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Author Topic: ADVANCED Tickets - Check the price!  (Read 6884 times)
w
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« on: July 27, 2009, 12:28:43 »

cannot delete, so edited  Tongue
« Last Edit: August 14, 2009, 21:37:27 by flamingo » Logged
Zoe
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« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2009, 12:42:32 »

Indeed, the most expensive advance fare from Newton Abbot to Paddington is ^34.50.  If this is the only fare available for both journeys it would be a bit pointless when an off peak return costs exactly the same, ^69.
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grahame
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« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2009, 15:09:55 »

.... two OFF-PEAK singles, will in total be almost the same price or sometimes more expensive than an OFF-PEAK return (which is usually only 50p or ^1 more than an OFF-PEAK single)

Thanks for that reminder.   Can I follow it up with another awkward question ...

Background: We get a lot of visitors who arrive in the UK (United Kingdom) and buy their train tickets at Paddington or some other Londonish starting point to Westbury or Chippenham (or if, flukily, they're a a time of the daily Melksham train, they buy a ticket to where they're actually going).  They are very often sold off peak singles, and end up feeling that train travel is a ripoff when they have to pay the same again to get back to Londonish.

Question - what are the standards set / how is the decision made as to whether or not to ask someone "will you be coming back, and if so, when" as they buy a ticket?  In other words, to help them purchase the right product for their travels on FGW (First Great Western).
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« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2009, 15:14:30 »

.... two OFF-PEAK singles, will in total be almost the same price or sometimes more expensive than an OFF-PEAK return (which is usually only 50p or ^1 more than an OFF-PEAK single)

Thanks for that reminder.   Can I follow it up with another awkward question ...

Background: We get a lot of visitors who arrive in the UK (United Kingdom) and buy their train tickets at Paddington or some other Londonish starting point to Westbury or Chippenham (or if, flukily, they're a a time of the daily Melksham train, they buy a ticket to where they're actually going).  They are very often sold off peak singles, and end up feeling that train travel is a ripoff when they have to pay the same again to get back to Londonish.

Question - what are the standards set / how is the decision made as to whether or not to ask someone "will you be coming back, and if so, when" as they buy a ticket?  In other words, to help them purchase the right product for their travels on FGW (First Great Western).

I don't know about standards, but is it not possible to just excess an off peak single to an off peak return if the original ticket was bought/sold in error?
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« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2009, 15:30:11 »


All I can say is that a LOT of money is being spent on sending all customer-facing staff on a two day customer-care course (residential).  I presume it's one of the issues covered.

Any chance of folks going on a passenger care course? Wink Cheesy
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« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2009, 17:36:09 »

We've been told by management it's customers, not passengers.
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devon_metro
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« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2009, 17:39:56 »

Whilst it is a bit silly, why does it cause you so much grief btline?
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« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2009, 18:19:48 »

Whilst it is a bit silly, why does it cause you so much grief btline?

Well, you know, with the Cotswold Line re-doubling going ahead, what else will there be for me to grieve about?
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inspector_blakey
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« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2009, 22:00:54 »

I heard a nasty rumour that TranzRail in New Zealand already does, although that probably doesn't worry too many people as they only run about 3 trains a day.

Possibly worse still, Amtrak calls you a guest.
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devon_metro
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« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2009, 22:18:24 »

Re-reading this, I suppose it's not going to be long before we have to start calling everybody clients!  Grin  Grin

I'd appreciate it if you could contact my solicitor next time you wish to see my ticket whilst I sleep. My human rights have been violated! Wink
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« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2009, 22:36:47 »

I once fell asleep (red wine was involved!) with my ticket in my hand on the sleeper (seated) up to Paddington. I awoke as we passed OOC (Old Oak Common (depot)) to discover that my ticket had been 'gripped' and placed back in my hand. Now that is what I call customer service. Grin
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« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2009, 23:15:23 »

A relative is a Vicar, and he tells a story of one of his congregation falling asleep during a service. On being nudged by his wife, without opening his eyes, he stuck his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out his season ticket...  Grin
Grin Grin
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« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2009, 11:46:37 »

A relative is a Vicar, and he tells a story of one of his congregation falling asleep during a service. On being nudged by his wife, without opening his eyes, he stuck his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out his season ticket...  Grin
Excellent  Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy
As for the "Putting Customers First" course, I've been on it and it was excellent, really makes you think in a different light and I think it's even changed the way I deal with passengers
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