What is the point of an M&S Sparks card?

[WWGD]

It’s starting to really get on my tits. The offers are rubbish and there seems no benefit in scanning it. Am I missing something?

It’s not nearly as good as it used to be. In fact it’s mostly rubbish, but very occasionally it throws me 20% off something I want to buy. In the summer that was a bag I kept looking at. More recently knitwear.

I think it’s about patience these days! If you can wait for what you want, a discount will come up eventually. Everyone has different offers at different times so I ask family and friends if they have the offer I’m waiting on: sometimes they do. At the moment I’m waiting on homewares/bed linens discount for a duvet cover 😀 The food offers aren’t massively interesting but occasionally sushi comes up. The silly one I have now is £1 off if you spend £6 on M&S chocolate bars. And as I’m typing, 10% off clothing and homewares just arrived…I was hoping for 20% so I’ll probably still hold out for a better one.

I had this but have found that logging onto the store wifi makes a difference!
Also had the same issue with Boots and Sainsburys (nectar).

With Sainsburys, and now Tesco, you seem to have to add offers (vouchers) to your card before you can use them.

It’s not the best but I have had a few freebies including quite a nice candle but that was ages ago. I do get occasional 20% off certain things but usually pants or socks. I really miss the 20% off friends and family.

I used to work for M&S.

Almost every senior manager was a fresh graduate on the grad scheme. They never had any life experience and rarely understood their customer base. They were essentially a 21 year old with a lot of power. They'd often come up with crazy/ stupid ideas, like Sparks, to try make their mark. By the time the negative feedback comes in, they'd be moved onto another placement.

The actual experienced staff were never promoted, and it shows sadly.

The wi-fi in my local store is (as Mr Data once said) spotty at best, so I've given up on trying to use my card. I got a few derisory food offers, but that's it.

The cards which make you move offers around are such a pain, & for me, Sparks has been useless for as long as I've had it.

I do use the money off for trousers and shoes

It's absolutely rubbish as a Christmas calendar. I think o got a room spray o ce and that was it

Just received another email from them giving 20% off clothing, beauty and home. I haven’t even had chance to collect the winter clothes I ordered last weekend with the previous 20% off clothes they gave me yet! 😄

I actually once got my shopping for free as a random sparks card holder. I didn't know they did that and the checkout person had never seen it before either. It was around £40.

i get a free bottle of gin liqueur at christmas that I don't really like so it sits in the cupboard.

Other than that, occasionally I get an underwear or kids uniform discount.

They don't do these anymore? Only if you donate unwanted clothing I think

I have and use both. I find it beneficial, I accept that others don't.

I agree. It feels more of a random lucky dip if you can be arsed and the offers are never useful. Considering they market themselves on quality and customer service, the loyalty card massively lets them down. It should be the shining example on the High Street with real benefits. I would sack whoever is in charge.

It's total shit.

Offers every 2nd week (and they are crap. Spend £10 on something you'd never be able to spend £10 on to get a £1 off)

Occasionally they'd offer a free gift but I haven't had one in many months now.

Shit loyalty card scheme.

But this thread is about the loyalty card.

If you were using that alone then your offers / deals / benefits would be totally different?

I suggest everyone that agrees it's rubbish deletes the app or stops using it, it's the only way to let them know.

Club Rewards on the other hand I do think is worth it. There's a monthly charge but you get vouchers every quarter free next day delivery and free coffee.

I just had a £20 clothing voucher this morning, no min spend either

FFS. I use a Sparks card. I find it quite good. Is that useful at all? With no other information? I get better rewards probably because I use the credit card.

I don't actually give a shit what other people do and I'm sorry that I ever posted on this whiney thread. I'll leave you to it.

I think you're thinking of the sparks credit card! OP means just the loyalty card

I really don't mind if you don't understand or don't agree but I know fine well what the Sparks card is, it's the standard black one with SPARKS across it. It's not a credit card, it's the M&S loyalty card.

I'm not confused. I may be the only one.

We don’t bother using ours anymore. Waste of time.

I like it. I spend a fortune in M&S and always download the offers. Whilst I frequently don’t take advantage of the “50p off when you spend £75 on Percy Pig” type offers, I love getting a “20% off jumpers” type ones.

The black one is the old one and they don't issue cards anymore, it's all on the app. If you do request a card, they are green

I'm the same, if I need a new jumper etc., I'll check on M&S because there's frequently a 20-30% off voucher on there

It's very patchy but I did get 25% off skincare two weeks ago and last week a free box of teabags costing £3.50! Also last week £1.50 off a chicken. I like looking at my Sparks App to see if any real offers are there.