M&S credit card

kattynel123

Hi all… having completed Martin Lewis’s eligibility calculator online to look at credit card options,
I just signed up for one with M&S Bank. 

Then I decided to search for reviews for M&S Bank and they look to be awful! Literally I’ve never seen so many 1* reviews! 

I think there is a cooling off period for this credit card, but if I decide to cancel now, could my credit score be affected? 

Has anyone had any experience with M&S? 

Thanks 😊 

cymruchris

So because you've read a few reviews you want to cancel it?

Why not see for yourself first?

Most financial institutions will have scores of negative reviews from customers (usually where they've misunderstood an offer/been charged for something and want to kick up a stink).

You've applied for the card.

You've got the card.

So use the card as intended - and decide for yourself.

(I've just received my own M&S card - and had a perfectly pleasant first interaction with customer services over a question relating to card activation - I have my app set up - direct debit set up - pin arrived quickly - card arrived quickly - and have made my first transaction - so far - no dramas/headaches or major crisis to report)

kattynel123

Thanks cymruchris. 

It wasn’t a few bad reviews, it was 92% terrible reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/marksandspencermoney.co.uk

As you say, I have ordered it now so will see how I get on. I have downloaded the app ready and am waiting for the card to arrive. 

I read a review that says their card often fails in shops and online, and others saying their app isn’t good and you can’t find the minimum payment due, when you ring up for help there are big queues and their communication isn’t very good etc. So overall it sounds a bit of a shambles… I expect I will see how I go with it, but wanted to see what others had experienced… it’s good to know yours has worked well for you! Thanks. 

marcia_

 Never had an issue with M&S. they give rewards, easy to find transactions and min payments on the app. chat on the app to enquire and make changes to your payments etc. 

Zuzi

M&S is the only credit card I have, I have had it for years and never had a negative experience (I do pay off the full balance via DD every month, although at the beginning I was using it for stoozing during whatever 0% purchase period I got).

I called them yesterday in fact, I wanted to know how cash advances work (have fixed too much of my money and have a small gap this month, my bad  ) and the very pleasant CS person not only explained it really well but also went above and beyond and gave me tips how to get a little bit more cash over the next weeks (something as simple as overdraft with my main bank, never had one so wouldn't know)... I actually regretted not being asked to fill in a survey after that interaction because my rating would have been 10/10.

Just my experience, I hope it works out for you whatever you decide.

[Deleted User]

I have their card for a BT offer with cashback, I use the M&S app (which is perfectly fine) and the statement is on there showing minimum payment, if someone is ringing up a bank to find that out, it's no wonder calls take a while to be answered as the staff are dealing with so many people too dim to look for themselves.

Payments failing in shops could be a security measure, it could be the shop itself rejecting it, it might need a PIN entry etc.

Also ignore your gimmick "score", nobody but you sees it, it is never used in lending decisions

cymruchris

Reviews on trust pilot don’t accurately reflect financial institutions performance - they are more a sounding board for aggrieved customers. It’s less often people will go write ‘I love my credit card it’s amazing’ and are much more likely to write ‘I hate my credit card because they charged me a fee because I was late paying how dare they’ 

Get your card, set up the direct debit, use your card, it’ll be fine. Do something daft like not pay or be late, and expect to be charged like any other credit card would. Manage it properly and I’m sure you’ll never have an issue. 

kattynel123

Thank you everyone! You’ve put my mind at rest! 

Really do appreciate it! 

OceanSound

I've been with M&s Bank since 2018. Support is Amateurish. Had an issue with interest charged on my credit card. Had to go to ombudsman. Then had to withdraw my complaint with ombudsman as they were making a hash of it. 

Was going to go through moneyclaim online but decided against it in the end. 

edit: Phone support is probably better than the in-app chat support

born_again

Zuzi said:

M&S is the only credit card I have, I have had it for years and never had a negative experience (I do pay off the full balance via DD every month, although at the beginning I was using it for stoozing during whatever 0% purchase period I got).

I called them yesterday in fact, I wanted to know how cash advances work (have fixed too much of my money and have a small gap this month, my bad  ) and the very pleasant CS person not only explained it really well but also went above and beyond and gave me tips how to get a little bit more cash over the next weeks (something as simple as overdraft with my main bank, never had one so wouldn't know)... I actually regretted not being asked to fill in a survey after that interaction because my rating would have been 10/10.

Just my experience, I hope it works out for you whatever you decide.

Overdrafts are the most expensive form of credit going. Look at the interest rate compared to your CC. 

Most people only ever complain online. Very few will actually ever post positive experiences.

Zuzi

born_again said:

...

Overdrafts are the most expensive form of credit going. Look at the interest rate compared to your CC. 

Thanks, yes I know that the interest rate is very high. I will only be using the interest-free limit, since I literally just need an extra 100-150 in cash until my next pay day, I am very unlikely to ever use the overdraft facility again (so in this situation, OD is better than taking out cash on my CC). 

I have never used credit / loans that charged me an interest rate, all I ever had is 0%  and never had an overdraft before, which is why I was grateful to the M&S lady for suggesting it. To be honest, I am not sure I would have thought of it as a solution to my current problem. There was no benefit for M&S in her advice other than helping me (hence making me a happy client), and that is genuinely top level support in my view.