Waitrose free coffee to require a purchase

VfM4meplse

Doc_N wrote: »

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.

Costa have recently introduced the cortana. Thats right up my street! No more lattes pour moi

Alter_ego

In Waitrose I often select black coffee, as soon as the coffee stops running (about 3 seconds) remove the cap and let the water run to waste. I then dispense a Latte or Cappucino into the cup. Stir well - decent strength!

Spidernick

Twopints wrote: »

In my local Waitrose there is a cafe as well as the standalone machines. If you upgrade to a "large" coffee, the 30p difference counts as a purchase :money:

My local Waitrose is the same, but is it confirmed that this will still be an option after the changes, or will you be expected to buy an overpriced scone, etc. to qualify?

I agree with others on here that further abusing the system by buying the odd sprout or whatever, will just mean that a minimum purchase amount gets introduced (probably before the end of the year). I think this certainly is abuse rather than something MSE should encourage and I would only really expect an article like that on April Fools' Day!

In any event I can (in a way) beat the 3p sprout. My Waitrose is next to the local Iceland. As a family of five I find I am buying four pints of milk most days, so to get the free coffee I can spend £1 for this in Waitrose, rather than 99p in Iceland, meaning the coffee is effectively costing me 1p!

torus

I think it's very disappointing of Money Saving Expert to be suggesting ideas like buying one grape so you can claim a free drink. That's just encouraging stinginess which is a long way from being careful with money and getting a decent deal.

[Deleted User]

The journalism at MSE has gone right down the pan since Martin sold out. They should be ashamed of themselves for encouraging this sort of behaviour. I'm as tight as the next man but would not abuse the system like this.

Doc_N

Too right - abuse like this, as encouraged by MSE, ("but our trick can get it for 3p") is exactly why offers like this get pulled by the companies offering them.

'Tricking' companies like Waitrose into providing free coffee may be seen by MSE as fair game, but I wonder how the directors of Moneysavingexpert.com Ltd, Moneysupermarket.com Financial Group Holdings Ltd, and various other linked companies (Messrs Drabble, Plumb and Price) would react if customers started trying similar stunts to 'trick' them?

Chris25

Spidernick wrote: »

My local Waitrose is the same, but is it confirmed that this will still be an option after the changes, or will you be expected to buy an overpriced scone, etc. to qualify?

if buying a large drink no longer qualifies as a 'bought item' upgrade, you can buy a banana for 25p in the cafe to get your free coffee.

tboo

I personally think this won't last long before a min payment is implemented

Mrs C Parker Bowles (who incidentially used to shop there) for example wouldn't take too kindly to forever standing next to the sprout/grape buying Jordans of this world

But now it in the MSE news letter to the 3 zillion subscribers Waitrose better get buying from the farmers

As a poster on the bottom of the news letter says "it's scratchers like this abusing their goodwill"and it won't take long before they pull the plug completely

robin58

tboo wrote: »

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

Not tinned sprouts. I bought 2 cans of these once. Opened one. Most foul thing I have ever eaten and I love sprouts. Threw the other tin out unopened. I never throw food away but there are some exceptions.

rose28454

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Costa have recently introduced the cortana. Thats right up my street! No more lattes pour moi

I think its cortada meaning short. Dont drink coffee myself and usually get my cup of t in the cafe with a banana. But I usually only have a drink once a week and shop there most days. Have to say the coffee queues at the machine get on my nerves too.