Mischarged by EasyJet

FieryDawn

When flying from Edinburgh for a short break, I was approached by an EasyJet employee in the queue at the gate to check the size of my walk-on suitcase, which I knew to be around 4 cms taller than their stipulated size- it was my calculated risk. Once this had been established, said employee told me I needed to pay a £15 surcharge, at which I swiped my card. Only after I boarded the flight did I realise that I had in fact been charged £48.

I'm furious about this not because of the charge, but because I did not consent to being charged £48. Obviously there's only my word on this, and as at the time I didn't know I'd been mischarged, I didn't note the employee's name. But prior to researching consumer law, I feel there must be legislation preventing this misrepresentation. I should think that I ought to be entitled to the £33 difference refunded, as a matter of principle. Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated!

powerful_Rogue

Looks like your calculated risk didn't pay off. £48 is the correct fee.

Airport bag fee £48

Oversized small cabin bag (over 45 x 36 x 20 cm and up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm)/Oversized large cabin bag (over 56 x 45 x 25 cm) and any non-purchased bags brought to the gate.

Fee for any non-purchased bag (per item) brought to the departure gate that is over a customer’s small cabin bag allowance which is a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm or any bags outside of standard entitlements.  The bag will be placed in the hold’.
https://www.easyjet.com/en/terms-and-conditions/fees

Phoenix72

Would have thought anyone prepared to take that gamble would do their research as to what the loss would be on it. You didn't and as you say it's only your word against their well publicised fee.

elsien

Card machine would have shown the amount you were being charged, before you paid.
if you don’t normallycheck, perhaps you need to start doing so. 

soolin

It's been £48 for ages , there's often a queue of people paying at the gate when we use EasyJet whose gamble didn't pay off.

I suspect there was a case of mishearing or misunderstanding and not a scam, there's no reason for you and only you to be told it was £15 when the T and Cs state £48 .

user1977

FieryDawn said:

Obviously there's only my word on this

In which case, how would you propose to enforce it, no matter what legislation may exist?

FieryDawn

powerful_Rogue said:

Looks like your calculated risk didn't pay off. £48 is the correct fee.

Thanks Rogue, but that's not what I'm querying. I accept that the £48 is an advertised rate; the bag I was using is sometimes within the carry on size, sometimes not, but so close that it's not been queried on previous trips- which is the calculated risk that I mentioned.

Rather, I am querying the simple fact that I was told by the EasyJet employee that I was being charged £15, when in fact he was charging me £48. That surely is a very basic consumer protection.

user1977

Would you have done anything different if they had told you it was £48?

Hoenir

FieryDawn said:

powerful_Rogue said:

Looks like your calculated risk didn't pay off. £48 is the correct fee.

Rather, I am querying the simple fact that I was told by the EasyJet employee that I was being charged £15, when in fact he was charging me £48. That surely is a very basic consumer protection.

Protection against what?  You were attempting to circumnavigate the rules. Mistakes do happen and you weren't incorrectly charged. 

Pollycat

FieryDawn said:

powerful_Rogue said:

Looks like your calculated risk didn't pay off. £48 is the correct fee.

Thanks Rogue, but that's not what I'm querying. I accept that the £48 is an advertised rate; the bag I was using is sometimes within the carry on size, sometimes not, but so close that it's not been queried on previous trips- which is the calculated risk that I mentioned.

Rather, I am querying the simple fact that I was told by the EasyJet employee that I was being charged £15, when in fact he was charging me £48. That surely is a very basic consumer protection.

But we (and EasyJet) only have your word that you were told it would cost £15.

Aylesbury_Duck

Did the employee say "about fifty pounds" and you misheard it, perhaps?  Not that it makes any difference if they told you the incorrect price either way, but it would explain the difference.