Renton 249 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Just been ripped off by GNER, the set of thieving bastids. I've been away in London and used advance tickets - only £10 each. The first problem I had was the train on Saturday was late, making me miss the the start off the Chelsea match. I suppose I can just about live with that. However, on the way back yesterday the tube was delayed in the rush hour, and I just missed my train, so I got the next one, 10 minutes later. I knew I was going to have to pay an excess, that's fair enough. What I wasn't prepared for was the fact they charged me and my wife £240! Bastards! They claimed this was the price of a standard single ticket, but I am sure this is blatent bullshit. I refused to pay, so they are sending me a letter demanding payment. I'm going to try and see if they will accept less, but I know its probably to no avail, although I tempted to let them take me to court over it. Has anyone any suggestions? I can't really afford that type of money and will probably have to do without a christmas present this year. I can deal with that but just hate the feeling I have been blatently taken to the cleaners. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig 4 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Go to Citizens Advice and tell them the whole thing - £240 seems a bit steep to me. I'm sure they'll have decent advice like... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Kirkey 0 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 That does seem pretty steep, and very harsh. I'd try and reason with them first, and if not say that you'll grudgingly pay, but only in installments. You really shouldn't have to go without at xmas for something that isn't your fault. Best of luck with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alex Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Just been ripped off by GNER, the set of thieving bastids. I've been away in London and used advance tickets - only £10 each. The first problem I had was the train on Saturday was late, making me miss the the start off the Chelsea match. I suppose I can just about live with that. However, on the way back yesterday the tube was delayed in the rush hour, and I just missed my train, so I got the next one, 10 minutes later. I knew I was going to have to pay an excess, that's fair enough. What I wasn't prepared for was the fact they charged me and my wife £240! Bastards! They claimed this was the price of a standard single ticket, but I am sure this is blatent bullshit. I refused to pay, so they are sending me a letter demanding payment. I'm going to try and see if they will accept less, but I know its probably to no avail, although I tempted to let them take me to court over it. Has anyone any suggestions? I can't really afford that type of money and will probably have to do without a christmas present this year. I can deal with that but just hate the feeling I have been blatently taken to the cleaners. 58992[/snapback] I think it probably is the standard price (outrageous I know). Writing to them and putting your case may work though. Perhaps you could lay ot on thick regarding the circustances and being a loyal customer, blah, blah, blah. The person inspecting the tickets probably hasn't got much leeway over that sort of thing and had little choice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mighty Hog 15 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Aye Citizens Advice are spot on. Can be a bit of a nightmare but if you get there first thing then there aren't many queues. They open you eyes to how bullying certain industries can be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alex Report post Posted November 22, 2005 You mean £120 each, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alex Report post Posted November 22, 2005 The trouble with the CAB is, I don't think they can do much in this case since those sort of tickets are only valid for specific journeys and are not transferable. That is made very clear when you buy them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Renton 249 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Just been ripped off by GNER, the set of thieving bastids. I've been away in London and used advance tickets - only £10 each. The first problem I had was the train on Saturday was late, making me miss the the start off the Chelsea match. I suppose I can just about live with that. However, on the way back yesterday the tube was delayed in the rush hour, and I just missed my train, so I got the next one, 10 minutes later. I knew I was going to have to pay an excess, that's fair enough. What I wasn't prepared for was the fact they charged me and my wife £240! Bastards! They claimed this was the price of a standard single ticket, but I am sure this is blatent bullshit. I refused to pay, so they are sending me a letter demanding payment. I'm going to try and see if they will accept less, but I know its probably to no avail, although I tempted to let them take me to court over it. Has anyone any suggestions? I can't really afford that type of money and will probably have to do without a christmas present this year. I can deal with that but just hate the feeling I have been blatently taken to the cleaners. 58992[/snapback] I think it probably is the standard price (outrageous I know). Writing to them and putting your case may work though. Perhaps you could lay ot on thick regarding the circustances and being a loyal customer, blah, blah, blah. The person inspecting the tickets probably hasn't got much leeway over that sort of thing and had little choice. 59000[/snapback] Yeah, the conductor was Ok about it to be fair, I could see he didn't have much choice (although I was seriously thinking of giving him a bung!). I'm going to make them offer and be very grovelling/polite, but if they are intent on making me pay the full whack I'm going to make it as hard for them as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sweetleftpeg 0 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Not a fan of the train transport system. Once went to Endiburgh and back and some prick was sitting in our seats and wouldn't move. No ticket officer to be seen on the way back either so to add insult to injury I wouldn't have had to pay if I'd known. