MSE News: Waitrose to get rid of disposable cups - if you're a MyWaitrose customer, you'll need to b

NBLondon

NeilCr wrote: »

Where I am the majority of people who get the free coffee are from local offices/estate agents etc. So they can just keep a cup there.

Ditto. The one I most use is the one nearest the office (on days I actually am there) so I have a travel mug in my bag and grab coffee on the way in. The coffee point is away from the checkouts so there's no obvious check that I've bought something (there's also a manned coffee point behind the patisserie counter who presumably could ask to see a card or receipt if I presented my travel mug.) I do always buy something - biscuits for the office or packet of mints/gum but that's just my personal ethics in play.

Doc_N

Frankly, I’ve given up with the ‘free’ coffees, though we’ve been using our own reusable cups for ages to avoid the hassle of getting a cup at the QuickCheck tills.

The novelty’s worn off, I can make better coffee at home at the press of a button, and I can save a small fortune by just not going through those expensive doors.

As for stopping people getting free coffees under the new system, the fact remains that it’s straight theft and if somebody’s going to steal there’s not a lot you can do about it. In reality though they’d be losing maybe 40p a cup so I doubt they’d be too bothered.

I agree with others though that it’s probably all part of the master plan to ditch it altogether.

NeilCr

Doc_N wrote: »

The novelty!!!8217;s worn off, I can make better coffee at home at the press of a button, and I can save a small fortune by just not going through those expensive doors.

I guess it's how you use it. I pick one up early morning when I'm off to volunteer. Kettle and Maxwell House there!. Or on the way back from the gym. And, the Waitrose coffee is perfectly acceptable.

I just buy a small item to get the coffee. Usually less than a pound. When the system changed to having to buy something our Waitrose staff were pointing out the cheapest available item

As I said, main users at my Waitrose are office staff/estate agents. They do what I do or pick up a sandwich for their lunch.

LadyDee

All this fuss about a free cup of coffee - does Waitrose really think its core customers shop there for a free coffee, I'm sure it only attracts people who shop at cheaper supermarkets for their free coffee - done it myself now and again (probably 3 times), and only bought things on offer sufficient to qualify for the coffee.

roddydogs

At the moment checkout staff ask all MW customers "do you want a coffee", so they will now have to stop, in case the customer hasn't got a cup! Even if you've just spent £100!

NeilCr

LadyDee wrote: »

All this fuss about a free cup of coffee - does Waitrose really think its core customers shop there for a free coffee, I'm sure it only attracts people who shop at cheaper supermarkets for their free coffee - done it myself now and again (probably 3 times), and only bought things on offer sufficient to qualify for the coffee.

I'd be inclined to think that Waitrose know fine well that a free coffee isn't the big draw when it comes to the major shop. Although it's a nice to have. It's more about getting the office worker/passer by/whoever in through the door.

I am a bit surprised by people who only think in "major shop" terms and don't seem to consider people go into supermarkets for other reasons - these are the ones I reckon Waitrose are most interested in with the free coffee.

LadyDee

NeilCr wrote: »

I'd be inclined to think that Waitrose know fine well that a free coffee isn't the big draw when it comes to the major shop. Although it's a nice to have. It's more about getting the office worker/passer by/whoever in through the door.

I am a bit surprised by people who only think in "major shop" terms and don't seem to consider people go into supermarkets for other reasons - these are the ones I reckon Waitrose are most interested in with the free coffee.

Could be they don't want to lose their core customer base and that "free" cup of coffee means they do keep coming back. I do my shopping "as and when" - haven't done a major shop in years. Told an acquaintance a little while ago that I was on my way to Aldi to get a few things, her response, "But don't you care about BRANDS - and you can get a free cup of coffee in Waitrose"! That's what suprises me.

NeilCr

LadyDee wrote: »

Could be they don't want to lose their core customer base and that "free" cup of coffee means they do keep coming back. I do my shopping "as and when" - haven't done a major shop in years. Told an acquaintance a little while ago that I was on my way to Aldi to get a few things, her response, "But don't you care about BRANDS - and you can get a free cup of coffee in Waitrose"! That's what suprises me.

But do you think if she is that bothered about "brands" taking away a free cup of coffee is going to change where she shops.

I am not that bothered about brands but for a number of reasons I like shopping at Waitrose. I will continue to do so - free cup of coffee or not. As would those friends of mine that shop there.

ETA.

The comment about major shops was not aimed at you at all. Apologies if it came over that way. I was thinking of other posts I've seen and a few comments in conversation!

robin58

roddydogs wrote: »

At the moment checkout staff ask all MW customers "do you want a coffee", so they will now have to stop, in case the customer hasn't got a cup! Even if you've just spent £100!

You don't have a retailers mind do you. They will offer to sell you a £3 Waitrose own brand usable cup.

Wizard_of_Id

This pic seemed relevant to this thread