From Bookace:
I've got some new stories to send in soon, but today I just want to pose a question to any current or former (or soon to be former) employee of Hoarders. And this is the only place I can think of to contact you guys.
See, a co-worker of mine has this spiel he's been using when pitching our Rewards Plus cards. Our store is located in a little hick town and is too small to have a cafe. He claims that if you walk into any Hoarders with a cafe and tell them, "I'm a Plus member," they'll give you free coffee. I read the flier and pointed out specifically to him that it says members only get a free coffee AFTER buying five cups. He in turn said that he's been told by the manager that "the first time" someone walks into a Hoarders Cafe and says they're a Plus member, they'll give them free coffee. I expressed concern that it might not be that way (Sounds too fishy. How would anyone know that it's the first time you've come in?) and that someone would get in trouble for saying it and he said he'd try to keep it out of his pitch from now on.
What our manager said still bugs me, though. I know our manager has lied to customers about other things. And the whole thing rubs me the wrong way because I can just imagine someone getting the card from us, going to a Hoarders with a cafe, asking for their free coffee, and pitching a fit when the coffee slave says they don't get a free cup until their sixth purchase.
I don't want to think of anyone as a liar without proof, however. I wouldn't even mind being proven wrong. So I'm curious, is this true? Do your cafes give free coffee to any Plus member who walks in and announces it? Can anyone here weigh in?
--BookAce
No. Sometimes there is a coupon in the little book you use to sell plus for a coffee, but the idea that you just walk in and get a free one is bogus.
Posted by: Workdthere | Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 04:10 PM
I remember seeing little signs all over the store for new members signing up to go to the cafe for a free coffee but I don't know the limitations or fine print that went along with it.
Posted by: Shywriter | Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 04:32 PM
I don't work for Hoarder's, but it makes sense that it would be like most cards where if you sign up you get a discount on that purchase. Perhaps it's more like, if you sign up for the card you can go over and get a free coffee that day. That sounds a lot more reasonable than just a free coffee whenever.
Posted by: snuzzle | Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 07:47 PM
The spiel goes: Let me tell you about our plus membership that will pay for itself! You get this coupon book that has $100 in savings in it. One of the first coupons you can use is for a free medium beverage at our cafe!... proceed with the cheesy smile and let them know everything else that there is go with it... So technically yes, for upgrading to the HR+ you do get a free cafe drink, but you have to have the coupon. You can find it on our intranet for the new approach on how to talk people into buying something that is just wasting our time.
Posted by: Resentful Peon | Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Ahh, thanks everyone! I'd forgotten about the coffee offer in the coupon book (having no cafe it was something we didn't point out) So technically the offer does exist, but only with the coupon. I knew there was no way it could be an every-time-you-go-in thing...
Posted by: BookAce | Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 07:15 AM
Also, if your store manager is fine with letting people who sign up have that first cup free, that's their decision. It is misleading if they suggest it could be that way anywhere. Plus, most people don't really listen. They'll hear "free" and "coffee" and fill in their own story.
Posted by: corkdork | Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Sounds like the doofus is falling for a variation on an old urban legend. http://www.snopes.com/business/redeem/redeem.asp
Posted by: Nocturnesthesia | Monday, March 21, 2011 at 12:11 AM
I work for a Hoarders that has a cafe, and I can tell you that it's only on Bean Friday that they get a free latte, but only if they buy and/or donate a bag of coffee. Otherwise, it *is* buy 5, get 1 free. There's also a coupon in the coupon book handed out when a custy joins a HR+ program for a free hot drink from the cafe. I've worked in my store for 5 years, so I'm pretty familiar w/this program at this point. I'm just sick & tired of getting Crustys on a regular basis, and how my boss treats me & my blackout issues.
Posted by: Purplelady | Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 09:50 AM