Interestingly today having logged onto fgw tickets for traveling Bodmin to Bearsted on 21-3-2012 are now not all blanketed at 53.50. Range from ^29.50. Looks like "someone" edited these today. Will raise a query with fgw about this. Glad i did not buy as soon as were issued!

I too have observed FGW^▸ (First Great Western) policy re advance fares.

For the last 6 years I have each month travelled from Bodmin to Bearsted and returned twice a month. I travelled out on the 0806 from Bodmin and usually come back on the 1406 from Paddington. There was a sudden price hike just prior to the Olympics that has been sustained and indeed got worse. I usually was able to get tickets for ^17.00 one way making a total cost per month of ^68.00. Now on any train on the Thursdays I travel the cheapest advance ticket is ^53.50 making a total cost to travel to work per month of ^214! This cost is actually only 50p cheaper than an Open off peak return.
 
I broached the issue with fgw who last year first of all claimed the lack of the cheaper advance fares was due to an input error; they then denied this and said that the cheaper advance fares were available and I was not quick enough in buying one ( I think not). Fgw however would not provide evidence of the number of the cheaper advance tickets made available or sold.

Like many areas of society that are/were unregulated (bank, loan sharks, wheel clampers) sharp practice often prevails. Fgw is no exception. To continue to advertise the lower fares but not offer them is in my opinion misleading and I will report this matter to Trading Standards.

Hopefully FGW will see some sense and make some adjustments downward on the advance fares. I have no problem paying more for my tickets just not the massive increase that has been applied