A Manchester mother has sparked a heated online debate after purchasing a Costa Coffee 'Too Good To Go' bag for only 99p and branding its contents 'absolutely awful'. Jo Rourke, known as thismumcooks on TikTok with over 302,000 followers, shared her disappointment in a viral video, questioning whether the bag represented the worst value she had ever encountered.
What is Too Good To Go?
Too Good To Go is a popular mobile application designed to combat food waste by allowing cafes, restaurants, and stores to sell surplus items that would otherwise be discarded. These items, often nearing their expiry dates, are bundled into mystery bags and offered at significantly reduced prices. Users reserve bags via the app and collect them at specified times, though the contents remain unknown until pickup.
The Controversial Costa Bag
In her video, Rourke displayed a Costa-branded bag stapled shut, explaining she used a £2 voucher to reduce the original price of £2.99 to just 99p. According to Too Good To Go guidelines, each bag should contain goods worth approximately three times the purchase price, meaning her bag should have held around £9 worth of items.
With an unimpressed expression, she revealed the contents: two double chocolate cookies and a single chocolate cornflake nest cake topped with one chocolate egg. Rourke exclaimed, 'Is this worth £9? I don't think I've ever had a worse Too Good To Go bag. That is shocking. That is absolutely awful.' She added, 'That's not even worth 99p. I don't know what to say,' highlighting her belief that the offering fell short of expectations.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The video prompted a flurry of comments with diverse opinions. Some viewers sympathised with Rourke's frustration. One commenter, claiming to be a Costa employee, stated, 'I work for Costa and that is shocking. Actually embarrassing! Hope you were asked about allergies before they put them in?' Another user shared a similar negative experience, saying, 'I've given up with Too Good To Go. I got one and it was terrible, it was a case of it just going in my bin instead of the Co-op's bin.'
However, others defended the value, pointing out that individual pricing at Costa often aligns with the bag's stated worth. A Costa employee commented, 'Both of those cookies are £3-something each, and the cornflake cake is just under £3, so yes that's £9 worth.' They explained that the cookies were not pre-packaged but unused items from stock nearing its expiry date, consistent with the app's anti-waste mission. Another user simply remarked, 'Looks good value to me, just saying,' underscoring the subjective nature of such purchases.
The Gamble of Mystery Bags
This incident highlights the inherent risk of using Too Good To Go, where customers trade certainty for potential savings and environmental benefits. While some users score bags filled with high-value items, others may feel short-changed, as Rourke did. The app's model relies on businesses accurately valuing their surplus, but perceptions of worth can vary widely among consumers.
Costa Coffee was contacted for comment regarding the specific bag and its valuation, but no immediate response was provided. The debate continues online, reflecting broader discussions about food waste, consumer rights, and the transparency of such initiatives in the retail and hospitality sectors.
