Online Vs Ticket office purchase - same price?

Shelldean

Didn't think about cash back nth, but as our combined fares was under £30, the cash back wouldn't have been huge. Though of course it would be better in my pocket than theirs.

And I don't think I'd have been successful with sitting given how cheap the tickets were.


But at the end of the day I had to buy at the ticket office or I couldn't use my voucher

Shelldean

Curiosity got the better of me regarding splitting the tickets.

And our tickets can't be split.

We travel Sth London to London Victoria, tube to London Euston, train to Birmingham, and finally train to Bournville. The only place we could've split would be the Euston to Birmingham part, but the train doesn't stop between them. So we couldn't have split.

Shelldean

I might be wrong as my kindle isn't showing where a train stops on any journey!!!!!


Stupid kindle just worked out the train actually stops at Milton Keynes and Coventry.

So maybe a small saving b splitting?

esuhl

Altarf wrote: »

The problem with buying at the station, is the numpty behind the counter may not sell you the cheapest ticket.

That's the problem I've had too -- especially (but not only) when buying tickets on trains. It can be a right pain trying to get a refund. It's probably nonsense, but I've been told that only the ticket machine that issued the ticket can give a refund. Still, they're not as bad as they used to be.

In one case (after being sold the wrong ticket on a train and confirming the correct price at the ticket office at an interchange station), I had to run back to the train before it left to get a refund off the guard. He tried to tell me that there wasn't time to do it before the train departed. I said, in that case, the train would be late and he'd better hurry up! I got my refund and the train was only a few minutes late, but you really need to put up a fight to get your money back. It's no wonder so many people don't bother buying tickets.

Now I check the ticket price online before I travel and simply refuse to buy a ticket if they won't sell me one at the advertised fare. You've just got to be firm with them. If they aren't 100% sure which ticket to sell (which they clearly aren't if they're trying to sell you the wrong one!) they aren't going to do anything if you refuse. I suppose they must get commission and are just hoping that you won't realise you're being conned.

i-luv-free-stuff

is anybody at wizz at this at able to figure out the cheapest way to make a journey? its coming up so expensive when i search.
i need to be at gatwick on 11 march traveling from manchester preferably but can go from anywhere within 50-60 miles i suppose and returning around 18.00 on he 13th
i think the manchestr option isnt happening as it showing £189 for a single!!!!

wealdroam

i-luv-free-stuff wrote: »

is anybody at wizz at this at able to figure out the cheapest way to make a journey? its coming up so expensive when i search.
i need to be at gatwick on 11 march traveling from manchester preferably but can go from anywhere within 50-60 miles i suppose and returning around 18.00 on he 13th
i think the manchestr option isnt happening as it showing £189 for a single!!!!

If you want to start a new thread, I'll happily answer you, but it is not fair on the original poster to divert this thread.

Axial

Shelldean wrote: »

My only snag is as he booked it I didn't get to choose forward facing seats as I would 've online. And I 'think' we're all in rear facing and I get sick if I sit that way around. But am sure we can sort something out

Glad to hear you got the price you want, it is possible on the booking system used at offices to pick Airline/Table/Facing/Backwards so feel free to ask,

Some who work in ticket offices will happily look at doing this and split ticketing if you ask, best to go in at a quiet time though, or find a friendly smaller station who do their best to help.

thegirlintheattic

In my experience the ticket office will try to sell you the most expensive ticket they can.

Axial

They can't all TOCs have to abide by impartial retailing rules, and all offices are subject to regular mystery shops on the subject.

On the other side to that, I've done TOD Recalls (collect pre-booked tickets) for those who have booked online with the Trainline (Save "up to a third" and all that) who have paid more than double what I'd have charged them for the same journey.

thegirlintheattic

Axial wrote: »

They can't all TOCs have to abide by impartial retailing rules, and all offices are subject to regular mystery shops on the subject.

On the other side to that, I've done TOD Recalls (collect pre-booked tickets) for those who have booked online with the Trainline (Save "up to a third" and all that) who have paid more than double what I'd have charged them for the same journey.

They do. I am travelling today. I went to my local station 9 weeks ago for a ticket - they said the cheapest was £75 - I asked what type of ticket and they said off-peak advance but that all the cheap fares had gone. Surprise surprise, both before and after going into the office, I could get the same ticket for £45 - no split tickets or any tricks like that. I'd prefer to buy in the office as I don't trust the postal service - but I'm not going to be ripped off.

This is about the 5th time that I've had someone at a ticket office (two different ones) lie to me about the cheapest fare for my journey. Either they are trying to sell the more expensive tickets or they can't do their jobs.

OP - if you do go to the office, check online at National Rail Enquires first!