Debenham store card charge for late payment

Hazel2705

Hi,

I don't use store cards but in May I bought an expensive dress for a wedding so got the store card as they were offering 20% off plus a £5 gift card so signed up. I received the statement but as we had recently moved forgot to pay it straight away. Luckily I noticed I hadn't paid it and it had to be paid by the 2nd of July (today) so rang this afternoon to pay the full balance.

I paid with my switch card over the phone and all went through OK. Just before hanging up the person in the call centre said "there will be a late payment charge". I asked why and she said it took 2 days for the payment to clear . I told her it's a debit card it goes through immediately and she said to look on the back of the statement as it says about the 2 day rule. I asked to speak to a manager as if this is the case they should put their payment date for 2 days before they actually want the money.

I haven't had a store card for 10 years so is this something new? If I bought something in a supermarket I wouldn't have to wait 2 days to collect it. It does indeed say on the back allow 2 days to clear but nothing on the front. I will admit I didn't read the back but as I paid by the date shown on the front I had no need to (or so I thought).

She said when I get the letter saying I got a late payment charge to ring again (more expense of phone bills) and she has left a note on the account saying to refund but I have a feeling she was fobbing me off to get me off the phone and hadn't put anything in the notes. I got her name but that's probably worthless.

cifpower

Even when I pay my credit card with my debit card it can take 2 or 3 days for the credit to take effect.

jonesMUFCforever

How much did the dress cost?
It looks to me that you are quids in despite the late charge.

mrcow

No it's nothing new. Your store card 10 years ago would have had exactly the same payment terms and times to pay.

ALl you can do is re-ring them when your statement comes through if you've had a charge.

Hazel2705

Still quids in but it's so annoying. I'm so careful with money and normally pay my credit card off in full as soon as the bill comes so never had this before so kicking myself now.

Thanks for letting me know this is normal. Will read things like this more carefully from now on or just not get anymore store cards ever again.

Hopefully she has put the note on my account and it will get refunded.

easy

I'm surprised by this. If you ring and pay barclaycard by switch/maestro on the due day, the payment is taken on that day. I always assume that a switch payment is immediate.

Mind you, Debenhams has a dreadful reputation.

Hazel2705

So did I. Bet this is how they catch people out and make more money :mad: . I certainly won't be caught out again like that.

YorkshireBoy

Hazel2705 wrote: »

I told her it's a debit card it goes through immediately...

Except it doesn't. They may earmark the funds. They may even claim the funds. But the funds don't physically get to the recipient until settlement takes place some time later (2 days or so). Up until that point it's simply a 'promise to pay'. The APACS site has more info if you'd like to read up on the subject.

she has left a note on the account saying to refund

Has "she" also left a note on the account to remove the associated automated late payment marker from your credit file (bearing in mind it sounds like the £12 refund will be made manually)?