AIBU to think it's totally out of order for Next.co.uk to run credit checks on online customers when the customers are paying by debit/credit card?

[WrackAndRuined]

Bought a rug from next this evening online. I was paying by card so paying right away. A message came up On screen saying that next had run a credit check on me and decided they wouldn't be sending me a catalogue. For more information, I could contact the credit reference agencies.. I am livid that next has run a credit check on me and left a trace on my credit file. How dare they? This will, I understand, affect my credit record. This was run without my permission. I was tempted to cancel the transaction. Can I complain to anyone - ie the financial standards bodies?

And you can get clubcard points when shopping online.

Typically Next will offer gift vouchers if you complain about this, but they cannot remove the search because they cannot remove correct financial information, and legally you did authorise the search. So I'd recommend complaining, so that they hopefully make this more obvious, but don't set your expectations too high.

DH agrees with this to a point, but says that unless the authorisation is explicit its not acceptable. And therefore is actually technically illegal....

They have to EXPLICITLY AND CLEARLY ask you regarding a credit check. Being hidden away in the T&Cs is an not acceptable way of doing it.

DH says he believes against the consumer credit act, and you should complain directly to the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) if this is the case.

It would of course explain, why they are happy to give you gift vouchers, because it stops you taking it further.

Yes, but loyalty schemes track your purchases and build up a profile of you. I don't want Tesco - or anyone - snooping on me.

I can't order online at Tescos. They don't deliver to the place where I live (nor do any other supermarkets).

As I said, the nearest Tesco is about 100 miles away. I don't want and don't need a loyalty card. And I really resent being forced to sign up for one as a condition of buying a one-off purchase (ie a cooker).

Completely agree OP Next are a disgrace but it surprises me that any company would do this as surely it loses them a lot of custom.
I had a website the other day wanting me to create an account BEFORE I could look at the site! No thanks, clicked straight off. I can't remember the name but think it was a children's clothes one advertised on MN.

On another note Next won't deliver to an address other than the billing address which is a pain in the ass when buying for someone else etc.

I agree with you, OP. I ordered some bits from Next about 4/5 years ago, paid for immediately in full, and ended up with shitty letters saying I owed £5 on my account for the catalogue I neither wanted nor ordered.

I told them where to stick it, shut my "account" and haven't ordered from them online nor been in a store since.

La Redoute/Vertbaudet do similar I think, or used to.

you can now have 5 other addresses on your Next account (must be a new feature)

I've had similar problems and immediately closed my 'account' as soon as the items my relatives wanted ordering had arrived.

Beware though, because unbeknown to me, my DH shopped online with Next (again for same overseas relatives) and input my email address. It automatically reactivated the closed account. I had to ring up their customer services and have the account manually closed and made them promise that it would never, ever be reopened again.

Said relatives have now been told that I will order nothing online from Next. The only way to do it is to go in store and order items for subsequent collection.

I agree and do not use Next online for the same reason, plus when I bought things online it said I could return them in store. I had paid with my debit card but when I asked for the refund instore I was told it can only be refunded to the credit account that I didn't even realise I had opened!

NormHonal That's what happened to me, they added a catalogue onto my account I never asked for or agreed to open, then started sending me letters saying I owed them money for it and had to pay immediately. Outrageous. Never buy online with them unless you want to pay for a catalogue, why would you do that anyway when you can presumably look online anyway?

I've ordered from Next online loads of times and never been sent a catalogue
I don't have a credit account with them i always pay in full on my debit card maybe that's why. Or maybe its because i always collect from store [intrigued]

I order loads from Next and never have a problem. They have never sent me a catalogue or done a credit check on me

Next have been this way for years, I used to work for them part time when I was at uni and that was 7 years ago, it amazes me that haven't moved with the times. If you ever see someone in next trying to tempt you to enter a competition to win a car, they'll also run a credit check with that info too!

Having said that their instore ordering system is very good, so just steer clear of ordering online.

I've had the same thing happen to me. I clicked to say I didn't want a catalogue, they still credit checked me and opened a credit account. Fuckers.

Absolutely hate shite like this

I used to shop in there loads in store, but the one time I ordered something online, they pulled this stunt on me (including sending a massive catalogue I did not want and they charged me for) and I've not really been back in there since.. been several years now. Completely soured my opinion of them.

I know it's silly of me but I don't tend to read T&C's because I assume most online retailers would do the same. I think it's ridiculous they do this. Where is the need?

I've just ordered a shirt and cardigan from Next online and paid by debit card. I didn't get that message.

Thanks everyone. I am going to complain to the financial conduct authority (although it appears you need to complain directly to next.co.uk first). I will do this. I will also complain to my MP who is the business secretary. I am so annoyed. I work extremely hard providing for my young kids and earn a good living and frankly do not think it acceptable for Next to jeopardise my chances of buying a house through their archaic and thick business processes.

I should think that if next have turned you down for a credit account that you've got more important things to worry about than buying a house!

@ramrod. Actually I just checked and my credit is absolutely a1 as I thought. I have no debts and credit ref agencies show a top score, but thanks anyway for your patronising reply.

I almost had this happen to me. Luckily, I'd seen some Mumsnet warnings, and so actually read the T&C (for once). I only wanted to buy a £4 baby hat, and to pay in full like any normal online transaction but it seemed impossible to do without them running a credit check and opening up an unwanted line of credit. Ridiculous.

To those of you who bought without getting stuck with an account: just double check there's not an account in your name lying dormant. It doesn't seem to matter if you pay in full or not; they run a credit check and open an account for future use as standard practice, AFAIK.

I've just checked my credit file, there's nothing showing that Next have searched. It's all in good order. I shall contact them tomorrow to find out if I have a dormant account with them.

I remember reading this earlier this week and I've just ordered a dress I wanted in Next (I need the tall version and they only have standard in store).

It was clear up front that they would do a check, which would not show unless refused or you took a credit account. I also carefully checked the boxes about not having the catalogue.

I was confident I wouldn't be refused as I have perfect credit (bank account, mortgage, phone contract and a single credit card that is paid off monthly - all up to date and very affordable - no missed payments on anything ever).

The bastards said I had been refused a credit account so it will show on my credit record!!!! I am so cross - if I am not suitable for credit then who is?

I am not bothered about not being allowed credit as I didn't want it anyway, but I just feel that I have been tricked into their search appearing on my file .