M&S Penny Bazaar Discussion

Stryder

thespurs200708 wrote: »

This sort of promotion stinks of H&M, Gap, Next and other similar sales where you get the 'rabble' of people going out to buy stuff for the sake of it because it's cheap. It's not what I have come to associate M&S with at all. They didn't think it through very well. As somebody else has said, they should have had some items behind the tills for 1p that you could purchase when buying a regular product.

EXCUSE ME? Rabble? Whether you put that term in quote marks or not - you are snob!

Yes its attracting people who feel that can't afford it normally - but this is surely the point - the spirit of the "penny bazaar" which was the start of the business. And if you read previous comments there are people in shabby clothes leaving notes in the buckets and people in suits depositing 5 pence only. I would rather be a member of the rabble, hoi poloi or a plebeian(if your curious, thats ancient greek and latin for "commoner") than a suited M&S regular who slips 5p in the bucket.

The promotion is fun and friendly, and something lost to some people

Reverbe

Proud "rabble" (LOL I jest)member here who despite 6 months unemployment and a very low income put a good few quid in the buckets every time. I actually went for the chance for some commerative items for myself, friends and family who have been doing most of their shopping for over 30 years in my case and longer in theirs.I also had the tremendous priviledge and pleasure to work there for some time and often talk about it to this day as the best place I have ever worked.

Stryder I agree it was fun friendly and good natured. It really brightened my week during times which have been very hard and depressing for me and mine lately.Nice to meet some wonderful people in the queues including many of the more senior members of our community who were totally charming..I thought it was a really fun idea to play on their Penny items which was a historical fact from the stall on Briggate in Leeds.M&S has and will continue to have a place in our hearts.

If I decide to stop shopping there on principle due to my experiences there today it is with a heavy heart and a few tears while posting.

carolinabirichina

Went to Westwood Cross this morning - got there about 9.25am (store opens at 9.30am). I think they opened the doors earlier though as there were not that many people ahead of me in the queue. SA came out and handed out the peel off vouchers and said that people had started queuing at 6.30am!!! She apologised and told us that there might not be much left by the time we get in. The queue moved very quickly and the whole event was very well organised.

I got in at 9.40am and was pleasantly surprised to find that they still had some of the items I was after!! So I came away with a mug, tea towel, brooch, choc coin (for my son) and knickers (for daughter). Also got the magazine. Gave a suitable donation. The leather items (purse and passport holder) and the ties, socks and scarves had all gone unfortunately, but I was very pleased with my goodies.

The staff had everything under control and did a marvellous job and by 10.00am it was all over and they were taking the signs down and had put the shop back to normal.

~*Plushroom*~

Reverbe wrote: »

Proud rabble member here who despite 6 months unemployment and a very low income put a good few quid in the buckets every time. I actually went for the chance for some commerative items for myself, friends and family who have been doing most of their shopping for over 30 years in my case and longer in theirs.I also had the tremendous priviledge and pleasure to work there for some time and often talk about it to this day as the best place I have ever worked.

Stryder I agree it was fun friendly and good natured. It really brightened my week during times which have been very hard and depressing for me and mine lately.Nice to meet some wonderful people in the queues including many of the more senior members of our community who were totally charming..I thought it was a really fun idea to play on their Penny items which was a historical fact from the stall on Briggate in Leeds.M&S has and will continue to have a place in our hearts.

If I decide to stop shopping there on principle due to my experiences there today it is with a heavy heart and a few tears while posting.

Same situation for me. It was a lovely day and though I cannot normally afford much in M&S I was able to get some lovely things to put away for birthdays very cheaply and got to donate to a charity that is very worthy.

Though I have to say, there was no rabble, just a lovely ordered queue on the whole with strangers talking to one another. I did stand there wondering if I was near any MSE'rs which would have been nice.

Reverbe

Maybe we should have worn badges.

Private_and_Confidential

I'm having my say (because I'm entitled to it).

Who am I? I'm a hard working individual, representing the majority of folk who at 9:00am should be sat at my desk contributing to the success of my employees business and "earning a salary" so that I can venture into M&S anytime I please and buy things.

