Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to boycott pret as staff give free coffee to people they fancy and I've never had one

112 replies

twojobsjane · 24/04/2015 13:20

I go to pret almost daily, just heard that staff regularly give coffee to people they fancy or like as the CEO gave them that power.

I've never had a free coffee, probably because I'm not a beauty. Aibu to boycott them?

I really don't like the sound of that policy, no freebies due to my genes.

OP posts:
jeanswitholes · 24/04/2015 20:31

Its a flirting 'opener' to trying to get a date isnt it??

Maybe.
But it's not good business sense if you want 'bums on seats'

The majority of the population are not beautiful and they're not young. So surely you shouldn't be doing something that could alienate them?

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 24/04/2015 20:31

I get a freebie once a week I reckon, from staff of both sexes. It would be nice to think it's because I'm HAWT but as an exhausted looking 45-year-old mother of three I conclude it is all down to being a regular Grin

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 24/04/2015 20:35

I am very polite and charming though

Redglitter · 24/04/2015 21:04

I wish people would stop focusing on the OP and the 'people they fancy' aspect.

staff have the discretion to give it to anyone they fancy as in anyone they want to. it's NOT just all about good looking people.

LotusLight · 24/04/2015 21:58

Ah, never thought that was the reason!
Often happens to me in our local coffee shop but it might just as well be due to my always being nice to staff as much as cleavage..... given my age.

Mumof4worried · 25/04/2015 08:45

Next time I have a personal drama, I'm running to the nearest pret in a state to get a free lunch

goodnessgraciousgouda · 25/04/2015 09:02

Bloody hell. This is a very bitter thread!!

Pret (and Starbucks by the way) have been doing this for years. Well at least six/seven years, as that's when I was last in the UK and freebies used to be given out quite regularly.

Although I'm pretty sure that some people do just give free coffees to people they fancy, I'm pretty certain it's mainly a loyalty thing.

We used to work near a pret, and the people I know who went there every single day (especially if it was for both breakfast coffee and lunch) would quite often get their coffee free of charge every now and then, or a pastry thrown in for free or something. That was true of both the young, pretty girls, the older middle aged dudes, the "average" looking people, etc etc.

The only consistency between them was that they were all polite, and they all went there every working day pretty much without exception. I think they also ordered the same thing every day.

I don't know anyone who got freebies if they just went there for lunch (I guess because it's too busy to remember anyone), or who went there just a few times a week.

I don't think there's anything sinister behind it.

Springtimemama · 25/04/2015 09:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CaTsMaMmA · 25/04/2015 09:07

we once got hot fresh glazed Krispy Kremes in Harrods ....the children were very impressed :o

Southeastdweller · 25/04/2015 09:15

It's for people the servers like, according to the CEO, so they don't necessarily need to be fanciable.

I've had a few freebies but only when they've messed up my order, despite being a regular at one branch for years...

summeraupair · 25/04/2015 09:22

I work in a coffee/food place that is VERY similar to Pret and we've had exactly the same policy for years... our CEO just hasn't made a song and dance about it.

I give out freebies to people who are nice to me. Sometimes regulars, sometimes not. But I get so many utter arses of customers, sometimes it's such a relief to talk to someone who treats me like a human being it's nice to go that extra mile too. Sometimes it's mums with smiley babies who entertain me, sometimes it's mums who are looking a bit frazzled, sometimes it's elderly ladies who have got lost from their coach trip, and sometimes yes it's the good-looking lad from the shop next door who has a bit of a flirt. All depends on my mood!

Theycallmemellowjello · 25/04/2015 09:25

I don't see the problem with this policy. The staff can give the coffees to whoever they like so I don't think ts discriminatory against unattractive people. The profit margin on coffee is enormous that I don't think the v small number of free cups will be making a difference to the price. Lots of small business give drinks etc on the house to regular customers or friends of employees/owners. I think that if you run a business you have the right to do that, and the right to give that right to your employees. And I think that giving employees a bit of leeway is really a nice gesture to the worke- I worked in a similar chain as a teen and I can see that kind of thing making a difference to morale.

alicemalice · 25/04/2015 09:31

Not sure it matters why they give them out. The prob is that they're weighing you up for either looks, good manners or whether you've had a bad day. That's the bit I don't like. I just want to shuffle in and out, not be appraised.

