Free Starbucks Iced Beverage Coupon

Netlore Archive: Circulating via email, a printable coupon for a free iced grande beverage at Starbucks

Description: Email flier
Circulating since: August 2006
Status: Outdated
Analysis: See below

Email example contributed by Charles T., 25 August 2006:

Subject: Have a Free Starbucks Drink! Hi Everyone, Starting today until September 30th, please join us in "surprising and delighting " our family and friends, while introducing you to our iced beverages. Attached is an invitation for a complimentary iced Grande beverage. Please forward this invitation to everyone in your email address book. Thanks so much! Kimberly Beasley Starbucks Coffee Company Southeast Regional Coordinator (404) 636-5200 ext 2200

Comments: Oops! Starbucks issued a press release on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 saying that the above promotion, which was valid when first introduced one week earlier, has been canceled because it was"redistributed beyond the original intent and modified beyond Starbucks' control."

The flier was initally sent out to a limited number of employees in the southeastern United States, who, in turn, were encouraged to forward it to family and friends. Before long it was being published on blogs and "free stuff" Web sites across the Internet and brought in for redemption in Starbucks locations everywhere.

The promotion was apparently an experiment to see if business could be shifted from mornings to afternoons and evenings. I don't know how successful it was, but there were lessons learned, to be sure.

Update: Rival company Caribou Coffee announced yesterday that it will honor Starbucks' iced grande beverage coupons for one day only, September 8, at which time anyone presenting one of the coupons at a Caribou location will receive a free medium Cold Press iced coffee, iced Americano or iced tea.
Read more...

Sources and further reading:

Starbucks Coupon Gets Out of Hand
Seattle Times, 31 August 2006

Starbucks Recalls Coupon
Orange County Register, 31 August 2006

Last updated: 08/31/06

Current Netlore
The Urban Legends Top 25