Gatwick - More rip off charges!

aerostar

Going through Gatwick ? then make sure you have US 25 cent coin (12.5p)

Note Baa Gatwick says 17th November, but when you click on the link for more info, you do not get any other than it is free !!!.

Flightline news states October 17th.



Coin deposit introduced on Gatwick trolleys
A new coin deposit system for baggage trolleys is to be introduced at Gatwick in an attempt to ensure they are not left scattered around the airport.
From October 17, passengers will need a £1, €1, US 25-cent coin, or a reusable BAA disc to use a trolley. The money will be refunded when the trolley is returned to a collection point.

full news here
http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/2007/10/coin-deposit-in.html

richardw

It is the same as at the supermarket,

the money is returned when the trolley is returned,

why is it a rip off?

dzug

Well if you fly to the USA, there is a $2 (I think) charge for using a trolley at most major airports. Non refundable.

So why is a refundable deposit a rip-off? You are debasing the word if you use it this way. It doesn't simply mean 'not free'.

aerostar

The rip off is why should it be £1 deposit for UK users and 12.5p for US users or 70p for EU users, so if I elect not to return the trolley why should I pay £1 instead of 12.5p

Airports provide the service which are paid for in the fees that the airlines are charged, which in turn you pay for on your ticket.


I and my friends have yet to pay for a trolley at any US airport recently.

Not all supermarkets charge, usually the smaller ones (co-op). Trolleys in the major supermarkets in my area are free.

Voyager2002

aerostar wrote: »

The rip off is why should it be £1 deposit for UK users and 12.5p for US users or 70p for EU users, so if I elect not to return the trolley why should I pay £1 instead of 12.5p

It is not a case of "electing" not to return the trolley. If you "elect" to make use of the trolley that is provided for you, then you are under an obligation to return it. The coin deposit scheme is a simple and helpful way to remind you of this obligation.

This scheme is likely to generate zero revenue, but will keep the airport tidy and ensure that trolleys are available for the convenience of all passengers. It has probably cost BAA a fair amount, since they have thoughtfully provided trolleys that accept deposits in a range of currencies.

richardw

Perhaps get some 25 cent coins and litter the airport for 12.5p.

dzug

aerostar wrote: »

The rip off is why should it be £1 deposit for UK users and 12.5p for US users or 70p for EU users, so if I elect not to return the trolley why should I pay £1 instead of 12.5p

Well I'm sure US users would be 'charged' more if they had a coin in common circulation that was nearer £1.

Airports provide the service which are paid for in the fees that the airlines are charged, which in turn you pay for on your ticket.

I'd agree - but you are not being charged if you return the thing.


I and my friends have yet to pay for a trolley at any US airport recently.

Well all the ones I've been to do charge - maybe outbound only. I quite accept that it may not be universal - but it does happen.

Not all supermarkets charge, usually the smaller ones (co-op). Trolleys in the major supermarkets in my area are free.

Well round here it varies. The ones that do have a deposit system are those in the centre of town where some clients would take the shopping home or to any of many car parks (on foot) in the trolley and fail to return it. The ones that don't are out of town with their own car parks where they are easily collected.


Rip-off still seems to me a gross debasement of the term.

Sam_Bee

How can something free be a rip-off?

bagand96

So I pay £1 to get a trolley, which is returned to me when I return said trolley. Rip-off?!

I'm outraged, Tesco and Sainsbury's have been ripping me off for years; and I've only just come to realise it!

aerostar wrote: »

Well I'm sure US users would be 'charged' more if they had a coin in common circulation

In reality, that is very much the point. I would imagine this will be a system very much like the supermarket system, so the device will have to phisically be able to take a certain size coin.

A £1 coin is 22.5mm in diameter. So if thats the base for the system, I guess they must have to find foreign coins that are very similar in size to work in the device. The €1 coin is 23.25mm, 0.75mm bigger than the £1, so would easily be able to adapt to the device.

US coins are very different. A $1 coin is 26.5mm, 4mm bigger than a £1. It doesn't sound much, but when creating a sensitive device to recognise coins, it is a lot. The 50c coin is even bigger at 30.61mm, so can't be used. Therefore the next coin available is the 25c coin, which is 24.26mm in diameter. This is 1.76mm bigger than the £1, which I assume is much more workable.

That is the reason it is a 25c coin. Setting all the (very boring) coin dimensions aside, I still don't get how something that is free can be a rip off?

shammyjack

aerostar wrote: »

Going through Gatwick ? then make sure you have US 25 cent coin (12.5p)

Note Baa Gatwick says 17th November, but when you click on the link for more info, you do not get any other than it is free !!!.

Flightline news states October 17th.





Coin deposit introduced on Gatwick trolleys
A new coin deposit system for baggage trolleys is to be introduced at Gatwick in an attempt to ensure they are not left scattered around the airport.
From October 17, passengers will need a £1, €1, US 25-cent coin, or a reusable BAA disc to use a trolley. The money will be refunded when the trolley is returned to a collection point.

full news here
http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/2007/10/coin-deposit-in.html

I think we need a " Most useless post of the month competition "

I nominate this as my first choice !

shammy

TimothyEBaldwin

aerostar wrote: »

dzug wrote: »

The rip off is why should it be £1 deposit for UK users and 12.5p for US users or 70p for EU users, so if I elect not to return the trolley why should I pay £1 instead of 12.5p

Well I'm sure US users would be 'charged' more if they had a coin in common circulation that was nearer £1.

I think it is because those coins are a similar size, any object of the right size and shape, and which is hard enough will operate the trolleys.