On pressing submit to make a purchase from Debenhams - my first online purchase from them, this webpage popped up immediately with a big display about money back on a subsequent purchase. It looks exactly as a 'within company' offer like Nectar or Tesco club card might look. It suggests a big discount on a future purchase. The positioning of this message is deceiving, leaving the purchaser to just click the boxes to opt in. It flies on the coat tails of a purchase from a legitimate business. Yes, you have to enter bank details - which you have just done when you made the purchase anyway, so why not enter again, if it's Debenhams, and get the cashback? Problem is, there is NOTHING to indicate that this is an entirely different company. The name, 'My Time Rewards', is of course displayed but it gives the appearance of their own reward scheme. Instead it's a PAYABLE reward scheme which will take money from your account on a monthly basis thereafter. Yes, there might just be some (very) small print explaining some of this but that alone is not enough. It should be clearer that you are being transferred to a different company for the offer - which of course leaves Debenhams at fault too - assuming they are aware of this. It should be made much clearer that this company DOES NOT represent Debenhams and that monthly costs are involved. As the title here says, probably not illegal, but it's not ethical to 'entice' people to commit in such a covert manner. Hopefully this will make more people aware.Response to the reply from Mytimerewards:Thank you for using the first two paragraphs of your response to promote your company; I'm sure you will benefit from that! As for the remainder, I admit I voluntarily entered my personal details - but only because I was under the impression that I was doing it as a continuation of my transaction with Debenhams. I would have closed the browser if I had thought otherwise. I admit that I might have overlooked any T&Cs in the small print - we all lead busy lives. I would have been more inclined to read T&Cs from a company not known to me - but I already know and trust Debenhams. You need to be much more explicit in the larger print about who you are. To reiterate, my complaint is about the mode of presentation being unethical. You will no doubt have made sure you are not breaking any laws but I find this marketing approach offensive. I expect that all the sign up info you have given here is factually correct but this is about the context and your intent on promoting your company in this way. I just want to warn anyone else who finds themselves in my position.
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My Time Rewards is a leisure savings programme that helps you do more of what you love and save money. Members can save up to 25 percent on leisure activities.
