East Midlands unable to provide FC seat

Spikie

Hi all


Quick question (as I'm all cross and don't want to rant), bought a First Class ticket for a train London St Pancras to Sheffield. Our carriage wasn't there, staff were telling standard class people to sit anywhere including First Class (grrrr) meaning not only did we not get a FC seat, we only just got a seat full stop.


I've emailed calmly explaining why I don't think they acted correctly and asking for an explanation (as if I really care what PR babble they come back with, but a complaint isn't the same without 'please explain...') and asking for at least the premium we paid to upgrade from SC to FC (plus a "premium as a goodwill gesture").


What are my chances, and is that all I can reasonably shoot for?


From past experience of trains in general, if you reserve a seat and they fluff the train carriages for whatever reason, they tell you 'oh well, reservations aren't legally binding, we do our best, we hope you'll travel with us again'. Therefore all I think I am fairly due is the premium I paid to upgrade, I did after all get a seat (just), so it would be greedy IMO to demand the full ticket price back (which is what every person I have told to tale to has said I should do). All I want is the premium (and the goodwill gesture would be icing).


Anyone have any experience of a similar situation? I can't see anything in their charter covering it, but then would this be beyond such niceties and more 'sale of goods' territory?


Gosh that wasn't a quick question at all and had some small amount of ranting in it... I should point out I was irked to start with but dealt with it with an oh well, then heard about the 'oh sit anywhere' thing, then to cap it all off they came with a trolley and have the riff raff SC people free tea (MY FREE TEA!!!!) I joke but that did tick me off a tad...


Oh, and I probably would have laughed it all off even at that, but we'd just done the London Marathon and, if we hadn't just got what seemed to be the last 2 seats, we would have been standing and that would have been... well, I'm going with 'impossible'.


Ok, no more ranting, anyone have any helpful hints or experience (and much appreciated it will be).

Valli

I wouldn't have bothered with asking for an explanation as to their failure; I would, however, have requested a refund.

I would also have said that, if there were insufficient carriages then they should have given priority to First Class passengers given that they charge a premium.

I would have ASKED for a full refund - but not necessarily expect to get it.

whatmichaelsays

In most cases where a train is "declassified", then you are entitled to a refund of the FC premium. However, this will only be in NR vouchers.

Kernow666

'the riff raff SC people '

spoken like a true tory

Valli

Kernow666 wrote: »

'the riff raff SC people '

spoken like a true tory

Didn't you see the and read the phrase 'I joke' in the OP?

For that reason I've given the OP the benefit of the doubt there.

dggar

Try posting here as a new thread:-

http://www.railforums.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=105

yorkie2

You are *entitled* to be compensated the difference between Standard and 1st fares.

You *might* get more than this; your chances will be increased if you ask nicely and assertively