Debenhams store card-a warning

oysterman

Opened a what i thought was a store card (to get some money off some pans).

Signed the agreement, & this week a credit card dropped through my door.

Phoned them up (sounded like india) said i didnt ask for a credit card but a store card. The reply was the store card/credit card were the same.

Spent ages trying to get through to them to cancel (premium rate number).

Trouble is if your not careful with money, your just get more into debt.

I think it is morelly wrong to get people to take out a c/c without informing them.

Rant over

Bossyboots

My daughter works for Debenhams so I will run this by her but she is in bed poorly at the moment and was fast asleep so I don't want to disturb her just yet.


Edit: I have just had a look through the Debenhams card key features and t&cs and it is clear that it is a credit card. It doesn't call itself a store card, but a Debenhams card.

I will check with my daughter whether the staff actually know they are pushing a credit card or not. I don't recall her mentioning this but her job doesn't involve her doing this anymore so it is not relevant to her. However, her position should mean that she will know or can find out how they are being pushed in store because I am sure many people will be caught out.

oysterman

Bossyboots wrote:

My daughter works for Debenhams so I will run this by her but she is in bed poorly at the moment and was fast asleep so I don't want to disturb her just yet.


Edit: I have just had a look through the Debenhams card key features and t&cs and it is clear that it is a credit card. It doesn't call itself a store card, but a Debenhams card.

I will check with my daughter whether the staff actually know they are pushing a credit card or not. I don't recall her mentioning this but her job doesn't involve her doing this anymore so it is not relevant to her. However, her position should mean that she will know or can find out how they are being pushed in store because I am sure many people will be caught out.

I was asked ''do i want to open a store card''. If she had said credit card i would have said no. Like a lot of people i opened the card to get the discount. I suppose i could have read the agreement properly, but did not have my binoculars with me or 20 mins to spare.

Astaroth

They offer both like many companies now... I got my store card before they offered a credit card so no idea if it is the same form and just a box to tick to say which you want or not.

At the end of the day though... the APR is the same, the discounts are the same, the fees are the same.... what is the problem? The only difference is, if YOU want, you can use it in a shop other than Debs unlike their store card. The only issue I can see is if you have no self control... but then that is an equal issue for your spending in Debs anyway.

King_Of_Fools

If you read the form you signed and took home with you will see that it says CREDIT CARD AGREEMENT at the top!

Coupon-mad

I would say a store card is very similar to a Credit Card anyway. The statements look the same, and they charge you a stupid amount of interest if you don't pay off your balance straight away.

I don't know of a store card that doesn't work pretty much like a credit card (I have Wallis, M&S, Debenhams & Bhs but hardly use them, only to get 10% or extra sale discounts and then pay the bill immediately). They all have zero balances at the mo and I don't carry them about with me (i.e. certainly wouldn't use M&S one for food or regular shopping as the bill would add up too much).

Jags_2

Store cards ARE credit cards, it's just that where you can use them is restricted. They go on your credit history like any other card, as you are being given a loan, which is why you signed a credit agreement, and they are usually operated by credit card companies, on behalf of the stores, with the stores being given back a % of the profits.

Use the benefits i.e. 10% off etc, but don't ever spend on them as the APR's are shocking!

The_Boss

Jags wrote:

Store cards ARE credit cards, it's just that where you can use them is restricted. They go on your credit history like any other card, as you are being given a loan, which is why you signed a credit agreement, and they are usually operated by credit card companies, on behalf of the stores, with the stores being given back a % of the profits.

Use the benefits i.e. 10% off etc, but don't ever spend on them as the APR's are shocking!

The OP is referring to the fact that if it is a credit card as opposed to a store card, people can use it anywhere and not just the store, and the fact that some people may lack responsiblity in using it.

By the way, I was in Debenham's yesterday and the card was advertised at a rate of 19%. Compared to my MBNA and Morgan Stanley accounts, who are both upping my rate to 21%, thats not massively uncompetitive.

neas

Does anyone know how to cancel this without incurring the premium rate number?

I got one for a 10% off offer ages ago... but dont use the card at all, its dead weight in my wallet and would love to just cancel the thing.. Any advice?

dellwear

Write them a letter?

mrsmortenharket

I got one of these last friday.

Well until I read this, I thought it was just a store card!

Anyway I intend to fully pay it off & close it.

I only got it for the 10% discount!

Lisa