I went into Debenhams in Wigan in the North West and was about to spend around £100 pounds on clothes and various other things. Anyway I had remembered watching a programme on store cards. They said that they are excellent to have so long as you don't misuse them. They also said that you received 10% off on purchases when you open an account. I looked around the store and found a little card explaining a little about the card. I noticed that you got ten percent off purchases when you opened an account. I thought that if I did not use it again at least I have saved over a tenner on my purchases this visit, which was a saving in itself.

The woman did all the relevant stuff over the phone, and said that I could have one with a £250 limit. I do not really earn much or but make a high number of purchases regularly, so this was enough for me. Obviously the more you earn the more you can have. The lady gave me a temporary paper card that could be used until I received the proper plastic one, similar to a credit card.

The card took about two weeks to arrive and is just a purple card with Debenhams on it, nothing to write home about. It also came with a load of leaflets and advertisements about Debenhams. There was a useful book that included such offers as if you spend £2 in Debenhams you can get 4 nectar points, but if you spend £2 at debenhams and hand your nectar card and your debenhams card you can earn 5 nectar points. I know nectar points don't add up to much but they will add up and you hopefully will get something for nothing.

When you have your card you will receive regular letters that will tell you of:-
Privilege weeks, where you can have extra savings when you have a card.
Sale previews- here you can have a look at the bargains before those who don't hold a card, plus money off coupons. Please be aware that you probably need to spend quite a lot to use the vouchers. For instance if you spent £100 you would get £20 off this is a good saving but you do have to spend the £100.

Warning.
I have to warn you though that there are many little things that Debenhams mention in the form you receive that will make them more money.
For instance, a £15 charge if your monthly minimum payment does not reach them by the due date,
£15 if a cheque, Direct Debit, is not paid when sent to them, i.e. if it is rejected or the cheque bounces.
£15 if you exceed your credit limit or cash limit.
A £25 if you do not inform tem of a change of address and they have to look for you
If your card is stolen and there are purchases made they can charge you up to £50.
So if you think about it of you do all these things then lose your card or it is stolen and someone uses it you could be paying up to £110, god I have never worked this out before I am definitely not going to do any of these.

Debenhams are currently having a blue cross sale; this allows you to get up to 70% off selected purchases. I have been to this sale and there is not much there. I tend to find that it is all the stuff that is left over from the two weeks after Christmas, so it all tends to be a little rubbish as all the good stuff is bought within the first two weeks of Christmas. This sale ends on Sunday 22nd of January.

If misused this card will probably cost you a lot of money and will be detrimental to your bank account. To be honest I do not use mine that often so am not sure that it is worth having beyond getting that initial discount of 10%. It is not particularly advantageous, the interest is high compared to other store cards and the rewards are not that great, also you have to spend loads to really save on this card, the just costs seem to outweigh the benefets.