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I am so angry@ penalty fare

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somersertboy
somersertboy Posts: 14 Forumite
edited 16 July 2010 at 1:50PM in Motoring
Newbie here so hope I have posted in the correct category, If not please move mod's.
I need some help before I get myself a CCJ or spiralling costs.

On the 04 June 2010 I booked on-line a train journey from Yeovil (Somerset) Pen Mill to Stafford to collect a car I had purchased.
I was due to travel out on Mon.7th June with the train departing at 12.05.I opted to collect my tickets from the station.It said on the site (cross country)to allow time before getting on your train to get your tickets issued, which I did.Got to the station at 11.45 AM and the ticket office was closed!

I got on the train as no machines at this station and thought I could get my ticket from a conductor.

Train got into Bristol Aprx.15mins late leaving me two minutes to get on my next train form Birmingham new street to Stafford.

On this leg of the journey I was Issued an unpaid fare notice and told I could appeal? for what I said I have already paid! It fell on deaf ears.
When I got home I wrote to Cross country-who replied by letter stating that they understand I was unable to collect my tickets and having checked their system it shows the office should have been open at this time-as a result we are unable to accept any liability for the costs incurred as this station is operated by First Great Western trains who we have forwarded you letter onto.

Next a phone call from Great Western Trains and then a letter saying they were "short of resources" for that day.It read-
"I note you had pre-purchased tickets and were not able to collect these-I can understand how frustrating this must have been-especially when the train manager asked you to purchase a new set of tickets" (which I refused to do)If a ticket had been purchased from the train manager, we would have been able to offer you a gesture of 'good will' (IE vouchers not my money back!)(shocking) "However as a unpaid fares notice was issued it now has to be dealt with by IPFAS and revenue protection"."I understand they are now dealing with this and you will receive a response from them shortly".

Which I did-they rang to say my statement wasn't enough to go on-so I told them everything that had happened and included an attachment of my On-line booking conformation.
I have had a letter from IAS (same as IRCAS I think) saying the appeal would not be upheld and demanding £42.50 within the next 14 days.I have about six days left-but think I can do it on-line if I have to pay.

This means I paid for my journey in it's in entirety £63.50 but due to the companies shortcomings I now have to pay a further £42.50.

I am so angry I just want to either sue all three companies or let it go to court and risk having an understanding JP.I want my expenses,Admin costs (20 hours of my time so far, letters,ink, electricity, stamps/postage-use of my PC etc etc. I have just recently embarked on setting up my own business after being made redundant the end of May-and this is taking valuable time away from my business start-up.
I do not want to pay this £42.50 at all-as well as being on job seekers allowance at the mo.I don't see why I should.However I do not want to risk a CCJ etc.Please can anyone help or advise on my best next move?
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Comments

  • Keith
    Keith Posts: 2,924 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Good luck, I think you'll need it. Can I suggest you start your costs at around £7k?
  • Copernican
    Copernican Posts: 20 Forumite
    oh, I wouldn't bother posting asking for advice on this board if you made a mistake even if someone else also made one, if my problem with trains is anything to go by for everyone one person that advises you you'll get another telling you that its your fault and responsibility and judge you for daring to want to get some money back or reduce the amount you have to pay.
  • horsechestnut
    horsechestnut Posts: 1,446 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Have you tried asking the Citizens Advice Bureau for help? Just a suggestion.
  • Livingthedream
    Livingthedream Posts: 2,643 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    By the look of things you bought your tickets via the internet with 'tickets on departure' option, if this is correct did you use your credit card?

    If you did you could try a section 75 charge back from your credit card company as in theory 'you have never received your goods/tickets, due to no fault of your own'

    then use this money to pay for your penalty fare, which I'm sorry to say they have you banged to rights with.
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  • flyingscotno1
    flyingscotno1 Posts: 1,679 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    By the look of things you bought your tickets via the internet with 'tickets on departure' option, if this is correct did you use your credit card?

    If you did you could try a section 75 charge back from your credit card company as in theory 'you have never received your goods/tickets, due to no fault of your own'

    then use this money to pay for your penalty fare, which I'm sorry to say they have you banged to rights with.

    They might not look on that too favourably as technically they have received the service? I wouldn't put too much on that.

    Personally I'm with you on this. If you have paid for tickets and asked them for collection at a station and a train company have closed a ticket office due to no cover (sickness prob), then you really shouldn't have to pay twice in a vane hope you'd get your cash back to avoid a fine. I'd feel comfortable if I had a booking ref for them showing I'd paid, a letter from train company admitting office shut and hope that would be enough but you know how these things go. Nothing really helps you anyway.

    Have you contacted the local papers about this? Sounds like something they'd run- and that might get more efficient results when flagged to those who make decisions.
  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    By the look of things you bought your tickets via the internet with 'tickets on departure' option, if this is correct did you use your credit card?

    If you did you could try a section 75 charge back from your credit card company as in theory 'you have never received your goods/tickets, due to no fault of your own'

    then use this money to pay for your penalty fare, which I'm sorry to say they have you banged to rights with.

    The amount involved is too small for a section 75 claim - it has to be at least £100
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    To be honest, for £42 i would just pay it, no more stress, no phonining, no writing, no bad temper
    and move on, with a clear head.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • Lum
    Lum Posts: 6,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Seconding the option of credit card chargeback and pay the penalty. £21.50 profit!

    It's amazing that the penalty is lower than the cost of the ticket. That's pretty much encouraging you to try and ride without paying.
  • Livingthedream
    Livingthedream Posts: 2,643 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    dzug1 wrote: »
    The amount involved is too small for a section 75 claim - it has to be at least £100

    Your right there dzug1, I was wrong to add the words 'section 75' as you correctly stated it has to be over £100

    But for a Chargeback this can be under £100 and apparently covers Visa debit cards as well.

    well according to which anyway

    Its one of the reasons Ebay's/Paypal's default payment method is your current account first then your credit card.

    And as the Train Company has already stated it was "short of resources" for that day, it would be easy for the OP to prove breach of contract.
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  • robt_2
    robt_2 Posts: 3,401 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I am so angry I just want to either sue all three companies or let it go to court and risk having an understanding JP.I want my expenses,Admin costs (20 hours of my time so far, letters,ink, electricity, stamps/postage-use of my PC etc etc.

    20 hours? You must be a very slow typer.

    Probably about 5p for the electricity, ink and paper. Plus the stamps. Probably on less that £1 still.

    Do you know how sueing works?
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