UncleT · 25/04/2015 09:31

YABU. In my experience they give them to people they like, or valued regulars, or whatever - definitely not based solely on who they 'fancy'.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 25/04/2015 09:33

I've never heard of pret. I think I would be correct in assuming it's a coffee shop. Any way what ever it is. No YDNBU. It's a wonder by consumer law they are allowed to make more of one customer than another. I mean no one can argue it's certainly imorale if not illegal. I'm sure a genetically challenged persons money is just as good as a genetically blessed persons money. I mean they wouldnt stop an ugly person buying something from their shop.
I don't blame you boycotting the shop. No one wants to go to a shop give them business and to feel insulted.

No I've got a big mouth (not a fowl mouth) I don't swear (aside from on here at times) but I will let people know when I am unhappy. I don't jangle on street corners behind people's backs.
So if I went in there and the women next to me was given a free coffee I wouldn't be able to keep my my mouth shut. I mean snyone would or rather most peope would be challenging. It's only natural. They're going to get people saying Why is she/he not paying and I am.
Now thinking very deeply but what about young teenagers already insecure about their looks and feeling down her friend gets a free coffee thus meaning the assistant thinks her friend is gorgeous and she isn't. That could cause great upset and hurt. Now I'm 39 old enough to know. Not every man is going to find me irrisitable. My genes can pleAse some of the male population some of the time (or rather prey) but they can please all of the male population all of the time) But my 18 year old self would have reacted very differently.

Snapespeare · 25/04/2015 09:38

My Daughter works for pret.

I'm slightly worried at the CEO saying it's a flirt mechanism as she goes to work to work, not try to hook up with customers although Robert pattison goes in her pret quite a lot when he's in town. She is far more likely to give a free coffee to emergency services staff, people who looks like there having a shit day and people who realise that just because she's in a service job, they don't have to treat her like dirt because she serves them coffee.

Those of you who aren't getting an occasional free coffee, please don't take it to heart, it's not because your looks have faded or you're particularly haggard that day, it might just be because the person a few in front of you was close to tears and a free coffee made their day a little brighter. :-)

Something the CEO didn't publicise: if someone in pret gives you lovely service, make a note of their name badge and write to pret customer services saying thank you. They'll get a gift card. This will supplement their slightly above NMW, but not London Living Wage pay.

avocadotoast · 25/04/2015 09:43

It does sound like a bit of a weird policy. But then if you don't like it, just go somewhere else! I'm sure there must be plenty of other coffee shops you can go to that might be independent, more deserving of support and serving much nicer coffee.

Springtimemama · 25/04/2015 09:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

itsmeitscathy · 25/04/2015 11:26

I got given one once when I ordered my coffee and commented I was addicted to them. The lady was lovely and made my day - it's not about flirting, I've never had a free one from a guy.

cece · 25/04/2015 11:44

I got a free SIM the other day from my mobile co (needed to change from normal to micro sim) Just because I made the call centre person laugh. Smile Should have cost e £5

KarineAimee · 25/04/2015 11:46

Another person who had a free coffee, but cannot imagine that the young lad behind the counter would have wanted to flirt with me, checking in.
It did make my day, and I really appreciated it.

Fleecyleesy · 25/04/2015 11:49

I have had 2 free coffees from pret. I am really ugly. I highly doubt they fancied me.

TheHappinessTrap · 25/04/2015 11:51

My OH got one this week. He's an ordinary person, no model or anything, just a nice guy, but I don't know why he got one. And to be honest we didn't talk about it further. I don't think it's meant to be insulting if you don't get offered one. I don't think they are trying to undermine the rest of the population. Everyone can't have one or it wouldn't be a money making business. I don't feel I'm being insulted by not having been offered one. My bank on the other hand... I went over drawn this month, which I don't normally do, and they wrote to me to say they wouldn't charge me. That clearly wasn't based on my appearance or whether I'm nice.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 25/04/2015 11:56

I think it's a nice campaign having now read about it. It amazes me and saddens me in equal measure though how many there seem to be who DIDN'T read about it or did and just took what they wanted out of context for their own agenda. Won't mention the sheep but (and this sounds appropriately baa-like)... meh! Confused

I don't have a Pret near me or the places I go to but I'd make a point of going to one that is looking at empowering their staff like this, it's a very positive thing.

UngratefulMoo · 25/04/2015 11:56

Meh, I think everyone's getting a bit flustered over nothing. Why do you think you have a right to free coffee anyway? I am nearly 40 and got one because I'd forgotten my purse, from a girl who looked about 17. I don't think she fancied me. It's only a coffee.