in suggesting that the Marks and Spencer Sparks card is the worst loyalty scheme ever

[JackandDiane]

1. YOu have to activate offers - requires WAY too much thought and planning
   
2. I just want money off things I buy fgs
   
3. that fucking ' have you swiped your sparks card' is surely mitigation for murder?

[littlebrownbag]

Amongst most people I know in my age range (mid 40s), there is a universal opinion that M&S just need to return to doing good quality simple basics in cuts and colours that are fashionable (not mutton/lamb trendy but not dowdy either) for both men and women. Most willing to pay a reasonable price for quality/durability. Not interested in loyalty schemes any more complicated than collecting points and turning into money like nectar and boots.

[stonecircle]

Same in my age group too (50s). Don't want the easily identifiable patterns, frills and fussiness of ranges like per una and indigo. But m&s used to be the place for plain separates and wardrobe basics.

One of the things that amazes me is their complete inability to get colour right. If pink is fashionable for example, you can bet your bottom dollar theirs will be the wrong shade of pink. I used to buy their plain cardigans to wear for work but I was looking at the range the other day and all the colours were off the mark - horrid shades of yellow/green/pink/brown.

[JackandDiane]

Marks and spencer need to be Uniqlo. Simple as

[NicknameUsed]

Agree stonecircle. My bugbear is that I often find something in a style I like, but they only have it in neon pink or lime green. They need to offer basics in a range of colours that suit everyone. I don't subscribe to "in" colours anyway. I just buy what suits me - in my case winter colours.

[Klaptrap]

YADNBU - I deactivated my account (once I had worked out how, they didn't make it easy to find!) because of all the emails. Emails that you couldn't opt out of without deactivating your account.

I don't miss it though, I too found it perplexing and pointless. Offer slots and whatnot - seemed overly complex and gimmicky.

[Fatrascals]

Oh good, I won't bother with it then.
The name bugs me anyway

[UpsiLondoes]

All rewards programs go through a vigorous test they must pass to be successful:

Employee: would you like to sign up for our new reward scheme?

Me: what does it get me?

Employee: --

If they can't tell me in one sentence and in less than 10 seconds why it benefits me and why I would want to share my shopping habits for free with them -- it's not worth it.

M&S answers I received:
1/ we're not sure yet
2/ you are alerted to special promotions and offers
-on what? food I regularly buy?
-er, I'm not sure how it works exactly

3/ you earn points.
--can I use them as cash to buy anything?
--not that I'm aware at this point in time.

4/ me: do I get anything for free?
M&s: knowing small head shake confirming nope, with a louder spiel about special promotions coming up all the time, etc.

[Nanny0gg]

Could someone who knows how to, tweet a link to this thread to M&S?

Done.

[purplevase]

I think Monsoon is the worst. You get a voucher that it only valid for 3 months. And only for non-sale items. And then everything in the shop is on sale. So you can't use it. By the time the sale is over, the voucher has expired. I tried to get them to extend it, no joy. Asked them to hold onto the points and then issue a voucher. Still no joy. So I got rid of my card.

I think Boots is the best.

[JuxtapositionRecords]

Good work nanny but I can't see it on there? Does it not show up until they have replied?

I think they just need to scrap the scheme. Why does everywhere think you need a loyalty card?

[Nanny0gg]

Yes. You'd only see it if you were following me (and no-one does that ).

And I bet there's no reply. It's primarily used for advertising as far as I can see.

Would facebook work? Although that would be a bit 'outing'!

[cleaty]

I logged into Sparks. If you get lots of points you get invited to "special events". Why anyone would want to go to events where they flog you stuff, I have no idea.

[kw1091]

20% off apples this week though

[cleaty]

I can get 20% off Percy Pigs. I might actually use that one.

[MuddhaOfSuburbia]

I take back every damn word

20% OFF SAMWIDGES AND CHOC FOR 15 DAYS FOR ME

I'm like Winston smith at the end of 1984. I love marks and sparks

[babybat]

Klaptrap I emailed them to complain that you can't opt out of the marketing emails without deactivating your account, despite the fact that it's actually a legal requirement to include an unsubscribe link in all marketing emails. Their reply was basically "We're sorry you feel that way, but tough". So now all of their emails are sent to my spam folder, and I'm seriously considering deactivating my account.

What's the point of it, really? I shop in M&S every week, food and children's wear mostly, and have an M&S credit card because of the reward vouchers, but I cannot see the value of the Sparks card.

[H3l3naGraham]

Correct me if I am wrong, but the Sparks scheme is biased - in favour of those who have Internet. Now, of course I can see that they want to attract younger customers, but they do have an older target market as well, many of whom aren't eligible for the offers unless they buy a lap-top, no way could my older rellies use the Sparks scheme on a phone..they use their mobile phones for making phone-calls in emergencies....

I am sure there's something 'legally' wrong with this, only offering access to offers to some customers ...... But I haven't been in this business area for a while.

I too am tired of incessant emails, clicking on products I want to buy, only to find our local branch doesn't stock them.

There is an old-fashioned marketing maxim - KISS - Keep it Simple Stupid. They haven't, they have made it complicated & passed the responsibility over to the customer, very poorly conceived and implemented.

[ouryve]

Yep, I got 20% off sarnies, 20% off chinese meals, half price coffee with a dine in meal (though this week's dine in didn't impress me too much) and (goes to check) 20% off herbal or fruit tea. I drink chamomile by the bucketful, so that one should save me the odd 20p.

[Kewcumber]

Shit Sparks card is the talk of the local M&S cafe queue. I feel so sorry for the staff who presumably are obliged to ask "Have you got a Sparks card" which triggers a wave of complaints from those who aren't online, those who are reassuring them that they're really not missing anything.

I miss my little simple coffee card. I had a LOT more coffee there before.

On the other hand - it's been wonderful for getting to know new local people at the till bonding over our mutual frustration.

[Kewcumber]

The 20% of clothes and homewares etc are pointless they do them often enough even if you don;t have a sparks card.

I used 20% off eggs and sandwiches today which is the second offers I've used since I've had the card.

I haven't bought any of the others even if I've wanted them because I couldn't remember what they were when I was shopping.

[daisychain01]

My standard response from now on is "no thanks I have decided it is more trouble and effort than it's worth, please pass that on to your management"

If I say it often enough hopefully the message will get through

If everycustomer says it, and even gives their card back cut into 2, it will give a very powerful message

[NicknameUsed]

I will use that line as well daisy. In fact, I think we should all adopt that line every time any mumsnetter goes into M and S.

[daisychain01]

Can you imagine if every MNer who feels strongly about the card were to put consmer pressure on he management like that, it would spread round M&SiHQ like wildfire. Mutiny in M&S stores!

It could make them reissue the ts and cs and we would all gain the benefit.

[MuddhaOfSuburbia]

That's a good idea

but can you all hold fire for two weeks while I eat these sandwiches tvm

[ouryve]

You know, I was just discussing with DH what we each had and I had to go and check again.

It would be lovely if they could do something as simple as email you a reminder of what your offers are, since they're so keen on sending out emails.