The return of the Marks and Spencer Penny Bazaar

Edinburghlass_2

flying_fresian wrote: »

Edinburghlass - you going to the one at the Gyle again? I was just wondering if you knew when it opened...

Just checked, its 9.00 am.

mooomin

Edinburghlass wrote: »

Just checked, its 9.00 am.

Thank you kindly :beer:

mellymeep

AmandaRabbit wrote: »

It wouldn't hurt a huge retailer like M&S to schedule special priority slots for elderly and disabled people in situations like this.
Unfortunately the old days of M&S standing out from the other big boys and upholding their reputation of quality and standards has now gone.
I found this out the other day when I went in to buy one of those half price Xmas cakes and also picked up a few other food items whilst I was there.
When I came to pay the checkout lady tried to charge me 9p for a bag, and when I asked which bags were free she tutted and threw something the size of a sandwich bag at me which none of my items fitted in.
The crazy thing is that the "9p" bags are the ones your items are put in free of charge if you pay at a non food checkout.

They aren't actually, the 9p bags are our bag for life which means they are stronger and bigger, you can re-use them and once they are beyond use you can bring them in and get a replacement. The textile bags are much smaller than the shopping bag for life.

The normal green shopping bags are 5p and the money goes to charitys. It's all part of M&S Plan A, to help the environment and the massive amount of plastic that is used unnecessarily each year in shopping bags, I think its an extremely sensible idea. The "free" bags are little sandwich bags which are mostly just offered on the non-belt checkouts where people are buying food to go, or for people to wrap up items such as meat and fish.

I often have to explain to people why we charge, and they get all flustered and complain that they aren't charged in other stores. It's just to encourage people to re-use their own!

lizzie_dripping

Decided to go to this as I received a cardholder's invitation.

Southend store had a large queue for the Penny Bazaar area when I got there at around 7.15pm but I wandered round the store for a bit and came back and the queue was much shorter. Waited about 5 minutes in the end.

I thought the area was well laid out and organised, a staff member handed out a flyer with all the available items on it so you could choose what to get while you waited.

I was pleased with the selection and quality of goods - I chose the notebook, money tin, gents tie, chocolate and mini yule logs.

Don't think I would bother on a general day but certainly worth the minimal effort on an invitation day.

lolly5648

What a waste of time - had to queue for 20 mins. They had run out of knickers apart from size 8. The socks were a crappy shade of brown. The mugs were very small - all in all it probably cost me more in petrol than the items were worth. Still it was all in a good cause but I was amazed by how many people just put 5p in the bucket.

goldfish61

They were queuing outside the Braehead store tonight. Seemed organised with staff shepherding everyone around the Bazaar.

aloiseb

My real gripe about M & S is that the only way you get special offers is if you pay with your And More card! So they want me to take on even more debt? Why can't I use my bonus points offers with cash?

[Deleted User]

fedupconsumer wrote: »

Poorly run last time out what about disabled shoppers who cannot queue have problems with crowds to do? Invites should be made available to vulnerable shoppers first in my view. Another promotion I and my disabled mother cannot take part in and we have been shopping in the store between us for 60 years. :mad: Well done Marks And Sparks .

This thought occurred to me - although I'm not a wheelchair user I have disabilities which mean I cannot stand around for too long. I've always found that asking a CSA & explaining a little often brings results - a seat or a jump up to the top.

However I *have* emailed M&S CSs about this precise issue - will post a response if/when I get one.

joolzred_to_M&S wrote:

With regards to the 1p bazaar promo due to take place on Fri 13th November: I would like to enquire what provision is being made for people with disabilities who are not users of wheelchairs? Will there be seating available in queues? I myself suffer from such a disability in that I do not use a wheelchair but I am not able to to stand in queues or walk too far without resting. How will I be able to take part in the promotion? Your speedy reply would be very much appreciated!

c_l_a_i_r_e

fedupconsumer wrote: »

can a few peeps post a few pictures of their wares from the bazzar?

Hope this works ok:

edda

ffb wrote: »

pleased with my tea towel,socks chocolates,mug and cards can only have one of each

ffb

One sock isn't much use to many people :rotfl:

Seriously, the leaflet shows 14 items in all (but may not be available at all branches):

Mug (our local store had cups as well but you couldn't have both)
2 men's socks in a bag (black with coloured spots)
card game
children's puzzle (small jigsaw)
handkerchief (ladies)
money tin
A5 notebook
tie (dark red with patterned whilte + navy spots)
2 women's socks (plain dark brown)
16 small boxed milk chocolates (Xmas theme)
tea towel
mini yule logs
trolley coin key ring
ladies knickers (plain dark colour)