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AIBU

SPARKS card a waste of time

(86 Posts)
lily64 Tue 04-Jun-24 09:53:12

I spent a lot in M&S but haven’t had any rewards for months. Obviously they don’t care that much about loyalty

Amalegra Thu 06-Jun-24 11:20:03

Sparks is one of the poorest ‘reward’ cards, I think. Boots is probably the best! I spend a lot online with M&S- no decent store near me since our town centre one closed, apart from a very cramped food hall a few miles away which I rarely visit as I find it overcrowded and stifling. So the food offers are lost on me ! I buy clothes for myself and GC and occasional homeware. The offers I get are rubbish really in comparison to what I spend. It’s just a gimmick, as they all are, which gives the company an insight into your spending habits. In return they throw you tidbits to try and make you feel a ‘valued customer’. Call me cynical!

NotSpaghetti Tue 04-Jun-24 21:12:38

lily64

All I am asking is if you like me are not getting any rewards on your App? Not that you are

I've had no "rewards" but do get "offers" 10% off sandwiches, pasta and pulses at the moment and 75p off flowers over £5. Oh, and something off fizzy drinks... 50p?

I don't buy sandwiches pasta or pulses there. I have occasionally bought flowers.

Romola Tue 04-Jun-24 18:40:01

I go to M and S when I actually need something. I usually ask the cashier to check the Sparks offers, but it's usually food, which I rarely buy there, too expensive.

AreWeThereYet Tue 04-Jun-24 18:09:53

midgey

Lily do you check your Sparks account? At present I have money off various foods, last month it was money off clothing but you need to check and accept the offers.

We get a few discount offers on clothes and food but as midgey says you have to go into your account and accept them before purchasing. We usually check what the offers are before we go out. Most of the offers are useless - if I buy undies one week we get 10% off on undies the following week hmm

eazybee Tue 04-Jun-24 16:30:29

You will be pleased to know that Stuart Machin, M&S chief Executive, has netted a £2million pay rise as his 'turnaround push' helped the retailer to its best financial position in 30 years. This on top of his 2.7m salary, so he now receives £4.7m per annum.
Surely you won't begrudge going without the little perks you used to receive, and will be thrilled to be helping out their 'charity'(?).
Our local M&S closed 18months ago, and a new food store opened in December and closed in May. Some clever accounting?

Desdemona Tue 04-Jun-24 16:04:01

Yes I do get rewards on the app, I only use them occasionally as I don't shop in M&S so much these days since they got rid of my local one.

lily64 Tue 04-Jun-24 15:45:39

All I am asking is if you like me are not getting any rewards on your App? Not that you are

Aldom Tue 04-Jun-24 15:09:14

At the moment my Sparks card offers are 10% off Fresh veg, meat, fish and poultry, Cheeses.
Sometimes the offer is 20% off shoes, trousers, underwear etc.
You need to check online before shopping in Marks and Spencer, save the offers that interest you and save money on your purchases.

Georgesgran Tue 04-Jun-24 15:05:18

Despite using an M&S credit card, I don’t bother with the Sparks malarkey!
Before Sparks, I was getting about £80 in vouchers from M&S (using the CC) but now I’m lucky to get £20 worth.

rafichagran Tue 04-Jun-24 14:58:27

A free drink occasionally, and I save 20% on underwear. I git a lovely room spray at Christmas. I don5 do any big shops there but I find the app OK for me. Although must agree Nectar is good.

NotSpaghetti Tue 04-Jun-24 14:50:23

I never see any offers I would take advantage of in Sparks.
I agree with lots of others. 99.9% useless!

GrannyGravy13 Tue 04-Jun-24 13:35:24

I have had the occasional free hot drink and often get discounts offers to download to my sparks card, it’s always nice to get something free or at a discount.

Davida1968 Tue 04-Jun-24 13:28:29

I agree with other GNs here. I have a Sparks card but I've no idea why! Boots card is so very much better.

Witzend Tue 04-Jun-24 13:18:17

Sarnia

I much prefer the cards like Nectar and Clubcard which give you savings in store.

And Boots!

Shelflife Tue 04-Jun-24 13:02:43

I hound mine a complete waste of time ! Cancelled it .

Harris27 Tue 04-Jun-24 12:27:36

Mine are mostly food? Which is probably what I do spend on the most but I do shop online for clothes from them and I e had reductions in knickers flowers etc. we’ve just had a new M&S opened near us can’t wait to have a look.

Yongy Tue 04-Jun-24 12:04:16

I was a bit fed up with myself because I had forgotten to claim the £18 I could have had off last week's grocery shopping at Tesco before the voucher was no longer valid.

lily64 Tue 04-Jun-24 11:54:33

I have had an app for years. I spoke to customer service and apparently 100 thousand are not getting the reward service

lily64 Tue 04-Jun-24 11:47:49

Yes check my app

lily64 Tue 04-Jun-24 11:45:20

I’m using the App they don’t issue cards anymore

lily64 Tue 04-Jun-24 11:44:35

Glad some of you are getting some rewards

Theexwife Tue 04-Jun-24 11:10:29

Oh yes, I’ve just re read thatgrin

Wheniwasyourage Tue 04-Jun-24 11:06:36

It’s not that things are dearer without the card; they are cheaper with it! grin

AGAA4 Tue 04-Jun-24 11:03:26

I made a big savings on underwear recently. 20% off the price of bras and knickers with my sparks card.

Theexwife Tue 04-Jun-24 10:57:18

Maybe it is going the way of others in that you only get points and offers in store when using the card, it would encourage more people to use it. Items in Tesco can be much dearer if the card is not used.