Expensive "free" cup of coffee

**Hugh** · 14-09-2006, 12:10

"A Starbucks customer in the US who was told her free drink voucher was worthless is launching a $114m (Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£60m) lawsuit against the coffee colossus."

"Like many popular things on the internet, the e-mail quickly got out of control, being forwarded to perhaps millions of people around the country and posted on websites.
When Starbucks realised how many people were coming in for their free drink, it rescinded the offer.
But one customer in New York city felt so betrayed she approached a lawyer."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5344884.stm

Get a frackin life!

My wife's best friend (and godmother to our daughter) is a CPS lawyer, but when I read articles like the one above, I just want to get a gun and "go postal" on them.

14-09-2006, 12:18

Why put up an offer you cannot honour?
No sympathy for starbucks, perhaps they'll need a strong coffee after settling this claim and others

bopdude · 14-09-2006, 12:22

Typical of the geographically challenged ( yanks ) slight overkill

grandmaster · 14-09-2006, 12:27

$114m <--- Is that all?

I would have sued for much more.

Paul · 14-09-2006, 12:30

Quote:

The company originally e-mailed the offer to employees in the south-east of the US, with instructions to forward it to family and friends.

But then obviously the email was made public domain by someone and thousands of people tried to get themselves a free cup. Another pointless case that will only make money for the lawyers.

**Hugh** · 14-09-2006, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

But then obviously the email was made public domain by someone and thousands of people tried to get themselves a free cup. Another pointless case that will only make money for the lawyers.

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pre...691&rumor=true
"Unfortunately, it has been redistributed beyond the original intent and modified beyond Starbucks control."

TheDaddy · 14-09-2006, 12:45

I really hope that Starbucks don't settle out of court, let that stupid women lose the case and have to pay everyone's costs, with a bit of luck it will discourage others from launching ridiculous lawsuits, I am surprised that the Yankees ever get anything done through fear of being sued at every turn.

Jules · 14-09-2006, 12:46

The world has gone mad! It was a cup of coffee for gods sake, what is her problem!

TheDaddy · 14-09-2006, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

The world has gone mad! It was a cup of coffee for gods sake, what is her problem!

She has probably been inspired by previous high pay outs and urban myths like these

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors...yinamerica.htm

grandmaster · 14-09-2006, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

The world has gone mad! It was a cup of coffee for gods sake, what is her problem!

She's a loser?

maddyp · 14-09-2006, 16:28

come on thats funny! what was that film called were the guy shoots guns in macdonalds because they won't serve breakfast after 10 am and it was 1 min past ..falling down? Lucky he didnt have a free voucher for starbucks!

cookie_365 · 14-09-2006, 17:44

I'd like to see the wording of the original email offer.

I'd be surprised if the email contractually bound Starbucks into providing the freebie (at least under English law) but did the person in charge of the project not realise that this would happen ?

15-09-2006, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie_365

I'd like to see the wording of the original email offer.

I'd be surprised if the email contractually bound Starbucks into providing the freebie (at least under English law) but did the person in charge of the project not realise that this would happen ?

Well I would have thought after the hoover debacle companies would be a little more " street wise "
If it was a genuine offer, and the advert did not state " no photocopies accepted " then no sympathy starbucks, you put your hand in the fire....