Reimbursement for postponed interview?

Herbalus

I've just had an interview postponed with 3 days notice because of a "very important meeting", which is incredibly annoying because I purchased my train tickets for this journey yesterday. The company don't offer anything towards interview travel costs, but considering this has cost me £65 through no fault of my own, I am a little peeved. I'm considering writing a letter, at the very least, asking for this to be repaid (obviously only to be sent if I don't pass the interview).

I suspect the company will decline to pay, stating that I knew costs wouldn't be reimbursed, but as the interview didn't take place, I think that should change i.e. I incurred costs on the basis of accepting their offer to interview, but they cancelled, meaning I am out of pocket for no fault of my own, and now have to foot the bill for the new one.

Thoughts?

DomRavioli

You can get your money back sometimes from the train company if your tickets are unused.

They did give you three days notice, so I wouldn't see why they would give you anything; they aren't legally obliged to. If you wrote them a letter, I could see them rescinding any further interviews because of your apparent "issues".

Try calling up the train operator and get some advice from them.

duchy

I wouldn't ask them to reimburse for the first interview but I would ask them to pay my expenses for the rearranged date once they have confirmed it.

wealdroam

As DomRavioli says, you can get refunds on some types of train tickets.

Even if they are Advance Singles, which are not refundable, they can be changed to a different date.

Refunds or changes will both usually attract a £10 admin fee per ticket.

Who did you by the ticket(s) from?

Some sellers, e.g. Southern Railway, have a particularly generous refund policy.

mattyprice4004

I'd say chasing this would probably wreck your chances of being re-invited for interview.

bod1467

Herbalus wrote: »

I'm considering writing a letter, at the very least, asking for this to be repaid (obviously only to be sent if I don't pass the interview).

Hopefully that will cure the selective reading seemingly adopted by some responders in this thread.

OlliesDad

Did you raise the issue when they called to advise of the change in date? They may have been able to rearrange the interviewer or rescheduled for later the same day.

Herbalus

OlliesDad wrote: »

Did you raise the issue when they called to advise of the change in date? They may have been able to rearrange the interviewer or rescheduled for later the same day.

Yes I did tell them I had already booked tickets, and they responded by explaining that this new meeting was very important and couldn't be moved.

Herbalus

DomRavioli wrote: »

You can get your money back sometimes from the train company if your tickets are unused.

Try calling up the train operator and get some advice from them.

Just did this. After going to the local station, being told to call the helpline, and calling them, I eventually was able to cancel the tickets online for a grand total of £20 (I had bought two tickets with two different companies, hence two £10 admin charges). I guess it's not worth sending them a letter over £20 now, regardless of when I would've sent it!

I was pleased to note, however, that First Great Western now employ a 0345 number as opposed to 0845. I remember this being in the news so good to see it's finally made a difference to me personally i.e. not having to do trial-and-error with 0870.com