Free Ice Cream Doesn't Heal Broken Leg, But It Helps
As summer winds down, Michael from Maryland shared with us a delightful story about an ice cream chain going above and beyond. It shows the lengths to which people will go in order to get something for free, and the thoughfulness of a company after the pursuit of free stuff went wrong.
The ice cream company Bruster's Real Ice Cream offers a free second scoop of ice cream when its raining or snowing. About two weeks ago, I was at the state fair when it began to rain. Excited, I decided to head for my car in order to grab a free second scoop of ice cream. Unfortunately, I slipped in mud, breaking my leg in two places. I never made it to Bruster's. From my hospital bed, I wrote an email to Bruster's, requesting a free second scoop of ice cream once I had regained the ability to walk.
I received a response from the owner of the local Bruster's the next day, asking for my address so he could send off a gift card for a free first scoop, no purchase necessary. Pleased, I replied with my name and address.
The next afternoon I was at a follow-up appointment with my doctor. I got a phone call from my sister, who told me that a Bruster's delivery van had driven up to the house. A man from Bruster's had come to the house to wish me well, and to drop off FOUR pints of Bruster's ice cream.
Bruster's, in this one motion, has earned my brand loyalty forever. I tell my story to everyone who comes to visit.
We can't help but question the wisdom of abandoning a state fair in order to get a free scoop of ice cream (state fairs are awesome) but are delighted to hear that Bruster's has pitched in to help Michael get the extra calcium he needs to heal his leg. Yeah. That's it.
(Photo: diaper)
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Comments:
Wow, talk about above and beyond!
Brusters, you are awesome. Who doesn't love free ice cream? I wish there was a Brusters in Northern VA. The closest one is ...Fredericksburg? No thanks.
Free ice cream is always a good thing. Nice story!
Aaaaaand now I want ice cream.
It's not a hard decision to leave a fair when it's raining.
If this guy will head off through mud, in the rain, for a free scoop of ice cream, can you imagine what he'll do for a balloon?
I'm sorry about the broken leg, but this story is so adorable in so many ways. I love that his first reaction to a rained out fair was free ice cream! And that he was so excited about it that it was still on his mind while broken and bruised in a hospital bed. And a personal pint delivery from Bruster's? So many warm fuzzies on a somewhat gloomy Friday afternoon!
There is a Bruster's not far from me that I've never been to. I will have to check it out.
All I can say is Ouch!!!
Ok, I'll add a way-to-go-good-job to Bruster's.
Must be good ice cream to break a leg for.
@TCama: Ah, another one who knows their commercials. What's going to happen now that we all FF past 'em? I guess we'll keep referring to the oldies but goodies.
How much do I love the photo that is in this thread because of the dog that is wandering through the shot?
@Laura Northrup:
Bruster's also gives free ice cream to dogs!! Not sure what it is made of but I just saw the sign last week.
good ice cream, yes
they donated a large amount of icecream (somewhere around 500 scoops) to a summer camp i work at every year
but the last 2 times i've tried to go to their store, they were critically low on ice cream... i think the last time, they only had peach flavor.
It amazes me that more companies do not do this sort of thing. Even if this story did not appear on The Consumerist, he would have certainly told this story to many people. And it is stories like this that really bring in customers for life.
Its funny, because companies spend millions on ads and other gimmicks in order to win customers, and all it takes is a little niceness, and creative thinking.
I lived through those rains...the fair was a horrible horrible mess as a result. Glad to hear this person got their ice cream.
There is one of these places in Glen Burnie, right around the corned from my dad's house. Not only are they super friendly, but their ice cream is REALLY GOOD!
oooh, I've said this bfore on here & I will say it again:
How about a positive companion to the "Worst Company in America"? It would honor the most customer-friendly company and/or individual customer service rep.
@NORMLgirl: My favorite soft-serve place makes tiny doggie sundaes of vanilla ice cream with a dog biscuit on top. I've never brought a dog, so I'm not sure whether they're free or on the menu.
They also give a free mini-scoop of ice cream (with a Milkbone inside as well) for your dog if you bring them along. Tonka loves going to Bruster's with us, and it's probably the only time he'll ever eat a Milkbone.
I would go buy ice cream from them tonight if they were anywhere near here. I love supporting smart marketing maneuvers and ice cream.
@Quake 'n' Shake: Another comment like that and you will get me fired for hysterical laughter. For shame.
@TinkishDelight: If he's like me, he was already thinking of how good some ice cream would be right about then, and was just looking for an excuse to go. I support that.
I'm near a Brusters in Middle River in MD and yes its pretty good.
Definitely worth going out of the way.
Wonder which one he was going to? 'Cuz if the Middle River one then they where going across town for that!
That's dedication!
Yay! I love Brusters...I miss them here in Michigan :( Maybe they will drive a van to Detroit for me? lol
@pecan 3.14159265:
I dunno, there's one in Germantown (maybe northern Gathersburrg, I forget). Depends on what part of Northern VA you're in, I guess.
Well, we know what the OP would do for a Klondike bar.
That is definitely great story! On a side note though, upon reading the headline and then the one under it, I couldn't help but think this might be part of the new health care reform strategy.
Wow, that is pretty awesome on the store owner's part. He totally didn't have to do that.
And I second the abandoning the fair. All fairs are awesome at is bilking you out of your money. I'm so tired of this Cue-pin business at the local fair here I haven't gone in almost 10 years.
I have to wonder how fat he is. Seriously? Who falls down in the mud and breaks their leg because they're obsessed with getting a free scoop of ice cream?
I had no idea they served such fantastic ice cream that it merits leaving a state fair and emailing them about the ice cream while hospitalized. Although leaving the state fair once it starts raining is only like half as impressive. Muddy fairs were only fun when I was 6. I will have to try them. We have one in my town but I have never been. Only been to Cold Stone.
One must wonder, does the OP work for Brusters?
But think of how many free pints you could get for a flaming car wreck while traveling for their ice cream.
They also give your little ones a free small vanilla softserve cone just for being little.
We had our dog with us when we went there this summer, and you guessed it -- free doggy scoop of ice cream! No lie. My dog has never been happier.
I'm embarrassed to admit (even though it's pregnancy hormones) but this story made me tear up.
@NotEd: In Madison, WI we have not only Culvers, but Michaels Frozen Custard as well. So very tasty.
It's always nice when this happens. A company acting humanly? Incredible!
Of course, now that people know they can get free ice cream by breaking their legs... expect Lowe's to be sold out of hammers.