Direct Ferries - Are they accountable to anyone?

pdtimmins

Having recently tried to book tickets through this company I'm beginning to wonder firstly if they actually exist, and secondly if they have any customer service principles whatsoever?


Upon pressing book on two ferry trips through their website I was given a message along the lines of "the operator has received our request but not confirmed your booking. We HAVE debited your account but please now call us to see if your booking was successful" - no booking reference, no online account, not even an email to state this.


I'm astounded that a company can charge me for a product or service that they can't even confirm they are providing.


Following this, I've spent the past week trying to contact them using the numbers and email address provided with absolutely no luck. I've sat on hold for hours on both the customer service line and new bookings line.


As far as I can tell, they are operating some sort of scam here, or at least making it next to impossible for me to either confirm my booking or request/receive a refund and given the automated nature of the message and lack of booking reference it all feels very intentional.


There's no mention of a regulator, ABTA or otherwise on their website although on researching the company online there are various claims that they're the largest booker of ferry trips in the country. How can this be possible?


Does anyone have any advice or previous experience that I can use to help progress this matter?


My advice so far would be to avoid this company like the plague and book directly with ferry companies where possible!

eDicky

pdtimmins wrote: »

Does anyone have any advice or previous experience that I can use to help progress this matter?

Previous experience no, advice would be to contact your bank and request a chargeback, citing the situation as you have explained here. Then follow your advice and book direct with ferry companies.

richardw

Aferry is a better website, search then book direct with the ferry operator.

Alan_Bowen

They certainly do exist, I have passed their offices close to Blackfriars Bridge many times and seen real people behind the windows! They appear according to their accounts to be highly successful as a ferry agent. The reality is some ferry companies do not have online booking systems and they, therefore, have to contact them by email or fax to get a confirmation. If the ferry you wanted to book was in Europe that probably should not be the case but if it is a one ship business halfway around the world it really shouldn't take more than 24 hours to get confirmation. How long have you been waiting to hear from them?

pdtimmins

Over a week now with no contact whatsoever.


It's a popular ferry service that I've booked between Greek Islands.


Good to know that the company exists - I do find it bizarre that they appear to be unregulated though.