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Original poster

Am I the only one to have bought from the Next Directory website without realising...

34 replies

SecretSquirrelandMoroccoMole · 10/11/2008 23:29

...that I've entered into a credit agreement?

I bought something from the website a few weeks ago and it gives you two options: 1) to pay for a catalogue and get free delivery (2) to not pay for a catalogue but pay for delivery instead. I chose the latter, as it appeared to not tie me into any further agreement with them.

Well, having received my goods, this morning I've received a statement in the post detailing the terms of my credit agreement, saying I have £300 credit allowance, etc etc. Excuse me? I have even re-read the t&cs and nowhere does it say that they automatically do this - it says "A Next Directory Flexible Account ("Next Account") may be opened for you and you will be charged £3.75 for your first and each subsequent Next Directory." It also says later on that they will request a signature to confirm this agreement.

As far as I was aware, when I ordered my goods I was just buying something off a website - the same as I've done from every other website for years.

Am I the only one who's been fooled like this? They shall be getting stern words from me in the morning.

OP posts:
furrycat · 10/11/2008 23:31

I ended up getting a Next Directory I didn't want and it was a real hassle to get sending them to me

Original poster
SecretSquirrelandMoroccoMole · 10/11/2008 23:31

Should clarify - where it says an account "may" be opened, doesn't it sound like it's not definite? 'Maybe we will, maybe we won't.'

OP posts:
FimboGotAxed · 10/11/2008 23:32

I think their website is misleading - but you do enter into a credit agreement when you buy with them.

It doesn't seem possible to buy from them, like you would any other place.

FimboGotAxed · 10/11/2008 23:33

I found it very hard when trying to call them as I couldn't understand the people in the call centre. I don't know if it's abroad or in the UK.

Aitch · 10/11/2008 23:35

it's the same with verbaudet, most annoying imo.

Original poster
SecretSquirrelandMoroccoMole · 11/11/2008 11:43

It's rather dishonest, isn't it? Who the hell do they think they are opening a credit account without my permission?

OP posts:
PortAndLemon · 11/11/2008 11:48

There is (or was) an option to buy from Vertbaudet without opening an account; you have (or had) to dig around a bit to find it, though.

elkiedee · 11/11/2008 11:48

It must be annoying when you don't want the credit agreement. Assuming you plan to keep the goods, my advice would be settle your first bill in full when it arrives (even if you did want credit their interest rate is quite high) and phone customer services to let them know you don't want the catalogue - they usually send out letters saying the catalogue is due and that you can cancel it if you don't want it (you presumably would want this rather than paying the £3.75).

PortAndLemon · 11/11/2008 11:49

And yes on Next; that's why I don't buy from them online (which as my local Next is a bit rubbish tends to mean I don't buy from them at all).

nestingswizzlesticks · 11/11/2008 12:18

They are stuck in a pre-internet shopping mode that goes completely against what most people expect who buy from a website these days. I got caught out the same way. These days you expect just to buy, not to be opening a catalogue account - I think Next should have abandoned that model as soon as all their competitors started selling online Amazon-style.

Furball · 11/11/2008 12:35

I've never understood why you have to pay £3.75 for a directory if ordering online??? seems a bit mad.

MerlinsBeard · 11/11/2008 12:38

we have ordered from their website before and not been entered into a credit agreement with them. I only know this because i got in the shot with my account with them and there is NO WAY on this EARTH they would let me even in their stores if they knew who i was!!

We received our goods with a temporary account number(we ordered a lot that was delivered at different times) which DP queried and they said it wasn't a "live" account as we had paid.

Received no catalogue or statements from them

aBride · 11/11/2008 12:44

Their website is also incredibly clunky to use.

scattyspice · 11/11/2008 12:44

What is the problem with entering a credit agreement?

Jjou · 11/11/2008 12:49

Have never bought off their website, but a sales assistant asked me if i'd like the Next Directory when i was at the tills ages ago - she never said i'd have to pay for the privilege. I got a shock when i opened up a bill for the Directory, and found out i had an account with them. I paid the bill as i should've read the small print, but it was still very cheeky! The account shows up on my credit report too, even though I've never used it.

Original poster
SecretSquirrelandMoroccoMole · 11/11/2008 21:13

Scattyspice, the point here is that they have entered me into a credit agreement, without my permission. I should be the one to have control over those decisions, not them. I used to have a credit card, cancelled it 6 months ago after finally paying it all off. I still have a significant overdraft and am trying to teach myself financial management for the first time in my life.

If I want to take a loan, or credit, or borrow money under any other name, then surely I should be the one to decide that?

OP posts:
Original poster
SecretSquirrelandMoroccoMole · 11/11/2008 21:15

Jjou, they are rank out of order - even the small print doesn't make it clear. Can't believe the sales asst never told you about the charge for the directory - I wouldn't have paid if I were you. This surely must come under the Trades Descriptions Act. If I could be bothered to read it. (!)

OP posts:
beansprout · 11/11/2008 21:17

I rang them the next morning and cancelled. I was very cross about it. It's odd that they keep this going but presumably it must be profitable.

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 11/11/2008 21:17

I've always avoided Next Directory. Who wants to pay for a catalogue?

PavlovtheCat · 11/11/2008 21:21

If it is a Credit Agreement, would they have done a credit search on you? Left a footprint on your credit file? It might be marked as open on your credit file....worth checking if you rely on your credit file for any future credit/mortgage renewels etc....

Cicatrice · 11/11/2008 21:21

This happened to my DH, he was frothing at the mouth for days, and is starting to fizz again as I have reminded him.

It is in the small print, but you have to navigate away from the main purchasing "route" to find it. It is IMO underhand, and not what you expect when ordering from a website.

The credit search will show up on your record as well, which would be bad if you were refused. I agree with you SecretSquirrel, it should be your decision.

We haven't ordered on line again. It took a few rather ill natured phone calls and letters to get the account cancelled too. It all left a rather nasty taste in my mouth.

It's a shame because I actually really like some Next kids clothes and now I don't buy them.

NotanOtterOHappyDay · 11/11/2008 21:23

bloody annoying

next are CROOKS imo

NotanOtterOHappyDay · 11/11/2008 21:25

i once telephoned my order and told the operator it was difficult NOT to get tied in she said ALWAYS ring

its such a dupe

puppydavies · 11/11/2008 21:25

i only realised because they wanted a date of birth at registration. i always enter fake info for websites requesting this kind of thing (too valuable to hand out except to financial institutions) but it wouldn't go through, indicating they were running some kind of credit check on my details.

in the end i decided that i'd have to sign up as there were particular items i just couldn't get elsewhere or in my local store but their antidiluvian ordering system still annoys the crap out of me, not least the fact that you can't exchange items (which also accounts for my other gripe which is that nothings ever in stock).

i'd go elsewhere if it were even slightly an option, their ordering (and delivery to store) system is appalling.

and relaaaaaaaaax...

TheCrackFox · 11/11/2008 21:32

This is the precise reason that I have never ordered anything form Next. Which is a shame as I lurve internet shopping. Dread to think what APR is.