Waitrose free coffee to require a purchase

[Deleted User]

Hi,

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Waitrose free coffee is unimbibable.

that's easy for you to say, um, umim, um, oh, forget it.

most high street bookies give you a free coffee, but that's to keep you in and bet more or play machines.

Space_Captain

About time too. Will hopefully reduce the coffee queue in my local.
Why do so many people go for the latte ? Takes twice as longer to dispense and has lots more calories.

redfox

This is also encouraging waste because if every 'non shopper'/nearby office worker/passing opportunist/local police constable etc etc buys a plastic bag every day just so they get their coffee for 10p they aren't going to want 7 bags for life every week so they'll end up in landfill.

Exactly what the carrier bag charge was implemented to avoid but now MSE are suggesting doing just that.

POPPYOSCAR

This has been the case in our local one for some time now.

About time it was rolled out across all stores.

The staff told us that the offices would come in and get several cups at a time before a purchase and one per card was introduced.

It was not designed for that and as always abuse gets perks like this stopped for the genuine customer just like what happened with coupons.

moonshine

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

It was not designed for that and as always abuse gets perks like this stopped for the genuine customer just like what happened with coupons.

and when MSE shout it from the rooftops like they did with the coupons. All for a moment's glory for MSE - "look aren't we wonderful telling you (and the whole world) about this wheeze that the supermarkets don't know about. We are so great"

"Doh, the supermarkets found out cos we blabbed and now they've stopped it, sorry. Not our fault."

Much. :mad:

Jojo_fry

I don't see why people would be upset about having to make a purchase in order to get something which is offered as a 'loyalty' reward for 'customers', that's how it's supposed to work anyway isn't it?

Me and my OH go to Waitrose most days to pick up something for dinner (we don't do a weekly shop we just buy whatever is on offer that day) and that's why we started getting the free coffees, as we were in there anyway. I certainly wouldn't bother just going in for the coffee, it's not that nice and they don't do decaff which is what I drink nowadays anyway as I'm pregnant.

Alter_ego

bodacious wrote: »

the coffee machine in my local Waitrose is right near the welcome desk (and the security guard!) so I don't fancy anybody's chances of trying to pull that trick.

I agree wholeheartedly with redfox there should be a minimum spend. Otherwise the taking of the p*** will continue and probably ultimately lead to it being discontinued for all.

Our local has 2 one in the shop at end of an aisle, other near welcome desk which is usually unmanned (and unwomaned)

Edited to appear non sexist.

tboo

After viewing the 'tricks' - MSE like that word 'trick' - from the teen supersaver/skinflint to get a free coffee/tea I think Waitrose will extend the excluded items to a normal minimum spend, not just buy a sprout or a runner bean etc

For gawds sake how stupid will every one look going through the checkout with a sprout just so you can get a coffee

At the moment it's
*Excluded Items: single use carrier bags, tobacco, stamps, mobile top ups, e-Top up vouchers, lottery tickets, gift vouchers, cashback, infant milk formulae, car park charges, fuel and delivery charges.*

I overheard the staff last week saying they were to introduce a minimum spend but it doesn't look like it at the moment - they're probably testing the water so to speak with the public and seeing what is sold - a ton of sprouts per week no doubt

Doc_N

Alter_ego wrote: »

Or you could just save a cup from previous purchase and use the machine. There's always a way!

Always a way, yes - but you'd stoop to straight theft?

Doc_N

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I just don't get it. Waitrose free coffee is unimbibable - so much so, I started a thread about it.

That's a very personal view, though, isn't it. I'd argue that Starbucks coffee is too flavourless to bother with (quite apart from their tax antics) but it's still hugely popular, mainly because so many people are stuck on brands.