CONTACTING CARD ISSUER FOR AUTHENTICATION FAILURE

I am trying to purchase Final Cut Pro off the App Store but it gets to the "contacting card issuer for authentication" page then goes blank.

it is irrelevant which card I try (I have tried bank and visa ) as both banks do not seem to be receiving the request.

I tried (as other suggested), to use paypal as a purchase method but that also failed at the verification page.

it really shouldn't be this hard to give apple £300, its rather aggravating to be unable to buy apps.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Dave M