Today I was running late and ran (at pace because I was late for my job) past M&S in Leeds City Center and saw a queue of approx. 500 people waiting to take advantage of the Penny "Bizarre".

Not wanting to stereo-type so apologies for those genuine folk in the queue (mums on mat leave, dads on pat leave, folk on holiday, retired etc) but why the hell weren't these people in work, earning money so they can buy things at 'normal' price and contribute to putting this economy back on track.

Of course, given the chance I'd have loved to pick up 5 items for 5p but for me (and thousands others) I had a job to do so I'd like to thank M&S for a discriminatroy campaign to which only scuffers (and a minorty of decent folk) can be part of.

Lets hope the 1p cufflinks and ties assist in the scuffers getting a job. Even if it is just washing cars for a fiver.

robpw2

Private_and_Confidential wrote: »

I'm having my say (because I'm entitled to it).

Who am I? I'm a hard working individual, representing the majority of folk who at 9:00am should be sat at my desk contributing to the success of my employees business and "earning a salary" so that I can venture into M&S anytime I please and buy things.

Today I was running late and ran (at pace because I was late for my job) past M&S in Leeds City Center and saw a queue of approx. 500 people waiting to take advantage of the Penny "Bizarre".

Not wanting to stereo-type so apologies for those genuine folk in the queue (mums on mat leave, dads on pat leave, folk on holiday, retired etc) but why the hell weren't these people in work, earning money so they can buy things at 'normal' price and contribute to putting this economy back on track.

Of course, given the chance I'd have loved to pick up 5 items for 5p but for me (and thousands others) I had a job to do so I'd like to thank M&S for a discriminatroy campaign to which only scuffers (and a minorty of decent folk) can be part of.

Lets hope the 1p cufflinks and ties assist in the scuffers getting a job. Even if it is just washing cars for a fiver.

perhaps because they had been made redundant
maybe they were on a day off
maybe they were in work later on
maybe they were long term unemployed

Reverbe

Private theres a little thing called the recession going on in this country. Now you have been lucky enough to escape it as yet and well done to you but many people such as myself have not. Hard working dedicated individuals who have a wealth of skills, qualifications and experience. I would dearly love to be in work and not the "scuffer" you seem to peg me as. I am like my Grandad before me a total workhorse to the extent that my job always comes first and I would rather be in work doing something constructive with my time.To the extent that I actually resent weekends and bank holidays because one cannot go to work. I always feel like nothing when I do not have a job and this time have been even more depressed and worthless. And I do so love not having money to put decent healthy food on the table, do things that might make me happier and most importantly to accrue for my old age. Thank you for contributing to those feelings.

Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend.

Edinburghlass_2

Private_and_Confidential wrote: »

I'm having my say (because I'm entitled to it).

Who am I? I'm a hard working individual, representing the majority of folk who at 9:00am should be sat at my desk contributing to the success of my employees business and "earning a salary" so that I can venture into M&S anytime I please and buy things.

Today I was running late and ran (at pace because I was late for my job) past M&S in Leeds City Center and saw a queue of approx. 500 people waiting to take advantage of the Penny "Bizarre".

Not wanting to stereo-type so apologies for those genuine folk in the queue (mums on mat leave, dads on pat leave, folk on holiday, retired etc) but why the hell weren't these people in work, earning money so they can buy things at 'normal' price and contribute to putting this economy back on track.

Of course, given the chance I'd have loved to pick up 5 items for 5p but for me (and thousands others) I had a job to do so I'd like to thank M&S for a discriminatroy campaign to which only scuffers (and a minorty of decent folk) can be part of.

Lets hope the 1p cufflinks and ties assist in the scuffers getting a job. Even if it is just washing cars for a fiver.

So you ran past a queue and decided that the majority of people waiting on Marks to open are scuffers along with a minority of "decent folk". Its almost as bad as the person who decided that the majority of people in the queue were of ethnic origin and going to sell in their tat shops, I really do despair of the pomposity of your post.

Reverbe

Ah yes Edinburgh but pompous people who don't know grammar, spelling and punctuality seem to be a cut above us scuffers...I thank the poster.. he's made me laugh on a bad day.