Horrified by Debenham's hard sell technique

squirrelchops

Hi all

Just wanted to share an experience I had today in Debenham's. I was stood behind another customer when the cashier asked her if she wanted to ' earn 3 points for every pound she spent' and that she 'didn't have to pay now but in 56 days time'. However not once did she actually point out this was for a credit card.

The woman in front of me said she was interested but I could see her face change as she worked out it was for a credit card. The woman said she would rather pay now but was told 'it's ok we've logged on to the other computer now'. The woman then said again 'actually I'd rather just pay now'. The cashier got really insistent that she couldn't pay now as it was going through the till. At this point I had to step in and commented that of course she could pay now if she wanted and they couldn't make her sign up to this deal. At this point the cashier backed down and said 'of course you can just pay now'.

I really felt that the woman was being harangued into this credit care. She was a younger woman and somewhat preoccupied with her child. I felt that the cashier did not adequately point out this was a credit card and came from the stance that this was a 'points' card or some sort of reward card - very misleading.

It made my so angry though and I commented to another cashier that I was surprised they were allowed to try this hard sell technique given the current economic issues people are facing. The response I received - none!

bigadaj

The assistant will be on commission and/ or targets so they will no doubt be keen.

ses6jwg

It does surprise me that there is so little regulation in this area I am a bank adviser and we have to do training on the consumer credit act, the lending code, sales standards, explain all the relevant t&cs and the cooling off period before we can sign a customer up to a credit card.

Yes we do promote and "Sell" but we are expected to do within strict sales guidelines so that customers know full well what they are applying for. We have to be observed being compliant on a weekly basis.

I was genuinely shocked when I took up the offer for a store card recently by a young girl nothing was explained and when she put down my income as £1500 a month and chuckled "it's ok we just do that for everyone"

so much for the lending code!

bylromarha

Put a link to your post on Debenhams Facebook page.

See what they respond with.

ic

bigadaj wrote: »

The assistant will be on commission and/ or targets so they will no doubt be keen.

Commission isn't allowed anymore. http://www.mymoney24.co.uk/spending/store-cards/new_store_card_rules_come_into_force_1_1193809

opinions4u

ic wrote: »

Commission isn't allowed anymore. http://www.mymoney24.co.uk/spending/store-cards/new_store_card_rules_come_into_force_1_1193809

Commission can be dressed up in many ways.

Team bonus. Store bonus. Points to trigger additional rewards.

matttye

opinions4u wrote: »

Commission can be dressed up in many ways.

Team bonus. Store bonus. Points to trigger additional rewards.

Or even just meeting targets to keep a job.

Trajal

The commission being that you get to keep your job - wool!

I experienced something similar when my wife bought something in debenhams, I had to get quite snappy to make them back down. Sent a letter to the manager and of course no response.

chattychappy

squirrelchops wrote: »

and that she 'didn't have to pay now but in 56 days time'.

Seems clear to me - it's a credit facility!

squirrelchops wrote: »

However not once did she actually point out this was for a credit card.

Did she really need to?

And no doubt the form would have a clear box above where she signs say something about it being a consumer credit agreement under the 1974 act.

I don't see a problem.