Dr. Pepper’s Free Soda for “Everyone” Wasn’t Really for Everyone – Until Now Eick November 24, 2008 Soft Drinks 4 Comments We bash and mock food companies quite a bit around here, and rightly so, there are a lot of terrible and ridiculous marketing decisions that get made by corporate America. But sometimes, a company actually listens to what consumers are saying, understands the problems people are complaining about, and addresses them. Such is the case with the recent decision by Dr. Pepper to extend the deadline to get a coupon for a free soda. Back in late March, Dr. Pepper offered a free soda to everyone in America if Guns ‘n Roses released their long overdue album, Chinese Democracy, by the end of the year. After it was announced that November 23rd would be the release date, Dr. Pepper announced that the coupon giveaway for a free soda would occur on that same day. Consumers could go to its website, enter their e-mail address, and receive a coupon for a free Dr. Pepper. There were a few problems with this offer. For starters, the Dr. Pepper website was repeatedly crashing yesterday, Examiner.com reported: “Dr.Pepper” was the 4th most searched for term on google today, followed by “dr pepper chinese democracy” as the 5th, and other variations taking up the 6th, 8th, 9, and 10th spots. The other problem with this offer is that Dr. Pepper had said they would give a free soda to “everyone” in America. But with this announcement, it became clear that what they really meant was “everyone with an e-mail account”, which frankly, cuts a lot of poor and working class people who may not have e-mail addresses out of the process. Not to mention, what about all the people who don’t have internet access on a Sunday? Rather than be hard-headed about this though, Dr. Pepper realized their error, and announced that they will be extending their offer until 6 PM TODAY. They have also set up a phone line for people without internet access or an e-mail address to call. So if you still haven’t applied for your free soda, head over to Drpepper.com or call 1-888-377-3773 by 6 PM tonight. The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Eick Latest posts by Eick (see all) Fast Food Bracket Round 1: Jack in the Box vs. Five Guys, KFC vs. Checkers - March 3, 2016 BK’s “Polygameat” Campaign Shockingly Similar to Wendy’s “Meatatarian” Campaign - September 16, 2014 Surge Wins Discontinued Foods Bracket! - April 12, 2013 4 Responses Jon November 24th, 2008 The important thing to remember here is that Diet Dr. Pepper taste more like regular Dr. Pepper. Reply Hillary November 25th, 2008 Yea, I definitely tried on Sunday when it was crashing – I couldn’t get in, so I gave up. Too bad I just saw your post NOW! 🙂 Reply James November 25th, 2008 Now, if RC Cola wouldn’t only go back to it’s recipe from the 70’s and give away bottles … Reply Leave a ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Current ye@r * Leave this field empty
Jon November 24th, 2008 The important thing to remember here is that Diet Dr. Pepper taste more like regular Dr. Pepper. Reply
Hillary November 25th, 2008 Yea, I definitely tried on Sunday when it was crashing – I couldn’t get in, so I gave up. Too bad I just saw your post NOW! 🙂 Reply
James November 25th, 2008 Now, if RC Cola wouldn’t only go back to it’s recipe from the 70’s and give away bottles … Reply