Analysis

While coffee is not a requirement for mankind to survive, like water, food and shelter, it is what many consider to be essential to get through the day.

So much that it became a world-wide commodity by the late 1800s, according to PBS. Especially now with branded and independent shops throughout the world, and the ingredients able to be bought in stores and made at home supposedly for less, the drink remains a staple.

But for students at Murray State, the price to make your own coffee at home, without considering the cost of electricity to power the coffee machine, and the price of the coffee machine — would start at $43.09.

This example of Fast Track’s prices is the single 24 pack of Starbucks Veranda blend K-cups. According to Dictionary.com, this is identical to price gouging when considering the prices of similar products sold by other competitors, even when considering the cost to drive.

At Walmart, a 22 count of Starbucks Veranda blend K-cups would cost $15.24 before tax according to its online website, at the time of publication. Also, a larger 44 count of K-cups is $31.66 before tax, double the amount for cheaper.

At Kroger, a 32 count is also cheaper than Fast Track’s 24, costs $32.99, and a 44 costs $34.99 at the time of publication. While two 10-count packs from Walgreens, equaling 20 K-cups, costs all together $26.98.

All the while, a 32 count costs $29.69 at CVS.

A gallon of gas in Calloway County costs on average $2.589, according to AAA, so with each of these locations distancing around a mile would cost that much added onto the purchase made for coffee if a student decided to leave campus.

This means it is cheaper for a student to leave Murray State University, get into their car, if they have one, and drive to any of these four locations, purchase any of these products to have near equal, if not double the amount of coffee, than it would be to walk to Fast Track and purchase from there.

But at the same time, tampons are cheaper at Fast Track.

The available brand found in the store is 10-count Tampax regular tampons for $4.19 before tax, at around 42 cents per tampon. At Walmart for the same count, the same amount is $8.14 before tax, at around 81 cents per tampon. 

While the tampons can be found in each of aforementioned locations in larger packs for a few dollars more, Fast Track still offers the most affordable price for students. Also, its convenient location allows students to purchase them in an emergency.