Do I have ground for complaint (Cross Country Trains)

Godders

I don't really want to have to keep locking thread after thread as people are going off topic and sniping at each other in them. So in this instance:

GOING OFF-TOPIC


Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: While it’s easy to wander off-topic that often prevents newbies finding the information they want quickly and easily (please see this rule). Please keep this thread on topic. If you’d like to discuss non-MoneySaving related topics please continue your discussion in The MoneySavers Arms or Discussion Time. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="%20abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

And can I also remind people "Be nice to all Moneysavers"

sam93_2

Godders wrote: »

[/I][/B]And can I also remind people "Be nice to all Moneysavers"

I think you should remind UKTim of this


Dreamnine: Simple - Do I have ground for complaint: yes / no sorry if that isnt simple for you.
Sensible: Well thats rather obvious, never been in this situation before, asking for advice before I do something - seems sensible enough to me.

Honeydog

I am always very nice to genuine Moneysavers - with a strong emphasis on the word GENUINE.

3plus1

sam93 wrote: »

3Plus1

On the seat reservation: it said something along the lines of what seat I would want forward facing fold down table, backward facing fold down table (other options were grayed out I believe) I chose the forward facing one -- I couldn't pick my exact seat you see - I am fully capable of booking a train ticket online it isn't necessary to go to the ticket desk.

My point was, after you choose the type of seat online (forward facing, table, no table, etc), you normally get shown a seat number. You can work out from this number if you have actually been allocated a seat facing the direction you want. If you rely on having selected your chosen option from a drop down list, you may be in for disappointment.

sam93 wrote: »

On getting my seat: What is the point in having the service if I have no right to actually sit there if someone else gets there before me? It is only going to lead to disappointment and confrontation.

You do have the right to sit in your seat, unless someone else also has a booking for the same seat. This does not happen that often, so it would not make sense scrapping the entire system.

sam93 wrote: »

And also ,the lady sat in my seat became very confrontational when I asked about the seat (very politely) other passengers backed me up and so I went to find somewhere to deposit my luggage - when I came back (still with luggage in tow) she had gone. If completely necessary I would have shared a seat - but when someone is confrontational - after all I have reserved the seat.

Point taken. I didn't realise she was rude towards you.

sam93 wrote: »

You see what I mean a bit of a stupid idea the reservation if you are not actually entitled to it.

It's not a stupid idea when the system works - which is most of the time. You can't get a seat reservation if you book last minute, many people like to sit down, so having this system encourages people to book in advance. Although I have nothing to back this up, I would imagine that knowing in advance that a train is going to be absolutely rammed, would make things easier for staff.

sam93 wrote: »

And also I am not actually that fussed about compensation - it was more the principal of highlighting the silly situation of lack of luggage space and a pointless reservation system.

The reservation system isn't pointless. I will however agree with you that on some services/routes, the space provided for luggage is insufficient.

sam93 wrote: »

A thought has just come to me now -- it may be flawed I dont know.

But what if you reserved a hotel room (you pay no extra for reservation) and when you get there you find that someone who just dropped by the hotel and asked for a room, ends up staying in your room that you have booked. I imagine most of you would be pretty annoyed. You end up going to a different hotel because there are no other rooms - you would be annoyed.

I know its a different situation, but its the same in prinipal.

It's not really the same. The same would be, if in your scenario, your room was double booked so you were entitled to sleep somewhere else in the hotel.

Double booking incidentally is common with airlines - something to bear in mind if you decide to fly on your next trip rather than taking the train.

sam93_2

3plus1 wrote: »

Double booking incidentally is common with airlines - something to bear in mind if you decide to fly on your next trip rather than taking the train.

HaHa funny you should say that, I may be flying out to France on my own next year You dont think I will have to stand rather that sit in my seat on the plane do you ??

Anyway I will give you thanks

Bogof_Babe

I have a ticket for next Monday which has allocated me seat 20F. How can I tell which way that will be facing?

hollydays

fff forward?:p

sam93_2

Thought I would post on here the outcome of the complaint... if anyone is interested.

CrossCountry said as a "goodwill gesture" they have given me a £5 voucher for my troubles etc. It can be used on other rail networks, not just XC.

Thought that was quite good, just under 50% of the ticket price.

Sam

Honeydog

sam93 wrote: »

Thought I would post on here the outcome of the complaint... if anyone is interested.

CrossCountry said as a "goodwill gesture" they have given me a £5 voucher for my troubles etc. It can be used on other rail networks, not just XC.

Thought that was quite good, just under 50% of the ticket price.

Sam

Thanks for posting the update Sam - it is always great when someone goes to the bother of letting us know how it turned out.

I'm glad you've proved that it is worth complaining when service falls below the standard we should expect. It is the only way we can try and improve situations for ourselves and others.

Good on ya!

uktim29

Honeydog wrote: »

I'm glad you've proved that it is worth complaining when service falls below the standard we should expect. It is the only way we can try and improve situations for ourselves and others.

Actually theres no proof there any service has improved or that their system won't work again, they've just been given a voucher.