In the Parade Bar (University of Bath campus) yesterday, I was amazed to find myself paying for FREE coffee.

A lot of coffee retailers (excluding, inexplicably, Starbucks) have a simple system called the “Coffee Loyalty Card”. To encourage customers to return to that store several times, they give you a card and you collect a stamp. When all the spaces opn the card are filled up, your next drink is free.

Parade Bar has such a system. On it is clearly written:

Buy 9 hot drinks and get your 10th FREE!

There are no “terms and conditions” on the card, and none on their website. Why, therefore, was I asked to pay for this:

This is a large latte with cinnamon syrup, whipped cream and miniature marshmallows. Normally I never get the extras (I actually like the coffee) but I wanted to get the most out of the free drink. Disgusting, I agree, but it wasn’t just the sugar that made me feel sick; I had collected my 9 stamps like a faithful idiot, only to have the “large latte” part of that long list of extras included as “free 10th hot drink”. The rest, apparently, “didn’t count”. I don’t quite understand how “extras” do not count as part of a hot drink in parade bar. No where does it mention that “extras are not included in the offer.” I just want to warn people now.

My immediate reaction was surprise and alarm. I thought about asking the woman serving me to take the marshmallow/cream/syrup out, instead, I drank it. (Mainly with a spoon).

It wasn’t even that good.