Faded Network Railcard

[AlterEgo]

FCC station staff refused to replace railcard because I didn't have a receipt (why would I keep a receipt for a railcard?), and said even if I had one it would be a fiver.

That's correct - strictly speaking anyway.

11) The Network Railcard will not be valid if it is damaged. The Train Companies do not undertake to replace damaged, lost or stolen Railcards, or to issue refunds on unused/unwanted Railcards. However, application for the replacement of a Railcard may be made at a staffed station ticket office in the Network Railcard area. A £5 administration fee will be payable for the replacement of a damaged or lost Railcard and the completed 'Receipt' section of the original application form must be produced. No fee will be charged for the replacement of a stolen Railcard upon presentation of a crime reference number/documentation issued by the Police. In all cases, you will be requested to show some form of identification if obtaining a replacement from a station.

Damaging something and then not getting a replacement for free is not a breach of consumer law.

(Unless the goods are faulty - it might be difficult to argue that a fading railcard is "Faulty") Anyone else shed any light?

 

[Mike395]

That's correct.


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Sorry - but you were quoted the correct procedure; a procedure which ATOC Ltd sets, not FCC.

I am amazed you got a "free" railcard out of this.

Losing something and then not getting a replacement for free is not a breach of consumer law.

Surely 'damage' only covers misuse by the user? A railcard that just naturally fades is not fit for purpose in my view and thus can be replaced free of charge

 

[AlterEgo]

Surely 'damage' only covers misuse by the user? A railcard that just naturally fades is not fit for purpose in my view and thus can be replaced free of charge

I suppose that is a subjective point. I have had eight different (and well used) railcards, and not one has faded. They have all been stored in a ticket wallet. Is a faded railcard "damaged"? Strictly speaking, I suppose it is - although consideration might be given to how old the railcard is, etc!
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FWIW, I'd replace a faded Railcard with no quibble - just interested in definitions and terms should a TOC try and play a few games!

 

[tony_mac]

we have had this many times already!

Some railcards fade, some don't, it's all down to the ticket stock used - it has nothing to do with how they are kept! (I had my 2009 and 2010 in the same wallet; after 6 months the 2010 was unreadable but the 2009 was still absolutely fine).

 

[First class]

This is the official advice:

Replacing faded Railcards

Customers whose Railcard has faded to the extent that the details on it cannot be read should not be charged a replacement fee.

A replacement Railcard should be issued using the procedure detailed above. Ask the customer to endorse the application form ‘Faded Railcard’ in the ‘Loss/Damage/Theft’ section and ensure the faded Railcard is attached to the application form for audit purposes.

To establish the expiry date of the replacement Railcard, please ask the customer to show either the receipt from their original application form or a card payment receipt voucher. However, if neither of these can be produced then the date of purchase provided by the customer should be accepted.

 

[bnm]

What's the procedure for replacement DSB railcards, anyone?

Dunno what the official procedure is, but when my DSB railcard became faded I called the folks up in Scotland who administer them and they just sent me a replacement asking that I destroy the faded one.

 

[AlterEgo]

Replacing faded Railcards

Customers whose Railcard has faded to the extent that the details on it cannot be read should not be charged a replacement fee.

A replacement Railcard should be issued using the procedure detailed above. Ask the customer to endorse the application form ‘Faded Railcard’ in the ‘Loss/Damage/Theft’ section and ensure the faded Railcard is attached to the application form for audit purposes.

To establish the expiry date of the replacement Railcard, please ask the customer to show either the receipt from their original application form or a card payment receipt voucher. However, if neither of these can be produced then the date of purchase provided by the customer should be accepted.

Thanks for clearing that up - pretty clear advice there.

 

[David Goddard]

This is a modern phoenomenon with thermal printing.
Shops have used thermal print till receipts for some years now and the print fades no matter what sonditions you keep the receipt in, which is a bit of a problem if you need to activate the five year guarantee on your television when the receipt had faded to blank. The print on my railcard is fading really badly this year, although with just a week to go until I renew it I dont think there will be a problem.

 

[marts]

Thank you for the replies.

Got a replacement railcard printed on Saturday, just had to fill a form in.

 

[island]

This is a modern phoenomenon with thermal printing.
Shops have used thermal print till receipts for some years now and the print fades no matter what sonditions you keep the receipt in, which is a bit of a problem if you need to activate the five year guarantee on your television when the receipt had faded to blank. The print on my railcard is fading really badly this year, although with just a week to go until I renew it I dont think there will be a problem.

Easy solution: photocopy the receipt!

 

[Buttsy]

My Network railcard faded badly and fortunately I hadn't binned the receipt so kept it with it in case of arguments. Went to Oxford in May/June time to get it replaced. I was given a form to fill out and they replaced it with no charge

The FGW printers must be dodgy at Oxford as it's already faded and it's only ever been in my plastic ticket wallet. It renews on 16/09/11 so I won't bother to get a new one, just wave the receipt around if I need to.

Had a similar problem with a monthly season, started fading badly near the end of it's validity.