Marks and Spencer Receipt Error: What You Need to Know Before You Pay

Imagine walking into your local Marks and Spencer to grab a few items. You spot something on the shelf that looks like a great deal. You head to the till, pay, and leave the store. But later, when you check your receipt, you realize you were charged more than what the shelf label said.

That’s exactly what happened to one M&S shopper recently, and now she’s warning others to double-check their receipts too. It turns out she’s not the only one noticing small pricing mistakes. This is happening more often — especially after a recent cyber problem at M&S.

In today’s article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the Marks and Spencer receipt error. We’ll go through what happened, why it matters, and how you can avoid being overcharged the next time you shop.

What Is the Marks and Spencer Receipt Error?

A shopper on Mumsnet shared a simple but important warning: check your till receipt before leaving M&S.

She said she bought a food item marked as £3.50 on the shelf, but when she paid at the till, the receipt showed £3.75. That’s only 25p more — but imagine if this happened with several items. The total could quickly add up.

After she pointed it out, the store assistant removed the old shelf label and apologized. They admitted that pricing errors have been happening more often lately. It was a small mistake, but it caused a lot of people to start checking their receipts more carefully.

What Caused the Error at M&S?

These receipt errors didn’t come out of nowhere. In April 2025, Marks and Spencer experienced a serious cyber issue. This problem affected many parts of the store, including:

• Contactless payments

• Online orders

• In-store pricing and delivery systems

To fix the problem, M&S even stopped taking online orders for a while. Their CEO, Stuart Machin, gave a public apology and said they were making small changes to how stores run until everything was back to normal.

While the tech team worked to fix it, pricing updates in stores got delayed, and that’s likely why some till receipts didn’t match the shelf prices.

Marks and Spencer Contactless Payment Issues

But it wasn’t just shelf prices causing trouble.

Some customers also noticed something strange with contactless payments. They tried to pay with one card, but the system charged a different card from inside their purse or wallet — even without touching the reader.

One woman tried to pay using chip-and-PIN, but before she even entered her PIN, the till showed “Payment Complete.” The charge went to a different contactless card in her other hand.

Another customer ended up paying twice, because she didn’t realize her contactless card had already been charged before she used her main card. She only noticed the mistake a month later when checking her bank statement.

M&S refunded them both, but the problem raised a lot of questions about how safe and accurate contactless payments really are — especially during system problems like this.

Why You Should Always Check Your M&S Receipt

Have you ever walked out of a store without looking at your receipt? It’s easy to do — especially if you’re in a rush.

But now, more shoppers are learning it’s worth a quick check. A small overcharge like 25p may not seem like much. But if it happens more than once, or if you’re buying several items, those little mistakes can cost you more than you think.

Checking your Marks and Spencer receipt only takes a moment, and it could save you from overpaying. Look at the item prices, the discounts, and the total. If something looks off, you can fix it right there at the customer service desk.

What to Do If You Find a Receipt Mistake

Let’s say you notice something’s wrong with your receipt — maybe a higher price than expected or a discount that didn’t apply. What should you do?

Here’s the good news: M&S staff are usually very helpful. If you show them your receipt and explain the issue, they’ll often fix it right away.

• Ask the assistant to check the shelf price.

• Show your receipt and the item.

• They might refund the difference or replace the item.

• If it was a card payment, the refund goes back to your card.

It’s a simple process, but many people don’t speak up — either because they don’t notice, or they’re too busy. So don’t feel shy about it. You’re just making sure you’re charged fairly.

Marks and Spencer’s Response to Receipt and Payment Issues

M&S hasn’t ignored these problems.

Back in April, their CEO publicly apologized and explained that the company was making changes to deal with the cyber issue. They paused online shopping for a while and changed how stores worked behind the scenes.

Now that things are slowly going back to normal, they’re also encouraging customers to report any issues — whether it’s a pricing error or a contactless payment problem.

They’ve said their systems are “robust,” but they also understand mistakes can happen. If you ever face a problem, they want to hear from you.

Real Stories from M&S Shoppers

Many M&S shoppers have started sharing their own stories online. These real-life examples help show how common the Marks and Spencer receipt error and contactless issues have become.

One mum went to her local store to buy just a few food items. When she checked her till receipt, she noticed the price for one item didn’t match the shelf label. It was a small difference, but enough to make her speak up. The staff apologized and said this had been happening more often since the cyber problem.

Another woman, named Rosemary, shared her story with BBC Radio. She tried to pay with one card, but the payment went through on another card that was still in her purse. She didn’t tap or even bring the card close to the terminal. It was a shock — and it happened twice in a row!

These stories remind us why it’s so important to stay alert when shopping, especially now.

Can Your Card Be Charged Without You Knowing?

It might sound strange, but yes — your contactless card can be charged even if you don’t tap it.

Some shoppers were charged through wallets or bags, even when the card wasn’t close to the reader. This is because contactless cards use something called NFC (Near Field Communication), which lets the terminal read the card quickly — sometimes too quickly.

Experts have tested this and found that payments can happen even when you don’t expect them. A card just sitting in your hand or near the till could be picked up by the machine if it’s close enough.

That’s why so many people are now checking their receipts and being more careful with how they hold their wallets or phones at checkout.

How to Protect Yourself While Shopping at M&S

If you shop at Marks and Spencer — or any store that uses contactless payments — there are some easy ways to stay safe and avoid problems.

First, only take out the card you want to use. Keep your other cards away from the reader. If you have a wallet with multiple cards, you can buy a simple RFID-blocking card holder to stop the machine from reading the wrong one.

If you want to be extra safe, just use chip-and-PIN instead of contactless. This way, you choose which card to use and you know the payment was done the right way.

And of course, always check your Marks and Spencer receipt before you leave the store. It only takes a few seconds, and it could help you catch a mistake right away.

What to Check on Every Marks and Spencer Receipt

Not sure what to look for? Here’s a quick checklist to help you review your receipt properly:

• Check item prices: Do they match the shelf prices?

• Look for duplicate charges: Make sure no item was scanned twice.

• Review discounts: Did your multi-buy offer or promo price apply?

• Card check: Confirm the last 4 digits match your intended card.

This simple habit can save you time, money, and stress. If something looks wrong, speak to the staff immediately. Most problems are easy to fix on the spot.

How to Contact Marks and Spencer for Help

If you find a receipt error after you’ve left the store, don’t worry. You still have options.

You can:

• Call M&S Customer Service: 0333 014 8000 (UK customers)

• Use the M&S website or app for live chat or contact forms

• Visit the store again with your receipt and item

Most shoppers say M&S is polite and quick to respond when you explain the issue clearly. They’ll usually refund the difference or fix the error without any problem.

It’s always a good idea to keep your receipts until you’ve reviewed your bank statement — especially while M&S is still recovering from recent tech issues.

Final Thoughts

The Marks and Spencer receipt error is a small thing, but it can affect many people, especially when shopping often or buying multiple items.

These pricing errors and payment mix-ups started after a cyber incident, and while most systems are working again, small glitches can still happen.

That’s why shoppers are now being extra careful. It only takes a few seconds to check your receipt or confirm your card. A little attention at the till can stop a bigger problem later on.

So next time you visit M&S, remember: check your shelf prices, check your receipt, and double-check your card. It’s a simple step that helps you shop smart — and avoid paying more than you should.

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