If there’s one thing shoppers love, it’s a bargain – which is why many will have signed up to supermarket reward schemes like Tesco Clubcard or Sainsbury’s Nectar.
These schemes will let you shop at exclusive prices and turn points into vouchers which get you money off, but members of the M&S Sparks scheme have just discovered another fun perk.
A video has gone viral online, as a Marks & Spencer customer revealed that you can claim a free gift through Sparks during the month of your birthday.
In the clip, posted by @thismumcooks, the TikToker records herself heading into her local branch to pick up her own birthday gift. After looking at all the different things she had been allowed to choose from for the occasion, including tubs of mini rolls, and various free from options, she takes home a box of Swiss Dark Chocolate Truffles.
The mum claims you have the entire birthday month to pick up your gift, but if your birthday falls at the end of the month, you’ll want to go sooner rather than later to avoid missing out, as there will be a cut off date.
While some thought the chocolate was a nice touch, people in the comments were quick to point out that they didn’t have the same products showing up in their Sparks app for their birthday reward.
Instead of cakes and chocolates, some were offered free fruit such as grapes, while others could choose cookies, or a bottle of prosecco.
According to the M&S, the birthday ‘treat’ option will vary between customers, and some might not be able to claim the freebie at all. And in addition to chocolates, mini cupcakes, Percy & Colin treats, and fresh you could also receive offers for clothing and home.
An M&S spokesperson told Metro: ‘As part of Sparks, our customer reward scheme, we are delighted to be offering Sparks customers a birthday treat to help them celebrate.
‘Customers will see this in their Sparks hub at the start of their birthday month. To make sure you don’t miss out be sure to update your date of birth in your Sparks profile.’
To be eligible for a birthday treat, you can add your date of birth in the ‘personal details’ section in your online account. But the catch is that birthdays need to be updated within 35 days of the date itself to receive their treat.
On the M&S website the Sparks FAQs section adds: ‘The more you shop with Sparks, the more likely you are to be in with the chance of a free treat, or having your shopping paid for by us.
‘Make sure you also opt in to receive Sparks marketing messages to get the most out of Sparks, as we’ll send you an email and/or a message via the M&S app every time a new treat arrives. Check your marketing preferences in your M&S account to choose how you would like to hear from us.’
This comes after the retailer caused a stir online over its ‘naughty’ new Valentine’s Day chocolate.
The new milk chocolate Love Struck arrow is described as being ‘solid’ and ‘creamy’ and people have been left howling over its interesting shape, which looks much more phallic than an arrow probably should.
aking to social media, many have been saying the same thing, claiming M&S ‘knew exactly what they were doing’ when they designed this ‘cheeky’ chocolate.
@char.baby on Instagram wrote: ‘The shape of that love struck chocolate. Get out of here, they know what they’re doing!’ While @frankiefunko wasn’t beating around the bush, posting: ‘Love struck is a full on c**k and I’m not having anyone say it isn’t, M&S need to calm the f**k down.’
Over on Facebook in the Food Finds UK Official group, Kevin Chalkley joked: ‘M&S or S&M?’ As Bryon Charlton said: ‘I read that as love stick.’
Several people also thought the chocolate would look more at home in another store, with Tanya Marie asking: ‘Have the Ann summers chocolate designers got jobs at M&S now?’
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