Period Return - Made to Buy a Single on Return Journey

[WiHu]

Hi,

 

I purchased a period return ticket from Oxford to Manchester last week. I didn't have a problem on the way up, but I had an issue with using the return ticket on my back.

 

I don't remember which stop it was after but, somewhere between Manchester and Birmingham New Street, the guard came through and stamped the return half of my ticket.

 

When I reached Birmingham New Street, a new guard replaced the previous one. When he came through to check the tickets, he told me that I had already used my ticket and I could only use it once.

 

I explained to him that the ticket had been stamped by the other guard, who he had replaced, on the same train, but he didn't believe me. He told me that I would have to purchase another ticket.

 

As he was threatening to get the police involved and being intimidating, I begrudgingly paid up.

 

Is it possible to get my money back for this ticket? I shouldn't have had to purchase it. Unfortunately the second guard confiscated both halves of my ticket, so I have no proof that I already had a ticket.

[Bazooka Boo]

How did you purchase the original tickets?

 

Have you got his name?

 

Have you lodged a formal complaint with the TOC regarding the behaviour of their employee?

 

Wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest if he was ''threatening'' to call the police, you should have handed him your phone to call them on.

 

How did you pay for this new ticket? Not cash I hope?

[WiHu]

I paid in cash for both tickets.

 

I haven't got his name and I haven't made a complaint yet.

[Ganymede]

Hi,

 

I purchased a period return ticket from Oxford to Manchester last week. I didn't have a problem on the way up, but I had an issue with using the return ticket on my back.

 

I don't remember which stop it was after but, somewhere between Manchester and Birmingham New Street, the guard came through and stamped the return half of my ticket.

 

When I reached Birmingham New Street, a new guard replaced the previous one. When he came through to check the tickets, he told me that I had already used my ticket and I could only use it once.

 

I explained to him that the ticket had been stamped by the other guard, who he had replaced, on the same train, but he didn't believe me. He told me that I would have to purchase another ticket.

 

As he was threatening to get the police involved and being intimidating, I begrudgingly paid up.

 

Is it possible to get my money back for this ticket? I shouldn't have had to purchase it. Unfortunately the second guard confiscated both halves of my ticket, so I have no proof that I already had a ticket.

 

Did you break your journey back to Oxford at all?

 

Seems like a mistake from the guard. You can't have been the only one to have had they tickets stamped/marked/clipped etc on that train.

[Bazooka Boo]

I paid in cash for both tickets.

 

I haven't got his name and I haven't made a complaint yet.

 

Well I don't know why you're waiting so long to make a complaint?

If you paid in cash, guess where the money went?

 

So he didn't give you any receipt?

Sounds like this might be a well worn trick, I'd have called BTP myself.

[Old-CodJA]

If you paid in cash, guess where the money went?

 

 

The Train Operating Company is my guess.........unless of course you have evidence to the contrary Bazooka Boo ??

 

So he didn't give you any receipt?

 

 

Nowhere in the OPs post does it say that. In fact the OP says "Is it possible to get my money back for this ticket? I shouldn't have had to purchase it." which makes pretty clear that the guard issued a ticket in exchange for the cash !!

 

Sounds like this might be a well worn trick, I'd have called BTP myself.

 

 

.....and you would have reported exactly what Bazooka Boo? Perhaps you would have said something like "The guard asked me to pay a fare and when I did so he issued me a ticket officer!"

 

 

To the OP, I suggest that you do write to the TOC concerned, they will be able to identify the guard concerned from the replacement ticket that he issued you. Make a clear colour copy of that ticket and send with your letter.

 

 

All of the information needed will be recorded on that ticket

[Bazooka Boo]

To the OP, I suggest that you do write to the TOC concerned, they will be able to identify the guard concerned from the replacement ticket that he issued you. Make a clear colour copy of that ticket and send with your letter.

All of the information needed will be recorded on that ticket

 

The constructive advice you gave, summarised in one paragraph.

[Old-CodJA]

The constructive advice you gave, summarised in one paragraph.

 

 

 

Thank you, I'm pleased that we agree. I trust that you will also recognise that the remainder of my post was simply to ensure that the OP was not confused by irrelevant and unsubstantiated conjecture.

[WiHu]

Did you break your journey back to Oxford at all?

No. Straight from Manchester to Oxford. The issue came after the guards changed at Birmingham

 

Seems like a mistake from the guard. You can't have been the only one to have had they tickets stamped/marked/clipped etc on that train.

I didn't see anyone else confronted when I paid, but yesterday I witnessed the same guard try to penalty fare a guy for not showing his ticket when asked when he came through asking to see UNCHECKED tickets. He had already checked the guy's ticket on his previous walk through the train!

 

He also demanded that another girl purchase another ticket as her advance ticket was for the previous train, even though her connecting train was late.

 

Neither of them paid. Unfortunately I still didn't get a name as we wasn't wearing a name tag. Are they required to?

 

So he didn't give you any receipt?

No receipt. Are you supposed to get one? I've only ever had them when I've paid by card.

 

To the OP, I suggest that you do write to the TOC concerned, they will be able to identify the guard concerned from the replacement ticket that he issued you. Make a clear colour copy of that ticket and send with your letter.

 

 

All of the information needed will be recorded on that ticket

Thanks. I didn't realise that it was that easy.

 

Will this get me money back though? I have no proof that I had a ticket as the guard took it.

[Old-CodJA]

Unfortunately I still didn't get a name as we wasn't wearing a name tag. Are they required to?

 

 

Some companies insist that staff do so, others may be happy that their staff simply give their name when asked. In practice that is all that they are formally required to do

 

 

No receipt. Are you supposed to get one? I've only ever had them when I've paid by card.

 

 

You can ask for a receipt as well as the ticket and if the staff member has the facility to provide one they will do so, however your original post states that you bought the new ticket asked of you so you will have the information needed.

 

Thanks. I didn't realise that it was that easy. Will this get me money back though? I have no proof that I had a ticket as the guard took it.

 

 

We only have your version of events to go on so whilst I don't doubt what you say, no user of the forum can give 100% guarantees of anything. Firstly, it depends what the evidence of that original ticket, retained by the guard shows, but I do get a little annoyed by the unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that some people put forward. Suggesting the guard was likely to have been dishonest etc. without any tangible evidence is a very dangerous game to play.

 

 

Sometimes we all make mistakes.

 

 

These days it is so easy for the company to check who was on duty on any given train and exactly what each ticket issue was, why it was issued etc. that such allegations do a complaint no good whatsoever unless the person making that allegation has cold, hard evidence that will substantiate the allegation.

 

 

Yes, if your allegation is vindicated, getting satisfaction is pretty straightforward.