Do I have ground for complaint (Cross Country Trains)

3plus1

When you book a train ticket online, you can specify which direction you would like to sit in. You are then shown a seat number, so you can tell from this if you have been given a forward facing seat or not. If the answer is not, they're probably all gone, so if you have a real problem with sitting the wrong way (I have the same problem and can't do this for longer journeys or I do get really ill) you can try booking on a slightly earlier/later train service.

If you're not sure how to interpret the seat numbers etc, it's probably better buying a ticket from the station as the staff on the ticket desks there will be able to better advise you.

You do not pay extra for seat reservations in this country (the UK). They are entirely free, so if the reservations system falls apart (I've seen it happen a few times myself), you don't really have grounds for complaint. You never paid for it, so if you aren't given it, how have you lost out?

Interestingly enough, in France (where I used to live), you do have to pay extra for a seat reservation. It's not very much, but it is worth it on longer train journeys. In France people are much more militant about moving seats than people are over here, but over there, if you've actually paid for the seat, you're entirely justified to evict people.

I've always found that in situations where there are train problems, there's an atmosphere of camaraderie. I've seen on many ocassions passengers taking turns to sit on a seat in a busy train where they've both booked the same seat due to an error with the system. Next time you find yourself in a bit of an unhappy train scenario, remember that your fellow passengers are just as annoyed as you are, and make allowances for each other rather than trying to lay down the law. It'll be nicer for them, but it'll also be nicer for you as you'll end up feeling less stressed for the whole journey.

You may well get some train vouchers, but I wouldn't hold your breath for a large payout. I'd guess less than a tenner, to be spent on Cross Country only.

Honeydog

sam93 wrote: »

Oooh the nice people have come out of hiding

Im glad some people feel I am in the right, looking at other posts of utkin29 I agree totally he (im assuming they are male) simply wants ti belittle the OP.

Wig I thanked all of your posts

HoneyDog i dont understand :S ????

Utkin29 I asked reserved a forward facing seat. I didnt get it

Just to explain Sam. The reply above was aimed at YukTim29 and not you.

Hope you get your compensation sorted out.

HD

sam93_2

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.

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.

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

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.


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.

Honeydog

OK

tomstickland

When you're 15 you should be fit enough to survive the whole journey standing up!

If you book a seat and find someone else sitting there then you are well within your rights to ask them to move. I used to sit in reserved spaces if they were free and move as soon as the person who'd booked it turned up, because often they didn't turn up or were getting on later.

hollydays

It sounds a bit like when you book a hotel sometimes. You can make a request ie "I would like a room with a balcony",but there is usually a disclaimer somewhere saying they can't guarentee requests (the balcony I mean ,not the room)

uktim29

Wig wrote: »

most of them couldn't help a cabbage if they tried.

What is it you do with cabbages Wig?:eek:

What do you actually help them with?

uktim29

Wig wrote: »

He is at a loss, he paid for a service that was not provided.

It was free.

At the top of the second page the op admitted they didn't know what the £2 was actually for.

Wig wrote: »

Another missed opportunity for you to show everyone how willing you are to admit you are wrong when you are.....

Lets see you do it then now!;)

Dreamnine

It all really does sound whiney to me. You could spend your entire adulthood just complaining about service. Get a life !!!!!!..

uktim29

Dreamnine wrote: »

It all really does sound whiney to me. You could spend your entire adulthood just complaining about service. Get a life !!!!!!..

Exactly...

frugallass

Dreamnine wrote: »

It all really does sound whiney to me. You could spend your entire adulthood just complaining about service. Get a life !!!!!!..

why does it sound 'whiney' - the OP received a service that wasn't up to expectations and felt the need to share their experience with the service provider.