Free Dr Pepper demands killing servers - thousands going thirsty

November 23, 10:40 AMCaffeine ExaminerBig Red Boots  

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Dr Pepper knew demand for their drink was going to be high, but obviously did not plan on how much America wants to be a pepper too.  Back in March, Dr. Pepper bet everyone in America a free soda that Guns N' Roses couldn't release its latest album, "Chinese Democracy," by the end of 2008.  The album has been in production for over a decade - and promised to be released over half a dozen times.  But the wait is finally over, and the album is being released today (Sunday, Nov. 23). (Read more from the Business Examiner here.)

"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr. Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr. Pepper's on us." - so they announced everywhere that for one day only, you could register to receive a free bottle of Dr. Pepper on their website.  Problem is they were obviously ill planned for their flood of traffic - and expectantly crashed their servers. Even their toll free phone line was jammed, where callers were waiting for hours to get in on the free soda.

"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 news of the free Dr. Pepper has taken over  the news on television and radio too - offering a great chance at promotion -- if they could pull it off.  Their site now reads

We are experiencing high traffic and are updating our servers. Please try again later or contact our consumer relations at 1-800-696-5891.

So now even their toll free phone line was jammed, where callers were waiting for hours to get in on the free sodas.  The  representative on the phone did say that they are taking one customer at a time,  but are understandably slammed.

For those still trying to get yours, a few words:

1. Good Luck

2. Try going to this address instead - to save on load time( http://www.drpepper.com/freeDrPepper/address.php) or this one (http://www.drpepper.com/freeDrPepper?icamp=hp_dpfree_coupon) - both should get you in faster

3. Don't be dissapointed with the wait.  We waited over 15 years for the new GnR album, and still going to wait w 4-6 weeks for coupon to arrive.Once you get it, don't sit on it, as the coupon expires Feb. 28, 2009.

About the album - from what I have seen, most reviews are not happy. And what will the thousands of people do when they cant get their free drink promised to them?  Well, there is always Mr. Pibb....