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Author Topic: First Don't do their homework.  (Read 3488 times)
smokey
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« on: January 25, 2008, 15:55:38 »

Something I find strange is the Leaflet and posters for "The Night Riviera Sleeper" which state

285 miles in forty winks

I find it a bit strange as Penzance is over 300 miles from London By the SHORTEST rail route, indeed there would appear to be NO station 285 miles from London on the Sleeper Route.

In fact, leaflets saying 305 miles in forty winks would have greater impact on the general public.

However it is 285 miles from Penzance to London BY ROAD!!!!!

Like I like to say, FGW (First Great Western) just don't do their homework.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2008, 15:57:18 by smokey » Logged
grahame
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« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2008, 16:04:15 »

Oh give 'em a break, Smokey - I bet you would be the first to complain if they were to charge you for a 300 mile journey to get between points that are only 285 miles apart  Grin
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Conner
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« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2008, 16:13:36 »

Its a fair enough point but maybe the advertising team thought that sounded the best.

If you're that bovered why don't you complain under the Trade Descriptions Act.
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smokey
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« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2008, 16:56:50 »

I'm only pointing out that IF somebody had done 5 minutes research, a better leaflet could have been produced.
There is a psychological advantage in stating over 300 miles, than Under 300, thats good business.

However I will give FGW (First Great Western) a break, I used the Night Sleeper from Pad last November, was warmly welcomed on board by the sleeper host, who went through the bits and pieces in the cabin so I could get the best from my journey.
The best advice was to have a beer or 2 as a night cap, grand idea.

Didn't sleep all that well but the Host did warn me that Sleepers take a little getting used to.

Was awakened to a lovely cup of tea as we left Plymouth, was sad to leave a lovely warm train at a freezing cold Icy Bodmin Parkway, which I found is out in the sticks.
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Btline
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« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2008, 17:21:53 »

What they prob mean is:

Don't drive to Penance, go the "x" miles you would have gone by car, on the sleeper. The fact that it is longer on the rails is irrelevant.

See, I have actually THOUGHT about it!

(If MotorRail still existed, this theory would be stronger)
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Shazz
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« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2008, 17:27:30 »

I'm only pointing out that IF somebody had done 5 minutes research, a better leaflet could have been produced.
There is a psychological advantage in stating over 300 miles, than Under 300, thats good business.

Coming from someone whose uni course contains something called "understanding customers"

There is little to no advantage in changeing that.

People crave short/cheap things. This is why you find everything priced at .99 instead of to a full pound.

Take for example a Bottle of cider. It will appeal to a customer more if it is ^2.99 instead of ^3 as it makes mind of the person buying it think they're only paying ^2 insted of ^3. So they think it's cheap, and snap it up whilst they can. The same applies here. Stateing its 285 miles instead of 305 miles will make the persons mind believe it's around ~250, instead of over 300.

Leaving the current statement as it is has far more benefits than changeing it.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2008, 17:31:37 by Shazz » Logged
devon_metro
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« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2008, 17:59:58 »

Who really cares?
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Btline
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« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2008, 18:04:07 »

Smokey
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smokey
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« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2008, 09:51:39 »

I'm only pointing out that IF somebody had done 5 minutes research, a better leaflet could have been produced.
There is a psychological advantage in stating over 300 miles, than Under 300, thats good business.

Coming from someone whose uni course contains something called "understanding customers"

There is little to no advantage in changeing that.

People crave short/cheap things. This is why you find everything priced at .99 instead of to a full pound.

Take for example a Bottle of cider. It will appeal to a customer more if it is ^2.99 instead of ^3 as it makes mind of the person buying it think they're only paying ^2 insted of ^3. So they think it's cheap, and snap it up whilst they can. The same applies here. Stateing its 285 miles instead of 305 miles will make the persons mind believe it's around ~250, instead of over 300.

Leaving the current statement as it is has far more benefits than changeing it.

You need to reverse the logic, I agree about the bottle of cider, but in this case stating 305 miles as opposed to 285 makes the Passenger think they are getting better Value for Money MORE DISTANCE TRAVELLED FOR THE SAME AMOUNT

You don't see special offers 25% LESS for the same price!
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Shazz
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« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2008, 12:30:20 »

I'm only pointing out that IF somebody had done 5 minutes research, a better leaflet could have been produced.
There is a psychological advantage in stating over 300 miles, than Under 300, thats good business.

Coming from someone whose uni course contains something called "understanding customers"

There is little to no advantage in changeing that.

People crave short/cheap things. This is why you find everything priced at .99 instead of to a full pound.

Take for example a Bottle of cider. It will appeal to a customer more if it is ^2.99 instead of ^3 as it makes mind of the person buying it think they're only paying ^2 insted of ^3. So they think it's cheap, and snap it up whilst they can. The same applies here. Stateing its 285 miles instead of 305 miles will make the persons mind believe it's around ~250, instead of over 300.

Leaving the current statement as it is has far more benefits than changeing it.

You need to reverse the logic, I agree about the bottle of cider, but in this case stating 305 miles as opposed to 285 makes the Passenger think they are getting better Value for Money MORE DISTANCE TRAVELLED FOR THE SAME AMOUNT

You don't see special offers 25% LESS for the same price!

You'd think that....

But thats not how it works in practice.

They'll go "oh joy, its over 300 miles" and take another means of transport.

Compared to the current


"oh great, its under 300 miles" and take the train.

the quicker the journy sounds, the more people are going to use it.

(i wouldnt bother trying to challenge this comment, as i've done it for the past 2 years, and know EXACTLY what i'm talking about Wink)

« Last Edit: January 26, 2008, 12:39:00 by Shazz » Logged
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2008, 14:46:19 »

... was sad to leave a lovely warm train at a freezing cold Icy Bodmin Parkway, which I found is out in the sticks.
but ...
I'm only pointing out that IF somebody had done 5 minutes research ...
... they'd have known that Bodmin was quite likely to be "out in the sticks": the name 'Bodmin' suggests it might be something to do with the Moor?

 Smiley Cheesy Grin
« Last Edit: January 26, 2008, 14:53:55 by chris from nailsea » Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
smokey
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« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2008, 15:29:37 »

... was sad to leave a lovely warm train at a freezing cold Icy Bodmin Parkway, which I found is out in the sticks.
but ...
I'm only pointing out that IF somebody had done 5 minutes research ...
... they'd have known that Bodmin was quite likely to be "out in the sticks": the name 'Bodmin' suggests it might be something to do with the Moor?

 Smiley Cheesy Grin

I knew Bodmin Parkway was 3 1/2 miles from the town centre, having done some home work, only thing is Bodmin is a lot smaller that I expected.
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smokey
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« Reply #12 on: January 26, 2008, 16:35:56 »

... was sad to leave a lovely warm train at a freezing cold Icy Bodmin Parkway, which I found is out in the sticks.
but ...
I'm only pointing out that IF somebody had done 5 minutes research ...
... they'd have known that Bodmin was quite likely to be "out in the sticks": the name 'Bodmin' suggests it might be something to do with the Moor?

 Smiley Cheesy Grin


What just, like York is in the Yorkshire moors!
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