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?

My Starbucks app gives me stars for each dollar I spend. Do you all not have that?

but do you not all see the difference between a local shop and an international business? How can you compare the two?

Buy your coffee from wherever you want, but don't expect it to be the same/give a better deal if one is owned by someone who just wants to sell good coffee/own a cafe and one is an international conglomerate.

What do you actually want on your high street?

chastened

I want them to stick to what they advertise as their loyalty system to get people through the door?

do you not all see the difference between a local shop and an international business? How can you compare the two?
Buy your coffee from wherever you want, but don't expect it to be the same/give a better deal if one is owned by someone who just wants to sell good coffee/own a cafe and one is an international conglomerate.

I like independent, local businesses and will support them as much as possible. I would prefer to drink their coffee even if it were slightly more expensive than a chain and I would not discriminate against a small business for not having loyalty cards and other perks that some conglomerates have, however, in this case, the coffee shop has chosen to implement a loyalty card system but then seem to be trying to wriggle out of the perks they've already offered to their customers.

Then perhaps you'd be happier with a chain, Willow?

Personally I love a small and personally owned business by someone who cares. I hate corporates for myself and avoid them where I can. But each to their own, I'm not judging.

Personally owned businesses are often more chaotic. I like this. But it's each to their own, and if you don't then go somewhere else.

Chastened
But the point is that this small coffee shop has advertised a loyalty scheme then has decided that some people can have a stamp with every coffee but not others. They have to be clear on what they mean and if they say one thing then they have to stick to it or they will lose customers.

If I had a small local coffee shop I actually liked nearby it wouldnt matter if they had a loyalty card or not but I prefer the Cafe Nero as I like the coffee, the food and the staff are brilliant. I have tried a couple of other cafes locally and was treated almost with contempt for making them work! I didnt go back.

Is it just me then that has a wallet of coffee shop loyalty cards but has never managed to fill up a single card for a freebie? Though I only have three stamps to go for the macaroon shop free macaroons, YAY!

Thank heaven for waitrose free coffee , and incidentally I have discovered that practically the only difference between waitrose latte and cappuccino is that the cappuccino is marginally hotter.

I used to work in a cafe when we started a loyalty card scheme. There were huge arguments between all the staff including managers about whether it should be one per cup or one per visit. The card itself didn't make it clear. I was one of the managers at the time and I was very vocal it should be one per cup but lots disagreed with me. I can't even remember the outcome now!!

I remember we used to go to a pasty shop. Our family bought five pasties every week but they would only give one stamp. It was an after swimming treat. It really bugged me and i asked the manager about it who was spectacularly arsey with me. I just couldn't see the logic. Anyway, we stopped going.

It sounds like they didn't really think it through. Definitely challenge them, you have a right to a point per coffee it that's what it says.

My hairdresser does this. One stamp for cut and colour but 2 if I do cut one visit and colour the next! Like an excuse for an extra hour peace a few times a year...

Chain coffee is terrible and tastes dirty.

One stamp per cup, definitely.
Nero: 9 stamps then a free drink. I get that by buying a cup every day. Every tenth day: free cup and Nero have made exactly the same amount as it would if ten people went in together, bought nine drinks, got the stamps and the tenth person had their drink for free.
With the logic of one stamp per visit, the group of ten only get a free drink every 90 cups, which is mental!

My hairdresser does one stamp for each treatment, so cut and colour is two stamps.