Two thumbs up to Caribou Coffee Co., Inc for turning Starbucks' defunked "Try Your Coffee" coupon into an opportunity to promote its own iced coffee.
The hubbub began after Starbucks' sent out a coupon on August 23, to select employees, encouraging them to send it to their friends and family. Within the week Starbucks cancelled the coupon because it "has been redistributed beyond the original intent and modified beyond Starbucks' control." Caribou was quick to see this as an opportunity to promote its own pressed ice coffee.
According to reports, Caribou will accept the Starbucks coupon on September 8, from noon until closing on one free medium Cold Press iced coffee, iced Americano or iced tea.
See also: Caribou Coffee Stores by State
Starbucks Press Release:
Starbucks Response to Free Iced Coffee Email
An email offering a free Starbucks iced coffee was distributed to a limited group of Starbucks partners (employees) in the Southeast United States on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 with instructions to forward to their group of friends and family. Unfortunately, it has been redistributed beyond the original intent and modified beyond Starbucks control. Effective immediately, this offer will no longer be valid at any Starbucks locations.
We apologize for any confusion and inconvenience as a result of this offer.
Contact Information:
Starbucks Customer Relations
(800) 235-2883
info@starbucks.com
I guess Starbucks did not know the power of the email system.