M&S Penny Bazaar Discussion

Private_and_Confidential

Apoliogies - A quick defence plea if I may.

I include all people who have been impacted by the recession in my 'genuine' people catch all.

The 'scuffers' are those who were supping Pilsner whilst in the queue and had no intention of going anywhere to earn money other than possibly selling their 1p bargains on ebay.

I hope my apology is accepted.

I guess I'm just bitter because I couldn't get in there and believe me, I'm been hit by this recession and could have done with a 1p ties and cufflinks.

Stryder

Private and Confidential - thanks for the apology.
I am unemployed (due to lack of work) and currently studying part time for a 3rd degree (hopefully this one will get me a job) via the OU which was paid 100% out of my own savings. These events allow me to buy a few nice things for friends and family which I otherwise would not do - and slip a few quid to charity.

It is dangerous to stereo type people - and I would have been more than happy to line up with anyone - including any homeless people who may have got some essentials (why not I say). But i do understand why you may resent to "professional unemployed" - ie. those who will not work and will scam the system. HOWEVER, I just don't think you can spot them out. When I went I went once in a smart shirt and trousers, the next in cargo paints and jumpers sprayed white from paint (helping brother do a little decorating as he just had a baby - awwwww).

Mind you - supping Tennets export at 9.00am I think is a little rude so I will forgive you picking on those types. Come on - you should try to wait for lunch time at least! [unless you work nights and then its fine as I suppose you are in your "night time period" - just goes to show you cant jusdge a book by its cover! :-) ]

Reverbe

I'd like to publicly thank Private here for a couple of really nice pms apologising.Times are hard and we can all tend to be touchy or snap.

Stryder good luck from a fellow hunter.

paulwf

Some people seem a bit cynical about the charity aspect of the event. In fact staff are taking part in several charity fundraising events to coincide with the anniversary celebrations, and at other times throughout the year both staff and the shops in general help to raise money for charity.

Some companies like to collect money just for their charitable foundation so they can make a big song and dance about how much they have raised nationally. M&S seem to prefer to collect mostly for local charities, with a mix of a few national charities to spread the money around. A lot of the fundraising that goes on isn't mentioned to the public or kept low key, on the whole they aren't trying to turn fundraising into cheap publicity.

Stryder

I agree - the fact that some people dont know its for charity says a lot. But I know the staff are v. passionate about it and really made an effort to encourage people to donate and explain the charity. The Charity aspect, it appears, was in someway given over to the staff for them to take charge of and it seems that the staff really care. As I said, in Warrington the staff told me the charity (MacMillan cancer charity) was V personal to some staff members. This has given the whole day a more personal and enthusiastic feel

Reverbe

A little known fact about M&S is that they actually employ some homeless in an initiative to give those without an address a chance to get work experience and a start. Dont know if this is still running but it is something among the many things they have done over the years for charities and charitable works.

becky81

I went to M&S this morning after dropping my eldest at pre school. The que was quite long but as i had an hour i thought id que up, as i really wanted to buy the necklace from page 1 on here. All that was left were mugs, frisbys, chocolate, cans of drinks etc.... I did get my 4 yaer old a braclet, drink and frisby. I donated £5 on my way out but was very angery. There were 2 people in front of me, both sticking as much as possible in their basket. When they were told only 5 items each i watch in horror as one of them proceeded to put jewlrey in his pocket!!! without paying!!!
So i told the assisitant standing next to me and the police were called.
I really think thats discusting as the items were reduced to a penny anfd the fact it was for charity! What a bear faced cheek! I hope he got fined.
:mad:

robpw2

becky81 wrote: »

I went to M&S this morning after dropping my eldest at pre school. The que was quite long but as i had an hour i thought id que up, as i really wanted to buy the necklace from page 1 on here. All that was left were mugs, frisbys, chocolate, cans of drinks etc.... I did get my 4 yaer old a braclet, drink and frisby. I donated £5 on my way out but was very angery. There were 2 people in front of me, both sticking as much as possible in their basket. When they were told only 5 items each i watch in horror as one of them proceeded to put jewlrey in his pocket!!! without paying!!!
So i told the assisitant standing next to me and the police were called.
I really think thats discusting as the items were reduced to a penny anfd the fact it was for charity! What a bear faced cheek! I hope he got fined.
:mad:

they called the police over a penny

in our store they put the items in a bag as you told them what you want for you and you donated your money on the way in extremly well organised so im not sure why your store was so badly run

im sure some of these posts are made up !!

samba

Stryder wrote: »

I am unemployed (due to lack of work) and currently studying part time for a 3rd degree (hopefully this one will get me a job) via the OU which was paid 100% out of my own savings.

Good luck with your studies. I finished my degree at the OU last October and have my graduation soon - I do not even own a suit ( I don't need one for work, and the other occasions when a suit would be handy are so few and far between... ), so the tie, cufflinks, and a voucher like the one Reverbe missed out on would have come in very handy.

Oh well, I suppose we are going to see some smart looking homeless people over the next few days with their ties, cufflinks and new jewellery on, drinking their special brew out of anniversay mugs, with their dogs sporting new collars in the form of tea-towels... :rotfl:

tessie_bear

blimey...pinching stuff on sale for 1p....from a charity event........talk about the pits...they should be ashamed