To ask for two stamps on our coffee cards

[Notthemessiah]

Local coffee shop opened up about two months ago - quite a nice place and does reasonable coffee (not quite as good as the chains, but certainly not bad and for about the same price) and nice cakes (which are sometimes cheaper). DP and I have been there probably four times in the past two weeks and both have one of their loyalty cards which says 'Buy 5 cups of coffee and get the sixth cup free'. The first couple of times we went, we both got stamps on our cards but the last two we were told that it was only one stamp per visit. The first time we said nothing but the second time DP pointed out what it said on the card (i.e. nothing about visits) and said we would buy seperately in that case. Cue a bit of a disgruntled huff but both cards were then stamped.

The next time we go in, awbu to ask for a second stamp if they do it again?

I'm all for supporting local businesses (which is why we go there at the moment, even if the coffee isn't quite as good as the Costa that's about the same distance away) and I know it's the most first world problem possible but it does bug both DP and I - if you're going to do a loyalty scheme then stick to what it says. We also saw the local mums group in there all getting their cards stamped so it definitely wasn't one per visit for them. Thing is, if there was no loyalty scheme we'd probably still go there anyway but bizarrely, and I can't quite put my finger on why, but this has put us off a bit and we're now wondering whether to go elsewhere - so it's an anti-loyalty scheme if anything!

Should we be more supportive of a local business or would it bug you too?

[PurpleDaisies]

I agree with you-they need a sign saying it's one stamp per visit or the way they're selling their loyalty scheme is really misleading.

[Helenluvsrob]

It would bug me. I pay seperately in Starbucks for 2 coffees for that reason.

[SnickersWasAHorse]

I was about that say that Starbucks do that too. One stamp per visit rather than per coffee.

[harderandharder2breathe]

If you're paying for two coffees you should get two stamps imo

Or they need to be much clearer that it's one per visit (but even then surely it would be per person?)

[MadMags]

I'd be annoyed. It's the principle.

However, Costa coffee is shit!

[leccybill]

I didn't know Starbucks did that.

I much prefer Caffè Nero which is a stamp per drink with a free drink after 8 (?) stamps. I like their coffee more too, only one shot though.

[thebirthlyhallows]

It should be one stamp per card. One each for OP and DP. I wouldn't expect them to put two stamps on the same card though for some reason!

[AntagonyAunt]

'5 cups of coffee and the 6th cup free'
If that's the case then yes it should be one stamp per cup. If they want to restrict it they should increase it to 10 cups and 11th free or something, rather than embarrassing their customers.

[Notthemessiah]

Well that's good to know as I really wasn't sure if I'd get majority of people telling me what a tightarse I am! I had no idea Starbucks did the per visit thing too, but don't use them much and gave up their loyalty scheme when they made it much less generous a few years back.

I guess it's not the per visit thing as much as it's saying one thing but doing another (and also not being consistent either). It just needlessly creates the possibility for bad feelings when a loyalty scheme should be doing the exact opposite.

[Annahibiscuits]

Really?

[BreakfastAtStephanies]

Let DP go in and buy a coffee and sit down, while you spend 2 minutes visiting the cashpoint, or doing a spot of window shopping. Then you go in, buy your coffee , join DP at the table where DP is sitting.

Bit long-winded though ?

YANBU. This would bug me too.

[Doilooklikeatourist]

I go to cafe Nero and. It's one stamp per coffee best location in town
However , I work in an independent coffee shop , and we don't do the stamps card thing ,
You do realise that the cost of the cards , the stamp , and the ink and the free coffee is all factored into the cost of the coffee you're buying , don't you ?

[MammaTJ]

The place I go for coffee has a bizarre system for keeping the stamped cards in a box file. They allow customers to stamp themselves.

I started a nursing degree, did two years of it, but I am nurse T on the card. Under N!

I am sure people stamp themselves extra, but they still make money and they get loads of loyal customers due to their relaxed attitude.

YANBU, two coffees, two stamps!!

[sonyaya]

Sorry to derail but if someone could save my financial life by telling me about the Starbucks one that would be awesome.

OP I totally agree with you. It's misleading and making you feel cheeky and awkward for asking for no more than the scheme offers.

[LottieDoubtie]

Well yes of course it's factored in- that's why it's so important to get it!

I would stand to next to each other, order separately pay twice with the same CC and get two stamps if I was feeling bloody minded about it

[SnickersWasAHorse]

The place I go for coffee has a bizarre system for keeping the stamped cards in a box file. They allow customers to stamp themselves.

I remember a place I used to go to that did that. Very odd.

[Marmalady75]

So if you bought 4 coffees on your sixth visit they would all be free???

[BerylStreep]

It does seem petty & mean.

I didn't know Starbucks does that, although I deliberately don't use them due to their tax avoidance.

[CashelGirl]

It is the meanness of it that would put me off. We have a local cafe that I really want to like, but their coffee is £2 a cup, but the cups are tiny. Like little tea cups. If it were me (in my fantasy cafe/secondhand book shop/hub of the community) I would either charge a quid a cup of offer free refills. Have a nice pot if filter coffee on the go all the time and just come round and top people up. it isn't expensive but it makes people feel special which makes them more likely to come back and spend.

[Letmesleepalready]

There's a chocolate shop that gives you a stamp if you pay more than £5 or £10 but you are only allowed a stamp a visit (might even be a day) so needless to say I never get to redeem it, as I don't often go in, and wouldn't spend £10 a time if I did.

[LockedOutOfMN]

You are not unreasonable to ask for two stamps for two coffees, OP. Don't feel embarrassed to ask politely for your second stamp, should the need arise.

[Notthemessiah]

Doilooklikeatourist

I would hope they had factored it all in to the cost but I do wonder if they are having second thoughts and think they might have been a bit over-generous with the scheme, hence attempting to only stamp per visit.

That said, if they started giving out new cards with it being one in eight free (or even 1 in 10) but stamping for every cup, I'd still prefer that than what they are doing now.

At least now I shall feel much less uncomfortable asking for my second stamp with the weight of mumsnet opinion behind me

[Whathaveilost]

Can't believe people get worked up about getting a 'free' brew! 'Its the principal!' Lol
Blimey!

[SnickersWasAHorse]

I don't see anyone getting 'worked up' here. Commenting and discussing, but not getting worked up.

[Willow2017]

I go to Cafe Nero regularly, much prefer their coffee to anywhere else and get a stamp per coffee/frappe/hotchoc I buy per visit. If kids get a frappe or hot choc then the card is stamped no problem. Its 9 stamps for a freebie.

Your card says 'buy 5 cups of coffee get next one free' then thats what they have to do, 1 stamp per coffee.