I actually considered downgrading them to a 2 star as a "meh. I've experienced better" because I really have. I actually enjoyed buying my coffee in Ireland. The staff were super enthusiastic, really friendly and chatty. I was generally offered a coffee when I went in and sometimes scored some yummy biscuits.
I've bought countless sleeves of coffee from the boutique here. For the first 6 months they were out of stock of the customer cards so I had to go through the laborious process of spelling out my name each time. G, r, a...no, "a". "A" for...am I the only one who can never think of a clean word when trying to spell things out?!? Anyway, they eventually got some in which is a small mercy. Staff are adequate to somewhat friendly. I have been offered one cup of coffee here in the past 6 months. None since. The woman serving me the other day asked if I had tried a certain type of espresso. I hadn't. She didn't offer to let me. I didn't buy it. I've seen people drinking cups at the bar there so they must give them out. Maybe you have to be aggressive and ask? Maybe they don't like me?
Nespresso as a brand has worked hard to create the illusion of exclusivity and a feeling of being in a special club. At home in Ireland, this worked well. It felt like a treat to buy. Here, it's more like I'm being penalised for having bought the machine. Still love the machine and the coffee though so I suppose I'll continue to drag myself in there or start paying for shipping!