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

Parm

Really is incredible that Next do this. As far as I can tell, it's impossible to order something from the Next website without automatically getting a credit account.


Glad I found this thread before I ordered. Had the Next website been more transparent about the credit agreement I would have gone in-store to get the item instead, but the firm's attempts to catch people out have put me right off.

ska_lover

OP I had this happen too. I complained to them and asked them to shut it down, its disgusting that ordering something, you pay for it and then later on find out you have a credit account

lous_2

Exactly the same has happened to me (see post in boxing day sale thread). I just wanted to pay for the item outright but it just signed me up for the credit accoubt straight away. Was pretty shocked. Can I cancel thus account but still get my item?

Millysunflower

Same here, though slightly different. Shopped with them I store, was asked to give my address and post code for a prize draw, filled in the form and checked carefully there was no hidden clause. 3 weeks later found a directory in my doorstep closely followed by a bill for the cost if the directory!! Fuming! Called and they cancelled the cost and I recycled the directory.
Not impressed!

themull1

Could you write to the head of next? trading standards? mp??

Parm

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/03/next-christmas-winner-sales-clothing-retailer


Don't think Next will be changing its business practises anytime soon.

livilove

I purchased stuff in 2012, they opened the account and charged me for the directory. I complained they stated that account was closed and no charge made. Now in 2013 the next sent me email just begore Xmas that 3.75 pound is overdue for the directory and the account seems live with credit limit 900 and balance 3.75, total limit 896 pounds, I m furious, Xmas period was so busy that I had no time to deal with that now in new year 2014 I gotta give them a call and flipping spend my time and resources to deal this issue, I plan to contact watchdog if they don't close my account.

Gettin256

H&M opened an account for me because they owed me money! I rasied it with H&M who closed the account and refunded the invoice charges. I also rasied a query with Equifax and after they contacted H&M, they removed records of the credit check and (so called) credit agreement from my credit report.

Hope that helps

Shane7

I saw an advertisement saying £10 off on your first order at next.co.uk so naturally I asked a member of staff signed up and made an account online once I got home.

After logging into the account it showed that it was a credit card account!

So when I called customer services I spoke to someone called Meena and Steff who told me that credit searches have already being carried out and the application has been granted.. I never asked for a credit card account!! I just opened an account in the next website to use the code and buy some clothes.

When I asked them further questions they said that credit searches are infact negative things and that too many may adversely affect you if you apply to a mortgage and that it's too late to take it off the system. What the hekk!!!

What do I do? Isn't this illegal?

After reading this thread I'm not gonna bother utilising the £10 now aswell because apparently they use the credit card to make the purchase and you have to call them to pay them later. What bull !!!!!

Never shopping with Next again

Snacks

The same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I ordered online, pretty sure I did actually enter my card details and instead of taking a payment, Next step up a credit account. They claim it's only if payments are rejected, well I spoke with my bank who confirm no. Next payments were attempted, leave alone rejected.

I have now emailed them four times (and counting) and they are yet to close my account (despite my returning the item and having an email confirmation that they'd received it).

I am absolutely appalled and cannot believe a (once) respectable, successful company like Next could sink so low. I will never shop with them again!

Ps I advise everyone to take this issue to Watchdog... I have.