Mcdonald's

There is a promotional for free coffee for some participating Mcdonalds for the month of september. I went on sunday the 21, However while this Mcdonalds is participating Mcdonald, They do not want to give out the cup of free coffee. I went in asked "can I have a cup of small coffee please" the manager behind the counter said $1.07. I paid assuming they were not among the participating ones. A second later, a lady that they were familiar with came and asked for a the free coffee and they give it to her. I say they knew her because of the small talk. When I saw that happened I asked " how come I'm paying?" the guy in the purple shirt said because you didn't say the word "Free". Our Boss said if the customers don't say free coffee charge them. So I asked for my money back. he gave it to me. Then I said "Can I please have a Free cup of small coffee, He said no because you did not asked for it the first time. I left. The other participating Mcdonalds will actually tell you its free this month as of these dates. This one in mattapan will cut corners. Either you participate or you don't. You can't have signs that say free and Charge for it because the customers don't use the word "free".