If you don’t already know, there’s free bubble tea at PlayMade today. It’s available at all outlets but, of course, I made my way to PlayMade at Waterway Point since it’s the most accessible for me. 
The exact opening hours of PlayMade at Punggol are a bit fuzzy – Google says 11am while the company’s own Facebook Page states 10.30am. Anyway, I reached at around 10.47am and this was the sight…
“Wow, no queue?!”
Apparently, those people sitting there are the early birds. The outlet’s opening hours have changed – they do indeed open for business at 11am. Since I was early, I went to do some grocery shopping first. Was an unplanned trip hence I didn’t have a reusable tote with me. Took a plastic bag from NTUC lor. (@_@)
Then I made my way to PlayMade, reaching the outlet at 10.59am where there was a horrendously long queue awaiting. (@_@)(@_@) By the time I reached the counter, half an hour had passed. I was #46.
And if you’re wondering why PlayMade is suddenly so generous, giving out 500 cups of bubble tea (with topping!) PER outlet (they have 5) today? Well, it’s actually sponsored by a company called Love Beauty And Planet. And there was a lady from LBAP handing out little cards to people standing in line…
There’s a QR code on the card right? I scanned it with my phone… and got directed to their website where… the products and the pricing doesn’t show up. After clicking around the website and getting frustrated, I gave up. When the lady came by again, I told her the website has an issue and her immediate reaction was disbelief. So I showed her. And… horrified, she calls a colleague who’s probably back in the office, and asks if there’s a bug.
Well, I hope they learn that they’d better ensure all kinks are ironed out when doing a marketing stunt like this. EVEN IF PlayMade charges them only $1 per cup given out, that’s $2,500 in marketing dollars, not counting the printing of posters, cards with QR codes, Facebook ads, etc.
Anyway that’s the boss / co-founder of PlayMade in white:
I’m glad she’s around. Service is probably 10 times better when the bosses are around. I’ve actually made a complaint before regarding lousy service but the company’s response was disappointing.
**BY THE WAY, if you want to redeem your free M-sized bubble tea, make sure you bring your own cup, FOLLOW LBAP on Instagram, and show your phone to PlayMade staff so they can verify that you’ve followed the sponsor.
~
Since it’s Earth Day, I feel like I should share about how awesome it is to bring your own cup or bottle. There are advantages, of course. Haven’t you seen how sometimes staff at bubble tea joints (e.g. KOI) prepare your drink, and then pour away the excess because the cup’s already full and a little allowance is needed so the plastic seal can be fitted onto the cup nicely? And you die a little inside because they poured away so much excess drink when you’re SO thirsty?
Well, if you bring your own bottle, I think they’ll happily give you everything they’ve prepared. No more wastage!
However, it is ridiculously difficult to enjoy bubble tea out of a bottle or cup without a straw! You won’t get pearls in every mouthful, and towards the end, you’ll be at risk of choking on too many pearls. 
(So yes, go get yourself a metal straw that’s wide enough for bubble tea pearls)
Meanwhile, excuse me while I go wash out my bottle. (@_@”‘)