Unused Tickets

[ChrisTheRef]

I buy my ticket from the ticket office and go to stand on the platform.

Whilst waiting for the train, I get a phone call which means my journey is now pointless.

Is there a procedure for giving the ticket back for a refund?

 

[Old Timer]

I buy my ticket from the ticket office and go to stand on the platform.

Whilst waiting for the train, I get a phone call which means my journey is now pointless.

Is there a procedure for giving the ticket back for a refund?

Go back to the booking office immediately.

It certainly used to be the case that if you returned it before the train arrived then it would be cancelled and refunded in full.

 

[A60K]

I buy my ticket from the ticket office and go to stand on the platform.

Whilst waiting for the train, I get a phone call which means my journey is now pointless.

Is there a procedure for giving the ticket back for a refund?

Your best bet is to go back to the ticket office and ask nicely if they can cancel the tickets and refund you - I've had something similar happen once before (because of another unrelated train being cancelled), and my friendly local station staff were happy to give me my money back without an admin fee being charged.

 

[attics26]

and since rightly or wrongly supermarket comparisons are often used here can I suggest after buying a loaf of bread, on your way home your other half phones to say they have purchased a loaf, you try returning your loaf- for once (sure not always) the railways win in the eye of the customer/passenger.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

...my supermarket would be fine with that...

 

[royaloak]

and since rightly or wrongly supermarket comparisons are often used here can I suggest after buying a loaf of bread, on your way home your other half phones to say they have purchased a loaf, you try returning your loaf- for once (sure not always) the railways win in the eye of the customer/passenger.

Just put it in the freezer

But I can see the point you are making.

 

[yorkie]

If the original packaging is unopened (the equivalent to a ticket being unused) then I don't think there is going to be an issue if you return anything if you've only just bought it.

Just put it in the freezer

But I can see the point you are making.

The equivalent would be being allowed to use the ticket another day. Quite possible if it's a scratch card ticket. And, providing you wanted to travel within 5 days, also possible with an Anytime. Not possible with a 'Day' ticket though.

 

[Tom B]

and since rightly or wrongly supermarket comparisons are often used here can I suggest after buying a loaf of bread, on your way home your other half phones to say they have purchased a loaf, you try returning your loaf- for once (sure not always) the railways win in the eye of the customer/passenger.

The supermarket does not HAVE to refund it, but if you return it in a saleable condition they will do so - it's a concept of "being helpful" or "customer service", two things the railway industry doesn't appear to know about.

 

[RailwayBear]

Take the ticket back to the booking office you will be give an immediate refund.

 

[northwichcat]

I think there's an admin charge on refunds on certain types of tickets, but they can't charge that if the train you planned to catch is cancelled. Also, your consumer rights allow you to get a full refund in the same method you paid if you have been sold the wrong ticket or a condition of the ticket was wrongly advertised when you purchased it.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

The official proceedure is that you must apply for a refund, which can be done upto 28 days from the expiry date of the ticket. However some clerks would rather not do the paperwork if they can help it, so if the ticket was purchased from the office on the station (if there is one) and is returned to that office soon after purchase (say no more than 15 minutes) they might void it for no fee, but it is entirely at the discretion of the clerk on duty, they do not have to do it.