Get ready to roll: everybody's favourite coffee competition is back! This time, however, it’s a little different. After Tim Hortons cancelled the physical cup aspect of their famous Roll Up The Rim competition, things have gottten messy. Just one day in, the brand new system is already causing chaos and confusion across Canada. In a statement last week, the coffee company announced that they were making some changes to the upcoming Roll Up The Rim (RUTR) competition, in response to COVID-19 concerns. Tim Hortons explained that there were potential health risks associated with staff handling cups that had recently been touched and sipped by customers, and therefore the contest would be app-only for the time being. While the donut-shop promised to redistribute all $30 million worth of prizes as in-store giveaways and online contests, many Canadians were still totally unprepared to give up the physical rim roll. Additionally, just one day into the RUTR season, the digital-only contest seems to be causing all sorts of uncertainty and chaos across Canada. Between app-glitches and cancellation confusion, it seems a number of people are totally lost with the competition's new format. View this post on Instagram #RollUpTheRim is back, with $14 million worth of in-restaurant hot beverage instant giveaways and millions of prizes to be won on the Tim Hortons app! A post shared by Tim Hortons (@timhortons) on Mar 11, 2020 at 4:59am PDT As the competition kicked-off on Wednesday, one of the biggest areas of confusion seemed to be whether or not the contest was actually cancelled. A number of Canadians took to social media to question why they were seeing RUTR on their timelines, as they thought it had been completely scrapped this year. One person asked, “Wasn't Roll Up The Rim cancelled due to coronavirus?" Another wrote, “I'm confused. Is Roll Up The Rim cancelled or is it back?" i'm confused. is roll up the rim cancelled or is it back? im hearing two different things— Abdiel 🐝☕️ (@abbydealer) March 11, 2020 I thought Tim Hortons cancelled Roll Up The Rim this year— Stream SUGA // IG: jefmphotography (@SpikeGhost) March 11, 2020 Wasn't Roll Up The Rim was cancelled due to Corona virus...?— Laurel L. Russwurm (@laurelrusswurm) March 11, 2020 roll up the rim being a sponsored trend when they cancelled it this year..😭😭— faye (@aewoI_ri) March 11, 2020 There was also uncertainty for those using the app to play, as several competitors reported glitches and problems with the company’s digital platform. While some people reported their prizes were “claimed” before they actually were, others simply couldn’t get their app to load at all. It was also impossible to play online in some Tim Hortons restaurants, as one sign explained, “This location is unable to support the digital contest … because we use a different technology system.” This new @TimHortons digital roll up the rim sucks. Apparently the first rolls I did I won a donut and coffee yet it was instantly claimed even though I haven’t used them yet. Bring back the old cups. This is balls #fail #rolluptherim #notamused pic.twitter.com/CyOzIYxmWY— Heather™ (@p1nky2010) March 11, 2020 First day of roll up the rim @TimHortons and I won a free coffee. Immediately after it says claimed. What gives? How do I get my free coffee now? pic.twitter.com/FypPX2SmGC— Shane Demmitt (@Shanerd79) March 11, 2020 If you are here wondering wtf happened to your prize - no - you’re not the only one who has experienced this “claimed” fail. Fix it @TimHortons. #RollUpTheRim pic.twitter.com/sPg9V72MJC— C.A.L. (@JaeydePanda) March 11, 2020 Hey @TimHortons ...what is this nonsense. Some of your stores don’t have technology to scan rewards card. You have killed one of the greatest Canadian tradition. #RollUpTheRim pic.twitter.com/dD6WNAG6WD— Azmal Patel (@az_ptl) March 11, 2020 Frustrated coffee-lovers also reported problems with scanning their rewards cards via the app, as well as issues creating a new account. One annoyed Canadian tweeted, "The contest is called Roll Up The Rim. Not scan the app!" @TimHortons already not a fan of this new roll up. Grabbed my items guess what scanner isn't working. This is already a failure. Switch back to the cups. The contest is called roll up the rim. Not scan the app— Paul Mallia (@malliaman__) March 11, 2020 I love the idea of a virtual #RollUpTheRim (not as much as the idea of biodegradable paper cups, but I digress) But am I the only one who can't get their app to work? It keeps prompting me to click a link but at no point can I actually create an account?— Fearless Fred (@Fearless_Fred) March 11, 2020 @TimHortons the first day of roll up the rim and the rewards card on my app that I’ve been using for months won’t scan. Coupon not found it said. Off to a great start.— Andre Chartrand (@Andre2414) March 11, 2020 A number of people also complained that they were unable to scan their cards or apps for Roll Up The Rim after they'd already paid for their coffee. One Twitter user explained, “No one asked to scan my code before I paid, and then they told me it was too late?” @TimHortons i paid for my coffee and then I was told it was too late to scan my card for roll up the rim. can i please get my rolls???— aret 🍑 (@Aretho) March 11, 2020 @TimHortons The only reason I signed up for your app and went to your store today was to play roll up the rim No one asked to scan my code before I paid and then they told me it was too late??? WTF pic.twitter.com/PkvwHEfLFK— keira.kova (@keira_kova) March 11, 2020 @TimHortons Your #RollUpTheRim is not working. Not only did I buy my lunch and not get any points, I also didn’t get a roll up the rim for my app. And yes, I bought a medium coffee so I know I had purchased a qualifying meal.— Mike Lutke (@delorean_mike) March 11, 2020 In a statement to Narcity, Tim Hortons explained, " This wasn't a technical glitch. We’ve updated the language in the app so it now says 'won' instead of 'claimed.'" The spokesperson added, "To activate the winning roll, guests need to open the app, scroll down on the home screen to 'Rewards and Offers' and click 'Activate Offer'. The winning roll will be redeemed on their next purchase containing the item. " Despite all of the confusion so far, Roll Up The Rim is a Canadian tradition, and you know you’ll be missing out if you don’t try it at least once this year! The contest will run until April 7. Full details can be found here. NOW WATCH Toilet Paper Apocalypse Is Happening At Costco As Canadians Stock Up For COVID-19 (VIDEO)
