In light of today's email below 'free' coffee is no more. However a great idea found by my bargain hunter wife is to simply purchase one 15p biscuit man from the counter and get a free coffee worth £1.85. This works well in the cafe where you normally had to pay £1.85 for a coffee for in effect to get one free. It's obviously better paying 30p for two coffees and two biscuits. I thought it was quite clever so I thought I'd share. Btw I don't blame Waitrose for stopping this as they were spending more on coffee than Costa (inside knowledge) and at one store in the Midlands it was costing £800 a week to run.
"Our myWaitrose free tea and coffee offer is one of the ways we thank our customers for shopping with us - and we want all our customers to be able to enjoy a free hot drink when they shop with us in our branches.
From 3 April, we'll simply be asking myWaitrose members to make a purchase* before collecting their cup at the checkout.
We would like to thank you in advance for your understanding."
Top comments
brychris
21 Mar 1713#2
This should of taken place from the beginning instead of members just walking into Waitrose purely for a free drink. I think it's only fair you should make a purchase first and if you are one of those cheap skates that only go for a free drink, just buy the 15p gingerbread like suggested. You have the added bonus of giving for gingerbread man a good dunking too! :smile:
batezy_1984
21 Mar 1710#5
The only time I go in there and have my coffee is before spending a good £60-70 on shopping. I can't believe people go there for a coffee then walk out. It's bad manners!
willysnapper
21 Mar 178#1
Just where in the email (mine pasted below) does it declare that the "Free Coffee offer" has ceased to be?
My understanding is that you are merely being requested to actually BUY something before taking advantage of their hospitality.
Our myWaitrose free tea and coffee offer is one of the ways we thank our customers for shopping with us - and we want all our customers to be able to enjoy a free hot drink when they shop with us in our branches.
From 3 April, we'll simply be asking myWaitrose members to make a purchase* before collecting their cup at the checkout.
We would like to thank you in advance for your understanding. If you have any questions about this, please either speak with a Partner in your local branch, or alternatively full FAQs can be found through the 'contact us' link below.
Kind regards,
The myWaitrose team
mon3y33
21 Mar 175#9
I think minimum spend £5 is a no-brainer. Queuing behind people who've purchased nothing is a kick in the teeth. Considering most supermarkets loyalty programs don't come close I think a minimum spend is only fair.
All comments (65)
willysnapper
21 Mar 178#1
Just where in the email (mine pasted below) does it declare that the "Free Coffee offer" has ceased to be?
My understanding is that you are merely being requested to actually BUY something before taking advantage of their hospitality.
Our myWaitrose free tea and coffee offer is one of the ways we thank our customers for shopping with us - and we want all our customers to be able to enjoy a free hot drink when they shop with us in our branches.
From 3 April, we'll simply be asking myWaitrose members to make a purchase* before collecting their cup at the checkout.
We would like to thank you in advance for your understanding. If you have any questions about this, please either speak with a Partner in your local branch, or alternatively full FAQs can be found through the 'contact us' link below.
Kind regards,
The myWaitrose team
brychris
21 Mar 1713#2
This should of taken place from the beginning instead of members just walking into Waitrose purely for a free drink. I think it's only fair you should make a purchase first and if you are one of those cheap skates that only go for a free drink, just buy the 15p gingerbread like suggested. You have the added bonus of giving for gingerbread man a good dunking too! :smile:
Muir to brychris
21 Mar 173#4
I work in London and at the closest Waitrose there is always a massive queue of office workers just getting their free coffees. In fact people in my office go out there to get their coffee rather than at the staff café (since it costs money there - not a lot, but some). I'm very surprised that they've allowed that all this while.
Newbold
21 Mar 174#3
Actually, if you're a real cheapskate, you need only spend 10p - on a bag for life. I don't advocate that, but it will inevitably happen, and that will inevitably mean a further tightening of the rules at some point so that there's a minimum spend of, say, £5.
batezy_1984 to Newbold
21 Mar 171#7
Yeah I agree, or they will say u need to buy a meal deal to get it (or a fiver on shopping)
winchman to Newbold
24 Mar 171#16
Perhaps having got your coffee you could ask for a refund on the bag.... how far do you want to go?
Going_Digital to Newbold
25 Mar 17#19
Bags and tabacco products do not qualify.
batezy_1984
21 Mar 1710#5
The only time I go in there and have my coffee is before spending a good £60-70 on shopping. I can't believe people go there for a coffee then walk out. It's bad manners!
robin5858 to batezy_1984
21 Mar 171#12
People it that way at the big Waitrose in my town before the rule changed. Staff told me so.
Tenex to batezy_1984
25 Mar 172#21
I have always bought something before getting a coffee, but the other day I was confused by the sight of someone collecting a cup and teabag at the till when the machine was out of order - it often is.
The assistant told me that a surprising number of people insist on getting their free drink even when the machine is out of order. Now that's dedication to money saving.
gabesdad
21 Mar 173#6
It will keep the bloody mooching students as well as the office workers out of my local Waitrose too. Cheeky gets!
goldy12
21 Mar 174#8
Cheaper still just weigh a small single carrot or even a mushroom and pay.
Personally I've never taken advantage of this offer. I can't thou see the problem with making a purchase first, seems reasonable enough to me especially as they are not specifying a amount you have to spend . in order to get a free drink.
mon3y33
21 Mar 175#9
I think minimum spend £5 is a no-brainer. Queuing behind people who've purchased nothing is a kick in the teeth. Considering most supermarkets loyalty programs don't come close I think a minimum spend is only fair.
spicy_gal
21 Mar 171#10
Yeah my local ends up with all the mothers who drag their **** there just for free coffee after the school run.
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Opening post
"Our myWaitrose free tea and coffee offer is one of the ways we thank our customers for shopping with us - and we want all our customers to be able to enjoy a free hot drink when they shop with us in our branches.
From 3 April, we'll simply be asking myWaitrose members to make a purchase* before collecting their cup at the checkout.
We would like to thank you in advance for your understanding."
Top comments
My understanding is that you are merely being requested to actually BUY something before taking advantage of their hospitality.
Our myWaitrose free tea and coffee offer is one of the ways we thank our customers for shopping with us - and we want all our customers to be able to enjoy a free hot drink when they shop with us in our branches.
From 3 April, we'll simply be asking myWaitrose members to make a purchase* before collecting their cup at the checkout.
We would like to thank you in advance for your understanding. If you have any questions about this, please either speak with a Partner in your local branch, or alternatively full FAQs can be found through the 'contact us' link below.
Kind regards,
The myWaitrose team
All comments (65)
My understanding is that you are merely being requested to actually BUY something before taking advantage of their hospitality.
Our myWaitrose free tea and coffee offer is one of the ways we thank our customers for shopping with us - and we want all our customers to be able to enjoy a free hot drink when they shop with us in our branches.
From 3 April, we'll simply be asking myWaitrose members to make a purchase* before collecting their cup at the checkout.
We would like to thank you in advance for your understanding. If you have any questions about this, please either speak with a Partner in your local branch, or alternatively full FAQs can be found through the 'contact us' link below.
Kind regards,
The myWaitrose team
The assistant told me that a surprising number of people insist on getting their free drink even when the machine is out of order. Now that's dedication to money saving.
Personally I've never taken advantage of this offer. I can't thou see the problem with making a purchase first, seems reasonable enough to me especially as they are not specifying a amount you have to spend . in order to get a free drink.