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mighty Hog 15 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Probably right on that count, but they can do alot from the legal standpoint. At worst they can set things up so you only have to pay the £240 in installments and avoid messy things like going to court. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Renton 249 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 The trouble with the CAB is, I don't think they can do much in this case since those sort of tickets are only valid for specific journeys and are not transferable. That is made very clear when you buy them. 59003[/snapback] Yes, it was £120 each. I agree with what you say, but I know for a fact they are charging me more than a standard single fare, which I think is unacceptable. Guess I'm probably shafted. Bye bye new mp3 player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alex Report post Posted November 22, 2005 They're pretty grim for what you pay like. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smooth Operator 1 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Offering to pay them in installments is a winner i reckon, I got a grant back in the day when i went to Uni, i came back after a couple of months cos it was hell on earth, but i'd blown the grand they gave me to cover my rent for the year. So they wanted the majority of it back, which i obviously didn't have a penny of! So i offered to pay them in installments, to which the Council agreed to and they even let me choose how much i pay back per week, so being cheeky cunt i offered to pay a fiver a week to which they agreed to nee bother! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alex Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Offering to pay them in installments is a winner i reckon, I got a grant back in the day when i went to Uni, i came back after a couple of months cos it was hell on earth, but i'd blown the grand they gave me to cover my rent for the year. So they wanted the majority of it back, which i obviously didn't have a penny of! So i offered to pay them in installments, to which the Council agreed to and they even let me choose how much i pay back per week, so being cheeky cunt i offered to pay a fiver a week to which they agreed to nee bother! 59028[/snapback] Good idea. Renton, I would claim that paying back the full amount would cause you extreme financial hardship. If you offer to pay it back and they respond, keep the correspondence. That way you have a record that shows that you did offer to pay for the tickets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smooth Operator 1 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 If criminals can pay fines back at the rate of a pound a week then law abiding citizens should therefore be able to pay the cost of a over priced train ticket back at a similar rate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig 4 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 If criminals can pay fines back at the rate of a pound a week then law abiding citizens should therefore be able to pay the cost of a over priced train ticket back at a similar rate. 59049[/snapback] Renton could be a criminal though - mind you that would make him more eligible for the £1 a week scheme wouldn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 They are robbers like. I needed to get to London at short notice just before Christmas a few years back. It was actually cheaper to get a taxi to Teesside airport and fly from there than it was on the train. Ridiculous. Is it any wonder we won't get out of our cars and use public transport?? You had hastle on the Metro a while back as well didn't you Renton? I'd steer clear of anything that runs on rails in future if I was you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meenzer 576 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 I'm just about to book a London-Newcastle trip either side of Christmas... I have a feeling the prices aren't going to be pretty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meenzer 576 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 I'm just about to book a London-Newcastle trip either side of Christmas... 59100[/snapback] ...or at least I would if it was giving me any available fares at all for any dates around then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jusoda Kid 0 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Why didn't you give him a false name & address or one of your mates name & addresse's, bit sneaky but better than paying £240 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Renton 249 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Why didn't you give him a false name & address or one of your mates name & addresse's, bit sneaky but better than paying £240 59121[/snapback] I had to give ID as proof - my driving license. And unfortunately I don't know Gemmill's address. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill 0 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Aye Citizens Advice are spot on. They're not like.. I genuinely hate having to refer people to the CAB because most of the advisers are pretty shite. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lou 0 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 I'd never even heard of the CAB until this thread.... I seriously do live in my own little dream world of pixies and dancing daffodils. Or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mighty Hog 15 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 Aye Citizens Advice are spot on. They're not like.. I genuinely hate having to refer people to the CAB because most of the advisers are pretty shite. 59142[/snapback] You'll have had more experience of them than me by the sounds of things but I've heard nothing but good things about the ones up this end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smooth Operator 1 Report post Posted November 22, 2005 (edited) Why didn't you give him a false name & address or one of your mates name & addresse's, bit sneaky but better than paying £240 59121[/snapback] Aye that's what i would've done.........er me names Wacky Jnr, I live in the Byker Wall with wor lass and her lesbian lover. Edited November 22, 2005 by Smooth Operator Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
