Marks and Sparks

Love the Sparks wine tastings!

Has anyone else been asked to do an online survey about the "Sparks" reward points system? I completed one recently, and I didn't hold back from stating exactly what I think of "Sparks" - which isn't much. Why M&S can't have a simple points system like Boots, Sainsbury's, or other retailers, is beyond me.

Don’t even bother going into M&S these days.

I went to the Milton Keynes store last week looking for something to spend my vouchers on but could find nothing - the colours weren't right, there was nothing that said "buy me". I did fancy those jumpers*Maw*, but the colour I wanted had gone. So in the end I'm afraid I put them towards some lovely Burts Bees stuff for DD's birthday. Rather that than let them go to waste. I bought beauty stuff last time I had vouchers as well.

I love the food though!

Customer service at M & S isn’t what it was either, and seems to be hell bent on batting away any complaints, reasonable or not. I seem to have a dispute every year that takes ages to resolve. This year, the snow globe. Bought online two years ago for £19.50. Out it came with the other decorations this year and the liquid in it was so murky you couldn’t see inside. Fair enough, they asked for a photo, but then sent a rather snotty email saying that they, not I, would be the judge of whether it was fit for purpose and I’d have to return it in store, where I may or may not get a store credit at the manager’s discretion. Why they put themselves in the position of having a long queue of customers listening in to their dirty washing/snow globe being aired, I don’t know. Especially when the till assistant then states that a snow globe is only really meant to last one Christmas and the long queue is agreeing with the rather cross customer that if she’d wanted a throwaway item she’d have gone to Poundland. Even then it had to be sent off and “evaluated” by Quality Control before I got an apology and full refund weeks later. It’s hard work!

The Bath store is very disappointing, they reduced the downstairs floor are by over 50% last year so clearly not doing well. When I went in to return my latest purchases I was shocked by the sea of sales rails, I've never seen so much reduced clothing. Much of it looked cheap and definitely not what I'd wear.

I bought two of those jumpers mawbroon. A maroon one and a dark blue one. For £15 they are superb. Very comfy to wear and seem to wash well too. Nice and soft and cosy. They are great with jeans.

I think M&S just have too many trousers - every possible design but not a single one is just "right". They are also scattered all over the store so you never know if you have seen them all or not.

I'm off to pick up an online order for DH this morning. I saw it in the sale, but couldn't get it in his size. For once it actually didn't look a cheap item.

Our Christmas order came from M&S. Husband went to pick it up on the Sunday. All the dates were short i.e. use by 26th Dec. Turkey, ham, large pork pie and beef. I froze what I could but was very disappointed. When you pay premium price you expect longer dates than that. Even the cream had a date of only 3 days. Will never put in a pre-Christmas order again.

I get the impression that our M&S store stocks all the clothes that other stores cannot sell. You can't buy a jacket or coat, they just do not stock them.
The make up and underwear departments take up more floor space than anything else and I buy neither.
I buy nightwear for the GC but usually have to order it online becuase they rarely have all sizes in store.

Shysal.My ddil bought the strawberry compote, said it was delicious.I will try that next, instead of the triffle.

All M&S stores don’t carry exactly the same goods, so will vary widely.My nearest store seems very old fashioned.

This winter I have bought a camel coloured coat, leggings and several oversized shirts from the Curve range which have all been lovely. And the meat is always good - we had an excellent piece of lamb shoulder at the weekend. For me, there has been an improvement but I have seen some horrid crimplene!

I was in my local M&S today. I think it must contain everything that hasn't sold from every other store in the country as it was just a sea of sales racks!

I bought some half price tealights and a 70% off posh bubble bath.

I saw those maw but didn't try one on as I assumed they'd be itchy. They are lovely. I will go on search of them with my Xmas vouchers.

Maw, I've just bought the grey one in the sale. It's looks lovely on and so soft.
However, that is all I could find worth buying in Marks.

On the other hand I have just bought a good quality dress from Tu and had to stop myself buying other things, I didn't need. Tu is my preferred shop now for casual clothing at a reasonable price.

I didn't see those in our M&S!
My friend was wearing what looked like a very expensive cashmere sweater recently, then I did see it in M&S - £15. It wouldn't have suited me but looked lovely on her - worn over a very expensive-looking shirt.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201901/medium-254356-1491188d-208b-4167-b7b1-235e4ef46aeb.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201901/medium-285059-ae960ae0-3bcd-4277-9f15-b45badc033b2.jpeg

These were £15 each and I love them.
The back is slightly longer, there is a raised seam down the front (very flattering) and there are side slits , plus it is not the slightest bit itchy!
I also bought it in bright pink and a lovely cobalt blue.
Absolute bargain!

Chose

I can't get to Debenhams very easily and, like Grammaretto, like to 'feel' the fabric.

Had a 50% refund as I complained that turkey wasn’t up to standard,
I'm sorry to hear that, Hildegard - I must say that ours was delicious.

Ditto, could not find a single item I wanted to buy. Store feels overcrowded and colours “off”. I tried to buy some bedding but everything I choose had to be ordered. As I needed items immediately, I went to Debenhams. I like John Lewis but am seldom in the city.

I've had £40 worth of M & S vouchers waiting to be spent for almost 2 years. Can't find anything in there to spend them on because it's utter rubbish. Tu clothing is better quality at a better price. Even Primark beats M&S these days.

I think their decline is too far gone now to be salvaged.

Stopped buying their food last year. Clothes a long time before that. What a shame used to be so good.