Tickets on arrival at Gatwick

[Gatwickflyer]

The ticket machine at my local station of Littlehaven is often out of order and the ticket office closed. A few days ago I was travelling to Gatwick and because the machine was not working I travelled without a ticket and asked to pay at Gatwick. There I was sent to a member of staff by the new ticket machines. I asked for a day return from Littlehaven, but because the new machines no longer sell tickets from other stations, I was helped to buy a day return from Gatwick to Littlehaven.
From an accounting point of view this seems questionable.
Also, although it doesn't apply in my case, what if the fare to Gatwick is less than the fare from Gatwick? e.g. to and from Clapham Junction.

 

[island]

If the fare is the same then it’s probably no harm, no foul. Where it is different I would expect the booking office would readily assist.

 

[bubieyehyeh]

The prices are same.

Agreed the ticketing situation at littlehaven is getting tiresome.

I think I've seen the ticket office open about twice in last six months, both of which was a few days after the local paper ran an article about the sitiuation.

I have looked at KeyGo as a solution, but it doesn't work for almost all my journeys since 1) can't use it on London overground trains and 2) can't get railcard discount for offpeak travel.