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

sophieh_3

This is a nice part on the £10 voucher with the pin number:

"When you apply to redeem your incentive you must apply for a Next Directory Credit Account. Credit applications are subject to status. We search the files of credit reference agencies who record the search and we share information about you and the conduct of your account with them, other lenders and relevant third parties. Information about you and other members of your household including credit and electoral roll data and those with whom you are financially linked will be used to verify your identity and for credit assessment of you and them. We may also use your information, including shopping habits to open and run your credit account including payment recovery, fraud prevention, debtor tracing and for our marketing. We may contact you for marketing purposes by mail, email or telephone with relevant offers from Next Group Companies. Next Group Plc will not share your information outside of the group for marketing purposes. 25,99%APR Typical."

It is quite disappointing...Big Brother can see everything?

pleasedelete

I had this.

I selected to pay by card and it said the payment had failed (nothing wrong with card). As it was 1 item I couldn't be bothered so let it go and didntbtrybagain. I never shop at next but my child needed an item in an unusual colour for a school play and I couldn't find one anywhere.

Then item turned up on the doorstep 2 days later. I called but theyncouldnt find any order. Then a few days later it was followed by a credit account statement.

I went ballistic. I had a manager running round after I threatened to report them (my DH used to work for one of their companies at a senior level and now works for a rival so I was well scripted with what to say). They removed my search record from the credit record. Closed account. Gave me item for free and sent me some next gift vouchers (I don't shop at next so I gave them to charity).

sophieh_3

I've just called their customer service.
Bingo, they opened a credit account for me! They said probably i hadnt read the small print (very nice, i spent hours to find out how they do it but it wasnt clear after all this). I actually paid for my order with my debit card and paid the full shipping. I did not chose the directory thing with the free delivery! Anyway they say that this is the default and they changed my account to cash account so the next time i simply have to pay with my card. I cant believe this. They run the credit check with the first order. I have been doing many online orders but havent seen anything like this.
I did not cancel this order and as soon as I receive my stuff I'm going to close the account and never ever shopping with them again.
CS are indeed based in India (i believe from their accent).

Hopeless_Case

I ordered something from Next a year or so ago and got a credit account and chose the directory instead of P&P. I then opted not to be sent catalogues, and haven't recevied one for a while (or made an order), but a few weeks ago I ordered a duvet online to collect in my local shop specifically to get cashback (all 34p of it!!), as the duvet was available in the shop, and an enormous catalogue has just turned up, so presumably I'm going to get a £3.50 charge :mad:.

I'm going to complain, but I wondered if this was standard - you automatically are deemed to opt back into buying a catalogue with every purchase?

I feel totally cheated

jenniewb

Hopeless_Case wrote: »

I ordered something from Next a year or so ago and got a credit account and chose the directory instead of P&P. I then opted not to be sent catalogues, and haven't recevied one for a while (or made an order), but a few weeks ago I ordered a duvet online to collect in my local shop specifically to get cashback (all 34p of it!!), as the duvet was available in the shop, and an enormous catalogue has just turned up, so presumably I'm going to get a £3.50 charge :mad:.

I'm going to complain, but I wondered if this was standard - you automatically are deemed to opt back into buying a catalogue with every purchase?

I feel totally cheated

I had the Next catalogue repeatedly arrive for about a year. I don't like shopping via catalogue so did not order it and did not want it. I did open the envelope and saw I was charged £5 for it. I did not use the catalogue nor bother to phone them, I have no idea why I had one arrive.
I guess they must had cut their losses and given up as its been a few years and I've not had anything from them for a while. I used to have them plonked on my doorstep rather then delivered to me (which usually results in things being stolen) so this already had my back up!

If you know you wont order from them again I'd say leave it, otherwise call the 0845 or whatever number and complain but beware that you could end up paying out again for the phone call. Its the principal of that which got to me too much to bother calling!

And if its any help, I had a thorough credit check 2 years ago, this did not show on it as any sort of payment, unpaid or otherwise and there was no details on the credit list regarding Next at all.

Hopeless_Case

I emailed them and they've agreed to collect the catalogue and not charge me and never send me one again

Now that I'e got the account, I'm happy to keep it, so I get a bit longer to pay for things and can get cash back, etc, so if they keep to their word about not sending me catalogues, I'll be happy!

AnotherMakes3

On an aside if you dont order from the catalogue they dont charge you for it. I very rarely order online but my books are always credited back to the account at the end of a season.

starlight_xx

sophieh wrote: »

CS are indeed based in India (i believe from their accent).

Part of it is but thankfully any time Ive phoned with a query Ive been transferred to a UK based person

AnotherMakes3 wrote: »

On an aside if you dont order from the catalogue they dont charge you for it. I very rarely order online but my books are always credited back to the account at the end of a season.

You dont need to get the catalogue, I stopped getting one some time ago cos I only use the website.

clairibel

Glad i found this thread as i recieved a ten pound off voucher today and wanted to buy a dressing gown but like everyone else did not want an account, so this clears up my question of how do you pay without setting up an account....you can't lol.

Well they have just missed another sale I'll take my money elsewhere.

anna_grant

I was interested in a dress in the sale online and wanted to pay by card. However, I was concerned about the ambigious wording when I went to sign up. It wasn't clear about whether I would be set up with a creift account, even if I selected to pay postage.

So a quick Google led me back to my favourite site and this thread. Not surprisingly, I won't be buying the dress - I don't want a creidt account. I do think that Next are drawing people into credit accounts by stealth.