Anyone else disappointed by the new M&S Sparks rewards changes?

[Nikki3009]

Hi,

Has anyone else noticed the change to the M&S Sparks Cards Rewards? I've previously often had 20% off clothing etc, but under the new system you have to spend money on certain items to earn money off future spends.

Before anyone comes at me, I know M&S don't have to offer a reward card in any shape or form. But the way the new rewards are going to operate seem highly biaised towards high-spending customers rather than all customers.

As an example...under the previous rewards I might have had 20% off dresses which, if I bought a dress for £50 would mean £10 off. Under the new scheme, I may get a £6 reward for spending £30 on a dress. So, as a customer I'm not really gaining anything - in fact, it'll end up costing me more, because I will no doubt have to top up that £6 reward in order to buy anything!

Obviously this has been done to be beneficial to M&S and it's a business decision but does anyone else feel it's a bit of a shame as a loyal customer?

Also, the influencers shilling this as a 'Fantastic Upgrade', need to start being transparent about their partnerships with M&S. You only have to do the maths to realise for the average customer, it's anything but 🙄

I think it’s a mild improvement on the previous offers. £8 back when spending £40 on jeans, £1 back on their £10 classics wine. That’s fine by me. M&S were never going to do a pounds equals points thing.

Yes I preferred the 20% off bras/dresses/nightwear

With this new system looks like I’ll have to spend much more to get anything back/off

Hmmm

Aye, it’s rubbish. It’ll hit sales too as a wee 20% off would push me into making a purchase, whereas without it I probably won’t.
I feel like the days of accumulating points by staying loyal to a brand are a thing of the past.

I never really got many discounts on the old one. I’ve already made a few quid just buying my
normal food with the new way.

I only ever bought from them with the offers so it’s a real blow for work staples. I just won’t spend enough in a set time frame to earn rewards. I will probably just use the supermarkets more.

Same.

It's work.

I don’t think I’ve ever benefitted from a 20% deal. Plenty of times I got given a discount on dresses just after I’d bought one. 🙄

I had a free bag of Percy Pigs once. Woopdy do.

Much prefer something that rewards everyone on an equal basis but I will bide my time… I’m still in a mood with them about the changing rooms gender bullshit so will see.

Yes it’s a shame. I used to like the discounts and the occasional freebie.

I got a free bottle of Prosecco!

It’s annoying that it’s “spend X in Y days!” as well. Just checked and I’ve got an earn £16 when I spend £160 in the foodhall - which to be fair I could do if it was within 30/60 days but it expires in 9 days. That’s impossible for a single person.

I used to be tempted to buy something when I saw a reward whereas now I’m less likely to make impulse buys as the rewards seem of less value.

I agree, the old scheme wasn't great but this is much worse. I won't be able to use any of the 'offers' I have.

I’ve always thought the Sparks rewards to be crap. They don’t even offer discounts to Blue Light card holders (discount card for emergency service workers).

I think M&S are definitely pushing the food side with these rewards. I have to really go out of my way to get to an M&S food hall so it's unlikely I'll use food offers. One of mine was, spend £10 on milk/cheese to get a £1 reward. Had a laugh at that one, I'm dairy intolerant and I live alone, it just tickled me.

The food offers are bizarre and if you live alone then they're pretty pointless. It's going to be the clothes ones that annoy me the most as they're the ones I would use. And yes, the time limit is also short.

Definitely less value, a percentage off offer is always going to be worth more to the customer. I used to buy M&S jeans/trousers whenever I got a 20% off code. The jeans I like are £50, so under the old scheme I would get the jeans for £40. Under the new rewards, I buy the jeans for £50 and get £6 to use in future. But it means I would then have to top that £6 up to buy anything. M&S has definitely made this feel like a benefit to their bottom line rather than offering their customers an actual reward!

Nikki3009 I agree, it seems like offers are targeted to be just beyond your usual expenditure pattern. So deliberately designed to encourage you to spend more than you normally would, rather than reward you for being a regular customer. It’s very disappointing.

Very very disappointed in this new scheme.
Ive got earn £5 when you spend £30 on hair care! I’ve never ever spent money on hair care in M&S, and I never will!
I’ve also got earn £6 when you spend £30 on trousers…last month I bought 4 pairs! So I won’t be spending any more!!

Sparks had always been shit. Haven’t used it for years. I don’t want 20% off dresses when I’ve just bought them.

It isn't quite as good. However, I have an earn £16 on a £80 spend on homeware, fashion and beauty. So essentially 20% back. I did want to buy some more bedding so I can use this one. Better than waiting for the next 20% off homeware/bedding offer to come around.

I also have the choice of free grapes or truffles as a birthday treat.

The other things are all food related and just offer a £1 reward for spending x amount on chicken and crisps etc.

That's a strange one lol

There have always been birthday treats

If you all think this is bad you’ve obviously not used Superdrug.

Exactly!

Before I’d get some useful 20% offers. Now it’s saying I have to spend money to get a reward - but only on certain items?!

So it’s like if the boots advantage card said oh this week you only get points on shampoo or men’s razors.

lol £5 if I spent £24 on pants!!