Dining News: Demand Outstrips Supply on Postmates Launch Day in Sacramento
August 13, 2015
Apparently, for most of us, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
If you tried to get a free Roxie Deli sandwich from Postmates for your midday meal, you probably didn't get one.
If you ever need a case study on how NOT to roll out a new service, check out today's @Postmates launch in Sacramento. #useless @Instacart
— Scott Lichtig (@scottlichtig) August 13, 2015
When the deal started at 11 a.m., I, apparently along with a legion of you, tried to get the free sandwich, as promised by Postmates to encourage people to use their app. According to their app's display, there were a half dozen drivers servicing the downtown area.
I tried continuously from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and failed, at times encountering a myriad of errors. At that time, my hunger exceeded my desire for a free sandwich and I ended up using Mother's Facebook app to order a panzanella salad for $10. (BTW: It was delicious, but it also wasn't free.) Imagine the horror as I was forced to walk a block from my office to Mother to pick up the lunch in person like everyone was forced to do in the pre-Postmates era.
That's not to say that there were no free lunches. Some lucky bastards were able to take advantage of the deal.
Just used @Postmates for a quick and tasty lunchtime sandwich. Thanks for sharing the news @CowtownEats. pic.twitter.com/HGDphSezXs
— Alex Hirsch (@Alex_Hirsch) August 13, 2015
Many would be quick to swear off Postmates after their early hiccup. I won't. Launches are hard. Having enough supply of anything you're giving away for free is hard, let alone having enough drivers to deliver the free sandwiches.
So I'll try again tomorrow. According to social media, dozens of you were able to get the free sandwich, just not me. It also seems like they got better as the day went on.
Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow, though I'm not sure they have the capacity to do something really important like pick up medicine from a pharmacy yet. Hopefully, they'll ramp up soon and fix all these glitches.
As a reminder, Postmates is offering a free sandwich from Roxie Deli from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday. Click here to learn more about the launch offer.
Visit Postmates to download the app. BTW: If you use the promo code t3bj, you'll get a $10 delivery credit and I'll get $10 after you use it. It's free to you. Why not help Cowtown Eats get a couple free deliveries?
More News:
VIDEO: On-demand delivery startup Postmates launches in Sacramento - Postmates uses a network of about 14,000 independent contractors who pick up and deliver items. Gabrielle Karol on News 10.
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New locally owned coffee shop will include vegan treats - It's easy to find craft coffee in midtown or downtown Sacramento, but there aren't as many options in the Arden-Arcade area. That's why a husband-and-wife team is opening a new business, Secret World of Coffee, at 3355 Arden Way. Expected to open in mid-September, Jason Taylor will focus on the coffee part of the business. Sweet Sugar Vegan, his wife Tasneem Brown's bakery, will provide pastries. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.
Sampino’s Towne Foods - When you think of options for a great Italian dinner around downtown, I bet a few common culprits come to mind – Il Fornaio, Biba and the like. Well, it’s time to add Sampino’s Towne Foods (1607 F Street) (Facebook) to the list. Tucked away on 16th and F, a few doors down from 16th Street Donuts, this daytime deli turns into a hot spot for family-style dining on Friday nights. Brianna Nathan on Girls on the Grid.
Pizza Rock offers how many styles of pizza?!?! - I came away from the event not only sated with doggie bags for lunch the next day, but also with a new appreciation for Pizza Rock and Tony's expertise. When you consider that most pizza places only focus on one or two styles of pizza, to know that Sacramento has a place that not only serves all styles, but does so expertly and correctly to each style, gives any pizza lover an appreciation of how lucky we are. Catherine Enfield on Munchie Musings.
VIDEO: Ice Cream And Elvis At The Zoo - What could Elvis and Ice Cream possibly have in common? The Sacramento Zoo will have both at the 31st Annual Ice Cream Safari Aug. 15. The fundraiser will benefit the zoo. Attendees will enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream while enjoying entertainment from "Elvis." On FOX 40.
VIDEO: Ice Cream Safari - Alexis takes a stroll through the Zoo while working her way through 12 different flavors of all-you-can-eat ice cream at the 31st annual Ice Cream Safari. On Good Day Sac.
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