M&S Rewards Vouchers - cannot be redeemed - result of hacking attack

vegit8

Hi all
We share a M&S credit card which we use for all monthly purchases,and one of the benefits is that we get vouchers each month that can be spent on goods with M&S.

These vouchers have a fairly long expiry date, so we save them up to spend on more expensive items.

We have quite a few vouchers that expire at the end of May.

My wife tried to order some goods from M&S today but the site advised that due to the recent hacking attack - which they blandly describe as a 'technical issue', M&S are not accepting any orders ...... at all.

This includes going to a shop, and placing an order in person!!

We contacted the M&S Customer Support (cough) - which bluntly said that if we didnt use the vouchers by their expiry date then that was tough...

So the only option we have is to spend them on something we dont really need.

One would have hoped that due to their inability to service their customers, the least they could do is extend the date by which they could be used.

Interestingly, the support person also intimated that stores themselves cannot order stock, which effectively means they will run out sooner or later...

There must be thousands of customers caught in the same trap

Brie

Given the number of people this may affect (perhaps thousands as you suggest) then I would expect M&S to extend the end date for these.  

If you don't want to take that chance then you might go into the store and buy things that could be used in a charity raffle.  Or you might buy something that you know you can return within the next 30 days or whatever and do that repeatedly until they can accept the credit for something you do want.  

flaneurs_lobster

How much are you holding? Decent run-round the nearest M&S Food for non-fresh, store cupboard-y stuff & booze should take care of a good few ££.

NoodleDoodleMan

"My wife tried to order some goods from M&S today but the site advised that due to the recent hacking attack - which they blandly describe as a 'technical issue', M&S are not accepting any orders ...... at all."

I don't think we can underestimate the severity of the cyber attack that M&S has suffered - a blanket ban on all online orders makes sense from their perspective.....until such times as they can get their act together and have full control restored

They should extend the validity of vouchers of course, that is not an unreasonable expectation.

If you do have to use the vouchers then the advice above would be the best option IMO.

flaneurs_lobster

Anyone happen to know if gift cards are being accepted in-store?

marcia_

 I used both rewards vouchers and a gift card in store last weekend 

NoodleDoodleMan

M&S have been a bit naughty with certain vouchers.

We get a £25 one every three months from our Credit Card Premium Club deal - I used it to order a pair of £25 chinos online for local store delivery - there was a Sparks 15% offer on at the time so the bottom line was £21.25.

They eventually cancelled the order due to the ongoing cyber attack problems and refunded the £21.25 as an electronic credit. 

The remaining balance of £3.75 is apparently "lost" as partial refund credits are not given on these vouchers.

So, if and when the online system is back to normal I'll have to add £3.75 to my £21.25 credit balance to purchase said trousers.

Not just any mini scam - this is a Marks an Spencers mini scam !!!