurbished, looks new, 12 cups, and only dregs are left as 2 old people finish it off.
Had SB once, as it was in the lobby of the casino for hubs 60 yr HS graduation get together. No hostesses for free coffee were on the floor a 8 AM. NASTY stuff. 2 sips later it was in the trash.