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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask if you are ever given a free coffee at Pret A Manger?

51 replies

Fabulassie · 15/05/2015 11:53

I Googled to see if Mumsnetters have discussed this, yet, as it came out a few weeks ago, but it seems nobody has.

The CEO of Pret has said that there's a company policy where employees are empowered to give free stuff to people they like. I believe they have a sort of budget or quota that they are to give away, according to their own whims.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/apr/22/pret-free-coffee-people-they-like-discrimination-or-nice-gesture

I have to say that I am lucky - at the Pret I go to the most often I get a free coffee about half the time or even more. There are two employees who give me them, one a handsome young man and one a young Polish student. I am not looking my best when I go in the mornings and I am not a ravishing beauty in general, so I don't think it's based on looks. I do, however, tend to buy a lot of stuff when I go in. I go to Pret when I want to buy all the food for my day - a salad, a sandwich, maybe a slice of cake and a can of Apple soda is a typical order. Sometimes I order the coffee and sometimes the guy will just make me one and I'm told I'm getting it free.

I am a generally friendly person. I ask about the girl's studies and the guy's newborn baby (I like babies and if it's not too busy I ask to see photos of his daughter.) I never knew that this was a company policy thing so I felt very flattered by their kindness.

Do you get free coffee when you go in? If you do or don't, how do you feel about it?

OP posts:

EatShitDerek · 15/05/2015 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Fabulassie · 15/05/2015 11:55

Ooh! Where's the thread? Maybe it was in chat, but I don't think it's been 90 days, so it should be around, still.

I've never tried, either. I didn't know it was a policy until last month. I thought I was just super-special or something.

OP posts:

VacantExpression · 15/05/2015 11:56

No pret near me countrybumpkin

GingerCuddleMonster · 15/05/2015 11:59

Yes on 3 seperate occasions

GingerCuddleMonster · 15/05/2015 12:00

It didn't bother and make me angry just feel a little embarrassed when the next person in the Que is asked to pay

iklboo · 15/05/2015 12:01

I've had a couple of free coffees and a free muffin on a couple of occasions as well. Not been in for a while though....must start going back in!

EllenWheels · 15/05/2015 12:01

Never tried, and it's only happened once - really rubbish day, and I'd been crying and thought I'd covered that up with make up - clearly not!

fellowship33 · 15/05/2015 12:12

My friend goes in several times a week and gets a free one. I've never had one, which makes me grumpy. I go in once or twice a fortnight.

Allwayslookingforanswers · 15/05/2015 12:15

It happened once to my colleague who is stunning, (bloke) he had no cash and rather than pay on card the cashier swooned and gave him a free coffee. Me and my collegue had a loud conversation about just how fit you have to be in those circumstances and I did feel a slight "Mrs Robinson moment" towards to my collegue......

Royalsighness · 15/05/2015 12:19

No I haven't, neither has my sister who works next door to one and went in every day during her pregnancy as it's what she craved.

Me and my husband went a few weeks ago and he didn't get any freebies, i was quite offended

As silly as it sounds I don't think it's very nice that they do this as I almost feel like when I have walked away having paid, what is wrong with me? Why have I never been given anything? I sound very insecure and entitled saying that I know, but I still don't really like the fact they do this, maybe I would like it a bit more if I had freebies

Skeppers · 15/05/2015 12:21

I did get a 10% discount once because I had to wait literally 10 seconds for the cashier to do something before she could serve me; I hardly even noticed, but she just took the discount off without batting an eyelid!

Mrsmorton · 15/05/2015 12:22

I have, also some free sandwiches every now and then.

catlovingdoctor · 15/05/2015 12:24

Yup- I always used to go in school uniform and my latte was always on the house! Made my morning! (And meant I could have a coffee after lunch too!)

OverAndAbove · 15/05/2015 12:24

I have! I go in a lot for a sandwich and coffee, and a couple of the women know my coffee order and ask while I'm still in the queue, which speeds up the waiting. A few times they've given it to me on the house; it was a nice surprise and much appreciated.

I am fairly sure they don't fancy me but I am always polite and cheerful which probably helps when they are stuck behind a counter serving all day.

SaucyJack · 15/05/2015 12:25

No :-(

I've never been in one mind, but I feel ugly and unloved now anyway.

Sadface.

Wilding · 15/05/2015 12:26

I used to get offered free coffees all the time - normally said no as I don't actually drink coffee!

Nothing to do with my appearance though I reckon - I worked in an office at the time and was in there every day buying sandwiches for everyone for lunch so they recognised me and knew I spent a lot of money there.

Used to get free soup at EAT too. Those were the days...

JemFinch · 15/05/2015 12:27

Yes, a few times. More times in Eat though but I was buying coffee very morning and lunch a few days a week.

FlappertyFlippers · 15/05/2015 12:27

Nooooo, never! I go in once every couple of weeks but am obviously not worthy enough.

MyballsareSandy · 15/05/2015 12:30

Yes I got a free coffee in Pret a few weeks ago at Bluewater. One of the guys was struggling putting a cover over the counter and I helped by moving a few of the cakes/biscuits .... and he gave me a free cofffee for helping him out. So def not based on looks or age , just helpfulness.

Badgerwife · 15/05/2015 12:33

I've not been in Pret since I heard about this policy but as much as I like their sandwiches, this is really putting me off them as a company. If I was ever given one (which is never going to happen), I'd be tempted to pay for the next person's coffee with the money I saved.

Justyouwaitandsee · 15/05/2015 12:34

I haven't, although I did see them give someone his lunch for free after he realised he'd forgotten his wallet. I thought that was a lovely gesture...

taxi4ballet · 15/05/2015 13:06

DD came home once and said that to her total amazement she'd been given a free chocolate cookie. The bloke behind the counter said he recognised her and knew she was a regular customer, and it was on the house.

AuntyMag10 · 15/05/2015 13:16

I get free coffees almost every week, but I think it's because I'm a regular. I have one everyday.

listsandbudgets · 15/05/2015 14:06

Never happened to me in Pret but went into lush the day after my FIL died. The girl at the counter said I looked upset and exhausted and asked me what was wrong. I didn't go into detail but said I'd had some bad news and was tried because I was 7 months pregnant.

She gave me the most expensive item in my basket for free :)

DidoTheDodo · 15/05/2015 14:47

Are you kidding. I am 57 and hence invisible.

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