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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:
Carpediem15 · 14/04/2023 20:21

VivaciousRadish · 14/04/2023 20:14

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

Show quote history

Thanks but I have done that before but I bought the jacket on line and it came in a plastic bag with no receipt inside, just on my Sparks card and M and S credit card so it is a bit akward to exchange that way.

Original poster
Greenbeanmcgee · 02/05/2023 13:26

I take it back. All is forgiven.

I still haven't been able to find the pears instore though so I've yet to claim those.

Why are M&S free gifts so random?
OP posts:
User18546753 · 02/05/2023 13:29

I like to get Percy pigs, cakes and the loaf of farmhouse sliced bread as DH likes that

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General shopping
Blueberrycreampie · 02/05/2023 19:01

Got a free farmhouse loaf in my Sparks offers today.

Monkeytapper · 02/05/2023 19:06

Just checked mine, I’ve got free Percy pigs too 😃

in the past I have had a loaf of bread, a bun/cake/croissant from the bakery part, and various fruit that they never had in stock from my local

EwwSprouts · 02/05/2023 20:17

I've just had a free punnet of green grapes which was acceptable!

78thcat · 02/05/2023 20:19

I had no idea this was a thing. What's the process for getting free gifts? Do I need a loyalty card?

HappyMe6 · 02/05/2023 20:21

I e only found this out few weeks ago and I’ve had farmhouse loaf and a packet of conference pears . I love free gifts I’m not complaining! Why would you it’s free

EwwSprouts · 02/05/2023 20:29

@78thcat You need the Sparks app.

StarDolphins · 02/05/2023 20:32

Isn’t it stuff that’s nearing use by date?

When I’m in Waitrose, they give my DD loads, daffodils, cookies etc for no reason, I always think it’s because they will go to waste - daffodils were a touch brown etc!

JoanThursday · 02/05/2023 20:33

Ooh - I've currently got discounts on bread, soup and those tubs of mini bites. That's lunch sorted then!

(And better than the free loo roll that came up a few weeks ago)

User18546753 · 02/05/2023 20:35

No it's not old stuff just normal food off the shelf that you would buy.

Snowjokes · 02/05/2023 20:38

I never get free gifts! Just random discounts, I currently have 15% off juices and deli…

Neverknowinglysensible · 02/05/2023 20:49

I spend a fair amount in M&S food dept. The only free gifts I’ve ever had are one loaf of bread and, currently, green grapes. I waited in anticipation for my free bottle of liquor at Christmas but, no, all I ever got were the 15% off random things I’d never ever buy.
I think M&S know that, in my godforsaken area of shopping desolation, they’ve got my custom come what may so save any tempting freebies for lucky people who can pick and choose their shopping destinations!

MrMarkham · 02/05/2023 21:13

I keep getting £5 vouchers, I've had three now! They must see the pattern of me being tempted in by the voucher and spending 50 odd quid 😂

SchmeltzHerring · 02/05/2023 21:13

I've got a free pastry from the in-store bakery on my card today, which I'm quite pleased with, considering it's only the second freebie I can remember getting this year. The other was a loaf of bread. I do check my offers frequently, so I haven't missed any. The last really great freebie I remember getting was cake and a hot drink for two in the M&S cafe, but that must have been a good year ago. The offers have been pretty sparse since then.

Notfeelinglikemyselftoday · 02/05/2023 21:15

I would imagine it's partially supplier/grower funded or dues to stock levels

gohomeroger1 · 02/05/2023 21:17

Always get cookies or percy pigs, oh and at Christmas the tea lantern thing.

Emus · 02/05/2023 21:25

I've been offered quite a few free gifts, I don't always cash them in. Off the top of my head; a tote bag, toilet roll, bag of Percy pigs, farmhouse loaf, pack of apples and yesterday I got a croissant from the bakery. 😊

Linnet · 02/05/2023 21:43

I usually get offered bread, apples, bag of cookies, a pastry or Percy pigs. I don’t claim the Percy pigs as I don’t like them and sometimes I’ll get the apples and dh will eat them.

I get a lot of 50p off if you spend £8 on chicken/fish/meat type offers which I don’t use. Have got the 20% off bras once, right after buying bras🤦🏼‍♀️ I get money off jeans which I don’t buy there and money off tights which I don’t wear.

they do seem random and pointless sometimes. I was very put out at Christmas when other people were getting free bottles of gin and I was getting random stuff that I’d never ever buy.

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