Can't purchase developer account

3 days trying to purchase a developer account (UK)

Tried 4 valid cards from 2 different banks. All wait for approval in my banking apps, all are approved, I even see the approval for a split second on the apple website sometimes, then more spinney spinney before getting a "authorisation failed" message.

Zero response from apple developer support nearly 48hours since contacted.

Is there a secret developer chat support anywhere?

cheers

P.