Annoyed with Waitrose

I live fairly close to a Waitrose and the coffee machine is very close to the exit door and there are many freeloaders nipping in to fill one or even two usable cups. The staff cannot be near the machine all of the time although customer services is close, the girls are busy.

I prefer to drink my coffee at home but on occasion I buy a bag of crisps, have my coffee in the cafe and then start my shop.

Surely it's no more offensive than a ticket inspector on a train asking to see your ticket? As to your age being a signal of virtue ...

I think if Waitrose are offering a free cup of coffee they are entitled to impose a few restrictions to ensure their customers benefit and do not find themselves providing a free café facility for all and sundry

Wish I'd thought about the banana (or similar) purchase. I often think it would be lovely to relax and enjoy a sit down coffee then shop feeling relaxed and ready to go. Our Waitrose isn't within walking distance so usually miss out altogether.

Our Waitrose does not ask to see a receipt and I have often seen some dodgy looking characters come in the door and go straight to the coffee machine with a re usable cup.I have wondered why this was allowed.

When they moved from coffee being freely available to requiring a cup from the till, one of the till operators told me that coffee consumption in the store went down by over 50%. Some would have got their coffee to drink as they shopped, although, but you rarely saw anyone pushing a trolley while drinking coffee. The rest were free loaders.

Ah Auntie but the person I know doesn't do any more shopping!

Nonnie, we do that. Go into the coffee shop, and buy a banana with our coffee, then do some shopping. It's nice to have a sit down, and not go round clutching a hot drink. Mind you, they have put up the price of their bananas from 25p each to 35p each.?. That is a 40% increase ???

I know someone who buys a banana so she can get the free coffee

Sounds reasonable to me - you can't really blame them for being careful, it would be easy otherwise for less scrupulous people to take advantage.

I was wondering if I could take my own cup into Waitrose . Would rather show my receipt than get a paper/plastic cup from them.

I think she probably had no choice but to ask you as so many people are dishonest. Don't feel bad, just take it for what it was, no insult intended.