Credit check failed for no obvious reason

[AlexS]

Hello,

I recently walked into my local Vodafone store to ask about getting a phone upgrade. I was happily talked into transferring all my phone accounts (those belonging to members of my immediate family) as well as transferring my long-term broadband deal (with TalkTalk) over to Vodafone. Quite unexpectedly, my credit check failed outright. Both myself and the store's deputy manager were surprised (not that he knew anything to do with my financial status). He then wrote an appeal on my behalf (he offered to do it there and then, rather than me asking) so I let him do that - only to find out that my appeal had been flatly denied. I was told an outright flat denial was 'quite rare'. Since then, I have checked my credit score with both Experian (who I believe Vodafone uses) as well as the credit report agency my bank uses (TransUnion) - and all appears to be fine. I have never been in debt, always been in credit with my bank account, lived at my address for 16 years, have two bank accounts which, luckily for me, add up to a six-figure sum, no criminal record, on the electoral register, and so on. However - and most importantly - I noticed when I checked my credit report, that Vodafone has not checked my credit rating/report, despite them claiming they do. I was the first ever to check it, apparently. With that in mind, I am left baffled, stressed, disappointed, and worried as to why I was rejected despite my credit history never being checked by Vodafone. Does anyone know how they do check such things? What are they going by? The only thing I can think that may have jeopardised my credit rating in their eyes is that I gave them my mobile phone number which is a fairly new number, and not the one I have had for the long-term (a number my wife now uses) and which would have shown long-term use and good credit/payment history. Also, my wife had a credit card recently (we have joint bank accounts) but the company that provided it (John Lewis) decided to hand the reigns of the company to a new company, which my wife decided not to proceed with. Would discontinuing a credit card (with no outstanding payments to be made) affect such a decision? I am truly baffled - and somewhat annoyed. Thank-you to anyone who can be bothered to read this, never mind taking the time to reply!

[AnnS]

Attempting to read your post @AlexS , the reason for the failed credit check looks like you were trying to do too much in such a short space of time and Vodafone being over cautious. With an Evo contract it will be a new credit agreement and you will be taking out a new loan each and every time you upgrade.  

When taking a contract through Vodafone there is usually a three month clear payment obligation before being able to add additional lines, if you had just kept to the broadband and upgrade, it may have gone through.  The problem now is having to wait 3 months before trying again.

[AlexS]

Thank-you, AnnS, for your response and valuable information! Indeed, that may well be the case. However, it was the deputy manager of the store who started suggesting I do this, that, and the other, until I almost felt a sense of obligation! It was a lot to add - and out of the blue - but he was saying that it would all be easy, that he could transfer accounts onto just one, Vodafone account - and so on. And then it failed - and I felt silly, embarrassed, and somewhat humiliated when the 'appeal' failed on second-try. Especially when I know my credit history and financial history in general, is good. Never been in debt in my life. I don't think I am going to try again in 90 days. I would feel like a naughty boy begging for porridge. I just wish I never had to go through this, as it wasn't even my intention when I went into the shop in the first place.