Costa Coffee blasted for ‘tricking’ customers into paying an extra 25p after £3.9bn Coca-Cola buyout
The chain is pushing its Winter Character Roast but staff fail to mention that it adds nearly 11 per cent to the cost
COSTA Coffee has been blasted for “tricking” customers into paying an extra 25p.
The chain, recently bought by Coca-Cola for £3.9billion, is pushing its Winter Character Roast.
But staff fail to mention that the Columbia blend — made with “winter berries, dark cocoa and warming cinnamon’” — adds nearly 11 per cent to the cost.
The Sun tested the ruse at a South London branch.
Ordering a small white Americano, we were asked: “Would you like that with a Columbia roast?
“We have two blends of coffee. This one is 100 per cent Arabica. It has a fruity taste and is a little bit less bitter.”
But no mention was made of the 25p extra charge, taking the price from £2.30 to £2.55.
Martyn James, of consumer complaint handling site Resolver, said: “It’s upselling by stealth.
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“If Costa wants to try out a new blend of coffee beans it should be upfront about it.
“I’ve fallen victim to this pressure tactic at Costa.
"It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.”
Costa told The Sun that staff were expected to warn of the 25p charge.
It added: “We apologise to any customer who has opted for a new roast without being informed of the additional cost.”
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