How do I purchase an all line rover in advance ?

[manxqueenies]

I'm seeking help as I'm about to start on a one week ALR and gotten caught out at first hurdle.

I have flown into Inverness and have a ticket booked in advance for tomorrow to get an extra day - I will by end of tomorrow be in doncaster ready to start Thursday on the 615 to Edinburgh.

Tried to buy my ALR today at Inverness station and advised I cannot book the ticket until the day of travel nor can I book any seat reservations, they also said cannot buy on train if early start and ticket office closed. They offered to sell me one now and lose the first 2 days - seems daft when I can book one online - chose not to cause of risk of loss in post! I've not had a problem in the past but have not done one since last year, not aware things may have changed.

So help please - is this just a scotrail ticket office not knowing the policy - or has it changed. I could buy at doncaster on day of travel - but without reservation - I see the national rail site says open 515am - is this station or ticket office. I would much prefer to buy a day or so in advance and get the first few seat reservations sorted.

Your help much appreciated...

 

[bb21]

Load of rubbish from the ticket office.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Not the end of the world as Doncaster ticket office should be open at 0515.

You may be able to buy it from an EC/XC guard who fancies a bit of commission on the way down, but you might have to go without reservations for the first few trains.

Another solution is book your first few reservations with telesales. Just tell them you have an ALR.

 

[manxqueenies]

Thanks - having a bit of a sweat there - appreciate quick reply

 

[Seacook]

I bought an ALR on the 3rd of June with a start date of the 6th from Sandwell & Dudley ticket office. It can be done, and I don't see why Inverness station staff would think differently.

 

[maniacmartin]

You may be able to buy it from an EC/XC guard who fancies a bit of commission on the way down.

But bear in mind some guards won't want to do this for such a large value ticket if paying by card due to fraud concerns (according to another thread)

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Is that they wont issue them or can't or not allowed to issue them? I am aware of the fraud concerns but I thought they got round that?

 

[bb21]

Phone for authorisation if needed if the floor limit is an issue. Perhaps chargebacks could be an issue to bear in mind, but then that is no different to selling a £640 FOR or something like that, which I believe XC guards would be perfectly happy to do onboard.

There is no reason why Avantix can't issue these. Prints Rovers perfectly fine the few times I managed to buy them off guards. I believe that some TOCs have instructed guards not to issue them. Don't think EC or XC are one of those TOCs.

 

[manxqueenies]

I did manage to purchase an ALR today, in advance at Inverness station.

Very helpful chap, knew exactly what he was doing.

Must have been a case of operator error last afternoon.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[yorkie]

Tried to buy my ALR today at Inverness station ...

Ah, Inverness station. Say no more!

I am sure people have complained about them, but as is (uniquely to the rail industry) often the case, nothing is done! I would suggest a complaint, because they need to be given appropriate advice and training, and maybe if enough people make management aware there are issues there, that might happen...

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I did manage to purchase an ALR today, in advance at Inverness station.

Very helpful chap, knew exactly what he was doing.

Must have been a case of operator error last afternoon.

Thanks for all your input.

In that case your letter could start by saying what great service you had from this person, and contrast that with the other person, and ask if the lack of consistency can be appropriately addressed.

I'm sure the person who did help would appreciate the positive feedback too!

 

[Deerfold]

Ah, Inverness station. Say no more!

I am sure people have complained about them, but as is (uniquely to the rail industry) often the case, nothing is done!

Sadly there's nothing unique to the rail industry about this. I had fun with Parcelforce who didn't try a third day delivery despite this being their stated policy at the time (when I would have been in, all day), put a card through the door without the parcel reference number on - when I got the reference number from the poster and requested redelivery the first time they tried on the day before I asked and the second time they didn't try at all. They then returned the parcel to the sender.

After many e-mails I was promised by Parcelforce central that the Leeds office would be calling me to dicuss what had happened.

This was their opportunity to explain what had gone wrong or what they'd done to make sure it didn't happen again and leave me impressed or less disappointed.

Unfortunately despite me being promised they'd ring 3 times they never did and I now try and avoid having anything sent to me using them.

 

[maniacmartin]

Not Parcelfarce! I avoid them at all costs