M&S Penny Bazaar Discussion

val_84

Stryder wrote: »

I give up

I don't know why anyone is complaining. it is traditional that companies raise there profile with charity events. This is basically that. Anyone in Warrington will know it is VERY CLEAR when you get there its a special charity event. Its a celebration of the store (fundamentally that is marketing) and the charity aspect is clearly indicated once you get there. You can come and go out of the store without being mugged with charity boxes and from what i can tell its been held in a positive way. I have not read any complaints about it that make sense. Its just a nice thing for all concerned and even if you just get some sweets and drink for a few pence, why not.

the point about the money is that if you are there with 50 pin change and you count 5 p out (not because you are skint, but because thats all you WANT to give) then it says a little about you.

Plus - I am not convinced that people going to spend 5p are likely then to slip into the store and spend £150 on other things. When I was there most people left immediately (I actually went to buy some milk - I am just a toy to there marketing prowess!). It was actually nice because most were pensioners and mum's with kids in tow.

I think people are too cynical. Yes Marks wants to raise its profile and see more things. ITS A SHOP. Thats what they are meant to do. But you rarely get marketing campaigns this generous. Have we lost the ability to take things on face value these days?

Anyway, I hope we all had fun and the charities benefit. I wonder if they will published the money raised??

Hi Stryder,

I just think some people like to complain, I went to the Liverpool one and it said everywhere it was for charity. They also said as we were waiting that they were aiming to raise £1.25million on a variety of different things over the coming months havent read this anywhere else tho? They also said as we were getting out items that whatever was put in would be matched by M & S.
I personally dont tend to stop when people in the street ask me to sign up to give money for charity mostly (and Im not saying this is everyone by any means) but the majority I have had try to guilt trip you into giving more than what you can afford and I am a bit hesitant now as the 1st few times I signed up within 2 weeks I had letters asking me if I wanted to increase my donation!
Anyway went a bit off topic on that but all in all I think this was a really good idea especially as they were all for local charities too

flower24

I was going to go but couldn't be bothered to get up early. I'd also have been going for the sake of getting things I didn't really need or want just because they were cheap! I would be embarassed to only put 5p in!!

~*Plushroom*~

I went this morning at Stevenage and it was very well organised. There was a rope up so that you queued to go into one of the doors only.

I got there at 8:30am and the store opened at 9am, the queue posed for a picture in the local paper and people were quite chatty (Except for three women behind me on their phones telling their friends to come so they could get more 5p stuff for themselves and trying to sidle their way forward in the queue - we were in the first 20 people so there was no need).

Had a giggle at the security guard that was talking to a M&S manager who was out telling us about the local charity they were supporting which is the Garden Hospice in Letchworth. He was looking at all of us and had just started to say "I've done a head count and..."...we were laughing because she'd disppeared as he said "I" and he'd been talking to himself :rotfl:

It was very nicely done up inside, they gave out the bags and directed us over where an assistant in costume would pick out what you wanted. Sadly they never got in the stock of underwear for the offer at this branch but I got a leather passport holder, silk scarf, a necklace with an old penny pendent on it (Very vintage looking ), a bag of coconut mushrooms and a tea towel. Had a natter with the guy holding the donation bucket and stuck all my change in it so they got £3-4 in donations. It was for a very worthwhile cause and they are aiming to raise £15,000 for the Letchworth Garden Hospice so if you're in the area please pop in and donate.

I then went into the store and bought cheese straws and walnut whips so I'm happy

pippitypip_2

Plushroom I really fancy a walnut whip now!! Blast those afternoon cravings - will not give in!

pippitypip

flower24

pippitypip wrote: »

Plushroom I really fancy a walnut whip now!! Blast those afternoon cravings - will not give in!

pippitypip

and I want to puke at the thought of coconut mushrooms!:rotfl:

avedajunkie

hollylangman37 wrote: »

Yes, I went this morning, I would suggest getting there about 9 am and the queue was in the entrance to the lower arcade. They were giving coffee out in the queue as well.

Went this morning and was given coffee whilst waiting. Once we got inside we were told that we could only have 3 of the novelty items and only one of those could be a jewellery piece, and two food items. I am happy with what I got.
I am also fed up with reading the negative comments about this promotion. If you're not interested then why do you read these forums and waste further time to make a comment?

flower24

avedajunkie wrote: »

Went this morning and was given coffee whilst waiting. Once we got inside we were told that we could only have 3 of the novelty items and only one of those could be a jewellery piece, and two food items. I am happy with what I got.
I am also fed up with reading the negative comments about this promotion. If you're not interested then why do you read these forums and waste further time to make a comment?

I thought the whole point in a discussion was to erm....discuss things? ;)

~*Plushroom*~

pippitypip wrote: »

Plushroom I really fancy a walnut whip now!! Blast those afternoon cravings - will not give in!

pippitypip

Go onnnnnnnnn! I got their own make ones, in a variety pack.

point3

Reverbe wrote: »

The RRP for this is actually a penny... similar items from m&S can cost from £10-22.50.This actual item was only available (unlike the mugs in some storesand indeed the tea towels and some other items online) for the Penny Bazaar itself.

Actually, I don't think anyone recommends that the items should be sold at a worth of 1p. It was a promo price. :rolleyes:

IlonaRN

I thought I had got a necklace today, as that is what the assistant told me when I asked if it was a necklace or bracelet. Unfortunately, though, it's a bracelet.
On the back, it says "silver mix". Does anyone know where I can find out what else is in it? I'm a bit wary of wearing it if it contains nickel, as I really don't want to develop a nickel allergy!