You're pretty good.. not only did you try to use a fake coupon, you wanted to use it for something it's not valid for.. geeze. :)

Ron.

Just saw this on MSN.com - if this is the same thing, looks like it was a legitimate offer, just spread too far.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/pro...830&ID=5980901

Sweet, isn't it? :D

I redeemed my coupon last Friday (8/25) in Lakewood (CO) for a Soy Mocha - delicious, btw. No problem at all from the barista, but I gave her a buck (generous for a cheap guy, I am) ;)

I had no idea this turned out to be such a mess for Starbucks - a textbook case of how not to do a promotion - that video of the New Yorkers lining up for a freebie is too funny.

"In July, Starbucks posted its weakest monthly same-store sales increase since 2001, saying heavy demand for cold drinks like Frappuccinos slowed service during busy morning hours, prompting customers to go elsewhere for their daily jolt."

Imagine how sales will increase after telling people the free offer isn't valid for them.

If it were given to employees for friends and family, they could have found a better method.

This coupons is a legitimate one. I happened to call Starbucks for a different reason and asked them about coupon. Before I even finished my question CS told me it was real coupon and Expires at the end of September. So, I did use it at Starbucks with no questions asked but she gave me Iced coffee only. She said that what the coupon was for. So no Iced caramel machiatto for me. But since you guys getting all kids of drinks for free, I might try another location. BTW, that iced coffee was nasty. YUCK

~~~~~~~~~~~OFFER PULLED~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Starbucks stops free iced coffee in Southeast
Coffee maker says offer was ‘redistributed beyond the original intent’
Reuters

Updated: 5:21 p.m. PT Aug 30, 2006
The company said an e-mail offering a free Starbucks iced coffee was sent to a limited group of employees in the southeast on Aug. 23 with instructions to forward it to friends and family.

However, Starbucks said the offer was redistributed beyond the original intent. Effective immediately, the offer will no longer be valid at any Starbucks locations.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14583274/

Sounds the same as Fters taking advantage of promos to which they are not entitled. :D

Everyone has a friend that works for starbucks. I am surprised that they would put this out there knowing that it would eventually hit the internet and then take it back. I can see a hotel or airline pulling a trick like this.

Starbucks intended it for use for employees' families and friends for a specific region. However, it was poorly done. Once the problem was known, it was poorly handled, Starbucks should have notified all stores to accept them. I think smart competitors should have seized this as an opportunity to attract Starbucks customers by advertising that they would accept this coupon, even if Starbucks wouldn't.

Caribou is doing exactly that on the 9th of September (or was is the 8th?) ... I think its a brilliant marketing move on their part. They'll take what *Bucks created but will now refuse to honor - even for only a limited period. ^