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AIBU?

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Original poster

Do I win the prize for the worst freebie ever on sparks card?

374 replies

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/10/2023 19:54

Just opened the M&S app and saw the little 1 beside Sparks.

Oh goodie. Will it be free chocolate or percy pigs? Or even 20% off women's clothes?

Nope. It was:

Drum roll.

A free paper bag!!!! Be still my beating heart, I can't contain my excitement.

So, aibu in thinking I have just received the worst ever freebie or can you beat that?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
16
ludders01 · 31/10/2023 21:02

That’s hilarious! I’ve received loads of freebies. Loaf of bread, 2 x Percy pig bags, 2 x pastries, apples, Christmas lights. I think it’s the best scheme ever when you get free stuff just for shopping in there.

Fluffypuppy1 · 31/10/2023 21:03

pumpykins · 31/10/2023 20:53

Sparks card is useless

can we all just boycott it

A really good idea. I occasionally get a small percentage off of bras and pants, which I use, but actually not enough for me to be swiping my sparks card every time I buy something.

Original poster
OchonAgusOchonOh · 31/10/2023 21:12

ludders01 · 31/10/2023 21:02

That’s hilarious! I’ve received loads of freebies. Loaf of bread, 2 x Percy pig bags, 2 x pastries, apples, Christmas lights. I think it’s the best scheme ever when you get free stuff just for shopping in there.

I think boots is the best ever. You build up points really quickly and can get a treat you choose yourself.

OP posts:
MannyTeddy · 31/10/2023 21:16

I just checked and got Percy pigs or Colin the caterpillars 😋😋😋🥰🥰 sorry OP

Original poster
OchonAgusOchonOh · 31/10/2023 21:29

MannyTeddy · 31/10/2023 21:16

I just checked and got Percy pigs or Colin the caterpillars 😋😋😋🥰🥰 sorry OP

😝

OP posts:
Itwasamemo3 · 31/10/2023 21:38

Where do you find the freebies on the app ?

ThePoshUns · 31/10/2023 21:40

I've got 15% off flowers too. My best mate is a florist. All I really want is a bag of fizzy pig tails or a free pair of socks. Nothing major.

Original poster
OchonAgusOchonOh · 31/10/2023 21:41

Itwasamemo3 · 31/10/2023 21:38

Where do you find the freebies on the app ?

Down the bottom of the app there is a squiggly icon with the word Sparks underneath. You can tell if you have new offers as there will be a number beside the squiggle. Click on the squiggle. . There are two tabs, one for unclaimed items, the other for ones you have added to your card. You can add the offers from the unclaimed tab.

OP posts:
Original poster
OchonAgusOchonOh · 31/10/2023 21:41

ThePoshUns · 31/10/2023 21:40

I've got 15% off flowers too. My best mate is a florist. All I really want is a bag of fizzy pig tails or a free pair of socks. Nothing major.

I want a bottle of prosecco. People got them last advent.

OP posts:
Judellie · 31/10/2023 22:09

I have a Sparks card somewhere. Debating getting the app - but I can live without a free paper bag, lol!
This thread is hilarious though!

ChannelLightVessel · 31/10/2023 22:16

All this talk of free paper bags has given me serious FOMO. I have joined SPARKS and downloaded the app. Now waiting for free gifts to rain down on me.

sarahsw19 · 31/10/2023 22:47

I got a message to say I was a winner in their millón pound giveaway ! Fantastic I thought - a million quid ! But no , I won £5 apparently. And I can’t even see it anywhere in the app to use it . Plus it had an expiry date ! How can a prize have an expiry date . I’ve contacted M&S Sparks customer service but they just give me instructions on how to add the “prize” to my offers in the app . I already know how to do that I’m not a moron but it doesn’t work! Aaargh ! Very tantalising to tell me I’ve won £5 ( that expires soon) and then I can’t use it .

Original poster
OchonAgusOchonOh · 31/10/2023 22:58

sarahsw19 · 31/10/2023 22:47

I got a message to say I was a winner in their millón pound giveaway ! Fantastic I thought - a million quid ! But no , I won £5 apparently. And I can’t even see it anywhere in the app to use it . Plus it had an expiry date ! How can a prize have an expiry date . I’ve contacted M&S Sparks customer service but they just give me instructions on how to add the “prize” to my offers in the app . I already know how to do that I’m not a moron but it doesn’t work! Aaargh ! Very tantalising to tell me I’ve won £5 ( that expires soon) and then I can’t use it .

You could use it to buy 8.3 paper bags.

OP posts:
sarahsw19 · 31/10/2023 23:10

Yes, except it’s not available to use. That’s my point.

Original poster
OchonAgusOchonOh · 31/10/2023 23:21

sarahsw19 · 31/10/2023 23:10

Yes, except it’s not available to use. That’s my point.

Yes, I know. You must be gutted.

OP posts:
sarahsw19 · 31/10/2023 23:30

Nice

coffeeandpeace · 01/11/2023 00:09

Can we see a photo of this paper bag ?

LifeOfBriony · 01/11/2023 07:40

I was in M&S yesterday (buying biscuits) and I noticed the paper bags in question. They have a new design, which is slightly Christmassy. I didn’t think to take a photo, sorry!

LifeOfBriony · 01/11/2023 07:45

This has got me thinking, am I more likely to get an offer I will actually use, if I don’t add the offers in the app? I’ve been adding them just in case I had the opportunity to use them by buying something I wouldn’t usually want, but not using them.

Pre-pandemic I received a bunch of 20% vouchers through the post, to give to my family and friends! So did most of my family and friends. Remember that?

Emotionalsupportviper · 01/11/2023 08:05

LifeOfBriony · 01/11/2023 07:40

I was in M&S yesterday (buying biscuits) and I noticed the paper bags in question. They have a new design, which is slightly Christmassy. I didn’t think to take a photo, sorry!

Photo or it didn't happen!

😂

LookItsMeAgain · 01/11/2023 09:04

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/10/2023 20:02

As if I would lie.

Show quote history

I got one as well!!!!

FFS!

I thought last year's Sparks treats in the run up to Christmas was piss poor but this is to another level.

As far as I was aware, all paper bags are reusable. What is making this one more reusable than other ones?

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 01/11/2023 09:17

I don’t suppose I’m the only one who just CBA to bother with my Sparks card.

Ditto the John Lewis one. The benefits of both have little or zero interest for me.
Cards with points, OTOH, like Nectar or Boots - I do use those.

wherestheweightlosspill · 01/11/2023 09:45

I completed a survey they sent the other day basically saying I'd had high hopes when they relaunched Sparks but it's still pants! Can't understand what benefit you get by swiping it at all! I have had the occasional freebie that's been useful (percy pigs and the like) but usually it's 20% off asparagus or something equally useless! But a free paper bag is particularly shite! And has made me realise that I've been thieving..... because they're paper I assumed they were free and just used them.... 😳oops..... everywhere else paper bags are free aren't they? Am I wrong?

bellabasset · 01/11/2023 10:41

I've got nothing on my card. But I've had to use my ins recently, which is brilliant.

Crunchymum · 01/11/2023 10:48

Percy pigs for me - although it's been months since I have had a free gift.