A big solar ouch
Most people knew it as a rare celestial event: an eclipse of the sun, visible from just about everywhere in the United States. But as the Dutch Bros. Coffee chain learned, it was also an unprecedented opportunity for louts looking to make a fast buck.
Like a number of other businesses, the Northwestern chain tried to bump up business before the eclipse by offering customers a free pair of the special glasses that were needed to safely witness the historic alignment of the sun and moon. It was a potent offer; solar mania led to a run on the glasses. The flimsy devices, which normally sell for about a buck, were going for many times that amount. If, that is, you could even find some available.
Opportunists saw an opportunity to start counterfeiting the glasses. At first, their efforts were near ridiculous. But by the start of the eclipse, their knockoffs were indistinguishable from the real thing, right down to the optician’s code that signaled authenticity.
Those counterfeits were unfortunately the version that ended up in Dutch Bros.’ offer. Fortunately, the 260-unit chain detected the ruse and was able to alert customers beforehand and ask that the glasses be taken out of circulation.
"Further investigation has led us to question this certification. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us, so we are issuing this voluntary recall," it alerted patrons before Monday.
The damage could have been tragic. Viewing the eclipse without the proper shields could result in severe eye damage and even blindness.