The return of the Marks and Spencer Penny Bazaar

whitty

Alison3012 wrote: »

I haven't receoved an invite although a card holder

I didn't get one either, even rooted through the recycled paper bag to make sure I hadn't missed it !!

leona71

I saw this today in Aberdeen, a huge winding line of OAP's after some bargains.

moneypooh

I've been to Banbury today and it was well stocked and organised with 'nibbles' and drinks whilst waiting in the queue. I got there for just after 1pm and the queue wasn't too bad - just a couple of minutes. They were taking invitations, but if you had your card with you it was OK to get one instore.
Helpful staff and donations or 5ps were collected in a bucket for the Poppy Appeal.
For me the bonus was the 12.5% off voucher.:T

piglet_libby

A colleague's just got back from our local one, and didn't even bother going in the store- the queue was out of the door! Her invite was for 5-7pm and it's heaving already- eek!

Lima-India

whitty wrote: »

I didn't get one either, even rooted through the recycled paper bag to make sure I hadn't missed it !!

Did you get the email? If not, check your account profile on line - as I got both paper and email invitation!

leona71 wrote: »

I saw this today in Aberdeen, a huge winding line of OAP's after some bargains.

I was amongst the OAP queue in Sheffield earlier (I'm 30) - it took about half an hour to get through - at one point, a more mature woman tried to slyly sidle into the queue just in front of me. I was polite but firm with my - "Excuse me - are you looking for the back of the queue? - it's right over there near the door (pointing) - there is a man in a suit signalling the end" - and a smile to end!

I got: tea towel, notebook, chocolate, yule logs, hankie. Was a little disappointed there were no kids puzzles left (it was only 1.30pm!)

Then got given a clementine, and then joined another 5 minute queue to get a tipple of OJ, a handful or crisps and a couple of chocs!

Can't grumble at that!

Edinburghlass_2

opaque wrote: »

I'm not a cardholder and wouldn't want to queue up with the great unwashed (I'm actually off to a Christmas show that day anyway) but I never knew that last years was for donations to charity. There was nothing about that in any of the advertising I saw. That is a nice idea but it shouldn't be connected to the penny bazaar deal. If they are offering things for 1p then they should charge 1p and not guilt you into donating for charity at the same time.

I have no problem donating to charity but that is not what I would have espected if I'd queued for ages last year. That is misrepresentation and would certainly turn me against M&S.
Maybe just give a % of their money on Rememberance Sunday or have buckets out everywhere for them instead.

Saying that I like the idea of a day for the cardholders, much fairer.

It was quite clear on the last baazer that the money was going to charity, if anyone only wanted to donate 5p then they were quite at liberty to do so.

leona71 wrote: »

I saw this today in Aberdeen, a huge winding line of OAP's after some bargains.

and your point is

piglet_libby wrote: »

A colleague's just got back from our local one, and didn't even bother going in the store- the queue was out of the door! Her invite was for 5-7pm and it's heaving already- eek!

Very busy mid afternoon in my local store too, the queue was an estimated 15 minute wait, however plenty of goods for everyone, well organised and there will still be plenty for those with an invite time of 7 - 9pm.

The whole store was busy as people did a lot of shopping using the 12.5% off but if you went through the baazar you got a booklet of vouchers which gives you a further 3 12.5% off vouchers covering different weeks up to and past Christmas.

If you are a cardholder and didn't get an invite they do have invites available for you if you show your card.

buyitall

It's worth going because as well as the 5 items, you get a little booklet inside the bag with vouchers for 12.5% off wys £35 - one for Nov, one for Dec and one for Jan. In my store, the queue was orderly and there was an area of the cafe roped off for free glasses of wine, cava, crisps and chocolate. Can't complain!

lazydavy

Croydon m and s had a notice saying xmas bazaar open to all this fri ( 13th ???), not sure if it meant everyone or just cardholders that hadnt got an invite. You get choice of up to 5 items the first is for a penny the remainder they are looking for a donation ( any amount ) to British Legion Charity. Most of the stuff was okay not worth a special trip although you get 3 vouchers for 12.5% off home and clothing when you spend over £35 nov dec and jan it can be a long wait in the queue around 30mins or more

Edinburghlass_2

lazydavy wrote: »

Croydon m and s had a notice saying xmas bazaar open to all this fri ( 13th ???), not sure if it meant everyone or just cardholders that hadnt got an invite. You get choice of up to 5 items the first is for a penny the remainder they are looking for a donation ( any amount ) to British Legion Charity. Most of the stuff was okay not worth a special trip although you get 3 vouchers for 12.5% off home and clothing when you spend over £35 nov dec and jan it can be a long wait in the queue around 30mins or more

Fridays bazaar is for everyone and all shops are participating in it on Friday whereas today was just some of the bigger stores.

bubblegumcola

davegorman33 wrote: »

Will the penny bizaar, be running on the website?

No it will not be online, would cost them a fortune to post out things if you were being mean and only spending the 5p for 5 items. Tonight is only for M&S cardholders to shop instore and buy from the penny bazaar, if you got an invite you also got a voucher for 12.5% off. Its a marketing exercise to get customers in the door and tonight is for cardholders only.(And fundraising for the Poppy Appeal) Its only in selected stores.

Anyone who doesn't have a card can go into all stores on Friday and queue with everyone else to get their penny bazaar items.