Shoutout - Preston Booking Office

[headshot119]

So many times on this forum we hear of problems with buying tickets at ticket offices, and like some other threads I've posted it's nice to hear the positive stories as well!

I went into Preston station this evening to purchase two tickets from London International (CIV) to Crewe / Preston.

I approached the desk and made my request, and the lady behind the counter said she wasn't sure what they where. (Here we go I thought), she turned to a colleague, asked for some advice, and I walked away a minute later with the exact tickets I wanted.

Stark contrast to other times I've tried to buy CIV tickets, or other unusual ones.

Virgin trains, she's a credit to your company! Make sure she's recognised. (I've also sent a copy of this direct to Virgin)

 

[AlterEgo]

It's a sad day when we find the simple act of selling the correct ticket praiseworthy.

 

[daikilo]

It's a sad day when we find the simple act of selling the correct ticket praiseworthy.

Well, I had no specific training I can recall when I started my railway life in a booking office. But I would have done exactly the same thing, ask for help, and when I was alone, I phoned for guidance.

That said, just pointing out that someone has given satisfaction is justified, especially if it is worded in such a way as to make it obvious that it was not what usually happened.

 

[Busaholic]

Well, I had no specific training I can recall when I started my railway life in a booking office. But I would have done exactly the same thing, ask for help, and when I was alone, I phoned for guidance.

That said, just pointing out that someone has given satisfaction is justified, especially if it is worded in such a way as to make it obvious that it was not what usually happened.

Thanks, or even praise, should be given imo where appropriate, particularly by those who are quick to criticise. The trouble is, most people fall into one category or the other for some unfathomable reason.

 

[AlterEgo]

Well, I had no specific training I can recall when I started my railway life in a booking office. But I would have done exactly the same thing, ask for help, and when I was alone, I phoned for guidance.

That said, just pointing out that someone has given satisfaction is justified, especially if it is worded in such a way as to make it obvious that it was not what usually happened.

Equally, that can come across as pretty backhanded.

"Usually, I get sold the wrong ticket, or come away empty handed."

Selling the correct ticket is literally the minimum requirement of a booking office. It's like writing to a TOC to thank them for putting wheels on the train.

 

[Phil.]

"Shoutout".
Another import from the U.S. of A. What's wrong with the English "mention"?

 

[Electra91]

It's nice to hear you were happy with the service you received, to the extent you wish to commend the individual involved. I'd question why anything other than a 'thank you' at the end of the transaction would not be sufficient to indicate someone had done their job in a friendly efficient way?

 

[Gareth Marston]

So many times on this forum we hear of problems with buying tickets at ticket offices, and like some other threads I've posted it's nice to hear the positive stories as well!

I went into Preston station this evening to purchase two tickets from London International (CIV) to Crewe / Preston.

I approached the desk and made my request, and the lady behind the counter said she wasn't sure what they where. (Here we go I thought), she turned to a colleague, asked for some advice, and I walked away a minute later with the exact tickets I wanted.

Stark contrast to other times I've tried to buy CIV tickets, or other unusual ones.

Virgin trains, she's a credit to your company! Make sure she's recognised. (I've also sent a copy of this direct to Virgin)

Did you present your ticket you already had booked to a continental destination?

 

[GatwickDepress]

"Shoutout".
Another import from the U.S. of A. What's wrong with the English "mention"?

Oh hush. It's a perfectly cromulent word.

 

[headshot119]

Equally, that can come across as pretty backhanded.

"Usually, I get sold the wrong ticket, or come away empty handed."

Selling the correct ticket is literally the minimum requirement of a booking office. It's like writing to a TOC to thank them for putting wheels on the train.

I'd look at it that TOCs around the UK haven't correctly managed my expectations that a booking office is always going to be able to sell me the correct ticket, and in a situation where a booking office hasn't been able to sell me the correct ticket when it should have been able to I've brought this to the relevant TOCs attention. I feel it's unfair not to bring it to there attention when they have exceeded my expectations.

It's nice to hear you were happy with the service you received, to the extent you wish to commend the individual involved. I'd question why anything other than a 'thank you' at the end of the transaction would not be sufficient to indicate someone had done their job in a friendly efficient way?

See my above reply.

Did you present your ticket you already had booked to a continental destination?

No but I did present the ticket I'd booked from a continental destination to the UK.


I must admit I'm surprised by some of the posts on this thread, I hasten to add not in a bad way more of an interesting one. We see so many threads knocking TOCs for not providing the service they should, isn't it nice to point out when they've done a good job? Okay this is something simple like selling the correct ticket, but there are other instances where they go above and beyond.

 

[Bertie the bus]

I'd look at it that TOCs around the UK haven't correctly managed my expectations that a booking office is always going to be able to sell me the correct ticket, and in a situation where a booking office hasn't been able to sell me the correct ticket when it should have been able to I've brought this to the relevant TOCs attention. I feel it's unfair not to bring it to there attention when they have exceeded my expectations.

They only exceeded your expectations because your expectations are so low and you expect them not to do the job they are being paid for.

As has been mentioned, being correctly sold the ticket you asked for shouldn't be considered an exceptional event.

 

[FordFocus]

I'm sorry but it's against the forum rules to praise rail staff on here

 

[thealexweb]

I recently asked for a Plusbus Wigan at Wigan Wallgate. The lone member of staff had never heard of plusbus... woeful.

Edit: Come to think of it I am pretty sure there are adverts up for PlusBus at at least one of the Wigan Stations.

 

[Bertie the bus]

I'm sorry but it's against the forum rules to praise rail staff on here

If that was aimed at me I apologise for taking a long time to reply. I’ve been on the phone to one of the ‘how is my driving?’ numbers on the back of a van praising the driver for not running me over on a zebra crossing.

 

[Oxfordblues]

Good to read this thread. A colleague who worked at Preston Booking Office in the 1970s was the most lazy and unhelpful man I've ever met. I well recall one customer travelling to Leicester being issued with a ticket to Nuneaton and told to "rebook there" simply because the clerk concerned couldn't be bothered to look-up the add-on to the Nuneaton fare.

 

[Deepgreen]

"Shoutout".
Another import from the U.S. of A. What's wrong with the English "mention"?

Exactly - are we on local radio here?!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Oh hush. It's a perfectly cromulent word.

Too much like Shootout for comfort...

 

[QueensCurve]

London International (CIV) to Crewe / Preston.

Just to be clears is London International (CIV) synonymous with St Pancreas?

ps: I too wondered what was meant by "Shoutout".

 

[DarloRich]

I misread this as shootout at Preston station - imagine my disappointment

 

[QueensCurve]

I misread this as shootout at Preston station - imagine my disappointment

I didn't misread it like that, but I had visions that it literally involved someone shouting.

 

[30907]

Just to be clears is London International (CIV) synonymous with St Pancreas?

Basically, but I believe the ticket would be valid in conjunction with a ticket via Harwich-Hook.

 

[Busaholic]

Equally, that can come across as pretty backhanded.

"Usually, I get sold the wrong ticket, or come away empty handed."

Selling the correct ticket is literally the minimum requirement of a booking office. It's like writing to a TOC to thank them for putting wheels on the train.

I'd imagine a letter of praise from you would be as rare an event as a statement of truth from Donald J. Trump