Abby Dawson was rebuffed when she tried to redeem a coupon for a free grande iced coffee at the Starbucks at 16th and Curtis streets Wednesday afternoon.
What she didn’t realize was that the widely circulated offer was a counterfeit that has cost the Seattle-based coffee chain an untold number of free drinks.
“I thought it was a freebie for volunteers,” said Dawson, who received the offer via e-mail from a friend at the American Diabetes Association, where she helps out.
She even printed out copies for her co-workers at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, where she works as a research associate.
Starbucks originally offered its employees in the southeastern United States a voucher to share with friends and families.
But the offer was altered and spread around the Internet, promising unlimited iced coffees until Sept. 30.
“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,” the company said in a statement Wednesday.
The company encouraged people with questions to call 1-800-23- LATTE.
Coffee-chain employees working in downtown Denver, who were not authorized to speak on the record, said Tuesday afternoon was rushed as people lining up to get a free drink outnumbered paying customers.
They estimated that they gave away hundreds of iced coffees before the company said no more.
“It was definitely a problem for us,” said one manager.
The offer even made its way onto online auction provider eBay, where one seller was offering 999 coupons for $0.99.
Dawson, who rarely visits Starbucks, said the experience didn’t improve her image of the company, which she called a corporate conglomerate.
“I have an issue paying $3 for a coffee,” she said. “But if it’s free …”
Staff writer Aldo Svaldi can be reached at 303-820-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com.
