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Original poster

Waitrose "it's on us"

105 replies

GreenTeaTuesdays · 12/12/2022 08:37

Just curious about the Waitrose "it's on us" initiative.. a few times I've been in (always with my daughter so I think she's the lucky charm!) the cashier has given us something for free.. we've had flowers, a gingerbread man and some chocolates.

It's a little thing but it does really put a smile on my face Grin

Does anyone on here work at Waitrose? How do you pick and is there a monetary limit on how much you can give away?

Has anyone else had some nice freebies?

OP posts:
A3285633 · 12/12/2022 10:11

There’s usually a monetary value of £5. I’ll “it’s on us” an alternative if we haven’t got a product a customer wants, to introduce someone to a new product, it’s a child who’s pleasant or polite, someone mentions they’ve been ill or looking after someone that’s been unwell or it’s their birthday. Some people do know we (all Partners can “it’s on us” and in my store we’re encouraged to carry the stickers on us) and try and steer the dialogue around to a freebie……I recognise this and won’t give them anything.
Most people appreciate a freebie, but you do occasionally find people can be unpleasant ie saying “do I look like I need charity” ……. Suppose there’s unpleasant people in all walks of life.
It's nice to be able to do this.

ouch321 · 12/12/2022 10:13

Never heard of this.

Sounds a bit like the MandS get your basket free.

Galaxychocolatewins · 12/12/2022 10:46

Yes! My local waitrose are so lovely! I've had flowers once, a diffuser thing for free - it had a sticky label on it and I asked if there was any without as it was for a gift for a friend having surgery and I've also had a bottle of prosecco! I had an online order that was missing a few things and went in to pick up alternatives, they saw me with a list and asked if I needed help haha. Customer service is so important and it isn't just the free things I like it's how they treat you!x

villamariavintrapp · 12/12/2022 12:34

Hmm honestly I'd much prefer it was random than because they like the look of you. Lots of people struggling who don't have cute kids to wheel out or want to talk to strangers about their troubles.

boogiejive · 12/12/2022 12:36

I've had a soft toy for my baby, a lunch bag in the cafe for my toddler, and a peppa pig magazine. All very nice, but I do t think it influences whether I shop there or not.

TheChosenTwo · 12/12/2022 12:36

What?! I shop there lots and have never had bugger all! I buy my own flowers 😂

purplemunkey · 12/12/2022 12:46

I’m never too sure about these. Nice idea but in reality it’s a bit biased. As above - examples of them only being given out to those with cute kids. Pret used to have a thing where they could give a free coffee every day - my work mate used to get them all the time and no one else on the team ever did. We were all nice, promise!

Random selection would be better.

Dogsgottabone · 12/12/2022 12:53

My mum went in to buy champagne at the end of the winter lockdown as it was my parents 50th wedding anniversary thta they were having to celebrate alone.

The cashier gave my mum the bottle for free with Waitrose compliments. My mum cried.

Original poster
GreenTeaTuesdays · 12/12/2022 12:54

I didn't think about people trying to get stuff for free - sneaky!

Yeah I guess it is a bit biased but if it's just little things no harm in it.

The M&S one I've never heard of anyone getting their basket free but I hope I will every time I scan my card! I wonder if they've got an algorithm that will only allow it up to a certain amount because you can so end a fortune in there...

OP posts:
Original poster
GreenTeaTuesdays · 12/12/2022 13:02

@Dogsgottabone that's so sweet

OP posts:
Original poster
GreenTeaTuesdays · 12/12/2022 13:02

@Galaxychocolatewins jealous of the Prosecco! Some staff must be able to do over a fiver then...

OP posts:
ItsNotReallyChaos · 12/12/2022 13:05

Yep, with the Pret free coffee, my beautiful charmer of a colleague would always get one.

It was just another reminder on how beauty and flirting ability set some people apart.

Candlle · 12/12/2022 13:18

villamariavintrapp · 12/12/2022 12:34

Hmm honestly I'd much prefer it was random than because they like the look of you. Lots of people struggling who don't have cute kids to wheel out or want to talk to strangers about their troubles.

Exactly what I was thinking!

Lovageandrose · 12/12/2022 13:34

I’ve never had anything. Didn’t even know they did this.

EspeciallyD · 12/12/2022 13:38

I've never had anything either, maybe I need to drag my cute teenagers in with me. Perhaps I need to go back to using checkouts instead of self scan.

PriamFarrl · 12/12/2022 13:48

I’ve had this once. I was on my way out and was given a bunch of flowers. As I was putting them in car the lady next to me had some as well. We both said how lovely it was. The flowers were near their date so I figured they just wanted rid of them.

Waitrose "it's on us"
LargeglassofRosePlease · 12/12/2022 13:49

My local Waitrose are fantastic.

The staff are great and I’ve had loads of “ It’s on us” gifts…. Three course meal- starter/ main and pudding, also numerous bottles of wine and also flowers,cakes and lots of chocolate treats for my children on a regular basis.

As I say, they’re fabulous! ❤️

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 12/12/2022 13:52

Obviously the answer is borrow someone's cute little one and pretend I'm their gran* and I might get loads of gifts as well.

*Couldn't get away with pretending to be their mother, that's for sure.

yesforone · 12/12/2022 14:00

I’ve had quite a few of these over the years in Waitrose and always think it’s because I look dishevelled and perhaps in need of a pick me up 😐I’m always very grateful though as it’s a lovely gesture.

KiwiMum2023 · 12/12/2022 14:06

I get it quite frequently but it’s always been from the same member of staff. He’s so lovely. Gifts have ranged from wine to champagne, cake to toilet paper!

Original poster
GreenTeaTuesdays · 12/12/2022 14:18

@yesforone I've had this in a Tesco cafe before.. I was in a bit of a state trying to breastfeed a 6 week old on pretty much no sleep and the lovely lady working there brought me over a cake and made me cry Blush

OP posts:
LoobyDop · 12/12/2022 14:33

I had one one time where the cashier had made a mistake and not scanned a bottle of wine so I wasn’t charged for it. I realised on the way out- checked through the receipt as it was a lot cheaper than I’d expected- and went back to tell her. She said not to worry, I could keep it.

BooseysMom · 12/12/2022 14:36

yesforone · 12/12/2022 14:00

I’ve had quite a few of these over the years in Waitrose and always think it’s because I look dishevelled and perhaps in need of a pick me up 😐I’m always very grateful though as it’s a lovely gesture.

Lol. I once had a free bottle of wine and was really surprised and wondered what it was for. It was most likely my general state of dishevelment as I was with DS who was quite young! He usually helps me load everything onto the conveyor belt but we've never had a free item since even though we're in there every week for a big shop.

BooseysMom · 12/12/2022 14:37

LoobyDop · 12/12/2022 14:33

I had one one time where the cashier had made a mistake and not scanned a bottle of wine so I wasn’t charged for it. I realised on the way out- checked through the receipt as it was a lot cheaper than I’d expected- and went back to tell her. She said not to worry, I could keep it.

Wow that's lovely! Honesty does pay.😊

Boshi · 12/12/2022 14:38

Never had this, my kid is in there some weekday mornings and the staff love him but never had an it’s on us

…actualllly I remember this one lady used to give him loads, magazines, chocolates., do they tell you it’s part of the it’s on us or do they just give it to you? The penny drops 😅

It is lovely, my dc would always ask to go in mainly to see this lady..I just love the customer service at waitrose generally, freebie or not