You could always ask your scheduler, but
1: If you're not already absolutely sure, make absolutely sure this is a revealed shop. Most coffee purchase shops aren't revealed, and the requirement of taking pictures alone does not mean it is revealed. Sometimes, they just want you to be sneaky.
2. I've never heard of a client objecting to a larger purchase being made as long as you still buy what you are required to buy (and I've certainly done this in multiple cases), but when in doubt, you can ask your scheduler. I would think that a company evaluating its own employees would hardly object to getting some money back, even if it's just a little.
3. Bear in mind that if it says you will only reimbursed up to $3, then you will still only be reimbursed up $3, and possibly just for the cost of the required item. Some companies will still reimburse for non-required items as long as you are at or under the maximum reimbursement amount. This is another thing which you could ask your scheduler. If you are doing a competitor shop (unlikely given that they are after you checking the markings on the cup), then it MIGHT be better just to buy what you are required to buy. I doubt anybody would ever be anal enough to care, though--I've certainly made a couple of extra, small purchases on competitor shops, been paid, and then done the same shop over again. They don't have the right to tell you what NOT to buy on a shop unless, for whatever reason, you actually sign away that right as part of a contract. And I've never seen that, but maybe somebody else has.
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 08/25/2015 11:40PM by OceanGirl.