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Original poster

Why are M&S free gifts so random?

45 replies

Greenbeanmcgee · 14/04/2023 14:11

I know that it's free but the first one was a free avocado. I dislike avocados and I've never bought them from M&S before. Now it's a pack of Conference pears. I don't really like pears and again I've never bought them from M&S so I'm not bothered but a little puzzled.

I find it a little odd that the free gifts are so random. Is it just whatever Alan at the warehouse ordered too much of this week?

OP posts:
00100001 · 14/04/2023 14:15

Perhaps.

Or maybe to get you to try something you're not buying on order to get you to discover a new favourite/but it again because this was "so nice"

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 14/04/2023 14:19

I was offered a loaf of white sliced bread the other week.

Original poster
Greenbeanmcgee · 14/04/2023 14:22

I was offered a loaf of white sliced bread the other week.

Grin You must have been so excited.

OP posts:

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General shopping
LER83 · 14/04/2023 15:23

I don't even get food! I've had a wooden spoon and their magazine! Although just realised mine is from ocado, not directly from m&s!

BarbaraofSeville · 14/04/2023 15:26

We've had loads.

Pears, bananas, apples, multiple loaves of bread, porridge, room spray set that I can remember. Apart from the bread, we've never bought any of the others from M&S.

Holidayneededplease · 14/04/2023 18:10

I always get a loaf or a pack of Percy pigs they seem to know me quite well! 😂

fussychica · 14/04/2023 18:33

Never been offered a thing.

emituofo · 14/04/2023 18:39

I love when its vegies, fruit or bread, biscuits and cookies a bit less but will still pick up, the only thing I dont like Percy pig sweets, its useless for me and I never pick up.

Carpediem15 · 14/04/2023 18:42

I bought a jacket a couple of weeks ago - yesterday I got 20% off jackets. This has also happened before with shoes and underwear which is so annoying when I have already worn them and can't exchange them.
Must say I have had plenty of money off offers like 15% off cheese, 75p off £5 of canned goods, canned fish and frozen goods which I always use.

TheNyx · 14/04/2023 18:44

How are people getting these free gifts ? Is it when you order online or is it with the loyalty card?

Carpediem15 · 14/04/2023 18:44

emituofo · 14/04/2023 18:39

I love when its vegies, fruit or bread, biscuits and cookies a bit less but will still pick up, the only thing I dont like Percy pig sweets, its useless for me and I never pick up.

You don't have to have Percies you can have Colin the caterpillar ones (it is in terms and conditions) and when I get the white bread I swop it for brown and it is always accepted.

LouLou198 · 14/04/2023 18:48

Never had any freebies! Just 20% off nightwear or socks!

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 14/04/2023 18:49

fussychica · 14/04/2023 18:33

Never been offered a thing.

I don't get offered anything free either. Got a 15% off meat code which I was happy about. Just been in to use it before it runs out and the shelves were bare 😒

potatowhale · 14/04/2023 18:50

Greenbeanmcgee · 14/04/2023 14:22

I was offered a loaf of white sliced bread the other week.

Grin You must have been so excited.

Ffs. It's free. Get over it

WhoToBeToday · 14/04/2023 19:00

Pears are only good when peeled, cored and hidden added to Italian pear and almond cake.

EssexMamisoa · 14/04/2023 19:01

I’ve had free cookies before!! Hang on in there 🤣

Cookerhood · 14/04/2023 19:03

I've never had anything free either, but then I often forget to check as I don't go there often. I bought some shorts this week & almost immediately got a 20% off shorts. Waiting for about her for bras next as I bought 4 of them!

Original poster
Greenbeanmcgee · 14/04/2023 19:22

I'm very envious of the wooden spoon, cookies and Percy Pigs.

I'm not genuinely bothered by it. Just intrigued by how random the choices seemingly are. Perhaps as another poster said, they're trying to encourage you to buy new products. Though judging by the fact that the pack of Conference pears I went to claim were all sold out and that there were plenty of another bag of Conference pears on sale, I'm sticking with my "Alan at the warehouse" theory.

OP posts:
Original poster
Greenbeanmcgee · 14/04/2023 19:23

Pears are only good when peeled, cored and hidden added to Italian pear and almond cake.

That sounds amazing. I might have to make that when I finally claim my free pears.

OP posts:
Blueberrycreampie · 14/04/2023 19:26

I got a free bar of Swiss chocolate a few weeks ago - it was priced at £3.00 and was lovely! Even all the Christmas freebies were crap!

KeziaOAP · 14/04/2023 19:26

Had a free gift of a make up bag (£7.50 on tag) when using sparks card last week, first free gift I've had😊

GingerFoxInAT0phat · 14/04/2023 19:30

I’ve had Percy pigs, Swiss chocolate bar (I got the blonde one was lovely) The next one I could choose between a pack of bananas or cookies, went for cookies obvs.

GingerFoxInAT0phat · 14/04/2023 19:31

But I am also intrigued why the products are chosen.

BarbaraofSeville · 14/04/2023 19:53

BarbaraofSeville · 14/04/2023 15:26

We've had loads.

Pears, bananas, apples, multiple loaves of bread, porridge, room spray set that I can remember. Apart from the bread, we've never bought any of the others from M&S.

The other posts have reminded me I've also had chocolate, Percy Pigs and I won the gin liquor in the advent calendar at Christmas.

Maybe I'm in 'the Goldilocks Zone'.

I buy quite a few things from M&S, never a full shop, but I go maybe 2 to 3 times a month but only ever buy cheap basics (some cheese, eggs, bread and milk are cheaper than most other places), meal deals and yellow stickers and other reduced to clear stuff.

Maybe they think that one day I'll forget myself and actually buy some of their more expensive profitable items?

VivaciousRadish · 14/04/2023 20:14

Carpediem15 · 14/04/2023 18:42

I bought a jacket a couple of weeks ago - yesterday I got 20% off jackets. This has also happened before with shoes and underwear which is so annoying when I have already worn them and can't exchange them.
Must say I have had plenty of money off offers like 15% off cheese, 75p off £5 of canned goods, canned fish and frozen goods which I always use.

My friend has this, and buys the exact same item with the 20% off, then takes it back on the original receipt

Its a bit of a faff, but she likes the discount

I promise it’s not me. I can’t even afford things WITH a discount right now