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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Waitrose coffee change gives grounds for complaint | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| We have long known there is no such thing as a free lunch, but now it seems there is no such thing as a free coffee either. | We have long known there is no such thing as a free lunch, but now it seems there is no such thing as a free coffee either. |
| Waitrose is changing its offer for loyalty card members so they will have to buy something before being able to claim a "free tea or coffee" in store. | Waitrose is changing its offer for loyalty card members so they will have to buy something before being able to claim a "free tea or coffee" in store. |
| The supermarket said it was just a "refinement" of the existing policy. | The supermarket said it was just a "refinement" of the existing policy. |
| But it has provoked mock outrage on social media from some of the chain's loyal shoppers. | But it has provoked mock outrage on social media from some of the chain's loyal shoppers. |
| As one Twitter user put it: "A collective gasp from middle England as @waitrose announces you now have to *buy something* before indulging in free teas and coffees." | As one Twitter user put it: "A collective gasp from middle England as @waitrose announces you now have to *buy something* before indulging in free teas and coffees." |
| Another joked: "We will speak of this day for years to come. Social historians will trace the #Islington #Coffee #Riots to this act of betrayal!" | Another joked: "We will speak of this day for years to come. Social historians will trace the #Islington #Coffee #Riots to this act of betrayal!" |
| The offer of a free hot beverage for myWaitrose members has not been without controversy. | The offer of a free hot beverage for myWaitrose members has not been without controversy. |
| In 2014, Labour raised concerns about the promotion, claiming it was hurting independent traders nearby. | In 2014, Labour raised concerns about the promotion, claiming it was hurting independent traders nearby. |
| The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, also gave his views on the issue, saying he could not see why people were complaining about it. | The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, also gave his views on the issue, saying he could not see why people were complaining about it. |
| 'Just a refinement' | 'Just a refinement' |
| A spokeswoman for the supermarket said the new policy was "just a refinement" for its customers. | A spokeswoman for the supermarket said the new policy was "just a refinement" for its customers. |
| "From 3 April, we'll simply be asking myWaitrose members to make a purchase before collecting their cup at the checkout," the company said in an email to myWaitrose members. | "From 3 April, we'll simply be asking myWaitrose members to make a purchase before collecting their cup at the checkout," the company said in an email to myWaitrose members. |
| Waitrose started to try out the new approach in 15 stores last year, and now it has decided to roll out the policy nationwide. | Waitrose started to try out the new approach in 15 stores last year, and now it has decided to roll out the policy nationwide. |
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| But for those who might have been sneaking in the odd free cup of coffee, there is some good news. | But for those who might have been sneaking in the odd free cup of coffee, there is some good news. |
| The supermarket said there would be no minimum spend to claim the hot drink. | The supermarket said there would be no minimum spend to claim the hot drink. |
| "A free tea or coffee has always been one of the ways we thank our customers for shopping with us - and that has not changed - we are underlining our commitment to this much-loved offer," the supermarket's spokeswoman said. | "A free tea or coffee has always been one of the ways we thank our customers for shopping with us - and that has not changed - we are underlining our commitment to this much-loved offer," the supermarket's spokeswoman said. |
| What else used to be free? | What else used to be free? |
| Plastic bags | Plastic bags |
| The obvious one. From October 2015, shoppers started being charged 5p for every new plastic bag they used at large stores in England. | The obvious one. From October 2015, shoppers started being charged 5p for every new plastic bag they used at large stores in England. |
| The charge provoked fury, and bag-hoarding, among some shoppers at the time. | The charge provoked fury, and bag-hoarding, among some shoppers at the time. |
| But official figures have suggested it has been effective. The number of single-use plastic bags used by shoppers in England plummeted by more than 85% in the first six months, according to the government. | But official figures have suggested it has been effective. The number of single-use plastic bags used by shoppers in England plummeted by more than 85% in the first six months, according to the government. |
| Meals on flights | Meals on flights |
| Before Easyjet and Ryanair rewrote the rules on short-haul air travel, passengers could take their free drink and snack for granted. | Before Easyjet and Ryanair rewrote the rules on short-haul air travel, passengers could take their free drink and snack for granted. |
| But in January this year, British Airways signalled that era was well and truly over when it ended the practice on its shorter flights. | But in January this year, British Airways signalled that era was well and truly over when it ended the practice on its shorter flights. |
| Customers on its domestic and European flights now have to pay for food and drinks from an on-board menu. | Customers on its domestic and European flights now have to pay for food and drinks from an on-board menu. |
| Air | Air |
| At petrol stations, at least, air is no longer free. Drivers need to pay a small charge to fill up their tyres. | At petrol stations, at least, air is no longer free. Drivers need to pay a small charge to fill up their tyres. |
| The charge has been around for a while, but Tesco angered some drivers last year, when it increased the minimum price to use the pumps from 20p to 50p. | The charge has been around for a while, but Tesco angered some drivers last year, when it increased the minimum price to use the pumps from 20p to 50p. |
| The supermarket says it re-invests the revenue to ensure that the air machines are working correctly. | The supermarket says it re-invests the revenue to ensure that the air machines are working correctly. |