Fare evasion. The second time... :(

[island]

If you offer a high amount, they might accept it. If you don't offer an amount, they might name something lower than you were willing to pay, saving you the difference.

 

[Flamingo]

At this stage you have no idea what their costs are or what they may be willing to accept, there is no point in guessing.

I would just make it plain you are willing to part with a sum of money to make all this go away, and leave it at that.

 

[moonface123]

Thank you! I just wanted to make sure that I offer something reasonable that they would likely to accept.

Can I offer a sum of money later if they decide to take the matter further? (if I offer no amount now) I mean - are they going to reply if they want to take it to court or I will just simply receive a court summons?

 

[Flamingo]

I'm not sure, I don't work in that side. Send off a letter of reply to their letter, and wait and see.

 

[455driver]

I would change the-

I would like to be a valuable part of the community

To-

I think of myself as a valuable part of the community and am disgusted with my behaviour on this occasion

I think that reads a bit better and shows how contrite you are.

Edit-
Its costs incurred by your company


Is this the first time I have helped a fare dodger try to get off?
I must be getting old/ soft.

 

[sarahj]

You dont say whose train you were on FCC, or southern. FCC dont have guards that sell tickets. Then its the issue of not buying a ticket at Brighton with the ticket office open 03.50 - 01.00 and with a min of 8 ticket machines.
You say you dont normaly do this, but this is the second time, you had major chances to buy before you travelled, you lied when asked at London Bridge where you came from. No sympathy.

 

[455driver]

No matter what happens this time round, if there is a next time you will definitely be up in front of the beak.

Further to sarahj post, if its FCC I wouldnt bother too much with the letter as they have a zero tolerance for fare avoiders.

I am trying to be all nicey nicey, is it working?

 

[moonface123]

No matter what happens this time round, if there is a next time you will definitely be up in front of the beak.

Further to sarahj post, if its FCC I wouldnt bother too much with the letter as they have a zero tolerance for fare avoiders.

I am trying to be all nicey nicey, is it working?

Thank you for all your help. I am not sure what is on the letter, it is not with me right now. It is not FCC for sure, either Southern or South Eastern.

Thank you!

 

[bb21]

I will do that. I will leave out the amounts.

Matter of interest: why does it make a big difference if I tell them the amount or not? I mean, why is that a big problem if I say the number? I am just asking...

No, it shouldn't hurt, however in the very slight chance that they wanted more money than that they might reject it. (I know this is highly unlikely.)

As for the charity idea, forget it. You are not dealing with UKBA and the (private) railway companies certainly do not care if you give money to charities or not or whether you are someone with good characters. What are they getting out of you giving money to charity?

My opinion on the matter remains the same as the others. Leave it to them to state a figure. You just need to make sure that you express how remorseful you are over the whole incident.

 

[tony6499]

The thing is that to board a train at Brighton you have to pass a ticket office and many ticket machines whichever way you enter the station so FCC may with your previous record decide that prosecution is the best option.

So to say you couldn't buy your ticket at Brighton is not a wise thing to say.

 

[455driver]

it was not FCC it was probably Southern.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I will do that. I will leave out the amounts.

Matter of interest: why does it make a big difference if I tell them the amount or not? I mean, why is that a big problem if I say the number? I am just asking...

Well if they only want £200* and you offer them £1200 they will accept it and you will be £1000 worse off.

If you have true regret (i am not suggesting you don't) and want to pay all this then when they reply say £350* you give £850 to a charity and ask them which one after you have paid their requested sum.

It also works in reverse. Offer too little and they might not settle out of court and take you there.

*Note my figures are representative to the point i was making do not take anything more than that from it.

 

[moonface123]

Thank you all for your help and constructive opinion. I sent the letter today, now I have to sit and wait. I will keep everyone updated if you want me to.

Thanks again!

 

[moonface123]

Dear All,

I just wanted to update everyone about the case. I sent the letter back explaining the event. I didn't receive communication from the train company after that. I was getting worried (there was a post problem in my area) and to make sure that they received my letter (and to make sure that I didn't miss any communication from them), I sent it again.

A few days later a very nice gentleman called me and ensured me that they received my first letter (and the second as well). He also asked to send him all my previous tickets, etc. I emailed him the documents and the company decided to settle out of court. I was very lucky and the gentleman I talked with was very nice. I need to thank him big times.

I would like to thank everyone for the help here. I can assure you that I learnt my lesson and I will never do it ever again.

ps: I will also donate the difference between the aout of court settlement and the settlement fee I offered.

 

[Greenback]

Thanks for coming back to update us. I'm glad you managed to reach a satisfactory outcome.

 

[6Gman]

Dear All,

I just wanted to update everyone about the case. I sent the letter back explaining the event. I didn't receive communication from the train company after that. I was getting worried (there was a post problem in my area) and to make sure that they received my letter (and to make sure that I didn't miss any communication from them), I sent it again.

A few days later a very nice gentleman called me and ensured me that they received my first letter (and the second as well). He also asked to send him all my previous tickets, etc. I emailed him the documents and the company decided to settle out of court. I was very lucky and the gentleman I talked with was very nice. I need to thank him big times.

I would like to thank everyone for the help here. I can assure you that I learnt my lesson and I will never do it ever again.

ps: I will also donate the difference between the aout of court settlement and the settlement fee I offered.

Well done (especially on the charitable giving). You are a very, very, very, very (etc etc) lucky person!