Asked to reapply for existing Debenhams Storecard - have I been duped?

niftythrifty_2

In Debenhams this afternoon whilst using my storecard (in order to participate in the cardholder’s event – I clear the balance immediately) today I was invited by the assistant to “reapply” for the card if I hadn’t used it for a while or did not have an outstanding balance.

After my initial refusal, she added that I would receive a 10% discount for a hassle-free process (“we used to do it on the phones but now I can just do it here on the till”) and became quite pushy. Slightly bewildered, I agreed – reasoning that I had a bit of time on my hands and that it wouldn’t hurt.

She then said that she had been given a reference number by the system and that she would need to phone through about my application after all. We then discovered that my “reapplication” had been rejected – which seems to me to be absurd – how can I be rejected as a user of a card I already have?

I am now thinking that I have been duped by an assistant that simply wanted to boost her earnings (I know there is a small financial incentive for putting an application in) and could have damaged by credit rating by the refusal. Has anyone else had any experience of this? I will be speaking to the store about the matter, and complaining about the pressure that was put upon me by the assistant. Be warned!