Warning: "Junk mail" from Next

Justcoll

If any of you who have ever ordered anything from Next Directory get what looks like a junk mail through the post, don't just immediately bin it.

I usually do so but fortunately read this one... right down to the last paragraph.

I was going to import scanned image here so you could see how easy it was to miss but have just realised I can't. The paragraph (which comes after a load of blurb about the directory and then the advantages of being a ND customer) is right at the bottom and reads:

QUOTE
If you do not wish to receive your new copy of the brand new Fashion and Home directory for just £3.75, please let us know by calling 0800 1078978 quoting your SelveServe Pin Number ******** before 16th November, 2009.
UNQUOTE

The letter arrived on Thursday 11th giving me just five days to cancel .

Are they allowed to do this? Send something to you that you haven't asked for and charge you for it?

I phoned them immediately and they have put a note on my records never to to do this again but I am still seething.

Chester85

Did you enter a competition instore for a car/money?

Or has a friend who has a directory stuck your name down to attempt to qualify for a £50 voucher

The only other thing I can think of is that some ungodly untrustworthy person if you've ever returned anything at Next, whilst under pressure from a manager to hit directory application targets has stuck your details on a slip

Next doesn't normally solicitate for customers, generally doesn't need to, especially for the directory so you should ask them where the request originated from as this detail will be on file

DCFC79

Justcoll i like your sig, very good

Justcoll

Chester85 wrote: »

Did you enter a competition instore for a car/money?

Or has a friend who has a directory stuck your name down to attempt to qualify for a £50 voucher

The only other thing I can think of is that some ungodly untrustworthy person if you've ever returned anything at Next, whilst under pressure from a manager to hit directory application targets has stuck your details on a slip

Next doesn't normally solicitate for customers, generally doesn't need to, especially for the directory so you should ask them where the request originated from as this detail will be on file

It's not the mail I object to; it's the fact that they planned to send an unasked for catalogue and then charge me for it - and that this fact was so far down the page I nearly didn't see it.

Years ago I ordered something online but hadn't realised that I would then become an account holder with credit. I never used the facility as I didn't want it, but recently wanted some sheets I couldn't find instore. My branch (who are delightful) looked on the computer and located another store who had them in stock. As I couldn't get there in the following 24 hours I then phoned that store but it was answered by an Indian call centre who said the store didn't have them (I later found this to be incorrect) and said I could pay for them online without using the old account and pick them up at my local branch.

The next thing I know I get a statement showing credit for the cost of the items.... and then the mail. I really don't want the catalogue (even if it were free) so to be told they were sending it and I'd be charged for the privilege really peed me off - especially as I could so easily discarded it immediately as junk.

The lady I spoke to about it was lovely and agreed that she too would have thrown it away (unopened, in her case).

I wonder if Next stores and the Next Catalogue work together or not? My branch is fab... I tried on a coat in the summer sale and went in months later to browse and a sales assistant asked "Did you buy that lovely red coat in the end?" What a memory! And all of them are friendly and helpful, even helping to carry stuff to my car.

Tink82

Yes they do this to account holders. They did it with the Christmas directory and said that on your next order you wont be charged delivery, thus the catalogue is 'free'. I must say, it annoyed me too

FatAndy

Justcoll wrote: »

Are they allowed to do this? Send something to you that you haven't asked for and charge you for it?

To paraphrase Bob the Builder "NO THEY CAN'T".

http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/buying-selling/unsolicited/index.html

olly300

Next have now got into the habit of sending out catalogues and only charging for it if you order something.

However I ordered some goods for a friend overseas which she found on the internet they charged me for the catalogue I hadn't received. I only realised I hadn't received the catalogue when I picked up the goods in store.

So I then had two kick up a stink twice to get them to remove the charge.

Justcoll

FatAndy wrote: »

To paraphrase Bob the Builder "NO THEY CAN'T".

http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/buying-selling/unsolicited/index.html

Interesting. Would Next be able to get round this by saying they had informed customers in advance, I wonder?

It does seem odd that a company with such a high profile would risk bad publicity and possible action for breaking the law.