Why do some passengers tell silly lies?

[Matt Taylor]

By the way, I'm the Duke of Kidderminster and extremely rich! (I doubt too many people will 'get' my quote)

And I'm a Moldovan aristocrat.

 

[cjohnson]

Well that's possible. Is there a rule like with season tickets whereby you can get a PF and/or additional rail tickets canceled once in a year if you send in a copy of your railcard? If so would you recommend this a passenger?

No, you would still lose your appeal. It's your job to carry the railcard, ensure it's valid and to produce it when required. Indeed, you sign two documents to confirm this, a) the application form, b) the railcard itself.

I was travelling with a friend on FCC who realised she had forgotten her railcard. The ticket inspector duly PF'd her, but also clearly stated that if she sent off the PF notice to FCC with a copy of her railcard then the PF would be refunded. This sounded dubious to me, and was thus not surprised when a letter came back rejecting her appeal

Was this an inspector not knowing the rules properly, or a cunning attempt to avoid confrontation by giving the apparent promise that the penalty fare could be reclaimed?!

 

[Solent&Wessex]

I was travelling with a friend on FCC who realised she had forgotten her railcard. The ticket inspector duly PF'd her, but also clearly stated that if she sent off the PF notice to FCC with a copy of her railcard then the PF would be refunded. This sounded dubious to me, and was thus not surprised when a letter came back rejecting her appeal

Was this an inspector not knowing the rules properly, or a cunning attempt to avoid confrontation by giving the apparent promise that the penalty fare could be reclaimed?!

I suspect a bit of both. I often calm people slightly by saying that they can always contact customer relations to see what they say, they might refund something. But then I warn them they probably won't as the rules say X, Y or Z, but there is no harm in trying.

 

[Hager98]

And I'm a Moldovan aristocrat.

Your Mr Hitler, any relation?
Well, i've got a mother.
No i meant to Adolf Hitler
YES, thats her!

 

[jon0844]

I was travelling with a friend on FCC who realised she had forgotten her railcard.l

How do you do this? Keep the ticket WITH the railcard (in a wallet) when you buy it and you can't forget the railcard can you? If you do, you've forgotten the ticket too!

Had the friend realised beforehand that the railcard had been left at home, she should have bought a new ticket and then tried to claim a refund on the one originally purchased. Or, could she have asked before travel to excess the ticket up to the full price ticket?

 

[Tom C]

I was travelling with a friend on FCC who realised she had forgotten her railcard. The ticket inspector duly PF'd her, but also clearly stated that if she sent off the PF notice to FCC with a copy of her railcard then the PF would be refunded.

Are you sure it wasn't MAY be refunded?

It is the inspectors obligation to explain the appeals process, just because he explains it does not mean you will automatically receive your money back.

At the end of the day, if you purchase a ticket with a supporting document then cannot produce that document then the ticket is invalid.

 

[CarterUSM]

It's the best course of action to tell passengers they may or may not be refunded, it is a little silly to maintain either way, you never know when you may come across them again............