Are Next Directory legally allowed to open a credit account without my permission?

MosesRoses

I recently bought something from the Next website. They give you two delivery options: (1) "free" delivery plus you pay £3-something for a copy of their directory; or, (2) you pay for delivery.

As far as I could see it was like shopping on any other website and I checked the t&cs, which said they "may" open a credit account in your name - in other words, that it wasn't definite.

When my goods arrived I checked the paperwork and lo and behold they had set up a credit account for me. They must be two cupcakes short of a picnic as I'd given them a false date of birth (not realising they'd do a legal check with the info, I thought they were just being nosy and wanted my personal details for marketing purposes) but they still passed me for an account.

So what's going on here - is this completely legal? It's certainly not ethical to do such a thing without consulting their customers and it's put me off shopping with them again. I want to call them today to pay for my items but would like to raise this matter with them, so I'd appreciate your counsel.

TeaTree6

Whenever you order & receive goods before paying for them (I am gusessing that this is what you have done as you mention calling them to pay) you are receiving the goods on credit terms. Basically, whenever you want to receive goods 1st and pay later a company will run a credit check and open a credit accounnt in your name. It is really important that you are aware that you are doing this as lots of credit applications actually lower your credit rating rather than improve it. HTH

justevi

Next are a pain to order from online. I would buy a lot more from them if I could just order and pay there and then and thats the end of it. Why cant they have that option? Lots of people dont want credit accounts. I last ordered at least a couple of years ago and they still send me catalogues along with a bill for £3.50 which i just ignore. As far as I am concerned I didnt ask for the catalogue so why should I pay for it. I have to admit they havent sent reminders or anything.

bubblegumcola

I would say that you are better to order items from the directory instore, they can tell you there and then if the item is in stock as well. They can also tell you what stores nearby have the item you are looking for so they could keep them for you til the next day for pick up. I can't remember if you need to be an account holder with them to order instore, if you don't come and collect the item after a couple of weeks it'll get sent back to their head office anyway. If you are an account holder then the items will be manually refunded by a sales person before they send it back.

I don't think I'd want any type of account with a shop at the moment with things they way they are. Better to buy it from the shop and know you have got it and paid for it rather than wondering if the shop will be open next week?

emweaver

Of course they have to open an account if you want the items on credit otherwise how else would they get the money from you? If you didnt want an account you should have paid when you ordered over the phone if its not available to do online

cocktail

i am shocked to find this thread on NEXT from 2 years ago.i believe nothing has changed as i had a similar episode happen to me as the OP, yesterday and we are in 2010. exactly the same situation. did not opt for the option of next directory account.
and lo! the next page said the item will be delivered tomorrow. and i need'nt pay at the moment. I was horrified to see a credit account with a balance of £300. has been opened for me.
I did not ask for a credit account in the first place.
i did not expect such sly tactics from Next!!
Rang customer services who basically fobbed me off. i have e-mailed to cancel the account (which i never requested in the first place)and the order.
Anyone else with recent experience with next--i believe they start sending out directories and charge £3.75 each time for the pleasure.

snugglepet20

This happened to me too. I ordered some stuff off the website expecting to just pay by card like normal but they sent a bill instead which I had to ring up and pay which is a pain. I selected 'just pay for delivery' as well so that makes no difference and they have given me a £900 credit account I didn't even want! It is weird and has lowered my opinion of them as a brand. Other stores do not charge for catalogues and you pay for stuff when you order it.

cocktail

the thing is, it does appear that they are doing it on the sly. at no point do they take any payment details when ordering. and you keep expecting to see a payment page to appear next as you would with any other online ordering.
it definetly has put me off ordering from them.
also a ventful letter has been emailed to them. But it looks as though they are at it for several years an dmay not make a difference.

Starrystarrynight

Similar thing happened to me. It looked like an account was being set up, even though I paid with my debit card. I emailed them and they told me that no account was set up. It's a pretty shoddy way to operate, though.

cocktail

Starrystarrynight wrote: »

Similar thing happened to me. It looked like an account was being set up, even though I paid with my debit card. I emailed them and they told me that no account was set up. It's a pretty shoddy way to operate, though.

are you sure. better chexk online on next and go to 'my account' section and input your email and the password that you created.

i similarly asked to cancel the account on phone but the account still appears active online still showing a credit balance of £300.
damn next!!!

mandi

And the same to me . They are well known for it :mad: