Waitrose to axe 'free tea or coffee without purchase' deal next month

redfox

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

People won't be able to get away with buying a carrier bag though - this from their email to myWaitrose members this morning:

*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.

MSE are talking about a 10p Bag for life, not one of the 5p single use ones that Waitrose are referring to there.

*~Zephyr~*

redfox wrote: »

MSE are talking about a 10p Bag for life, not one of the 5p single use ones that Waitrose are referring to there.

Yeah, I just realised that when I re-read MSE's article. Really! Suggesting people by a grape for 5p just to get a cup of coffee? It's a vile idea. Are MSE loosing the plot?

It's already been ruined for me, long ago. I have been doing my weekly shop at Waitrose for the past 6 years since they opened their first store in Cardiff. They used to serve the free coffee in the cafe and I would often go and get one while the OH put the shopping in the car. But the queues got so long I couldn't be bothered any more.

And then they set up a coffee machine on the customer service desk for the freebies (to take the strain off the cafe, I presume) and the crowds around it on a Saturday are just ridiculous. The one time it was quiet, I did get one and it was absolutely horrible out of the machine. Funny, I was only saying to OH on Saturday when we finished our shop and had to fight our way through the coffee-grabbers to get out of the store that they should change the scheme so you have to a significant shop every week to qualify for free drinks.

Magnetron

I somehow don't think Waitrose even thought of the concept of buying a single grape or carrot to claim a free drink, who would have ?

If there isn't a minimum spend there soon will be if many people go down this route.

jon81uk

And comments on the MSE "news" article stating that we thought MSE was better than encouraging this sort of ridiculous behaviour (of buying a single grape) seem to have been removed...

robin58

My store was one of the 15 in Essex to implement this rule in a trial for the last few months.

Seems to stopped the dumping of half empty cups on the shelves.

Staff are happier for about it now. It was really a free for all at one time. The!staff told me over a year ago people were just coming for the freebie and running.

To be honest I prefer the drink at the end. Sitting outside on the benches with my cake I've just brought, mobile out on a nice warm evening, a truly lovely treat.

footyguy

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

How ludicrous to suggest someone by ONE grape!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on MSE you are better than that.

Exactly - whoever needs to buy a whole grape?

And as for that 3p sprout, us moneysavingmisers would peel off the outer leaves until it weighs/scans at just 1p!

:cool:

MysteryMe

I was in Waitrose this afternoon and there was not single person using either of the 2 coffee machines. I spent £32 so had a free coffee. I've just got to work out what I am going to do with 1067 sprouts now

Worrierwalker

At our lovely little Waitrose in Saxmundham we already have to buy something else if we want free coffee in the cafe. I don't mind at all. I don't mind buying something because the only time I go to Waitrose is when I'm shopping there. I always found it a cheek that many people went to Waitrose for their free coffee, then skipped over to the (just as pricey imo) Tesco over the road.

Penfold59

Cannot believe how ridiculous the idea of circumventing the spirit of the Waitrose offer is. MSE has changed! Stop being money grabbing and concentrate on proper savings ideas. Good on Waitrose for stopping free loaders!

spy

Why buy a whole sprout when you could just pull a leaf off one and buy that?

Can't believe this suggestion for abusing the offer. I would feel embarrassed to do this and even now only get the free coffee if I am buying something in the shop