‘Stingy’ M&S face storm over a teacup as complaint goes viral

For a supermarket giant, the price of a teabag should be a mere drop in the ocean.

But as cups of tea go, this one could prove very costly for Marks and Spencer after it triggered an almighty online backlash.

Writing on Facebook, Marie Byrne told how her parents were not happy with the tea they’d ordered after stopping in M&S for a quick brew

On the official M&S page, Ms Byrne explained that her mother, 78, and her 80-year-old father thought the tea wasn’t strong enough and asked for an extra bag.

But the elderly couple were informed that that wasn’t allowed and they had to buy a second pot.

She added that a supervisor later confirmed they must pay.

M&S replied: ‘Hi Marie. This is one of our policies in our cafes, however we expect our staff to be flexible where possible.

‘I’m really sorry you’re unhappy with the service your parents received and please be assured your comments and feedback will be passed on to the café manager.’

But Ms Byrne’s complaint seems to have really resonated with the good folk on Facebook and the post has already attracted more than 8,000 likes,1,000 shares.

One user supportive of Ms Byrne’s situation wrote: ‘An EXTRA TEA BAG in the grand scale of costs doesn’t count with the bad publicity this has caused.’

Another joined in: 'Shame on you M&S, I will not be shopping in your stores.’

This is certainly no ordinary row.

Nor it is not the first time the store has been heavy-handed with elderly customers.

In April 2010, 86-year-old Thelma Williams was told she could be fined for eating a cookie, bought in M&S, in the store’s cafe.

The frail widow was approached by a staff member and a security guard who told her she could not eat the biscuit there because she was allowed to eat only food from the cafe itself.

Picture from Facebook